Any (Legit) Available EDGE options out there?

[IotaNet]

Okay, now the initial Free Agency period is over and the draft is over but the Bears still look thin/questionable at EDGE. Is there anyone available that they might take a swing at?

Right now, their current options (Lynch, Kylie Fitts), seem like "wing-and-a-prayer" situations and I can't think of any available FA's that represent an immediate upgrade.

I'm wondering if Pace/Nagy/Fangio are looking to generate pressure this year with scheme (e.e. lots of blitzes) and looking to fill the EDGE need in next years draft. I understand that you can't fix all the holes in one year but I'm wondering if the is anything to hope for right now.

[Nanky]

I'd bring back Lamar Houston.

[LacertineForest]

Pretty slim pickings. Here's what is listed on NFL.com as some guys available (minus the ones I found who have signed a deal anywhere):

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap300000 ... y-position" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Connor Barwin
David Bass
Junior Galette
Lamarr Houston
Courtney Upshaw

[southdakbearfan]

Junior gallete, Lamarr Houston, Connor barwin. Etc. all are either old, oft injured, or both.

With Lynch, Floyd, the rookie in the mix I don’t know if they would go veteran or udfa. With the defense last year whomever they plugged in worked pretty well.

[wab]

The pass rushers will be some sort of combination of Floyd, Acho, Lynch, Kawasaki, and Trevathan (from the inside). You are going to see a TON of zone blitzes this season.

I think the Bears are ok at the position. It's possible they bring in someone that gets cut in camp, but there are a lot of bodies there.

[Gaytoe]

I'd seriously consider bringing back Young and/or Houston

[crueltyabc]

I was about to start arguing that we have room on the roster but I see that generally the Bears have been carrying 8 linebackers with a pretty even split between inside and outside. So we're talking about 4 spots - adding a veteran edge guy would either put him in competition with Lynch or send Fitts to the practice squad. Those are definitely possibilities but it's not as obvious a question as "is there a guy" and "do we have the money"

Also noticing that Howard Jones and Jonathan Anderson have their work cut out for them in camp. Even if Iyiegbuniwe goes to the PS, only one makes the team.

EDIT - Forgot about Timu. That's a lot of competition for that fourth spot!

[Nanky]

You can take David Bass off the list . . .


Jets re-signed OLB David Bass.

Bass recorded 3.5 sacks in 13 games with the Jets last year. He should compete for a rotational role in camp.

[Mikefive]

The pass rushers will be some sort of combination of Floyd, Acho, Lynch, Kawasaki, and Trevathan (from the inside). You are going to see a TON of zone blitzes this season.

I think the Bears are ok at the position. It's possible they bring in someone that gets cut in camp, but there are a lot of bodies there.

But next year when we draft another pass rusher in R1, we'll be more than just OK at the position.

[mmmc_35]

It's not a sexy group. I don't know if they will use kwiatkoski in that roll. A gap blitzing and Edge rushing are very different. Inside backers literally time rushes, tuck their shoulder and try to shoot past an unsuspecting guard. Much less hand usage, and technique.

[Hiphopopotamos]

Kwiatkoski played all three spots in Gibson’s 3-3-5 at WVU. He’s spent some time coming off the edge - though he wasn’t necessarily productive.

[DaSuperfan]

Pass Rush will be somewhat of a weakness, at least from an Edge perspective until we address it again early in next year's draft where the talent for Edge rushers is going to be muuuuch better and deeper. At least it will be on paper as of right now.

I'm really hoping Floyd can take that next step and be the double digit sack guy for us. He's shown a lot of promise and flashes - but he needs to stay on the field and produce consistently.

[Adipost]

Chris McCain is still available.

[Atkins&Rebel]

Fangio has been pretty adamant that he doesn't like to blitz so I don't think we'll see too much more zone blitz tan we have. Maybe against certain teams who's QB folds in the face of the blitz, but not against Rodgers.

We all knew that we weren't going to "fix" everything in one draft/offseason. Count me as a guy who thinks Houston will be brought back for cheap.

[cblaz11]

Is Dee Ford still available? Walterfootball shows him as available but that can't be right.

I'd like to bring back Houston but I'd pass on Willy Young.

Any chance we could trade Shane Ray away from Denver?

[VA_Mountain_Bear]

Bringing back Houston is an OK idea, if someone gets hurt. But bring him back, just to have, would cost the development time of someone younger. He would be just fine, and I wouldn't mind it. I'd rather see how Lynch and Fitts work out for the team first.

[malk]

Bringing back Houston is an OK idea, if someone gets hurt. But bring him back, just to have, would cost the development time of someone younger. He would be just fine, and I wouldn't mind it. I'd rather see how Lynch and Fitts work out for the team first.

Who is he blocking the development time of?

I don't think Houston is coming back but I think people forget that his first year, with the injury, was with Mel Tucker as DC. Everybody sucked.

In 2015 he moved to linebacker and led the team with 8 sacks whilst playing only 40.4% of the defensive snaps.
2016 he tore his other ACL.
2017 he was third on the team in sacks with 4 playing 21.8% of defensive snaps. Worth noting that that was over 5 games so 21.8% out of a possible 31.25%.

His durability might be in question (though he's clearly fully back from both ACL tears) but I absolutely fail to see how he wouldn't contribute in Vic's scheme as a bit part player. He'll be available for little more than the vet min so I'd bring him in in a flash.

EDIT, corrected ok to of in the first sentence.

[mmmc_35]

Kwiatkoski played all three spots in Gibson’s 3-3-5 at WVU. He’s spent some time coming off the edge - though he wasn’t necessarily productive.

Yeah I think Wabs idea is more for base, and I only remember him rushing from inside at WVU. However i am sure her has from other areas.

[Richie]

You can take David Bass off the list . . .


Jets re-signed OLB David Bass.

Bass recorded 3.5 sacks in 13 games with the Jets last year. He should compete for a rotational role in camp.

I had no clue he was still in the league. I just remember we were desperate in 2013 after a wave of injuries. We signed him off the street and plugged him in vs Baltimore in that tornado situation. Had a pick six. I'll always remember him for that. lol

[cblaz11]

Also, Lamar Houston is 30 years old. He proved to me last year in a limited sample that he's got something left in the tank.

I'm not saying he's the long term answer, but I'd feel much better with him on the roster backing up Lynch and Floyd.

[wab]

The Bears relative inactivity at the edge rusher position tells me they have a plan for the guys they have. IMO, that plan is seeing if Lynch can rekindle the production he had under Fangio with the Niners. The rest of that plan involves drafting a pass rusher next year if he can't.

[G08]

Shane Ray (DEN) will not have his 5th year option picked up.

If Elway comes calling and says he'll take a 4th for him, do you do it?

[wab]

Shane Ray (DEN) will not have his 5th year option picked up.

If Elway comes calling and says he'll take a 4th for him, do you do it?

I might. I'd prefer to give him Bullard though.

[BR0D1E86]

Shane Ray (DEN) will not have his 5th year option picked up.

If Elway comes calling and says he'll take a 4th for him, do you do it?

I might. I'd prefer to give him Bullard though.

Could be a better fit for both players. I believe Denver is running a 4-3 now. Bullard seems a bit better suited there with Ray a bit better suited to our defense.

[mmmc_35]

Shane Ray (DEN) will not have his 5th year option picked up.

If Elway comes calling and says he'll take a 4th for him, do you do it?

I might. I'd prefer to give him Bullard though.

Could be a better fit for both players. I believe Denver is running a 4-3 now. Bullard seems a bit better suited there with Ray a bit better suited to our defense.

The Bears (Fangio or Pace) seem to want the 1 gap 3T type player for their 4I position. It explains Bullard, Nicholas, I think the 49ers drafted 2 DL in his stay one a more traditional 5T and the other more of a 3T.

[cblaz11]

Cliff Avril released.

Not sure about the neck injury, but he said he wants to continue playing.

[Sugashane]

Cliff Avril released.

Not sure about the neck injury, but he said he wants to continue playing.

We have cap space, I say give him a good deal that is incentive laden and just moderate guarantees. I'd be happy with a 1 year $5 mil deal. If he plays in 15 games then gets a $2 mil bonus.

[cblaz11]

He's definitely worth a look...Just not sure about his health. I agree though, if he checks out offer him an incentive laden deal.

[Mikefive]

Cliff Avril is 32 and just failed his physical after a neck injury last October. Interesting consideration if you're a pass rusher away from winning a SB. But a bad idea for us.

If Pace could somehow manage to go thru the draft without doing better than picking up Aaron Lynch at that spot and then pulling a rabbit out of a hat to find a pass rusher ala Josh Sitton, he should be in the running for front office exec of the year.

[DaSuperfan]

No thanks to Avril for the reasons Fiver mentioned.