Ed Hochuli 3:16 Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 Heard it on ESPN1000 today. They said it's a rumor that they are almost positive are. Do you guys still think he'll come back with us even w/o a tag? I think a 5 year, $25 million contract would be good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
balta1701-A Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 Heard it on ESPN1000 today. They said it's a rumor that they are almost positive are. Do you guys still think he'll come back with us even w/o a tag? I think a 5 year, $25 million contract would be good. With the rate the cap is going up and the lack of receivers on this year's market...I think he'll likely get more than that. Randle El got 7/$31 from the Redskins a few years ago, with $11.5 mil in the signing bonus, for comparison. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParkerBear7 Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 When is the deadline to FRANCHISE an UFA? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
balta1701-A Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 When is the deadline to FRANCHISE an UFA? Feb. 21. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearSox Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 JA works in mysterious ways... I just hope to god JA and Lovie really don't think that Hester will magically be the no. 1 receiver. From what I've heard, they are supposedly talking to all specialist prospects and think the OLine is fine. I hope this is just a smokescreen, or else we will be in for one hell of a long season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParkerBear7 Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 I second that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connorbear Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 Heard it on ESPN1000 today. They said it's a rumor that they are almost positive are. Do you guys still think he'll come back with us even w/o a tag? I think a 5 year, $25 million contract would be good. Let's wait to see how this plays out. I remember last yr McNeil spouting about a rumor he had on resigning Lovie (can't remember what it was) but he ended up being completely wrong. Peace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradjock Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 Heard it on ESPN1000 today. They said it's a rumor that they are almost positive are. Do you guys still think he'll come back with us even w/o a tag? I think a 5 year, $25 million contract would be good. On Wednesday, profootballtalk.com wrote (via Adam Schefer of the NFL Network): "Schefter reports that, based on talk in league circles, the following players could be franchised in the next two weeks: Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby, Panthers tackle Jordan Gross, Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, Patriots receiver Randy Moss, and Seahawks cornerback Marcus Trufant. Other potential tag-wearers include Chiefs defensive end Jared Allen and Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs. Given the value of a quality defensive lineman (see Super Bowl XLII), Allen, Suggs, and/or Haynesworth could all get the exclusive version of the tag." I'd previously thought the Bears might tag Berrian because: 1) It would give us a year to develop a rookie/Hester/Bradley, etc. 2) It would give us leverage to trade Berrian, the way we were almost able to trade Briggs last year. What's changed my mind is the realization he'd be getting paid "Randy Moss" money. How the hell do we justify that? How can we justify making him one of the top 5 highest paid WR's in the league, when IMO he's not even one of the 20 best WR's in the league (per NFL.com he was ranked 26th last year, behind better WR's who were injured like Plaxico Burress & Anquon Boldin.) His talent simply does not equal his expected price tag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearSox Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 I'd rather give Berrian the 7 million or so in guaranteed money this year then give him the 15-20 million guaranteed he'd likely receive in free agency. We'd be overpaying, but it's worth it. He is by far our best wide receiver and our best option in free agency and the draft. And this way we get to hold off another year to see if it will be the right move to sign him long term. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrunkBomber Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 If Walker became available I would absolutely rather pay him then Berrian. Berrian is our best receiver, but that doesnt mean he should get number one receiver money. He is at best a second receiver and on a lot of teams would be the third. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearSox Posted February 10, 2008 Report Share Posted February 10, 2008 If Walker became available I would absolutely rather pay him then Berrian. Berrian is our best receiver, but that doesnt mean he should get number one receiver money. He is at best a second receiver and on a lot of teams would be the third. You know, that is absolute BS. Name me 5 teams Berrian would be a 3 on. He is developing into a no. 1., and put up over 900 yards with our mess of a QB situation. And wanting a prima donna Walker who's leg is made of glass (and is 2-3 years older) for maybe a million or 2 cheaper is idiotic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrunkBomber Posted February 10, 2008 Report Share Posted February 10, 2008 You know, that is absolute BS. Name me 5 teams Berrian would be a 3 on. He is developing into a no. 1., and put up over 900 yards with our mess of a QB situation. And wanting a prima donna Walker who's leg is made of glass (and is 2-3 years older) for maybe a million or 2 cheaper is idiotic. New England, Indy, Cincy, Cleveland (you were the one calling K2 a WR) , Arizona, Green Bay, Detroit, Pittsburgh I could add teams where he would be very close but Ill add them in a separate list so you cant nitpick: Giants, Jets, San Diego, Washington (Moss, Randel El and Cooley since as you say, TEs are WRs) With the exception of Pittsburgh, where Holmes you could argue isnt better, that top list is all accurate. In fact, he wouldnt see the field in New England or Indy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DABEARSDABOMB Posted February 10, 2008 Report Share Posted February 10, 2008 7.8M would be a lot to give BB for one year, but unless the Bears plan on making a serious run at Chad Johnons/Javon Walker or some other legitimate WR, there really isn't any other option than to tag Berrian (the best option would be to resign him to a deal that works for both sides, obviously) to ensure that you have at least another season of Berrian while you work on finding or developing your new #1 WR. I know Berrian isn't a pro-bowler, but he's damn solid and by far the best playmaker the offense has. And when you have young, relatively unproven QB's you better make sure you at least give them weapons (maybe a guy like Peyton or Brady or Favre could get semi away without having weapons and having to deal with a real unproven WR core for a short time, but it isn't wise to stick young QB's in that position). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearSox Posted February 10, 2008 Report Share Posted February 10, 2008 New England, Indy, Cincy, Cleveland (you were the one calling K2 a WR) , Arizona, Green Bay, Detroit, Pittsburgh I could add teams where he would be very close but Ill add them in a separate list so you cant nitpick: Giants, Jets, San Diego, Washington (Moss, Randel El and Cooley since as you say, TEs are WRs) With the exception of Pittsburgh, where Holmes you could argue isnt better, that top list is all accurate. In fact, he wouldnt see the field in New England or Indy. I never called Winslow a wide receiver, I called him a receiver, as in a receiver of the ball. TE and WR are two different positions, however they both receive. Berrian would be both Washington's and Cleveland's no. 2 wide receiver. And at Pittsburgh, Berrian would easily beat out Holmes. Imagine how good of a season Berrian would have had if he had someone like Rothlesberger consistently throwing him the ball. And he'd be the no. 2 on the Giants, Jets (he would beat out Coles), and San Diego. So, you have 6 teams for sure, maybe even 5 if Roy Williams is traded. That is not a lot of teams Berrian wouldn't be at least the no. 2 on. That is a good minority of the league. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrunkBomber Posted February 10, 2008 Report Share Posted February 10, 2008 I never called Winslow a wide receiver, I called him a receiver, as in a receiver of the ball. TE and WR are two different positions, however they both receive. Berrian would be both Washington's and Cleveland's no. 2 wide receiver. And at Pittsburgh, Berrian would easily beat out Holmes. Imagine how good of a season Berrian would have had if he had someone like Rothlesberger consistently throwing him the ball. And he'd be the no. 2 on the Giants, Jets (he would beat out Coles), and San Diego. So, you have 6 teams for sure, maybe even 5 if Roy Williams is traded. That is not a lot of teams Berrian wouldn't be at least the no. 2 on. That is a good minority of the league. Listen, I dont think Berrian is a bum or anything, I just dont think he is worth what we would have to pay him. However, Im not naive enough to realize if we dont pull of some kind of trade we have to resign him, Im just hoping thats not the case. I dont want to be stuck with him commanding number one receiver money and having him locked up for when a true number one becomes available. If we can at least get a bigger. more physical receiver (what we needed moose to be) that compliments him and takes the pressure off of him being the go to guy I would be happy to keep him. To me Berrian is very comparable to guys like Stallworth and Randel El which is fine, but you can build a receiving corps around them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadevtx Posted February 10, 2008 Report Share Posted February 10, 2008 His talent simply does not equal his expected price tag. Agreed...however, it's a supply and demand market, and we can't afford to go into the draft with WR being our biggest need. If we franchise Berrian, we can make a run at a Bryant Johnson, and think WR in Rds. 2 and 3, instead of pick #14. Speaking of Moose and Plax, I remember when we signed Moose, I was begging for Plax. JA told us he preferred Moose's character and leadership. We got an old man, NY got the guy who played his best games in the NFC Championship and the SB. JA has made some good moves in FA, but that was (IMHO), his worst... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrunkBomber Posted February 10, 2008 Report Share Posted February 10, 2008 I never called Winslow a wide receiver, I called him a receiver, as in a receiver of the ball. TE and WR are two different positions, however they both receive. Berrian would be both Washington's and Cleveland's no. 2 wide receiver. And at Pittsburgh, Berrian would easily beat out Holmes. Imagine how good of a season Berrian would have had if he had someone like Rothlesberger consistently throwing him the ball. And he'd be the no. 2 on the Giants, Jets (he would beat out Coles), and San Diego. So, you have 6 teams for sure, maybe even 5 if Roy Williams is traded. That is not a lot of teams Berrian wouldn't be at least the no. 2 on. That is a good minority of the league. You wouldnt rather have either Vincent Jackson or Chris Chambers than Berrian? For fun, lets look at the teams where he would be a number one for sure: Minny, Tennessee. Then the maybes, which Im sure youll stress to prove your point: Miami. Theres a few more that you may try to add but he isnt better than a guy like Darrell Jackson. There are more teams in the NFL that he would be a number three receiver on than teams where he would be a number one, and the teams where he would be the number one all have terrible receivers and passing games. That suggests he is a mid to high second WR and he is more than likely going to be the highest paid free agent WR in this off season. This is almost identical to when Washington overpaid for Randel El because he was in a bad receiver off season and now they are stuck overpaying for a guy that doesnt produce very much. Throwing too much money at Berrian prevents us from being able to go after a true number one down the road and our WRs will be stuck in mediocrity for years. Its not a good idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradjock Posted February 10, 2008 Report Share Posted February 10, 2008 If we can at least get a bigger. more physical receiver (what we needed moose to be) that compliments him and takes the pressure off of him being the go to guy I would be happy to keep him. Hopefully we have that guy in Greg Olsen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradjock Posted February 10, 2008 Report Share Posted February 10, 2008 Speaking of Moose and Plax, I remember when we signed Moose, I was begging for Plax. JA told us he preferred Moose's character and leadership. We got an old man, NY got the guy who played his best games in the NFC Championship and the SB. JA has made some good moves in FA, but that was (IMHO), his worst... When we signed Moose, he'd been coming off a 1400+ yard season with 16 TD's. Plax's stats weren't even half that, and supposedly he had a terrible attitude. On hind-sight in the long term it would have been a better deal, but at the time when it happened Moose was clearly the superior receiver. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearSox Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 yeah, but Moose had Smith opposite of him... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadevtx Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 yeah, but Moose had Smith opposite of him... Smith was out that season with a broken leg... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrunkBomber Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 Smith was out that season with a broken leg... Damn you beat me to it. Bearsox you gotta do your research. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 Smith was out that season with a broken leg... Which makes those stats even better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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