An Insightful Look at the Bears Cap Situation and Other Bullets

PhilEmeryConfusedIf you missed my late afternoon bullets from yesterday, you can find them here. They include thoughts on what Mel Tucker’s defense might look like, Corey Wootton having hip surgery, the Lions hiring Jim Caldwell, and more. (And if you did miss them, you’ll also find an explanation for my brief absence yesterday. Spoiler: I was sick.)

Early this afternoon, I’ll resume my offseason review with a look at the Bears offensive tackles. And now, your morning bullets:

  • CBS Chicago’s Dan Durkin is as plugged in as anyone with regards to the Bears salary cap situation, and his piece from last night is as good an outline as I’ve seen. We’ve discussed the Bears cap situation before, but considering how big a role it plays for the Bears offseason, I’m not sure it can be examined enough. Dan thinks that among a few other cost-cutting moves, the Bears might consider extending Brandon Marshall in order to lower his cap number for 2014. That’s something I can get behind. Marshall’s value is tremendous, and he seems like the kind of receiver who could remain effective even as he enters his 30’s. (His game is not based solely on speed.) He turns 30 in March, and I think a new deal would make sense for both sides, assuming everyone’s on the same page financially.
  • ESPN Insider Mike Sando had a list of 25 must-sign free agents; that is, impending free agents whose teams must bring back. It’s behind ESPN’s paywall, but ESPN Chicago’s Michael C. Wright has you covered in terms of Bears-related bits. Henry Melton comes in at #6, and Wright notes that on talent alone that’s true, but there are some character concerns involved with Melton that might make it a more difficult decision for the Bears. It’s up in the air for me, as well; I’d guess it depends on the extent to which Melton’s ACL injury depresses his market in free agency. As a bargain signing, I’d hope the Bears re-sign him. But I’m wary of him becoming Tommie Harris 2.0, and the Bears can’t afford to waste money on the defensive side of the ball.
  • Friend of the blog Matt Eurich had an interesting look at what the Bears might be able to do with Shea McClellin. In it, he looks at the Seahawks defense and how they use a hybrid DE/LB position for pass rushing purposes. Anything’s worth a shot, at this point. The one thing they can’t do is try exactly what they tried in 2013.
  • CBS Chicago’s Adam Hoge came out with his second offseason notebook, with a look at why Mel Tucker wasn’t fired. He also breaks down his college prospect of the week, and includes a link back to this article he wrote after the Rams loss. It was published before this blog came to life, but it features some great breakdowns of, well, breakdowns by the Bears defense. Not surprisingly, Shea McClellin and Chris Conte bear the brunt of the blame.
  • Grantland’s Bill Barnwell takes a long look at the NFL coaching carousel, and the path Ken Whisenhunt has taken to becoming the Titans head coach. He also touches on the Lions hiring of Jim Caldwell, and he seems lukewarm on both hires, noting that neither had any success without a great quarterback. (For Whisenhunt in Arizona, it was Kurt Warner; for Caldwell in Indianapolis, it was obviously Peyton Manning.) The Titans probably don’t have that player on their roster (unless you’re really bullish on Jake Locker) and it remains to be seen just how high Matthew Stafford’s ceiling truly is.
  • Matt Bowen published this film study breakdown of the Divisional round games. I always find his X’s and O’s fascinating.
  • Finally, remember the Bears fan who tasered his Packers fan wife after Chicago beat Green Bay on Monday Night Football? He was sentenced to a $250 fine, according to this Chicago Tribune article by Gregory Pratt. In a contender for the least surprising revelation of all time, the report notes that both had been drinking.
  • written by

    Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

    more bears news

    Chicago Bears Mock Draft Trade Proposals Seem to Target One Particular Position

    I had a great visit with my therapist today. Between that and an afternoon cold brew, I've got enough in me to power through an evening Bears post. Let's dig into some recent mock drafts that are giving off a...

    Sounds Like the Bears Will Consider Taking Brock Bowers If They Stay at No. 9

    For all the discussion about the big three wide receivers who could be on the Chicago Bears radar on NFL Draft weekend, a different high-profile pass-catcher is apparently garnering some interest from the team. All-American tight end Brock Bowers had...

    Bears Hire Ted Crews as Special Advisor to President Kevin Warren

    The Chicago Bears continue building out their organizational staff around President Kevin Warren. And their latest addition arrives to Halas Hall with three Super Bowl rings in tow. The team announced the hiring of Ted Crews, who has spent the...

    I Don’t Hate Trading Up, Cairo Reaches Out, Jed Chimes In, and Other Bears Bullets

    Maybe it's just me, but Wednesdays are starting to feel like the new Mondays. Ick. There are just 8 days until the 2024 NFL Draft. We're almost there, friends. We've almost made it. The best pre-draft stat you'll see comes...

    The Bears Had Eyes on Illini DT Johnny Newton Today

    Even though the Chicago Bears have plugged several notable holes this offseason, one biggie remains. And it leaves me to ask a pertinent question: Who wants to play the 3-technique defensive tackle role? Perhaps Illinois' Johnny Newton is the answer....

    Watch Out For the Cardinals and Chargers as Possible Bears Trade Partners

    'Tis the season for dot-connecting. And if you are a Chicago Bears fan, you might want to keep tabs on what is happening between your favorite team's current first and ninth picks. ESPN's Adam Schefter names the Arizona Cardinals and...

    The Washington Commanders Are Hosting a Pre-Draft QB Group Date

    The MMQB's Albert Breer shares an anecdote about the Washington Commanders pre-draft process. Washington, which holds the second pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, is hosting a bunch of quarterbacks for top-30 visits this week. Together. In the same place....

    The Bears Are Back, Caleb, Verse, Goff, Biles, and Other Bears Bullets

    Thin Lizzy's "The Boys Are Back In Town" played in a loop in my head on Monday as I thought about the Chicago Bears strolling into Halas Hall to start the offseason training program. This is what it looked like...

    Chop Robinson is Reportedly Visiting the Bears

    Chop Robinson is more than a cool name. He was also a productive edge defender for the Penn State Nittany Lions. And, today, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reports that Chop Robinson is visiting with the Chicago Bears — today. That's...

    Dadrion Taylor-Demerson is Taking a Top 30 Visit with the Bears

    We're adding Dadrion Taylor-Demerson to the list of players who are coming down to Halas Hall for a top-30 visit with the Chicago Bears. Chris Emma has the scoop on the Texas Tech defensive back's upcoming trip to the greater...

    Latest News

    Best MLB Prop Bets Today, April 18, 2024

    The Cleveland Guardians versus the Boston Red Sox is one of five strong options on today's MLB slate.One of the best ways to wager on baseball is via MLB player prop bets. There are props for each of today's matchups,...

    Tigers vs. Rangers Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 18, 2024

    The Texas Rangers (10-9) are the underdogs on the moneyline (-108) in Thursday's contest with the Detroit Tigers (10-8). Game time is set for 1:10 PM ET on MLB Network. The Rangers are favored against the spread in this one...

    Rays vs. Angels Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 18, 2024

    The Tampa Bay Rays (10-9) are favorites (-159) on the moneyline when they take on the Los Angeles Angels (9-9) Thursday at 1:10 PM ET, live on BSSUN.Tampa Bay's Ryan Pepiot gets the start, and he'll go against Los Angeles'...

    Red Sox vs. Guardians Probable Starting Pitchers – April 18

    The Boston Red Sox (10-9) square off against the Cleveland Guardians (12-6) on Thursday at Fenway Park at 1:35 PM ET.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Red Sox will send Brennan Bernardino (0-1) to the mound, while Carlos...

    Tigers vs. Rangers Probable Starting Pitchers – April 18

    The Detroit Tigers (10-8) play at home against the Texas Rangers (10-9) at 1:10 PM ET on Thursday.The Tigers will give the nod to Kenta Maeda (0-1, 6.00 ERA), who is eyeing win No. 1 on the season, and the...

    Rays vs. Angels Probable Starting Pitchers – April 18

    The Tampa Bay Rays (10-9) face the Los Angeles Angels (9-9) at home at 1:10 PM ET on Thursday.The Rays will look to Ryan Pepiot (1-2) versus the Angels and Griffin Canning (0-2).Rays vs. Angels Pitcher Matchup and Game InfoWhen:...

    Nuggets vs. Lakers Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets for NBA Playoffs Game 1 – Saturday, April 20, 2024

    The Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Lakers square off to start the first round of the NBA Playoffs. The Nuggets are favored by 7 points in the contest, which airs on ABC at 8:30 PM ET. The matchup has...

    Red Sox vs. Guardians: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Boston Red Sox (10-9), led by Tyler O'Neill, host Josh Naylor and the Cleveland Guardians (12-6) on Thursday at 1:35 PM ET.Keep scrolling to find out all the details on how to watch Boston take on Cleveland live.When is...

    UGH: Alex Caruso’s Availability Already in Doubt for Next Play-In Game

    The Chicago Bulls can't seem to swat the injury bug. Despite Andre Drummond and Ayo Dosunmu returning from their multi-game absences on Wednesday, the Bulls have likely lost their defense ace. Alex Caruso suffered a foot injury in the first...

    You Have to See Coby White’s Epic Sequence Against the Hawks

    Whether or not he gets the hardware, Coby White is the NBA's Most Improved Player. The Chicago Bulls guard has fully embraced his bigger workload this season, showing improvements in almost every aspect of his game. This was on full...

    more bears news