ASHKUM BEAR

I take it with a grain of salt, but John Clayton says the Bears have 2 million left in cap space. That was saying we started with 34. I'm guessing we should be closer to 12-15, and room to improve by cutting Bush and E. Bennett.

You may be right on Horton. He is interviewing for the Vikings for the HC.

It's on a Spiegel tweet that SCS posted, but who knows if this is even true lol! But now guys will be mad because the cap hits went from 3 years to 5.

If the latest information on the cap hits is true, Cutler's 2014 hit is 11.8 million....which is not insane and is up just a little from the 10.37 hit we had this year (2013).

This is why it makes no sense to cry the sky is falling until all the information comes out. If this is true, which I would believe, then we have plenty of cap space to retool.

I agree, huge Golden Domer myself. I think he has the motor to play 3T.

I would think if we stay in the same scheme they go with Jernigan from FSU. He would fit the 3T better IMO. Not saying Nix couldn't though, he's just more massive.

I think its something being considered heavily. Bostic moving outside has been mentioned. McCLellin moving to LB. Trestman saying how preparing the O against the 3-4 as being difficult to pick up the rush. I think tradition of having great LBs can continue, just not as MLB.

That would be fine, but would require a new scheme....which I am all for!

Thank you! That is a tough pill to swallow year one. With that hit Peppers will have to restructure.

I think if we resign Ratliff, we can consider Mosely at LB also. Im still high on Nix though

It will be interesting to see the full details. What matters most is the offense is intact for 2 more years at least. The price may be steep, but its the price you pay since we can't groom prospects there it seems. Hopefully that aspect will change soon too.

I wonder how Kaseem Greene would do in the 3-4 as an ILB. Bostic/McClellin as OLB, Briggs/Greene ILB, Ratliff NT, Peppers/Wootten DE. Draft S and CB, and depth to groom.

I hope we see a 3-4 or some hybrid of it. Resign Ratliff, he was an all pro NT in that scheme and Paea can rotate. Shea I think can play OLB. I think between FA and draft, the roster can be filled.

Best to start liking Cutty. "Almost any QB should be able to put up huge numbers and wins in that scenario." - If that was the case, bring back Jonathon Quinn or Craig Krenzel.

We may target Jarius Bryrd or TJ Ward in FA too, but if we drafted HHCD I'd be happy. I want to see an overhaul on D from top to bottom.

Maybe even Briggs goes for the right price, Emery has said he would like Bostic to play OLB next season.

MOTHER TUCKER!

I do think Gilbert will be the top CB. The guy is a dual threat as a returner also. Dennard is more of the aggressive DB, with todays rules, that may not be the best decision. I'd like Nix/HHCD RD1 and Kyle Fuller CB RD2

Hageman is tall, same size as Richard Seymour 6-6 317. Below are some players in that range that have excelled as the interior D-linemen. It is a concern, guess it depends on his motor and hand agility. Justin Smith SF 6-4 Kevin Williams MN 6-5 Calais Campbell AZ 6-8 Richard Seymour 6-6 Albert Haynesworth 6-6 Haloti Ngata 6-4 Ndamukong Suh 6-4

So it's official, we hold the 14th pick in the 2014 draft. I see plenty of reasons to be excited this May when draft day arrives. There could be 4 or 5 QB's drafted ahead of us, 1 or 2 WR's, 1 or 2 OT's, and some talented 3-4OLB/ 4-3 DE's prototypes. That will hopefully allow our major needs to fall into our laps. I created a list of 5 players we may have a chance to draft. Out of those 5, I would be pleased with any of them and know we would have a difference maker. Also, they are not in my order of preference either. 1. Louis Nix DT Notre Dame 6'-3" 340 5.55 Nix is a rare breed of big and athletic, which don't come around often. He would be a 3-4 anchor if we decided to switch. He has the ability to stuff the run with his size and get after the QB. Closest comparision would be Vince Wilfork. If Chicago decides to go the 3-4 and Nix was available, I think it would be a no brainer. 2. Ra'Shede Hageman DT Minnesota 6'6" 311 5.37 Hageman has long arms and a nasty demeanor. Explosive athlete that is capable of getting to the QB and stopping the run. NFL comparison would be Richard Seymour, his body style is that of JJ Watt. 3. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix S Alabama 6'-1" 209 4.6 Playmaking S with skills to cover the field, TE's, and impact the running game. He is the leader on D and football smart. Tackling and angles can use some work. NFL comparison, Ed Reed. 4. Justin Gilbert CB Oklahoma St 6'-0" 194 4.47 Big physical CB, can play man to man, and shows up against bigger competition. NFL comparsion Charles Woodson 5. Darqueze Dennard CB Michigan St 5'-11" 188 4.56 Physical corner, shut down ability, smart and tackles well. NFL comparison is Darrelle Revis. Other notables worth considering: Trent Murphy DE, Stephen Tuitt DE/DT, Timmy Jernigan DT (3T), CJ Mosely ILB.

Agree, I think if we can lock him down for 2 years and Jay for 4, then we can concentrate on bringing the defense back to respectability.

Shea will be a Bear next year. The team cannot afford to take a 4million cap hit in dead space, then they would also have to pay for his replacement. I see this with Peppers also, but hope they can re write his contract to be more cap friendly. I love the Tuitt thought, he has size/speed. Can play DT in the 4-3 or DE in the 3-4. Also, comes from the University of Notre Dame! 2nd Round pick, I'd be happy with Verrit CB or if SS Dion Bailey from USC is available. Bailey played the WLB and SS for Monte Kiffen's Tampa2. He's known as a ball hawk and playing LB we know he can play the run as well. 3rd Round, I'd think Center also would be great with Swanson and Stork slotted around this round. As for CB, Seattle has done great at finding 6th round prospects. They drafted the tall DB's like Sherman and have turned out great. I hope whoever is DC next season, we run some 3-4. If you know a team is going to throw 70% or more, why not mix the defense up with different formations and blitzes.

Shea McClellin will not be cut and doesn't have to take a pay cut. Being a higher draft pick, right now he has the bull by the horns. He will make his 2.2 million. If we cut/trade him, it will be a 4.1million cap hit up front. Not going to happen. I doubt we cut Conte either, his cap hit won't be nearly as high but he is depth (warm body) at depleted position.

This team can't afford to cut players signed, even if they've stunk. Each player cut under contract will have a cap hit, plus you need to sign a replacement and we will be strapped to field a 53 man team. Right now, we need a lot of fingers to plug the dike. SMC, Conte and Paea will all be back next year and they can be serviceable if they can be put in position to succeed. Look at how Kromer/Trestman has brought along the offense. They may not play like all pros every game, but we see growth and glimpses of potential. Defense has been at a mighty mite level and to me, that reflects the coaching.