bradjock

Peppers was born in January 1980. Allen in April 1982. So it's closer to two years than 3 in age difference. What worries me somewhat, is that Peppers was blessed with incredible talent. He probably could have played professional basketball and was the 2nd overall draft pick. Meanwhile, Jared Allen is a "try hard" was a 4th round pick who has made it on his effort and being a workout beast. I worry how far effort will get you when your body starts to break down. I'm not complaining at all and I'm thrilled with the deal. But we have seen it where guys get bad quickly. Orlando Pace is one that immediately comes to mind.

We drafted Wootton as a DE and he was our starting DE on opening day last year. He was only moved inside after all our DT's were injured. I have no clue how Minny will use him. Wootton looks like a DE with his length.

No way we are moving Houston to a regular DT for a variety of reasons: 1. You really need 3 regular defensive ends. Last year we started with Peppers, Wootton & Shea. I think you overestimate the value Izzy. At this point he's a nice #4 DE and special teamer. He's not going to be a key contributor. I know we have a ton of DE's on the roster but nobody has really distinguished themself. 2. This sets up nicely for us to draft a DT at #14. I think we stick at #14 and draft Donald or Jernigan. We could possibly draft a safety, but our DT's were historically bad last year and that position holds greater value. I think we take a safety in round 2 or 3. 3. Houston doesn't want to play DT. We may move him inside down the line, but I'm guessing we made certain promises to him before we signed him. It doesn't mean we won't slide him inside on occassion the way we did with Peppers, but but he's our opening day starting DE.

In general, here's how we've upgraded our d-line by: Replaced Peppers with Allen: I'm not certain that this is much of an upgrade but Allen is 2.5 years young. Replaced Wootton with Houston: HUGE upgrade Replaced Shea with Young: Upgrade Replaced Melton with Jay Ratliff: It's tough to gage with injuries Overall we are better on the d-line. I couldn't have said that before the Allen move. I fully expect us to draft the top defensive tackle in the draft.

I we can trade down. I might be in the minority, but I really felt by far our greatest needed was a pass rusher and there really isn't one worth taking at #14. Four year 32 million dollar deal with 15.5 guaranteed. Just heard it.

Allen had 11.5 sacks last season. He's the pure pass rusher we lacked and gives legitimacy to our defense. I'm officially happy with our free agency at this point. This gives us a lot of flexibility both in terms of game day and also the draft.

Nice call!!! I got to admit Scott, I was skeptical about your information. You nailed it! Thank you for the inside information!

Woo hoo!!! Four year deal

To answer my own question, Brad Biggs just wrote that he believes the extra space was needed to conduct normal business. Not to sign a big name guy like Jared Allen.

I'd add, is anyone worried that there have been no new Talkbears members since 2012? For the most part, I don't give a damn other than if the site will die out. I know when I first joined I was on here year round. Now I only frequent it during the offseason because there is so much information already out there. I think this is a terrific group who is regularly on here but new blood ain't a bad thing. Just wondering.

But Biggs just tweeted we restructured Cutler's contract on Friday so now we have 10 million in cap space. It seemed that free agency was mostly done and we were only going to target minimum salary guys. Who or what is the restructure for if not Jared Allen?

I've still not heard anything currently linking Allen to the Bears. PFT this morning mentioned Seattle and Dallas. I'm just wondering if we are actually players for Allen.

I'm sure Trestman would agree. But Welker and Amendola both signed deals at 10 million per. Hixon signed for the veteran minimum. We are talking about a back-up WR versus a premier player. I think in terms of looking for a back-up WR, we are happy to have a veteran whose height is close to BM and AJ. Especially since Cutler seems to prefer tall guys.

Agreed. Although playing in Atlanta, most of the kick-offs are going to sail out the back of the end-zone. That means he's mainly a punt return specialist. They gave 3 years 9 million to a 32 year old punt returner? That's just nuts. As for Devin playing offense, how many offensive co-ordinators say they wanted to get Devin involved in the offense and didn't. Then they were fired.

True about McCown. And we won't consider Sanchez. We want a guy like McCown. He was humble, understood his role, and happy to work his ass off to remain in the league. Sanchez still wants to be a #1. Which means we don't want Sanchez and he doesn't want us. We are talking about Sanchez because some reporter identified that we lost our #2 and may need a replacement.

And a significant one. Allen's asking for 10 million per. At a minimum he'd get Peppers money, 2 years for 18 million with 8+ guaranteed.

That's awesome! I hope you're cousin is right. Aside from your cousin, there's really not been any indication the Bears are interested in Jared Allen. It's always been assumed, because our d-line is so awful, but that's it. Any idea who the 3rd team is? We know Seattle. Dallas was rumored, but they are in cap hell and signed Henry Melton.

I'm skeptical with Young because he was playing next to Suh and Fairly. And while he didn't have a great rookie year, if I'm an opposing coach, I'm far more worried about Ansah than Young. You've detailed the hurries and disruptions, but how the hell does he only get 3 sacks? I don't mean to rehash a previous debate, but he's not done enough for us to say that we're going to start him without competition. Houston has earned that. Young has not. And I love the idea of moving Houston inside on 3rd and long.

Damn good questions. I joined bearstalk.com in 2004. At that time everyone mentioned "the old site." Whatever that was. Talkbears.com launched in the summer/fall of 2007 when the old site crashed for security reasons. I can't believe I've been on here this long.

You're ignoring the rotational factor. At this stage in his career, Allen is more ideal as a rotational player. Young is more ideal as a rotational player. Houston is our best DE. Don't make him switch. You add Allen and our DE position is set for this season. Then we draft the top defensive tackle to go with Paea, Collins, and Ratliff. Boom.

Good point. Every year he was with the Bears I felt like he was on the verge of breaking out to be a really good player. Instead he was always just an ok player who was never a difference maker (although he did knock out Favre). He's only 26 and he should be a nice player for Minny.

The Wootton deal was for a one year deal. I thought he would do better than that.

Last I heard, he wanted 10 million per year or he was retiring. I think he could be the guy who puts us over the top. Our offense is among the best in the league. Even with all the moves we've made, our defense is still among the worst. The draft will help, but not nearly enough immediately.

David Haugh retweeted Wootton "I'm excited to start new chapter in Minn!"

There's no point in fantasizing about Donald. We all did this last year and most HATED the Kyle Long pick. He solidified our line and was a back-up pro-bowler. We need a game changer on defense. I know we are likely to draft d-line, but if there's a linebacker, safety, or corner that will be a top tier talent, we'd better not mess it up.