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

    REPORT: Bears to Announce Lakefront Stadium Plans on Wednesday

    The Chicago Bears stadium saga has as many plot twists as my abuela's favorite telenovelas. And the latest suggests that a move to Arlington Heights that once felt inevitable isn't in the cards as WGN reports that plans for the...

    The NFL Penalizing the Falcons For Tampering With Kirk Cousins Would Do the Bears a Favor

    At first, the NFL tampering case involving the Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings got a "ha ha" out of me because former Chicago Bears GM Ryan Pace and wide receiver Darnell Mooney were secondary characters in the story. But little...

    There He Goes: The Jets Are Trading Zach Wilson to the Broncos

    And then there was one. There were five quarterbacks taken in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, and only Trevor Lawrence remains with the team that selected him. That will be the case once the Zach Wilson trade...

    Chicago Bears 2024 NFL Draft Fits: Quarterbacks

    The 2024 NFL Draft begins Thursday. Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles, Assistant GM Ian Cunningham, Head Coach Matt Eberflus, and others will put their heads together to come up with a winning plan for the team's four picks (Nos....

    2024 NFL Mock Draft: Bears Get Bold & Go All In On Offense

    It's Draft Week! After months of anticipation, the NFL's premier offseason event is finally here. We know how the first overall pick will go, but beyond that, we have a ton of unpredictability. Who will Washington take second? Will Arizona...

    Happy NFL Draft Week! Bears Buzz, Prospect Notes, Rankings, and Other Bears Bullets

    Happy NFL Draft Week! We finally made it. I'm so happy to be here. Let's boogie. There are just three days until the Chicago Bears go on the clock with the first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Unless something...

    The Bears Took A Different Approach When Hosting Caleb Williams For Dinner

    Chicago Bears fans are about to enter their Caleb Williams era. And while it won't become officially official until Thursday, what is becoming more apparent with each passing day is how thorough the vetting process was for the Bears before...

    This Bears-Patriots Draft Trade Hypothetical is Awfully Tempting

    The 2024 NFL Draft is THIS WEEK. And you can expect the Chicago Bears to carry main character energy throughout the week. Armed with the No. 1 overall pick and a second top-10 selection, Chicago's football team will be at...

    Murphy as a Bears Fit, Draft Fallback Plans, Harbaugh’s Tattoo, and Other Bears Bullets

    I've been trying to make the most of my last weekend before NFL Draft Week begins for the Chicago Bears (and the other 31 teams in the league). Later today, I'll take a break from listening to the new Taylor...

    Eberflus and Waldron Spark Cubs Offense, Newfound Caleb Love, Remembering Bill Tobin, and Other Bears Bullets

    Sorry for the late version of post-brunch Bears Bullets. I'll make it up to you somehow. I don't want to lead off with somber news, but I do want to pay some respect to Bill Tobin. The former Bears exec...

    Latest News

    Cardinals vs. Diamondbacks: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Nolan Arenado and the St. Louis Cardinals (10-13) host Ketel Marte and the Arizona Diamondbacks (11-13) at 7:45 PM ET on Tuesday.Keep scrolling to find out all the details on how to watch St. Louis square off against Arizona live.When...

    Hurricanes vs. Islanders NHL Playoffs First Round Game 3 Prediction: Odds, Picks, Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

    The Carolina Hurricanes are fancied by sportsbooks to defeat the New York Islanders when they match up on Thursday at 7:30 PM ET, with the visiting Hurricanes at -155 on the moneyline, and the Islanders at +130.Hurricanes vs. Islanders Favorite,...

    Maple Leafs vs. Bruins NHL Playoffs First Round Game 3 Prediction: Live Odds, Stats, History and Picks – Wednesday, April 24, 2024

    The bookmakers are expecting a close game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins when they play on Wednesday at 7:00 PM ET, with the Maple Leafs at -115 on the moneyline, and the Bruins at -105.Maple Leafs vs....

    How to Watch Giants vs. Mets: Live Stream or on TV

    On Tuesday, in a series opener at Oracle Park, Logan Webb takes the mound for the San Francisco Giants (10-13) against Luis Severino and the New York Mets (12-9), with first pitch scheduled for 9:45 PM ET.Keep reading to find...

    Orioles vs. Angels: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Grayson Rodriguez will take the mound for the Baltimore Orioles (14-7) when they visit starter Griffin Canning and the Los Angeles Angels (9-13) on Tuesday, with first pitch at 9:38 PM ET.The article below will give you everything you need...

    Texas Rangers vs. Seattle Mariners Series April 23-25: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

    The Texas Rangers are hosting the Seattle Mariners for a three-game series, with the action getting underway at 8:05 PM ET on Tuesday, April 23.Rangers vs. Mariners Series Info Mariners @ Rangers Time: Tuesday, April 23 at 8:05 PM ET...

    Chicago Cubs vs. Houston Astros Series April 23-25: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

    The Houston Astros will be on the road, beginning a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday, April 23 at 7:40 PM ET.Cubs vs. Astros Series Info Astros @ Cubs Time: Tuesday, April 23 at 7:40 PM ET Cubs...

    WATCH: The End of Knicks-76ers Game 2 Was Pure Chaos

    The New York Knicks just took a 2-0 lead over the Philadelphia 76ers in a sequence you'll just have to see to believe. With roughly 30 seconds left on the clock down 101-96, the Knicks looked destined to walk out...

    Padres vs. Rockies: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Fernando Tatis Jr. and the San Diego Padres (13-12) visit Ryan McMahon and the Colorado Rockies (5-18) on Tuesday, with first pitch at 8:40 PM ET.The article below will provide you with everything you need to know to watch San...

    Mariners vs. Rangers: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    On Tuesday, Mitch Haniger and the Seattle Mariners (11-11) open a series against Marcus Semien and the Texas Rangers (12-11) at Globe Life Field, with first pitch scheduled for 8:05 PM ET.The article below will provide you with everything you...

    more bears news