So its almost that time...we have 27 free agents this year with a lot of one year contracts. So in the best interest for the team ...who do we resign and who do we let walk?

 

 

Quarterback:

Jay Cutler

Jordan Palmer

Josh McCown

 

 

 

Running Backs

Tony Fiammetta

 

Wide Receivers:

Devin Hester

 

Tight Ends:

Dante Rosario

 

Offensive Tackles:

Jonathan Scott

 

Guards:

Matt Slauson

Eben Britton

 

Centers:

Roberto Garza

 

Defensive Ends:

Corey Wootton

 

Defensive Tackles:

Nate Collins

Henry Melton

Jay Radcliff

 

Outside Linebackers

James Anderson CHI

 

Inside Linebackers

DJ Williams

Blake Costanzo

Larry Grant

 

Cornerbacks:

Charles Tillman

Tim Jennings

Kelvin Hayden

Zack Bowman

Sherrick McManis

 

Safeties:

Major Wright

Anthony Walters

Craig Steltz

 

Kickers:

Robbie Gould

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So its almost that time...we have 27 free agents this year with a lot of one year contracts. So in the best interest for the team ...who do we resign and who do we let walk?

 

 

Quarterback:

Jay Cutler

Jordan Palmer

Josh McCown

 

 

 

Running Backs

Tony Fiammetta

 

Wide Receivers:

Devin Hester

 

Tight Ends:

Dante Rosario

 

Offensive Tackles:

Jonathan Scott

 

Guards:

Matt Slauson

Eben Britton

 

Centers:

Roberto Garza

 

Defensive Ends:

Corey Wootton

 

Defensive Tackles:

Nate Collins

Henry Melton

Jay Radcliff

 

Outside Linebackers

James Anderson CHI

 

Inside Linebackers

DJ Williams

Blake Costanzo

Larry Grant

 

Cornerbacks:

Charles Tillman

Tim Jennings

Kelvin Hayden

Zack Bowman

Sherrick McManis

 

Safeties:

Major Wright

Anthony Walters

Craig Steltz

 

Kickers:

Robbie Gould

 

At the risk of making myself a mockery…..

 

Keep in order of position:

 

Palmer and McCown

 

Slauson, Britton, and Scott

 

Wooton, Collins, Melton, and Ratcliffe

 

Anderson, Williams, Tillman, Jennings, Bowman, Steltz, Wright, Gould

 

Got to let some dead wood go!

Quarterback:

Jay Cutler - depends on how he performs vs GB and if we make the playoffs. Also, I think his price will determine if he comes back

Jordan Palmer - probably depends on if Jay stays or goes

Josh McCown - should be a keeper but everything will be based on Cutler

 

Running Backs

Tony Fiammetta - depends on price, would be good to keep him as he will have an extra year in the system vs a new FB

 

Wide Receivers:

Devin Hester - Gone, I can't see them bringing him back

 

Tight Ends:

Dante Rosario - Gone, very little production and limited to blocking

 

Offensive Tackles:

Jonathan Scott - Keep, very solid backup

 

Guards:

Matt Slauson - Keep, I would like to see some continuity on the line

Eben Britton - Keep, 6th Olineman

 

Centers:

Roberto Garza - I would say he is gone, and we look to draft or bring in an FA

 

Defensive Ends:

Corey Wootton - Very underwhelming this year, so re-sign if the price is right

 

Defensive Tackles:

Nate Collins - Keep, we need this to be a strength next year

Henry Melton - Keep, same

Jay Radcliff - Keep, same

 

Outside Linebackers

James Anderson - Gone, looks slow, and is out of position as much as the rookies

 

Inside Linebackers

DJ Williams - I am mixed on him, and his return will be dependent on how they evaluate Bostic

Blake Costanzo - Keep, good Special Teamer, and as bad as that unit has been, we need some quality on there

Larry Grant - Gone

 

Cornerbacks:

Charles Tillman - Keep

Tim Jennings - Keep

Kelvin Hayden - Gone with CB drafted

Zack Bowman - Keep

Sherrick McManis - Gone

 

Safeties:

Major Wright - Keep, only serviceable Safety we have

Anthony Walters - Gone

Craig Steltz - Gone

 

Kickers:

Robbie Gould - Depends, this will be another one based on the price

I know nothing of salary cap implications, but the names in red should be let go unless they take a minimal/lessened contract relative to their production (i.e. backup) or previous contract (i.e. fading vet).

 

So its almost that time...we have 27 free agents this year with a lot of one year contracts. So in the best interest for the team ...who do we resign and who do we let walk?

 

Quarterback:

Jay Cutler

Jordan Palmer

Josh McCown

 

Running Backs

Tony Fiammetta

 

Wide Receivers:

Devin Hester

 

Tight Ends:

Dante Rosario

 

Offensive Tackles:

Jonathan Scott

 

Guards:

Matt Slauson

Eben Britton

 

Centers:

Roberto Garza

 

Defensive Ends:

Corey Wootton

 

Defensive Tackles:

Nate Collins

Henry Melton

Jay Radcliff

 

Outside Linebackers

James Anderson

 

Inside Linebackers

DJ Williams

Blake Costanzo

Larry Grant

 

Cornerbacks:

Charles Tillman

Tim Jennings

Kelvin Hayden

Zack Bowman

Sherrick McManis

 

Safeties:

Major Wright

Anthony Walters

Craig Steltz

 

Kickers:

Robbie Gould

 

I know nothing of salary cap implications, but the names in red should be let go unless they take a minimal/lessened contract relative to their production (i.e. backup) or previous contract (i.e. fading vet).

 

 

Wow, you are letting a lot of people go there….

Wow, you are letting a lot of people go there….

 

Key word in the preface...unless they take a minimal/lessened contract. I'm not opposed to several staying, but they need to be giving a home town discount for the privilege to remain a pro. Others can be had for similar money and potentially better production.

I'm pretty much right on board with you.

 

It's time to clean house. Especially if the non-performers want big $. I want hungry. Not fat.

 

Key word in the preface...unless they take a minimal/lessened contract. I'm not opposed to several staying, but they need to be giving a home town discount for the privilege to remain a pro. Others can be had for similar money and potentially better production.

 

Key word in the preface...unless they take a minimal/lessened contract. I'm not opposed to several staying, but they need to be giving a home town discount for the privilege to remain a pro. Others can be had for similar money and potentially better production.

 

 

I'm with Jason, a number of these players, unless the money is right should be sent packing. I've mentioned before, but I am in the Jim Finks' camp of it all starts up front, strong lines on both sides makes everyone's job easier. We are seeing that now with the D Line. A good overhaul on the D Line is needed; who knows how Melton recovers? Will he still want top dollar? Collins, while better than what's playing, can be replaced in free agency. Peanut & Jennings can be made better by a strong line. I'd go for a year, no more than two for Peanut. His replacement needs to be drafted this year. As for the linebackers, Anderson has been serviceable, but DJ Williams is injury prone; he is not worth bringing back if he can't stay in the field.

Definite Cut:

 

S - Conte Wright

DL - MCCLELLIN Peppers(unless he takes huge pay cut)

 

 

 

Definite Cut: S - Conte Wright DL - MCCLELLIN Peppers(unless he takes huge pay cut)

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Definite Cut:

 

S - Conte Wright

DL - MCCLELLIN Peppers(unless he takes huge pay cut)

What the team does with Peppers might well be the biggest decision of the offseason (QB included). Cutting him leaves something like $7.5 million in dead cap space to pay out his bonus, keeping him costs even more than that.

 

I'd have to guess they'll do something to restructure him again to try to bring both numbers down, but maybe without moving as much into the future. Who knows though.

What the team does with Peppers might well be the biggest decision of the offseason (QB included). Cutting him leaves something like $7.5 million in dead cap space to pay out his bonus, keeping him costs even more than that.

 

I'd have to guess they'll do something to restructure him again to try to bring both numbers down, but maybe without moving as much into the future. Who knows though.

They are going to hit the wall with the cap space with so many spots to fill, they will keep him only if they cant replace him. Playing well in 4 or 5 games a year doesnt cut it at his salary. I think the possiblity exists that we draft a DE with our first round pick(Peppers gone) The defense needs a complete rebuild and younger players like Collins and Wooten will be resigned. Melton will cost too much. They will have Collins, Paea,new guy and Wooten as a defensive front,with a DT draft pick also in the rotation. maybe a DT free agent also.

They are going to hit the wall with the cap space with so many spots to fill, they will keep him only if they cant replace him. Playing well in 4 or 5 games a year doesnt cut it at his salary. I think the possiblity exists that we draft a DE with our first round pick(Peppers gone) The defense needs a complete rebuild and younger players like Collins and Wooten will be resigned. Melton will cost too much. They will have Collins, Paea,new guy and Wooten as a defensive front,with a DT draft pick also in the rotation. maybe a DT free agent also.

Yikes if that's the 4 you project as starters. Zero confidence even fully healthy.

Yikes if that's the 4 you project as starters. Zero confidence even fully healthy.

 

 

I could live with that but would like Ratcliffe too.

Contract expirations by position according to: http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-08...ks-henry-melton

 

Quarterback (2)

 

Jay Cutler, 2013 (YES) pay him a fair top 12 qb money for 5-6 years

 

Josh McCown, 2013 (YES) 1-3 yr deal

 

Jordan Palmer, 2013 (YES) I really like what I saw in preseason albeit limited playing time. 3 yr deal

 

KEY: we really need some continuity on offense so I'm bring back most of the key players now that we have a new system in place

 

 

 

 

Running back/fullback (4)

 

Tony Fiammetta, 2013

 

Michael Bush, 2015

 

Michael Ford, 2015

 

Matt Forte, 2015

 

 

 

Wide receiver (6)

 

Joe Anderson, 2013 (RE-SIGN) see if he could handle kick returns

 

Brandon Marshall, 2014 (start Extension)

 

Eric Weems, 2014 - (CUT) he has been guilty of several dumb penalties on ST this year and is not that good.

 

Earl Bennett, 2015 (Restructure current deal and have him take over punt returning duties.)

 

Alshon Jeffery, 2015 - (EXTEND NOW!)

 

Marquess Wilson, 2016

 

 

 

Tight end (3)

 

Steve Maneri, 2014

 

Martellus Bennett, 2016

 

 

 

Offensive linemen (9)

 

Taylor Boggs, 2013 (Keep if you think he can play and/or draft a new starting Center)

 

Eben Britton, 2013 (RE-SIGN)

 

Roberto Garza, 2013 (LET CONTRACT EXPIRE)

 

Jonathan Scott, 2013 (LET CONTRACT EXPIRE)

 

Matt Slauson, 2013 (RE-SIGN)

 

James Brown, 2014 (RE-SIGN)

 

Jordan Mills, 2016

 

Jermon Bushrod, 2017

 

Kyle Long, 2017

 

 

 

Defensive linemen (9)

 

Jeremiah Ratliff, 2013 (RE-SIGN)

 

Nate Collins, 2013 (RE-SIGN)

 

Henry Melton, 2013 (RE-SIGN)

 

Cheta Ozougwu, 2013 (RE-SIGN)

 

Corey Wootton, 2013 (RE-SIGN)

 

Stephen Paea, 2014 (RE-SIGN)

 

Zach Minter, 2015

 

Julius Peppers, 2015 (Tear up current deal and resign to vet min. 2 yr deal with heavy incentive laden deal)

 

Shea McClellin, 2016 (TRADE/CUT or switch to 3-4 Def in 2014)

 

Cornelius Washington, 2016 (START) this week vs. Green Bay! Can't be worse than........

 

 

 

Linebacker (6)

 

James Anderson, 2013 (RE-SIGN)

 

Blake Costanzo, 2013 (RE-SIGN)

 

D.J. Williams, 2013 (RE-SIGN)

 

Lance Briggs, 2014 (EXTEND)

 

Jon Bostic, 2016

 

Khaseem Greene, 2016

 

 

 

Cornerback (6)

 

Zack Bowman, 2013 (RE-SIGN)

 

Tim Jennings, 2013 (RE-SIGN)

 

Sherrick McManis, 2013 (RE-SIGN)

 

Charles Tillman, 2013 (RE-SIGN)

 

Isaiah Frey, 2014

 

C.J. Wilson, 2015

 

 

 

Safety (4)

 

Craig Steltz, 2013 (LET CONTRACT EXPIRE)

 

Anthony Walters, 2013 (RE-SIGN)

 

Major Wright, 2013 (relegate to Reserve /Special Teams)

 

Chris Conte, 2014 (relegate to Reserve /Special Teams)

 

 

 

Specialists (4)

 

Robbie Gould, 2013 (Just Extended)

 

Devin Hester, 2013 (LET CONTRACT EXPIRE)

 

Pat Mannelly, 2013 (RE-SIGN)

 

Adam Podlesh, 2015 (CUT / Bring in Replacement!)

 

 

 

 

COACHES:

 

DeCamilas: FIRE!!! absolutely turned a strength into a major weakness.

 

Dewayne Stukes: Asst ST Coach.

 

TUCKER: see above or 1 shot to run his system if no better candidate becomes available.

 

John Hoke: DB Coach - must have taken the year off? Conte and Wright have taken huge steps backwards.

 

Tim Tibesar: LB Coach: not at all impressed with this position!

 

Mike Phair: DL Coach

 

Michael Sinclair: Asst. DL Coach

 

Chris Harris: DEF Quality Control Coach. Not a great way to begin coaching career.

 

 

Yikes if that's the 4 you project as starters. Zero confidence even fully healthy.

I think Collins played well until he was hurt, will be a cheap addition.

Wooten is an average player, would you rather play Shea?

I think maybe we bring in Bennett at DE, a draftedl DE ad DT in the new rotation.

 

The facts are we wont have the money to bring in 10 new defensive players of quality, some cheaper alternatives will still be here. It will take 2 to 3 years to rebuild the defense.

Key word in the preface...unless they take a minimal/lessened contract. I'm not opposed to several staying, but they need to be giving a home town discount for the privilege to remain a pro. Others can be had for similar money and potentially better production.

 

 

Makes sense….