Bears Free Agents

[alexwilkins]

Even if we resign Jones, it's possible we let go of Freeman. There's some good inside 'backers coming up on free agency. Preston Brown in Buffalo. Avery Williamson in Tennessee.

[wab]

Brown is going to get a shit ton of money. He's one of the best inside linebackers in the NFL that no one talks about.

[malk]

Brown is going to get a shit ton of money. He's one of the best inside linebackers in the NFL that no one talks about.

How important are ILBs to Fangio's scheme? They're often surprisingly cheap, Freeman is actually the 11th highest paid ILB in the league at $4m per. With Trevathan's injuries recently I'd have no bones throwing $7-8m at another young ILB to lock up the position if it is worth it in our D.

Cut Freeman, let Jones walk and bring in Brown and Timu at vet exception minimum or another JAG. Could be a nice way to shore up a position for not a lot of outlay.

[wab]

I don't think you let Jones walk. He's too versatile/valuable. He can play inside and outside. With the lack of pass rushers in FA and several top pass rushers heading back to school, it's going to be pretty slim.

[G08]

I don't think you let Jones walk. He's too versatile/valuable. He can play inside and outside. With the lack of pass rushers in FA and several top pass rushers heading back to school, it's going to be pretty slim.

I've contemplated hating Christian Jones -- out of spite to you -- because of your hatred for Charles Leno

[wab]

I don't think you let Jones walk. He's too versatile/valuable. He can play inside and outside. With the lack of pass rushers in FA and several top pass rushers heading back to school, it's going to be pretty slim.

I've contemplated hating Christian Jones -- out of spite to you -- because of your hatred for Charles Leno

[crueltyabc]

I'm good with Jones as depth and thought Nick K was good but Freeman was awesome in 2016 - maybe our best defensive player - so I'm not sure I would give up on him. I know Pace is not one to put up with "character guys" but I'm open to the idea that Freeman was using PEDs to heal faster and could be counted on to behave himself.

[malk]

I don't think you let Jones walk. He's too versatile/valuable. He can play inside and outside. With the lack of pass rushers in FA and several top pass rushers heading back to school, it's going to be pretty slim.

Perfectly happy for Jones to stay for a similar amount, though if he does preferably on a longer deal. Would also like to see him bumped outside more like a few have mentioned.

Ruminating a little more, I'd roll the dice on Freeman too, he's great when healthy and isn't costing much. If he hits the juice again he's gone without costing us a penny of cap or real money. Pretty low risk for a potential top end starter.

[Bears Whiskey Nut]

There were a lot of people that were really excited about Roy Robertson-Harris when he was acquired. Do we need to sign a big name pass rusher? Or do we think that Fangio can coach him up to be a solid DE. Where is RRH's ceiling? A back-up role, or future starter?

[G08]

There were a lot of people that were really excited about Roy Robertson-Harris when he was acquired. Do we need to sign a big name pass rusher? Or do we think that Fangio can coach him up to be a solid compliment to Floyd. Where is RRH's ceiling? A back-up role, or future starter?

I'm a big fan of his, they've bulked him up to play 5T so he's definitely going to be in the rotation moving forward. I would think camp should be a battle between Bullard and him to start opposite Hicks.

[Bears Whiskey Nut]

There were a lot of people that were really excited about Roy Robertson-Harris when he was acquired. Do we need to sign a big name pass rusher? Or do we think that Fangio can coach him up to be a solid compliment to Floyd. Where is RRH's ceiling? A back-up role, or future starter?

I'm a big fan of his, they've bulked him up to play 5T so he's definitely going to be in the rotation moving forward. I would think camp should be a battle between Bullard and him to start opposite Hicks.

The dude is huge. I thought that he would be a little to tall to be a 3-4 DE/5T, but then again I don't know the dynamics of the position that well.

[Bears Whiskey Nut]

Actually, here is a great article on the different 3-4 base concepts. Very interesting.

3-4 Base Concepts

[malk]

There were a lot of people that were really excited about Roy Robertson-Harris when he was acquired. Do we need to sign a big name pass rusher? Or do we think that Fangio can coach him up to be a solid compliment to Floyd. Where is RRH's ceiling? A back-up role, or future starter?

I'm a big fan of his, they've bulked him up to play 5T so he's definitely going to be in the rotation moving forward. I would think camp should be a battle between Bullard and him to start opposite Hicks.

The dude is huge. I thought that he would be a little to tall to be a 3-4 DE/5T, but then again I don't know the dynamics of the position that well.

We don't know what happened to his speed since he bulked up 30-40 lbs from college to now but he's a couple of inches taller than JJ Watt/Joey Bosa and about the same weight/athletic metrics. I don't see that it would be his size that holds him back. I love his height and length at 5T, with an arm up he occupies a lot of space on passing downs even if he doesn't beat his man.

[Bearfanuk]

Actually, here is a great article on the different 3-4 base concepts. Very interesting.

3-4 Base Concepts

Who knew we had the answer at NT in a 3-4 all along knew we were silly cutting Ego Ferguson

[Middleguard]

Isn't it a case of Goldman being a 2-gap NT, while Ferguson was best suited for defending a single gap or (as Tucker wanted) the 2 gaps when lined up over a guard (is that called a 2T?)