Classic Bears "Mis"-Management

[Braves4Life]

Leave it to Da Bears heartless management to tick off another good, loyal Bear player (Lance Briggs).

Unfortunately, this is all too typical of Bears management

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2788148

[Braves4Life]

Bears send tailback Jones to Jets

What are the Bears thinking? Giving up an almost Pro Bowl player and a low second round pick for a high to mid second round pick?

This only looks good if Benson stays injury free and has a break-out yer, plus we need a good draft pick from this selection who becomes a starter.

http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/10040910

[Big Mike]

This is another case of a bad deal to the Bears....but all they see is the $$$$ savings ....moving up 26 spots in the 2nd round and still giving up their 2nd round pick and a running back who gained OVERN3400 yards in 3 seasons.............BRILLIANT!

[Catalyst]

This is another case of a bad deal to the Bears....but all they see is the $$$$ savings ....moving up 26 spots in the 2nd round and still giving up their 2nd round pick and a running back who gained OVERN3400 yards in 3 seasons.............BRILLIANT!

Thomas Jones wanted out. He asked for it last year. I think Benson is more of the classic bruiser the Bears are looking for. While Jones always had the break away potential, when he got topped at the line, he would get pushed back. Benson is that wrecking ball that hits the wall and still picks up 3-4 yards.

[Stryker]

I agree with Catalyst. You guys need to get some facts straight.
First of all it was a good trade. The Bears moved up drastically in the draft from a 60ish pick to the 37th overall pick. That is a pretty big jump. It's equivalent to having another 3rd round pick.

Second of all Jones is getting old for a RB, 31, and obviously his body isn't what it used to be. Sure he is still ripped, but playing RB really takes a toll.

Third, the Bears drafted Benson to be a #1 back 4th overall, which he should be. Sure he has some injury problems, but nothing drastic. He should be fine. Look how everyone thought Grossman was never going to play an entire season. Benson will be fine

Fourth, Bensons running style fits better with the offensive line that the Bears have. The Oline loves to run block, and they love to pound Dlines. Benson is a bruiser, although he needs to turn the nob back a little bit on that because he will be getting injured if he tries to bruise too many linebackers. Benson fits the Bears running game very well.

Fifth, Do you guys remember Jones sitting out this past summer? He wanted a new contract and didn't get one. Also TJ has been saying that he wants to be traded. He wanted to last season even though he didn't publicly say it(later stated by Jerry Angelo).

Sixth, You all should have known this was coming the day the Bears drafted Benson. They paid him way to much not to start him already. Also, the Bears have some big contract extensions they need to get with Berrian, Vasher and/or Tillman, Grossman(depends on 07-08 season) and Tommie Harris. The Bears are ready for Benson and giving a contract extension to TJ would just hurt the organization, leaving less cap to sign some of the core players.

Oh yeah, did I mention that Adrian Peterson is going to be a great backup RB? The 05-06 season he averaged 5.1 yds for something like 376 yds. Were going to be fine at RB.

The Bears aren't in developmental mode anymore. They are one of the top teams in the NFL. They are getting serious about a great running game. 3400 yds over 3 years is not that elite anymore. Sure TJ was the first RB since sweetness to run for 1300 in a season for the Bears, but across the NFL you see other RB's getting upwards of 1800 yds. LT,LJ,Alexander(last yr), those guys are elite. That's what the Bears want, and right now Benson gives them the best chance for production like that. TJ is most likely past his peak(being this yr and last yr), so it really made sense to trade him. Now I'm not saying that Benson is going to run for 1800+ yds next season, but he defnitly could hit the 14-1500 yd range in my opinion. That is if Turner finally realizes not to call hail marys on 1st and 2nd downs all the time .

And this all comes from a big fan of Thomas Jones. Seriously, I really like TJ, but it was time for him to leave the Bears, and Angelo had to get something out of him before he was worth nothing to another team.

[Big Mike]

Who wil play QB when CB misses the Blitz? 3 knee injuries in 3 season ....and he doesn't even start? CB is a me 1st player.....there is no-team in this kid......the O' line doesn't even care for the kid.....other team-mates still remember CB going to the locker room while a game was still being played....doesn't seem to have interest in the game if he is not playing......he has some major growing up to do before he becomes a good nfl runing back.......all this move did was try to save face by management who drafted this kid without doing enough backround checks.....and they now look bad is he doesn't start after getting a $16 million contract and not being able to beat out the old-tired worn-out TJ you speak of....this was the only way he could beat out TJ.......via a trade!

[Stryker]

Who wil play QB when CB misses the Blitz? 3 knee injuries in 3 season ....and he doesn't even start? CB is a me 1st player.....there is no-team in this kid......the O' line doesn't even care for the kid.....other team-mates still remember CB going to the locker room while a game was still being played....doesn't seem to have interest in the game if he is not playing......he has some major growing up to do before he becomes a good nfl runing back.......all this move did was try to save face by management who drafted this kid without doing enough backround checks.....and they now look bad is he doesn't start after getting a $16 million contract and not being able to beat out the old-tired worn-out TJ you speak of....this was the only way he could beat out TJ.......via a trade!

How are we to know if CB is a me 1st player for sure? If the Bears front office thought it was going to be a major problem they would have kept TJ. Have a little faith in Angelo man. This isn't the Bears team that was around 5 years ago. I'm not a huge Benson supporter guy either, at least when TJ was with the Bears. But now I support my team. Chicago.

[Da Coach]

I agree with Catalyst. You guys need to get some facts straight.
First of all it was a good trade. The Bears moved up drastically in the draft from a 60ish pick to the 37th overall pick. That is a pretty big jump. It's equivalent to having another 3rd round pick.

Second of all Jones is getting old for a RB, 31, and obviously his body isn't what it used to be. Sure he is still ripped, but playing RB really takes a toll.

Third, the Bears drafted Benson to be a #1 back 4th overall, which he should be. Sure he has some injury problems, but nothing drastic. He should be fine. Look how everyone thought Grossman was never going to play an entire season. Benson will be fine

Fourth, Bensons running style fits better with the offensive line that the Bears have. The Oline loves to run block, and they love to pound Dlines. Benson is a bruiser, although he needs to turn the nob back a little bit on that because he will be getting injured if he tries to bruise too many linebackers. Benson fits the Bears running game very well.

Fifth, Do you guys remember Jones sitting out this past summer? He wanted a new contract and didn't get one. Also TJ has been saying that he wants to be traded. He wanted to last season even though he didn't publicly say it(later stated by Jerry Angelo).

Sixth, You all should have known this was coming the day the Bears drafted Benson. They paid him way to much not to start him already. Also, the Bears have some big contract extensions they need to get with Berrian, Vasher and/or Tillman, Grossman(depends on 07-08 season) and Tommie Harris. The Bears are ready for Benson and giving a contract extension to TJ would just hurt the organization, leaving less cap to sign some of the core players.

Oh yeah, did I mention that Adrian Peterson is going to be a great backup RB? The 05-06 season he averaged 5.1 yds for something like 376 yds. Were going to be fine at RB.

The Bears aren't in developmental mode anymore. They are one of the top teams in the NFL. They are getting serious about a great running game. 3400 yds over 3 years is not that elite anymore. Sure TJ was the first RB since sweetness to run for 1300 in a season for the Bears, but across the NFL you see other RB's getting upwards of 1800 yds. LT,LJ,Alexander(last yr), those guys are elite. That's what the Bears want, and right now Benson gives them the best chance for production like that. TJ is most likely past his peak(being this yr and last yr), so it really made sense to trade him. Now I'm not saying that Benson is going to run for 1800+ yds next season, but he defnitly could hit the 14-1500 yd range in my opinion. That is if Turner finally realizes not to call hail marys on 1st and 2nd downs all the time .

And this all comes from a big fan of Thomas Jones. Seriously, I really like TJ, but it was time for him to leave the Bears, and Angelo had to get something out of him before he was worth nothing to another team.

Speaking of getting facts straight, here are the facts--
Thomas Jones was born 8/19/78- that means he is just 29, not 31 as you said. 29 is not old, in fact most running backs have their prime productive years around 28, 29, 30 years of age.

http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/187390

And furthermore, Thomas Jones had an average of just 125 carries per year over his first 4 years (as compared to 280+ per year over the past 3 years), far fewer than most running backs, so he has not sustained the physical abuse that most running backs his age would normally have.
And Thomas Jones was a high 1st round pick, and remains a 1st round caliber back. No matter how you spin the 2nd round swap of picks, the Bears still give up a high 1st round player for the right to move their 2nd round pick up-- this is not a good trade.
And you mentioned Jones sitting out. Why do you conveniently forget that Benson sat out all of the preseason last year. He is the epitome of someone who is NOT a team player.
Adrian Peterson may be a serviceable backup, but players of his quality are available at any time on waiver wires, or off practice squads around the league. He is nothing special. In fact, now that he has to be a 2nd running back, the Bears will be worse off because he will not be able to use his talents on the special teams (he has been an outstanding special team player).
Benson has proven nothing. I doubt he will ever be as good as Jones has been and will be for the next few years.

[Stryker]

I agree with Catalyst. You guys need to get some facts straight.
First of all it was a good trade. The Bears moved up drastically in the draft from a 60ish pick to the 37th overall pick. That is a pretty big jump. It's equivalent to having another 3rd round pick.

Second of all Jones is getting old for a RB, 31, and obviously his body isn't what it used to be. Sure he is still ripped, but playing RB really takes a toll.

Third, the Bears drafted Benson to be a #1 back 4th overall, which he should be. Sure he has some injury problems, but nothing drastic. He should be fine. Look how everyone thought Grossman was never going to play an entire season. Benson will be fine

Fourth, Bensons running style fits better with the offensive line that the Bears have. The Oline loves to run block, and they love to pound Dlines. Benson is a bruiser, although he needs to turn the nob back a little bit on that because he will be getting injured if he tries to bruise too many linebackers. Benson fits the Bears running game very well.

Fifth, Do you guys remember Jones sitting out this past summer? He wanted a new contract and didn't get one. Also TJ has been saying that he wants to be traded. He wanted to last season even though he didn't publicly say it(later stated by Jerry Angelo).

Sixth, You all should have known this was coming the day the Bears drafted Benson. They paid him way to much not to start him already. Also, the Bears have some big contract extensions they need to get with Berrian, Vasher and/or Tillman, Grossman(depends on 07-08 season) and Tommie Harris. The Bears are ready for Benson and giving a contract extension to TJ would just hurt the organization, leaving less cap to sign some of the core players.

Oh yeah, did I mention that Adrian Peterson is going to be a great backup RB? The 05-06 season he averaged 5.1 yds for something like 376 yds. Were going to be fine at RB.

The Bears aren't in developmental mode anymore. They are one of the top teams in the NFL. They are getting serious about a great running game. 3400 yds over 3 years is not that elite anymore. Sure TJ was the first RB since sweetness to run for 1300 in a season for the Bears, but across the NFL you see other RB's getting upwards of 1800 yds. LT,LJ,Alexander(last yr), those guys are elite. That's what the Bears want, and right now Benson gives them the best chance for production like that. TJ is most likely past his peak(being this yr and last yr), so it really made sense to trade him. Now I'm not saying that Benson is going to run for 1800+ yds next season, but he defnitly could hit the 14-1500 yd range in my opinion. That is if Turner finally realizes not to call hail marys on 1st and 2nd downs all the time .

And this all comes from a big fan of Thomas Jones. Seriously, I really like TJ, but it was time for him to leave the Bears, and Angelo had to get something out of him before he was worth nothing to another team.

Speaking of getting facts straight, here are the facts--
Thomas Jones was born 8/19/78- that means he is just 29, not 31 as you said. 29 is not old, in fact most running backs have their prime productive years around 28, 29, 30 years of age.

http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/187390

And furthermore, Thomas Jones had an average of just 125 carries per year over his first 4 years (as compared to 280+ per year over the past 3 years), far fewer than most running backs, so he has not sustained the physical abuse that most running backs his age would normally have.
And Thomas Jones was a high 1st round pick, and remains a 1st round caliber back. No matter how you spin the 2nd round swap of picks, the Bears still give up a high 1st round player for the right to move their 2nd round pick up-- this is not a good trade.
And you mentioned Jones sitting out. Why do you conveniently forget that Benson sat out all of the preseason last year. He is the epitome of someone who is NOT a team player.
Adrian Peterson may be a serviceable backup, but players of his quality are available at any time on waiver wires, or off practice squads around the league. He is nothing special. In fact, now that he has to be a 2nd running back, the Bears will be worse off because he will not be able to use his talents on the special teams (he has been an outstanding special team player).
Benson has proven nothing. I doubt he will ever be as good as Jones has been and will be for the next few years.

yeah, your right, sorry I got his age wrong.

However, I disagree with you about Jones being a 1st round caliber back. Yes he was good with the Bears, but he hadn't done anything you would expect from a first round before he came to chicago. True he didn't carry the load of a full starting RB, but he wasn't impressive.

Adrian Peterson is slow for a RB, and he is a great special teams player. But I think he will be a pretty good backup.

I continue to agrue that the Bears know well if CB is going to work hard and be a team player or not. I kinda assume the problems in preseason were due to the fact that Benson wanted to be the #1 back, and the problems of having two good RBs on the same team.

Also you can't argue with the fact that they made a good move by trading him. Which is what my original post was about, although I did try to argue that CB will be a good back.

Anyway, I think it was a pretty good move, even though to some people it seems like the Bears didn't get much in return for him. TJ did want to leave afterall.

[thefish7]

I think the thing about the Jones trade is that NFL teams use a chart with draft pick values... there's an example here:

http://www.theredzone.org/2006/draft/draftvaluechart.asp

So for the bears to go from #63 to #37 in the 2nd round, it's an increase of value from 276 to 530 or 254... So that move is more valuable than any 3rd round pick past top 3 (#65, 66, 67)... Most people expected the Bears to get a 3rd or 4th rounder for Jones (who was going to be traded for sure) and what they got is better than most 3rd roud picks. So for me it looks like they basically got about the best deal they coudl for him.