Today the Tampa Bay Buccaneers released Jurevicous and Gold. The Patriots released Troy Brown. Tennessee let go of Mason last week and Coakley was let go by Dallas today. I would like to see the Bears sign (or at least make a run at) 2 of these guys. Those 2 being Gold and Brown.

 

Gold would become a starting OLB next to BU and Briggs. Besides, the Bears realy went after Gold last season and he still may want to come here. This would null he drafting of Johnson and let the Bears focus on WR more. Thats were Brown comes in. On Brown's part, I know it's probably a long shot, but he would look great in a Bears uni. Lining him up across from Mush would give the Bears a WR tandem they haven't had since Booker/Robinson were both good/healthy. It's a long shot for Brown but if not, drafting Edwards or Williams wouldn't hurt.

 

If Gold is signed, draft Edwards/Williams. If another WR is signed, draft Johnson. If neither happens, I would like to see them get Edwards. If both happen, a big unlikelihood, then it allows us to draft Benson/Brown (whoever Miami doesn't pick) or it allows us to trade down and go for the best CB or OL.

 

Thought???

I'm pretty sure they don't have enough money left under the cap to make a run at one, much less two of those guys.

They are somewhere between 6-8 mil.

Gold could be had for 4 and Jurevicous wouldn't be too expensive.

They need some of that money to sign draft picks.

They need some of that money to sign draft picks.

 

or they could just not sign their draft picks, which would be the smart thing to do

No 6-7 mill is the number without the money thats set aside for the rookie so thats 6-7 mill to spend on FA's.

 

However, Gold is nowhere near a 4 mill a year linebacker, plus the Bears can't tie up that much money. I'm not saying Gold wouldn't be a good pickup but the Bears have to be smart with that money.

 

Vet OT, vet WR, vet QB. Thats the three needs and you can also include vet OLB on that list, however, they may fill that need with Johnson. At the same time, if they pick up all these spots, it all but guarantees Ronnie Brown/Ced Benson in Chicago.

From the Tribune (Jay Feidler article):

 

Figures that the NFL Management Council are expected to release Wednesday will show the Bears nearly $10 million below the salary cap of $85.5 million, but a team source suggested that is deceiving. Reserving about $5 million for rookies and another $3.5 million for money tendered players already under contract leaves the Bears a scant $1.5 million under the cap.

Just like it was reported we had 2 mil before signing Moose...rrrrrrright.

We have to wait for cuts and restructuring by Angelo to see what our real FA number is.

Edited March 2, 200521 yr by WHarris1

Id rather the Bears sign Wahle to help out the offensive line and then do the rest through the draft

Heres a link with the Bears cap situation

 

http://www.nflfans.com/bears/images/2005bearscap.htm

I beleive Whale went to Carolina of SF....???

Wahle signed with Carolina to be their RT, got a $13 or $15 million signing bonus as well. Gold's headed back to Denver while Jurevicius wants to go back to Tampa as his 1st option, or return to the New York Giants. If I was Angelo, I'd be going after Kareem McKenzie if they could somehow fit him into the cap.

All I know is that a solid starting OLB and a speed/stretch WR are big needs. Followed by backup QB which mught be adressed with Kurt Warner since he visited Hallas Hall today,

Supposedly they made an offer to Ike Reese yesterday although the Eagles also want to retain him.