In the Wake of the News
This was as good as Jets coach Rex Ryan showing up at linebacker Bart Scott's doorstep at midnight on the eve of 2009 NFL free-agency. This was better than Vikings coach Brad Childress picking up quarterback Brett Favre at the airport in a black Escalade in the middle of a training-camp practice.
This was Lovie Smith employing the perfect strategy in the pursuit of defensive end Julius Peppers by flying Thursday night to Charlotte, N.C., so he could meet the NFL's most prized free-agent at the first possible moment of 11:01 CT.
Smith will accompany Peppers and agent Carl Carey back to Chicago on Friday, presumably to ensure the plane doesn't take a right turn to Washington.
If Smith had made calls this shrewd and aggressive last year as the defensive play-caller, the Bears may not be in position to need Peppers as badly as they do. Alas, they do and Smith and Jerry Angelo and everybody with access to 2009 game film knew it.
Desperate times call for desperate measures. So all hail Julius, it was.
The Bears knew Peppers had researched them almost as much as they had studied his past and found out his respect for Smith mattered. It never would matter as much as money -- cash ultimately makes up every free-agent's mind -- but the Lovie connection was something that provided the Bears an opportunity.
In football terms, the gesture of flying down to Peppers' home was the Bears' way of taking advantage of good field position. Now it's up to Angelo and Bears money man Cliff Stein to punch it in Friday afternoon when they need to close the deal. At this point, no matter what it costs.
The Bears cannot let Peppers leave Halas Hall without a contract even if they need to call for maximum protection at the door. Maybe left tackle Chris Williams and fullback Jason McKie can be part of the welcoming committee, just in case a double-team is required. Put it this way: If Peppers walks out Friday still unsigned Smith might as well follow. Then Angelo ...
They will overpay Peppers because that is what 7-9 teams who have missed the playoffs three straight years do. Mediocrity isn't cheap. The way Angelo and Smith figure is if they're right, it will be money well spent. If they're wrong, it will be the next regime's problem.
Overall, it could be an expensive day for the Bears. Besides Peppers, running back Chester Taylor and tight end Brandon Manumaleuna will visit. Taylor's mutual interest raised an eyebrow but he fits in the Mike Martz mold of dual-purpose back and knows the division. Given the rumored richness of Taylor's contract -- is he really worth $8 million in guarantees -- don't be shocked if his arrival would signal open competition with Matt Forte at running back.
As for Manumaleuna, my first thought was poor Jeff Joniak. First, wide receiver Devin Aromashodu emerges and now it looks as if Manumaleuna will challenge the Bears' inestimable play-by-play man. My second thought was the way the Bears pursued the blocking tight end cannot bode well for Desmond Clark, who has served the team well.
But it is becoming increasingly clear that when it comes to 2010, what Martz wants, Martz gets.
All three visitors to 1000 Football Drive could be signed by the end of the weekend or possibly even the end of the day. First visits for NFL free-agents have a high strike rate -- usually higher than draft picks for the Bears.
If the Bears sign all three, one question will come to mind: Who needs Tim Ruskell?
The Bears are close to pulling off the stunner of 2010 free-agency and they still haven't hired Ruskell, who is widely rumored to be close to taking over as the team's new director of player personnel. He would replace Bobby DePaul, whose departure last month created unnecessary handwringing over how the Bears would fare in free-agency without him.Crummy start, huh?
In fairness DePaul gathered most of the information the Bears armed themselves with as the clock struck 11 o'clock Thursday night. But you didn't need an advanced degree in Football Evaluation to conclude a team that needed a pass-rusher as desperately as the Bears should make the NFL's best pass-rusher of the past decade their top priority. That was a no-brainer.
The only surprise came in the swiftness with which the Bears acted, wasting no time like a team with a sense of urgency. How nice of the Bears to synchronize their watches with their fan base.
Who knows, will safety Antrel Rolle see how serious the Bears are about re-entering the playoff picture that he gives them a longer look? Can they still afford to sign Rolle? Can they afford not to try?
These are compelling questions that, in one flurry Thursday night, changed the tone of the Bears' off-season and proved team president Ted Phillips was bluffing badly when he said the team wouldn't be active in free-agency.
Suddenly the Bears beat everybody to the front of the line for the league's hottest Peppers, and they weren't done. Imagine if they were planning to go hog wild.
Photo: Panthers' Julius Peppers sacks Giants QB Eli Manning. (David Pokress / MCT)
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That's a lot of money to three players - yes, good players that help at need positions. However, let's hope the Bears aren't done shopping yet. On my wish list is Darren Sharper, still one of the best safeties in the NFL. A guard and a O Tackle that can actually run block AND pass block to upgrade what was a sieve last year. Last season, the O line was a disaster. They knew the snap count and still were pushed backwards on almost every run play. That can't continue, regardless who the running back is.
Bears fans will soon find out what everyone in Charlotte knows. That is, Julius is a spectacular athlete but is extremely inconsistant. He just doesn't have the fire in his belly and now that he has signed you will really see him lay down. Mark this post, I guarantee it.
2010 Bears motto;
500 or bust.
Smart money is on bust.
I think if Urlacher and Peppers can work out what days they'll decide to show up in advance, we have a chance of one of them showing up for every game next year.
All these babies on the boards. The majority of Chicago sportsfans are so cynical it's dsigusting. Go back to diving into your italian beef and shut up. All of you naysayers would be on here ripping the Bears if they had done nothing and watched these guys sign elsewhere. 'Do Nothing Bears' is what you'd say. 'Same old story!', others would announce. Go to hell you bums.
ANOTHER loser!
In addition to our ponk pick-machine on offense,
now we got a matching ponk unachiever on defense.
Peppers & Cutler - a recipe for disaster. We won't win 8 games with these castoff clowns.
As a long time Bears fan, I'm pleased with what the Bears have done today. Give me a reason NOT to like about what this team is trying to do. The Bears went out there and got the best players available. There will always be risk with signing FA, draft picks, but that's the fun of it, atleast these players have proven themselves. I look forward to watching Peppers, Taylor, Manumaleuna, and other new players play for the Bears.
Please, please, stop with all the gushing after these signings. We will still have the imbecile patrolling the sidelines - Lovie, so 7-9, at best, folks. And the McCaskeys laugh to the bank as the idiots keep filling S Field. Youare not good fans - you are enablers!
I believe the Bears have something else hiddin in there sleeve, which mean another player will be signed before this is said, and done. Maybe a safety I guess. Also there looking to trade Olsen for perhaps a second rounder at best. I don't think they'll get a first round pick for him because he hasn't shown the type of tight end who can be more of a power player, such like the younger version of Jeremy Shockey, or Keven Boss of the Giants who where bruiser types of tight ends. Plus they just sign that tight end from the Chargers, Brandon Manumaleuna, and he looks like a beast who can take his hits, but also give them too. This is why I think the Bears can afford to let Olsen go. We can use a Tackle somewhere around the second round where there should still be some good ones out there.
Wyliegator on March 5, 2010 1:48 PM
".....Just look at the picture at the top of this page of him gently sacking Eli."
I wish the Bears had more sacks to take pictures of over the last few years......even if they were "gentle".
coming from a guy who lives in the carolina's and is a die hard bears fan, bears messed up big-time in going after peppers. an expensive mistake for an old washed-up player who never had the fire. sigh.
Get used to Julius taking plays off and not having a killer instinct when he can make a big hit. Just look at the picture at the top of this page of him gently sacking Eli.
oh well. I'm just glad to see Kevin Jones go. I hate Wolfe too.
Grif: Check my earlier post - sorry you were not the first to post it. Peppers is a done deal too BTW.
You heard it here first.
Chester Taylor just signed with Da Bears!
I want to see you post again in about half an hour J STar when both deals are announced. You probably won't though.
Adam Schefter is reporting the deals for Peppers and Taylor are done. They are just taking their physicals now.
This is a great off season. To make it the best ever - trade Olsen for Boldin or trade him for a draft pick to get Boldin. AZ wants a 2nd round pick - get it done.
It's alot cheaper to charter a private plane and pretend like u really tried to get one of the premier defensive ends in da the game than it is to actually sign that player for 50+ million. This is all for show just to show the pissed off bear fans that they r trying when really they have no intention on signing Peppers just coming close enough so he won't accept the contract. How much to charter a private plane anyone know, i'm thinking 50,000 maybe more maybe less i dunno anyways it's nothing more than a show.
Dude, showing up at 1 min. after the clock, flying the man back personnally, AND offering mo money first, (who cares when?) but thats the special part they dont talk about :P)
They did their homework and they struck FAST. Faster than the other teams. Fast as in....before... Just like Cutler, you really have to hand it to Jerry on both these (all 3) deals, Why would Taylor visit here first? Jerry was all over all of that. Now thats special. I have NEVER gushed on Jerry, actually I always put the man down big time, but this time he showed me how wrong I was. Thats the real game of Football, the behind the scenes deals. I am hearing that Kampman is signing elsewhere so its Peppers or nada. Plan B maybe out as well. And with us paying so much attention to Peppers - Plan B might never have been a Plan.
Meanwhile on the planet Htrea, Bizarro Hatey Smith and Bizarro Jerry Devilo are agressively trying to sign Bizarro Aaron Kampwoman and all the Bizarro Bears fans are complaining that they aren't going after Bizarro Julius Salts instead.
Where are the stories about the Hawks!?!? The Bear are going to suck for the next 20 years, so why waste space on those losers?
In another move of shrewd Lovie Smith tactics, Lovie has removed the retired jersey number of Alonzo Spellman just to have it prepared for Julius.
So far, the Bears have pulled off nothing.
These players have got to ask themselves what happens when lovie and friends get canned at the end of this year.
Do I really want to come to a team where the managment and coaching staff future is all up in the air.
How much money to you want. How much do you have?
Its all about money...nothing here about playing for a good coach or great management. They all know that angelo and lovie are against the wall in a corner.
ldc on March 5, 2010 11:03 AM
Last I checked,
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
Any time someone starts out with "last I checked" you know you are dealing with an idiot and whatever comes after it is not worth reading.
One thing about all these free agent deals, 3 years from now we'll know whether it was good or bad. I wonder if Jerry and Lovie will?
Herr Mikel --
Last I checked, an Italian American was the GM, and the ownership Irish American.
So I fail to see how the team going after Peppers has anything to do with race.
Fact is, Peppers is the best pass rusher on the market.
Sorry if his race offends you.
Signing Peppers is the desperate for Lovie and Jerry to save their jobs. I like the move as long as they can pay out most of it in the uncapped year and keep the guaranteed money in the first 3 years of the deal. After that Peppers will be 34 and may not have much left. Signing Atogwe at safety would be a great move too I'd rather throw money at him than Chester Taylor. GO BEARS!!!!
WHo is this team that has replaced the Chicago Bears? This is very un-Mccasky, maybe they have tied them up and thrown them in a money closet just to keep them busy, I dont know whats going on up there, but I like it!!!
How is Kampman a safer bet when he is older than Peppers and just had major knee surgery this past season?
The Redskins are going to offer Peppers so much money the Bears will be stupid to even match it. Go for Aaron Kampman, it's the safe bet.
I lost Julius when we landed in chicago. He has boarded Rob Kraft's private jet and is heading up to New England.
Kevin Seifert is reporting that Vanden Bosch is a Lion...Plan C out the window. We need plan A to work, or we need to be on board with Plan B (Kampmann) as soon as possible, or we are stuck with overpaying for Ogunleye (Plan D) because he will have us by the short ones...
Get Peppers Done!
"Couldn't the Bears get Benny the Bull to go with Lovie? "
They probably brought Kreutz who threatened to punch him in the face if he didn't board the plane.
What is Phillip Daniels up to these days?
Couldn't the Bears get Benny the Bull to go with Lovie?
Lovie and Jerry did employ the PERFECT STRATEGY - show up and OFFER LOTS OF MONEY! Wow, great strategy. Who could have imagined such a genius strategical move?
I am glad they are getting him, but I fail to see the so called "perfect strategy" as this article indicates.
This will be great for the Bears and if coaching fails they made the team more attractive for a new coach. Maybe Bill Cowher??
and the Defensive Coordinator is .... the guy NO ONE WANTED and the guy who DIDN'T WANT THE JOB. No worries he has DUMMIE to back him up. This is a joke it will do nothing, Peppers has NO help Harris is a clown, Brian will play hard for half a season and the defensive backfield is a sive. Just remmebr the look on Dummies face and his repetative "taking the blame" after every loss, the bears have and will continue to SUCK as long as Dummie and his merry band of clown are here. You can't fix STUPID with a few players!
i'd like to see peppers signed. i just can't help thinking teams will double up on him. so then where will the pass rush come from? seems like we are depending on tommie harris returning to his old form. if he can this will work great. if he still can't recover from injury they will have to blitz to get a pass rush. i hope they can also get rolle for his pass coverage skills. it's a non-cap year afterall but the bears are normally tight-fisted.
you better get the cattle prods out to get him to play hard. he has a tendcy to take plays off a whole bunch. good luck. if a tight end can block him is he worth all that money.
Kampman is a much better consistent player. Peppers is a big name only. But gosh we wouldn't want Lovie to sign good white players. What would happen to his solving minority unemployment problems that he is dedicated to.
As a fan I'm glad that they are addressing the pass rush. However, as a fan, I'm sorry to see that they must resort to tryng to trade or get free agents to take on the task. Better drafting needs to be the priority. Overpaying free agents is not sustainable and history shows that it does not always work. Free agency allows a team to try to put a finger in the crack of the leaking dam.
I really hope that this is a change for the better in Chicago - spending money does not solve all problems but it helps offset not having a first or second round pick - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HGjEKbJ1Ko
Here's a tip, pay him more than any other team and you'll have him convinced. He doesn't care about how nice everyone is or what the scheme is, he just wants his money!
We should also be talking to Damione Lewis and Kemoeatu (sp?), who were also released by the Panthers. Kemo could play the nose very well for us, and Lewis is a candidate for a 3 technique, which would let us put Gilbert on the outside to back up the left side. I think Gilbert could be a much better NFL player at DE than DT. Not saying he is Pro Bowl bound or anything, but he can be a serviceable end, especially on the left side, whereas he will be a marginal DT in my opinion. He is too tall and not stout enough to play the leverage game with guards and centers.
They would have to really screw up to not get Peppers signed. Its been speculated that Philly and Seattle have both made offers like the Bears but the Bears was the highest. Peppers is usuing those two bids to try and raise the price on the Bears. Their saying if he doesn't get what he wants here he is off to Philly next. But you don't send your head coach to pickup a guy unless you are going to sign him.
I can't see how they don't sign him it would be a huge SNAFU.
I am not so sure this is the best move, I can't think of the last big FA move by any team has made that has worked in recent years. The Bears system is a good fit for Peppers, so thats a big plus he won't be asked to play the run much and will be playing down hill the most of time. Then again the Bears don't have any other options, and its not much different than signing a 1st round pick to a 4 year deal.
As long as Lovie understands this is a sales pitch to get him to join the organization, we should be fine. If he goes into Zombie mode "we really like our ball club....we think we can win with the players we have....we are really close to contending...etc...", then it could be an issue.
Basically winning in free agency is all about sucking up. You have to make the player feel like he is the only thing in the world that matters, andwe have a busy day with Taylor coming in, and Manumaleuna (sp.?) already in town to sign. Sometimes that helps, sometimes, that distracts.
Either way, this should be a heck of a day...
I have to admit, this move, if Peppers actually does sign, raises my confidence level in Droopy and the Stooges. A bit. We'll see.
This makes for a great read, but until they sign one or all of these guys, the Bears management is who we think they are!
great great
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhQ6Nf3i6Kk