Bears sign Alex Brown to Extension

[GakMan23]

The Bears signed defensive end Alex Brown to a two-year contract extension on Monday. Brown had two years left on his existing contract. Per NFL.com

[Ed Hochuli 3:16]

I smell a possible Anderson trade...

[nfoligno]

Maybe, but I don't think so. Brown wanted a new deal or trade prior to last year. We said no largely because we saw Anderson was expected to start. That didn't seem to workout, but I don't think that means we intend to trade him. Why would we? Young stud pass rushers do not grow on trees. If you find one, why get rid of him. W/ Anderson, we have a great DE rotation.

 

Everyone wants to trade to add draft picks. Sometimes that makes sense, but I do not understand the logic w/ Anderson.

[Ed Hochuli 3:16]

Maybe, but I don't think so. Brown wanted a new deal or trade prior to last year. We said no largely because we saw Anderson was expected to start. That didn't seem to workout, but I don't think that means we intend to trade him. Why would we? Young stud pass rushers do not grow on trees. If you find one, why get rid of him. W/ Anderson, we have a great DE rotation.

 

Everyone wants to trade to add draft picks. Sometimes that makes sense, but I do not understand the logic w/ Anderson.

I am so worked up in this I totally forgot we have Wale, therefore, I take my statement back. After Wale retires or whatever happens to him, Anderson can step right in. I just hope he learns how to play the run as well as he plays the pass.

[balta1701-A]

Maybe, but I don't think so. Brown wanted a new deal or trade prior to last year. We said no largely because we saw Anderson was expected to start. That didn't seem to workout, but I don't think that means we intend to trade him. Why would we? Young stud pass rushers do not grow on trees. If you find one, why get rid of him. W/ Anderson, we have a great DE rotation.

 

Everyone wants to trade to add draft picks. Sometimes that makes sense, but I do not understand the logic w/ Anderson.

I wouldn't trade any of the guys to add a draft pick. But if I could swap Ogun or Anderson in a deal that brought back a key piece (ie Chad Johnson?) at a position where the Bears are weak wouldn't you do it? Johnson's not moving because of the cap hit the Bengals would take, but as an example, if you could bring back a stud WR if you packaged your 2nd rounder and one of those 2 guys...

[nfoligno]

It depends on the position, but yes, I would "consider" trading Anderson for a player. I do not believe I would trade Anderson for a WR. I do not think Anderson and a pick is going to get a an elite WR (not counting Chad Johnson, which is another argument), and frankly, I consider it easier to find quality WRs than to find pass rushing DEs.

 

I would consider Anderson in a trade for QB or LT, two positions we have tried unsuccessfully to address for years. Most other positions though I do not believe it necessary to trade a young pass rusher like Anderson.

[chwtom]

Things worked better for the DLine when Anderson was a situation pass rusher. I think they saw his sack totals and thought they'd found a star DE on the cheap, but maybe now they've realized that his role is/should be more limited than that.

[DrunkBomber]

I wouldn't trade any of the guys to add a draft pick. But if I could swap Ogun or Anderson in a deal that brought back a key piece (ie Chad Johnson?) at a position where the Bears are weak wouldn't you do it? Johnson's not moving because of the cap hit the Bengals would take, but as an example, if you could bring back a stud WR if you packaged your 2nd rounder and one of those 2 guys...

Exactly. Unless we can add a proven commodity then we benefit from keeping them all. All three of those guys are more valuable than a second day draft pick at this point.

[BearSox]

I think Idonije is officially gonna move over to UT now. That Bazuin pick is looking bad right now though. At the time it made sense since it seemed Brown was on his way out, but after this past season, it looks like JA and Lovie realized that Anderson's best and most productive role is situational pass rusher. Well, at least we have good depth at a very important position.

[xvflutop]

Look at the Giants. They are full of pass rushing DEs. I don't think we should give up any of them unless an offer comes that is too good to pass. Plus as it was previously stated Ogun is getting on in years. I'd rather have a known commodity fill his shoes when he decides to hang it up than an unknown.

[adam]

Nice to lock Alex up for a couple more years.

[Connorbear]

Nice to lock Alex up for a couple more years.

Part of me is happy because I like Alex but part of me doesn't like re-negotiating a contract with more than 1 yr left on that contract especially after he was openly lobbying for a new contract last yr. I think it can set a bad precedent.

 

Peace

[AZ54]

Alex lobbied but when it came time to practice he practiced. When it came time to sit on the bench he sat on the bench and for the most part kept his mouth shut during the season. Of course he openly said he wanted to start several times but why have a guy on the team if he doesn't want to play? Then after all that when it came time to play he played well. So while everyone knew his frustration with the demotion he kept working like a professional. There's a lot of value in having a guy like that on the team.

 

As far as Bazuin I'm ok keeping 4 DEs on the roster. We must have a decent 3-man rotation at DE and if anyone of the top 3 get hurt somebody has to step in. Bazuin was hurt the entire offseason so we never saw what he's capable of but I think his high motor will fit right on the D.

[nfoligno]

I have no issue for a player not being happy about a demotion. My issue was (a) griping about his contract w/ 3 years left on it, not to mention coming off a mediocre year and ( asking for a trade.

[Bears4Ever_34]

Either there is a trade coming or were going to use Anderson in a backup role again next year where he thrived at.

[DABEARSDABOMB]

I think this is a good sign as it means Brown will likely get a lot more playing time and thats good. A, because Brown is a very good all around end and B, because it means Anderson will be more appropriately used (as a pass rushing specialist who will slowly develop, hopefully, into a more complete end). I really am happy with this move and while I like Moose, if the Bears can pick up BOoker and than do something with Berrian or find a replacment I'll be happy with the WR core (than its just a matter of the oline and possibly the backfield.

[nfoligno]

One reason I really do not like this move.

 

Two years ago, Anderson came into the league and put up what, 12 sacks. When was the last time a DL had that many? So he gets the starting job, and doesn't live up to the hype. Brown gets the start back late in the season, and looks good. But my question is, did Anderson hit a sophmore slump sort of thing, or is he simply nothing more than a situational pass rusher.

 

The issue I have is, w/ Wale still under a hefty deal and Brown now locked up till 2011 for likely some good coin, I do not think Anderson gets another shot. I would have liked to see an open competition between he and Brown. In the two years Brown and Anderson have been on the team together, we never saw that. I would have liked to go into camp this year and let the two fight for the starting job. No preferences. Whoever is better starts.

 

Now we will not have that.

[bradjock]

One reason I really do not like this move.

 

Two years ago, Anderson came into the league and put up what, 12 sacks. When was the last time a DL had that many? So he gets the starting job, and doesn't live up to the hype. Brown gets the start back late in the season, and looks good. But my question is, did Anderson hit a sophmore slump sort of thing, or is he simply nothing more than a situational pass rusher.

 

The issue I have is, w/ Wale still under a hefty deal and Brown now locked up till 2011 for likely some good coin, I do not think Anderson gets another shot. I would have liked to see an open competition between he and Brown. In the two years Brown and Anderson have been on the team together, we never saw that. I would have liked to go into camp this year and let the two fight for the starting job. No preferences. Whoever is better starts.

 

Now we will not have that.

 

We should have that starting competition always, reguardless of salary. That being said, we've seen Mark Anderson for what he is: he's just as you described, a situational pass rusher. No more, no less.

 

In 2006 when the defense constantly had the other team backing up, he was huge. In 2007, when it's 3rd & 3, the other team was sending their RB right at him, usually for a 10 yard gain (after they dodged him & Archuletta.)

 

I hate that fact that Brown had one hellua a season with his back against the wall, and not that extra motivation is gone. But the fact is, he's the 2nd best DE on this team next to Wale. We've locked him up for 2 more years at a reasonable price. I can't bitch about that.

 

On a side note, is Alex Brown a Rosenass client? If so, it'd odd that he agree, yet Briggs, Berrian, Harris, and Ayanbadejo did not. (That means bad things)

[AZ54]

I thought I read that Segal is Brown's agent, same guy that represents Moose. The 4 you mention are Rosenass clients.

[bradjock]

I thought I read that Segal is Brown's agent, same guy that represents Moose. The 4 you mention are Rosenass clients.

 

Thanks for that info. I'm wondering if the 4 Rosenass clients might act collectively and all wait until FA starts to sign a deal. (Except for Tommie of course who's not a free agent.) Rosenass holds a lot of power, but at the same time Angelo holds the check-book. It'll be interesting to see how this power-struggle plays out.

[DrunkBomber]

Thanks for that info. I'm wondering if the 4 Rosenass clients might act collectively and all wait until FA starts to sign a deal. (Except for Tommie of course who's not a free agent.) Rosenass holds a lot of power, but at the same time Angelo holds the check-book. It'll be interesting to see how this power-struggle plays out.

Rosenhaus isnt the type of agent that will blackball a team. I dont think he lets whats going on with one of his clients dictate negotiations for his other clients on the same team.

[nfoligno]

One issue I have w/ Anderson. As a rookie, I often commented how he would show so many different moves. He did NOT simply rush outside using speed. Numerous times I saw him use speed, or the threat of his speed, to get OTs off balance, only to then use a swim move to cut to the inside. I remember Dent even talking about how Anderson looked like a veteran w/ such a repatoir (sp?) of moves.

 

Last year, Anderson rushed outside everydown I ever watched. I NEVER saw him make an inside move. Frankly, I am not sure I really saw Brown or Wale go to the inside either. It seemed like our "scheme" had our DEs rushing outside, w/ the plan being to force the QB up in the pocket, and then Harris/Walker to penetrate and clean up. I talked about this a bunch.

 

That really makes me wonder if Anderson didn't simply play using his talent and ability as a rookie, but then as a 2nd year player, the staff took a greater hand in how he played. Further, didn't we have a new DL coach last year?

 

Anyway, I just wonder if Anderson might not be more than a situational pass rusher, but further wonder if our staff held him (and our other DEs back) by not allowing them to do anything more than outside rush. Another example of this point is that we didn't stunt this past year. Even Idonije talked about that.

 

Regarding why Brown would re-sign when the others wouldn't, part of that may have to do w/ Brown being under contract for two more seasons, and not being considered elite at his position. Berrian and Briggs were w/in a year of FA, and Harris is considered in the elite class, and the money is sooooo much more.