Roster Moves

[Mikefive]

I'm not opposed to making a trade for a WR as long as he's part of the future plans. Might be good for MT and the acquired player to get some time together this year. That being said, I would not give up 1st or 2nd for Hilton at this point.

Well put. Why would we give up a big pick--especially when we should be picking in the top half--for a guy in the twilight of his career? That would make no sense whatsoever.

Why do the Colts want to trade a player for a draft pick? Because they have too many needs and need to rebuild. But wait! That's what we're doing. So why would we do the opposite of what they are?

I think he's 27, which isn't really the twilight of his career. A first is still not going to happen though, I don't think.

I certainly wouldn't trade ours.

Jeez. I thought he was a lot older than that. Point taken. He does turn 28 in 2 weeks.

[Mikefive]

Just heard on ESPN 1000 that the Colts asking price is a 1st.

Absurd.

It’s not absurd at all. I thought they would ask for AT LEAST a first round pick for TY Hilton, and he’s probably worth it. If you were to construct a WR specifically for Trubisky and his skill set, it would be TY Hilton. And his contract is pretty much the same one they offered Jeffery. If Pace could somehow get him for a 2nd and a future pick, GM of the year. Hilton would immediately and dramatically elevate every player on offense.

But they didn't have to give away a 1st or 2nd round pick AND the money to get Jeffery. Or put another way, if you're talking just a 2nd rounder, you're giving up Eddie Goldman, Cody Whitehair or Adam Shaheen in order to pay Hilton the big bucks. (And that doesn't consider a 1st rounder or a future pick with the #2.) I don't see how you don't get the difference in cost there.

[beardownbilly]

I have to admit I am a bit jealous of the Bills move for Kelvin Benjamin, he is a possible legit WR1, 26 years old, 6.5", runs good routes, gets open and makes agile catches.

I know he will need paid but if we could have gotten him, even if we had to give up both 4th round draft picks we could have had Benjamin, Kendall Wright, Dontrelle Inman and Tre McBride with Wheaton, White and Meredith to come back from injury. All of a sudden WR doesn't look like such a weakness, especially with Cohen splitting out wide to create matchup problems.

We would still have had our 1st and 2nd round picks to add Edge Rushers, OL or DB depending on FA etc.

I really think it would have shown we have confidence in Mitch as well, shown him that the FO feels they let him down with a lack of pass options and gave him a boost for the last 8 games of the season.

[alexwilkins]

I.R. Zachy and bring up Bronk. Sounds good to me.

[Mikefive]

I have to admit I am a bit jealous of the Bills move for Kelvin Benjamin, he is a possible legit WR1, 26 years old, 6.5", runs good routes, gets open and makes agile catches.

I know he will need paid but if we could have gotten him, even if we had to give up both 4th round draft picks we could have had Benjamin, Kendall Wright, Dontrelle Inman and Tre McBride with Wheaton, White and Meredith to come back from injury. All of a sudden WR doesn't look like such a weakness, especially with Cohen splitting out wide to create matchup problems.

We would still have had our 1st and 2nd round picks to add Edge Rushers, OL or DB depending on FA etc.

I really think it would have shown we have confidence in Mitch as well, shown him that the FO feels they let him down with a lack of pass options and gave him a boost for the last 8 games of the season.

That sounds so much better than Jarvis Landry for a 1 or 2.

[Boris13c]

is there a reason Zach Miller has not been placed on IR yet? I would think the team realizes he isn't going to be back playing any time soon

I'm just curious who will be brought in the take Millers active spot

[mshu7]

It's a John Fox strategy. This way he can throw the Packers off their plan of attack when he puts Miller on IR to promote a PS scrub at the last minute. I believe tomorrow is the day they will need to make a move.

Seriously, this is classic John Fox.

[UOK]

TE Ben Braunecker promoted to active roster.

[Mikefive]

Logical on some level. But not exciting at all. We couldn't go with 3 TEs?

[G08]

Daniel Brown played a lot of special teams, I'm sure Braunecker is coming up to help fulfill that role (as well as provide another TE, obviously).

[Moriarty]

TE Ben Braunecker promoted to active roster.

Keeping 4 made some sense, given Brown would likely be stolen off PS.
But Braunecker is clearly safe there. And no one needs 4 healthy TEs.

How is this more of a priority than, say, a OLman who doesn't look like he's wearing a Mummy Halloween costume?

[Boris13c]

TE Ben Braunecker promoted to active roster.

Keeping 4 made some sense, given Brown would likely be stolen off PS.
But Braunecker is clearly safe there. And no one needs 4 healthy TEs.

How is this more of a priority than, say, a OLman who doesn't look like he's wearing a Mummy Halloween costume?

I'm cynical enough to think the Bears simply forgot that just because a TE is who went to IR doesn't mean a TE has to be brought in to replace him

[Mikefive]

I think it's more that we like to use a lot of 2 TEs. That helps the run game, can help with pass blocking and give options for deception when those guys go out for passes like the Miller TD/non-TD play.

[bearsfaninaz]

I'm thinking they are better receivers then our current crop of WRs so makes sense to add more TEs

[Wounded Bear]

TE Ben Braunecker promoted to active roster.

Keeping 4 made some sense, given Brown would likely be stolen off PS.
But Braunecker is clearly safe there. And no one needs 4 healthy TEs.

How is this more of a priority than, say, a OLman who doesn't look like he's wearing a Mummy Halloween costume?

When they put the initial roster together I thought that they went light on both offensive and defensive linemen. I don't understand that at all.

And one more thing, Pace is a fool if he doesn't go strong on offensive line picks next draft. We always seem to be injury plagued on the oline and I don't want Trubisky to be running scared back there.

[sturf]

When they put the initial roster together I thought that they went light on both offensive and defensive linemen. I don't understand that at all.

And one more thing, Pace is a fool if he doesn't go strong on offensive line picks next draft. We always seem to be injury plagued on the oline and I don't want Trubisky to be running scared back there.

They had the standard 8 OL, and all 8 had at least some NFL starting experience. Only 7 are active during games so there is little reason to have the 9th guy on the 46 instead of the practice squad. They are a 3-4 team and they had the standard 5 DL, which makes them 2 deep considering there are effectively 2.5 starting positions because of how little base defense is played. They had Jenkins on the practice squad if Goldman got hurt. Who else deserved to make the roster on either line?

I'm sure Pace will be looking for opportunities draft an offensive tackle, but I don't see this need to draft OL multiple OL. They have all 5 starters still under contract next year along with Grasu and Morgan coming off his redshirt rookie year.

[Wounded Bear]

When they put the initial roster together I thought that they went light on both offensive and defensive linemen. I don't understand that at all.

And one more thing, Pace is a fool if he doesn't go strong on offensive line picks next draft. We always seem to be injury plagued on the oline and I don't want Trubisky to be running scared back there.

They had the standard 8 OL, and all 8 had at least some NFL starting experience. Only 7 are active during games so there is little reason to have the 9th guy on the 46 instead of the practice squad. They are a 3-4 team and they had the standard 5 DL, which makes them 2 deep considering there are effectively 2.5 starting positions because of how little base defense is played. They had Jenkins on the practice squad if Goldman got hurt. Who else deserved to make the roster on either line?

Well for one, I would have more than gladly went with Jaye Howard on the D-line over any of our 6 wideouts, especially if you take into consideration Eddie Goldman's injury past. Jaye Howard would be far more impactful than a Tanner Gentry or a Markus Wheaton (or just pick any receiver on our roster).

[I'm sure Pace will be looking for opportunities draft an offensive tackle, but I don't see this need to draft OL multiple OL. They have all 5 starters still under contract next year along with Grasu and Morgan coming off his redshirt rookie year.

That's great that we have all 5 starters under contract next year, but our starters are having a hard time staying healthy, not to mention our Offensive Line is going to be pretty old next year. Josh Sitton will be 32, Kyle Long will be 29, Bobby Massie will be 29, Tom Compton will be 29, Bradley Sowell will be 29 and Hroniss Grasu might as well be 50 because he's always hurt. To demonstrate the problems with injuries on the offensive line let's look at the Center position. So far this year, we have had Hroniss Grasu playing Center, Bradley Sowell playing Center, Cody Whitehair playing Center, and Josh Sitton has played Center as well. So I don't have near the confidence in those guys as you do since this is very much a sport where age matters.

Pace had better embrace a youth movement in regards to our offensive line and attack it either through FA or the Draft because that oline, as a unit, is not long for this world and we have a brand new QB who I don't want to see running scared like Jay Cutler did for the for 6 seasons with the Bears.

So if we are to be proactive, which we should be if we really want to protect our young QB, I see multiple holes that need to be addressed and that requires multiple FA moves or multiple draft picks in regards to the OL. If we want Mitch Trubisky to get beat up and develop Jay Cutler style PTSD, we should turn a blind eye to this situation and understand that we are poised to repeat the sins of our past.

[Mikefive]

When they put the initial roster together I thought that they went light on both offensive and defensive linemen. I don't understand that at all.

And one more thing, Pace is a fool if he doesn't go strong on offensive line picks next draft. We always seem to be injury plagued on the oline and I don't want Trubisky to be running scared back there.

They had the standard 8 OL, and all 8 had at least some NFL starting experience. Only 7 are active during games so there is little reason to have the 9th guy on the 46 instead of the practice squad. They are a 3-4 team and they had the standard 5 DL, which makes them 2 deep considering there are effectively 2.5 starting positions because of how little base defense is played. They had Jenkins on the practice squad if Goldman got hurt. Who else deserved to make the roster on either line?

Well for one, I would have more than gladly went with Jaye Howard on the D-line over any of our 6 wideouts, especially if you take into consideration Eddie Goldman's injury past. Jaye Howard would be far more impactful than a Tanner Gentry or a Markus Wheaton (or just pick any receiver on our roster).

[I'm sure Pace will be looking for opportunities draft an offensive tackle, but I don't see this need to draft OL multiple OL. They have all 5 starters still under contract next year along with Grasu and Morgan coming off his redshirt rookie year.

That's great that we have all 5 starters under contract next year, but our starters are having a hard time staying healthy, not to mention our Offensive Line is going to be pretty old next year. Josh Sitton will be 32, Kyle Long will be 29, Bobby Massie will be 29, Tom Compton will be 29, Bradley Sowell will be 29 and Hroniss Grasu might as well be 50 because he's always hurt. To demonstrate the problems with injuries on the offensive line let's look at the Center position. So far this year, we have had Hroniss Grasu playing Center, Bradley Sowell playing Center, Cody Whitehair playing Center, and Josh Sitton has played Center as well. So I don't have near the confidence in those guys as you do since this is very much a sport where age matters.

Pace had better embrace a youth movement in regards to our offensive line and attack it either through FA or the Draft because that oline, as a unit, is not long for this world and we have a brand new QB who I don't want to see running scared like Jay Cutler did for the for 6 seasons with the Bears.

So if we are to be proactive, which we should be if we really want to protect our young QB, I see multiple holes that need to be addressed and that requires multiple FA moves or multiple draft picks in regards to the OL. If we want Mitch Trubisky to get beat up and develop Jay Cutler style PTSD, we should turn a blind eye to this situation and understand that we are poised to repeat the sins of our past.

I pretty much agree with you on Jaye Howard. I was shocked when he didn't make the cut.

The way I look at the OL, 29-years old isn't old. I don't start thinking old until they get to about 32-33. It's not like these guys take the punishment a RB takes or are required to maintain the speed like skill players. That said, since a bunch of those guys are the same age, it would be foolish to wait until 3 years from now to start backfilling. Of course, we did draft a guy whose on IR now and may develop into a player. Unknown at this point though.

I just see gaping holes at WR and CB coming up and we need to jump on those first.

[Rusty Trombagent]

jaye howard's had tryouts with like half the teams in the league since we cut him and no one has signed him. it's probably time to stop thinking we should have kept him.

[46Blitz]

WR and OL is 1a and 1b imo.... whoever they like better.

I don't want to see a "project" player regardless. I don't care what position on the line, but I would like to see a stud Center or OT.

A lot can happen between then and now though. If Inman shows a little something, we have Meredith coming back. It might allow to wait till 2nd round for a WR. But still, just so many things can change by then. But I wouldn't be upset at all if we went OL, makes tons of sense.

[HisRoyalSweetness]

A stud center? Really?

Whitehair, who'd never played the position in college and was only moved across one week before the first regular season game last year, graded out as the sixth best center in the league last year according to PFF. Aside from a few dodgy snaps early on he certainly looked the part. He hasn't played as well this year, in particular those shotgun snaps have remained an issue, but he hasn't been helped as a young developing player still getting used to the position by being shunted around during training camp and the first few games in an attempt to accommodate Long's unavailability. Remember, if Kush hadn't been lost for the year before the season even started this wouldn't have happened.

The idea we need to replace Whitehair at center is odd to say the least. Pace drafted Grasu only a couple of years ago and then Whitehair turned out to be effective when Grasu got hurt and Pace managed to acquire a Pro Bowl guard in Sitton. You can't build a team if you keep regularly redrafting positions and center simply isn't a significant concern at this point.

As for the offensive line being old, I'm with Mikefive; O-lineman can still play at a high level well into their thirties. There is also no guarantee that first-year linemen would remain any more healthy than the veterans. Aside from Long, the starting five for the last season and a half have missed very few games. Leno and Whitehair haven't missed any, Massie has only missed one and Sitton four.

Continuity is a massive consideration and I for one don't want a lot change across the positions from one year to the next. As has been pointed out, all five starters are under contract for next season plus Kush should be back from his injury and is also under contract for another year and Morgan was taken in the last draft. The interior group looks fine for now and will be even better if Long's ankle and labarum injuries can be fully healed up before next season.

A quality OT prospect wouldn't go amiss though to compete for either tackle position. It's worth noting that Leno's contract is structured in such a way that he can be let go after next year with no real penalty (in 2019 $4.3 million is guaranteed for injury only and the full $7.9 million only becomes fully guaranteed on the third day of league year) and Massie only has one year left on his deal.

However, this roster still has much more pressing needs at WR, OLB and CB although the latter could be mitigated if Pace is able to re-sign Fuller, Amukamara and Callahan who have all been playing very well.

It seems to me that Pace has done a very good job at rebuilding the roster and if it wasn't for the WR position, hurt enormously by White not panning out, there are not now any glaring holes. Address WR and Pace should be able to draft the best player available at any position in order to elevate the roster still further.

[46Blitz]

Maybe I should have added more of an explanation.

Whitehair is a guard. Who did great at center last season and I'm not exactly saying to replace him.

My reasoning is this, if you draft a C you help two positions and protect the team if injuries come up. I have as much faith with whitehair at G as I do at C... That said, you have the options. Sitton has been healthy this season but you never know. Long has been getting dinged up the last few seasons and I'm not sold on him being able to stay healthy.

It's not a knock on whitehair, it's actually more the faith in him as a player. If you want to go RT, sure. I'm just saying I'm all for getting a high rated lineman either way. Though I wouldn't go guard because a C gives you options.

Like I said, too many things can happen between then and now. We don't have a clue who will be there, much less where the Bears will be drafting.

[Rusty Trombagent]

TE Ben Braunecker promoted to active roster.

Keeping 4 made some sense, given Brown would likely be stolen off PS.
But Braunecker is clearly safe there. And no one needs 4 healthy TEs.

How is this more of a priority than, say, a OLman who doesn't look like he's wearing a Mummy Halloween costume?

I'm cynical enough to think the Bears simply forgot that just because a TE is who went to IR doesn't mean a TE has to be brought in to replace him

Patrick Finley‏ @patrickfinley

With Dion Sims out with an illness, the #Bears' TE depth could be tested Sunday vs #Packers. Adam Shaheen and Daniel Brown are ready

[Richie]

TE Ben Braunecker promoted to active roster.

Keeping 4 made some sense, given Brown would likely be stolen off PS.
But Braunecker is clearly safe there. And no one needs 4 healthy TEs.

How is this more of a priority than, say, a OLman who doesn't look like he's wearing a Mummy Halloween costume?

I'm cynical enough to think the Bears simply forgot that just because a TE is who went to IR doesn't mean a TE has to be brought in to replace him

Patrick Finley‏ @patrickfinley

With Dion Sims out with an illness, the #Bears' TE depth could be tested Sunday vs #Packers. Adam Shaheen and Daniel Brown are ready

He's officially ruled out... already? With an illness? Jeez man. Does he have Mono or something?

I guess I like Brown though, so it's not the end of the world. This is where the TE depth pays off, I do suppose.

I am FAR more worried about Trevathan not practicing with a calf injury. Coming off of a bye week, and a game that I don't remember him leaving (maybe I am mistaken). That's really catching me off guard, and scaring the hell out of me. Him being out was directly correlated with our Minnesota loss, and McKinnon running well once Timu went out. The only way I see us not dominating GB defensively, is some stupid shit like this.

[G08]

Final report should come out today... but I selfishly hope Sims is out.

I want Shaheen to be TE1 and Brown to be TE2... let's see what these kids can do.

[Mikefive]

WR and OL is 1a and 1b imo.... whoever they like better.

1a is obvious. But 1b absolutely MUST be CB. How much do you like that position with starters Amukamara and Fuller going to FA?

[Mikefive]

TE Ben Braunecker promoted to active roster.

Keeping 4 made some sense, given Brown would likely be stolen off PS.
But Braunecker is clearly safe there. And no one needs 4 healthy TEs.

How is this more of a priority than, say, a OLman who doesn't look like he's wearing a Mummy Halloween costume?

I'm cynical enough to think the Bears simply forgot that just because a TE is who went to IR doesn't mean a TE has to be brought in to replace him

Patrick Finley‏ @patrickfinley

With Dion Sims out with an illness, the #Bears' TE depth could be tested Sunday vs #Packers. Adam Shaheen and Daniel Brown are ready

He's officially ruled out... already? With an illness? Jeez man. Does he have Mono or something?

I guess I like Brown though, so it's not the end of the world. This is where the TE depth pays off, I do suppose.

I am FAR more worried about Trevathan not practicing with a calf injury. Coming off of a bye week, and a game that I don't remember him leaving (maybe I am mistaken). That's really catching me off guard, and scaring the hell out of me. Him being out was directly correlated with our Minnesota loss, and McKinnon running well once Timu went out. The only way I see us not dominating GB defensively, is some stupid shit like this.

We do have Kwiatkoski, who's been a healthy scratch for the last couple weeks since Jones has been playing well.

[Mikefive]

Final report should come out today... but I selfishly hope Sims is out.

I want Shaheen to be TE1 and Brown to be TE2... let's see what these kids can do.

Be careful what you wish for. The Bears knew that Miller was getting older and could ride off into the sunset at season end as his contract was up. So if Shaheen was capable, he'd be taking reps away from Miller already if he was capable. My money says he's not and Daniel Brown will get most of the passing game stuff.

[G08]

Final report should come out today... but I selfishly hope Sims is out.

I want Shaheen to be TE1 and Brown to be TE2... let's see what these kids can do.

Be careful what you wish for. The Bears knew that Miller was getting older and could ride off into the sunset at season end as his contract was up. So if Shaheen was capable, he'd be taking reps away from Miller already if he was capable. My money says he's not and Daniel Brown will get most of the passing game stuff.

I get your logic, but Miller is (was) the best receiving option on our roster, TE/WR/RB, so you needed him to get reps with a young QB.

The older I get, the more I realize that I love watching young players develop compared to the final product. I'm sure that's a big part of why I want this youth movement on offense started.

I'm also choosing to adopt Tre McBride as my favorite Bear Project this season.

[Richie]

TE Ben Braunecker promoted to active roster.

Keeping 4 made some sense, given Brown would likely be stolen off PS.
But Braunecker is clearly safe there. And no one needs 4 healthy TEs.

How is this more of a priority than, say, a OLman who doesn't look like he's wearing a Mummy Halloween costume?

I'm cynical enough to think the Bears simply forgot that just because a TE is who went to IR doesn't mean a TE has to be brought in to replace him

Patrick Finley‏ @patrickfinley

With Dion Sims out with an illness, the #Bears' TE depth could be tested Sunday vs #Packers. Adam Shaheen and Daniel Brown are ready

He's officially ruled out... already? With an illness? Jeez man. Does he have Mono or something?

I guess I like Brown though, so it's not the end of the world. This is where the TE depth pays off, I do suppose.

I am FAR more worried about Trevathan not practicing with a calf injury. Coming off of a bye week, and a game that I don't remember him leaving (maybe I am mistaken). That's really catching me off guard, and scaring the hell out of me. Him being out was directly correlated with our Minnesota loss, and McKinnon running well once Timu went out. The only way I see us not dominating GB defensively, is some stupid shit like this.

We do have Kwiatkoski, who's been a healthy scratch for the last couple weeks since Jones has been playing well.

I mean, Kwiatkoski is solid, but he's not Trevathan. Trevathan is also our signal caller on defense. He's pretty damn important. IMO. Been playing damn well since that stupid suspension.