Spectator Sporting

By Adewale Apata

When the free agency signing period officially begins on Wednesday at 3pm, the Bears are scheduled to sign #1 free agent wide receiver and now former Jaguar Allen Robinson to a 3 year $42 million dollar deal.  Robinson stock is still high based off his 2^nd season in 2015 where he gained 1,400 yards and tied for the league lead in receiving TDs with 14.  His production dropped in 2016 as he gained 883 yards with 6 TDs, then he tore his ACL in his 1^st game of the 2017 season.  However; he is only 24 years old with a birthday on August 24^th, has proven that he is capable of putting up 1^st ballot Pro Bowl numbers and is a big target measuring in at 6’3” and 220 pounds.

Allen Robinson was rumored to sign with rising star QB Jimmy Garoppolo and the WR starved 49ers.  Conventional wisdom suggested that Robinson would choose the proven Jimmy G over the raw and inexperienced Mitchell Trubisky.  Apparently, the Bears new offensive play calling scheme contributed to his decision to move up to The Windy City.  Here’s what Allen Robinson had to say about signing on with Chicago, per Josina Anderson, “I like what coach Nagy did from an offensive standpoint in Kansas City.  Being able to know that he is an offensive-minded coach and seeing what he’s done before helped me.”  Ryan Pace deserves plenty of credit for being hell-bent on hiring Chief’s offensive coordinator Matt Nagy in the off-season.

Robinson was attentive to the success Nagy had with the Kansas City’s #6 ranked offense in the NFL last season and decided that he can get back to his Pro Bowl ways in Nagy’s offensive scheme which falls under the proven Andy Reid umbrella.  Mitch Trubisky finally has his #1 WR and the off-season has just begun.

By Adewale Apata

Kyle Fuller gets my vote for Bears comeback player of the year after bouncing back in a huge way after an arthroscopic knee surgery that kept him out for the 2016 season.  He was 2^nd in the NFL in passes defended with 22 and is just entering the prime of his career at age 26 (Feb 16^th).  Fuller deserves that transition tag which will pay him $12.97 million, the average salary of the top 10 highest paid cornerbacks in the NFL.  Since Ryan Pace decided to transition tag Fuller, the Bears can match any offer that he receives and they have until July 16^th to sign him to a long term deal.  Kyle Fuller is on record stating that he wants to remain a Bear and Ryan Pace recently stated that he will pursue a long term deal with him and his agent.  Now Pace has time to sit back and see if any CBs from the Bears 2017 roster can be a viable compliment to Fuller.

Bears unrestricted free agent, Prince Amukamara came through with a decent 2017 season on the opposite side of Fuller.  The Bears CB tandem only allowed 1 wide receiver to gain 100 yards or more on them (Antonio Brown 110 yards).  That’s a significant accomplishment when you consider the star power at WR that the Bears faced last season:  Julio Jones 66 yards, A.J Green 64 yards, Alshon Jeffery 52 yards, Michael Thomas 77 yards, Mike Evans 93 yards, Stefon Diggs 35.0 yards per game, Adam Thielen 47.5 yards per game, Jordy Nelson 47.5 yards per game and Davante Adams 51.5 yards per game.  Prince was no cup cake out there on his corner but he may still be replaced or at least challenged for his starting spot due to his lack of playmaking ability and injury history.  Amukamara has 0 interceptions in his last 2 seasons and only played in all 16 games once in his 7 year career back in 2013.

Nickelback Bryce Callahan is also an unrestricted free agent and the Bears shouldn’t have trouble resigning him.  He was a 2015 undrafted free agent by the Bears and has played well enough to be ranked as the #31 CB in the NFL by Pro Football Focus.  He also passes the eye test through his quick awareness in coverage and sure tacking ability.

Marcus Cooper was a disappointing 2017 free agent signing and should be cut as soon as possible.   2016 undrafted free agent Cre’Von LeBlanc showed some versatility with the ability to play on the outside or at nickelback.  Cornerback Sherrick McManis is mainly a special team’s ace.  Before the NFL draft begins, the Bears must try to pay a highly rated unrestricted free agent CB that can challenge or replace Prince Amukamara.

#1) Malcolm Butler New England Patriots – He went from 2014 undrafted free agent to Super Bowl hero in his rookie season.  Butler made the Pro Bowl in his 2^nd year and sustained his high level of play in his 3^rd season.  In 2017 he fell out of favor with the coaching staff and was benched during the Super Bowl versus the Philadelphia Eagles despite only missing 1 start since his 2^nd year in the league.  Bill Belichick looked foolish in their upset loss for deciding to keep him on the bench as the Eagle’s offense couldn’t be stopped with 374 passing yards and 41 points.  Last season Butler’s coaches lost confidence in him but he is determined to prove his mediocre 2017 year was just an aberration.

“I will do what I have always done to work hard and prepare for next season to be the best I can be.  I can’t wait for the 2018 season to get here. I will be ready!” – Malcolm Butler.

Teaming the 28 year old (Mar 2^nd) Butler and his huge chip on his shoulder with Kyle Fuller would be an ideal fit.

#2) Trumaine Johnson Los Angeles Rams – The 28 year old (Jan 1^st) Johnson is an interesting CB free agent prospect who did not become a regular starter for the Rams until his 4^th season in 2015.  In that season, he exceeded expectations by finishing tied for 2^nd in the NFL with 7 interceptions.  He was a free agent after that season and the Rams franchise tagged him for both 2016 and 2017.  He caught 3 interceptions in both his franchise tagged years combined and Pro Football Focus ranked him as the #68 CB in the NFL for the 2017 season.

Trumaine Johnson has the look of an overrated 1 season wonder.  If Johnson is as good as advertised; why did the Rams trade a 2018 – 4^th round pick and a 2019 – 2^nd round pick to the Chiefs for CB Marcus Peters and a 2018 – 6^th round pick?

#3) Bashaud Breeland Washington Redskins – This 26 year old (Jan 30^th) starting CB has played in the shadows of Josh Norman in the last 2 seasons.  He has only missed 4 games in his 4 years in the league and has 8 career interceptions.  Don’t be surprised if Ryan Pace pursues Breeland over Johnson due to him being younger, more consistent and less expensive.

Seattle Seahawks veteran cornerback Richard Sherman is expected to be released.  However, Ryan Pace is not likely to pursue him due to the fact that the former Pro Bowler will turn 30 on March 30^th and he’s recovering from a ruptured achilles tendon.  Plus Sherman wants to play on a Super Bowl contender and the Bears are still rebuilding.

By Adewale Apata

Can you name a team that has a worse wide receiver situation than the Chicago Bears?  …  I didn’t think so.  The Bears only have 3 wide receivers under contract for next season.  Kevin “IR” White, soon to be cut Marcus Wheaton and special teamer Josh Bellamy.  These guys make Alshon Jeffrey look like Art Monk.  But we can’t cry over spilled milk, Ryan Pace has got to mop up this mess and find some quality WRs for his golden boy Mitch Trubisky.

Restricted free agent Cameron Meredith was an pleasant surprise during his 2^nd season in 2016 recording 66 receptions, 4 TDs and 888 yards in 14 games.  Hopes were high for Meredith heading into the 2017 season as a starter but he tore his ACL which kept him out for the season.  He’ll be ready for training camp this summer with the potential to be a 1,000 yard and 80 reception type of WR in the new Matt Nagy offense.

The Bears must also decide if they want to re-sign unrestricted free agents Dontrell Inman (334 yards and 23 receptions in 8 games) and/or Chicago’s leader in yards(614) and receptions(59) Kendall “The Tallest Midget” Wright.  Even if Pace re-signs both Wright and Inman, major upgrades would still need to be made.  There are 2 unrestricted free agent wide receivers with star potential that could help get the Bears offense out of the mud.

#1)Allen Robinson Jacksonville Jaguars–Robinson turned into a monster during his 2^nd season in 2015.  He led the NFL in TD catches with 14, had 80 receptions, 1400 yards and was selected to the pro bowl.  In the following season, he started all 16 games but his production dropped off significantly.  In that season, he produced numbers very similar to Cam Meredith’s with 6 TDs, 883 yards and 73 receptions.  The 2017 season was supposed to reveal if Robinson was the pro bowl player that he displayed in 2015 or his mediocre self from 2016.  The answer to that inquiry was never revealed after he tore his ACL in the 1^st game of the season.

There’s a mystery factor involved when evaluating Allen Robinson.  Is he a one season wonder?  Will he fully recover from his ACL injury?  The injury concern is understandable since the Bears have had foul luck keeping WRs healthy in the last few years.  But Chicago does not have any collateral with their WR dilemma and you can’t deny Robinson’s outstanding 2015 season.  They’ve got to attempt to pay Allen Robinson and be convinced that Trubisky and Nagy can turn him back into a pro bowler.

#2) Sammy Watkins Los Angeles Rams–Watkins was the 4^th overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft and he showed some promise in his 1^st couple seasons.  He averaged 70 yards per game, had 125 receptions and 15 TD catches in 29 games.  His 3^rd season was not as promising in 2016 as his productivity fell off and he only played in the Bills final 8 games due to a fractured foot injury.  The Bills Mafia was eager to watch Watkins play up to his potential in the 2017 season but he was traded to the Rams with a 6^th round pick for cornerback E.J Gaines and a 2^nd round pick.

Despite playing on the 3^rd ranked scoring offense in the league, Watkins had an underwhelming season by only averaging 39.5 yards per game.  Sammy Watkins is overrated but he’s only 24 years old and he was 7^th in the league in TD catches amongst WRs in the 2017 season.  If the Bears don’t land Allen Robinson, expect them to overpay and gamble on the potential of the young Watkins .

By Adewale Apata

Ryan Pace decided that Willie Young and Pernell McPhee were too old, injured and expensive, so he released them to accumulate more salary cap space.  According to Over The Cap, Ryan Pace will have over $77 million dollars in cap space to spend after Mike Glennon is released.  The problem with that is; talented, healthy and young edge rushers rarely avoid that franchise tag.  Free agent sack artist Ziggy Ansah from the Lions and Demarcus Lawrence from the Cowboys both received franchise tags and won’t hit free agency.

2016 9^th overall Bears draft pick Leonard Floyd is an emerging edge rusher to build around.  He has contributed with 11.5 sacks in 22 regular season games.  However, his durability will be questioned since he missed 10 games in his 1^st two seasons due to a concussion and neck injury in 2016 and sprained MCL and PCL in 2017.

Sam Acho is an unrestricted free agent that the Bears should bring back to provide veteran leadership off the bench.  Lamar Houston is also an unrestricted free agent but the Bears are unlikely to re-sign the injury prone 30 year old vet.  Isaiah Irving is coming off his rookie year as an undrafted free agent and showed some promise in the 2017 preseason with 3 sacks.

But the Bears brain trust has got to find Floyd much more reliable long term help on his opposite side.  Unfortunately, this year’s edge rusher free agent class is so bleak, Pace may want to seriously think about bringing back Pernell McPhee or Willie Young.  If not, he may have to get creative with a trade. Don’t be surprised if the Bears draft 2 OLBs and never rule out the possibility of Ryan Pace signing a salary cap casualty during training camp or the preseason.

By Adewale Apata

Apparently, Ryan Pace thinks Josh Sitton was too old and expensive.  He released the soon to be 32 year old (June 6^th) and saved just over $8 Million in salary cap space.  The problem with that is; according to Pro Football Focus (PFF) Josh Sitton was the Bears best offensive lineman.  3-time Pro Bowler Kyle Long has been ravished by injuries in his last couple seasons and Bear fans can only hope that his injury woes are behind him.  The 2-year pro Cody Whitehair is a natural guard but has been forced to play center due to the injured or ineffective Hroniss Grasu.  Grasu has the look of a 2015 3^rd round draft miss by Ryan Pace.  He’ll have a tough time surviving roster cuts during training camp.  Another option at guard is soon to be 29 year old (May 10^th) Jack of All Trades O-lineman Tom Compton.  He’s a offensive tackle who started 5 games at guard for the Bears last season but he is just a ‘next man up’ kind of guy and an unrestricted free agent.

The release of Sitton implies that Pace believes in 28 year old backup guard/center Eric Kush.  Kush played solid in his 4 starts in 2016 while filling in for the injured Kyle Long but he tore a hamstring in training camp which kept him out for the entire 2017 season.  Jordan Morgan is an intriguing backup guard for the Bears.  He was a 2017 5^th round pick from little known Kutztown University in Pennsylvania and He practically red-shirted his rookie year as he was placed on injured reserve due to shoulder surgery.  Chicago is hoping that Morgan is a diamond in the rough but Pace must try and write a huge check to an interior offensive lineman during free agency.  There are 2 unrestricted free agent offensive linemen that Pace must pursue in order to fulfill that hole he created when he released Josh Sitton.

#1) Andrew Norwell Carolina Panthers– During the 2014 draft, Norwell never heard his name called.  He signed to the Panthers as an undrafted free agent, survived roster cuts, took over the starting left guard position and has held it down ever since.  Andrew Norwell continues to ascend as he was voted 1^st Team All-Pro by the Associated Press and Pro Football Focus for the 2017 season and he’s only 26 years old.  It’s a no brainer, Ryan Pace has to put forth maximum effort to get Andrew Norwell into a Bears uniform.  If Pace pulls this off, he’ll look like a genius for replacing Sitton for a player who is younger and better.

#2)Ryan Jensen Baltimore Ravens – If the Bears are unable to score big with Andrew Norwell, Jensen should be next in line.  Ryan Jensen played his 1^st 3 seasons as a reserve guard but changed his position to center last season and started all 16 games for the Ravens.  According to Pro Football Focus, Jensen was the 9^th best center in the NFL last year, which is 2 spots above Cody Whitehair.  Whitehair was drafted to play guard, so plugging Jensen in at the center position would be a solid solution to the Bear’s O-Line puzzle.  Ryan Jensen would also be a long term solution; he turns 27 on May 27^th.

By Adewale Apata

Akiem Hicks was one of the biggest Pro Bowl snubs last season and Eddie Goldman is a Solid 24 year old nose tackle who should hold down that position for several years.  However, 2016 3^rd round pick Jonathan Bullard has been underwhelming off the bench.  He’s trying to avoid the label of being a draft miss by Ryan Pace next season.

Roy Robertson-Harris is an intriguing player who was a 2016 undrafted rookie free agent and initially signed on to play outside linebacker.  Unfortunately, a heat illness kept him out for the 2016 season.  Before the 2017 season, he put on 40 pounds and changed his position to defensive lineman.  With his high motor at 6’7” 295 lbs, he has the potential to replace unrestricted free agent Mitch Unrein.  If Pace is not totally sold that Bullard or Robertson-Harris can become solid starters, he must search through free agency before the draft begins.  Which unrestricted free agents can replace Mitch Unrein or challenge him for his starting position?  There’s only one guy worth negotiating with.

Sheldon Richardson Seattle Seahawks – This 27 year old, 5 year pro had an incredible 2 and a half year start to his NFL career.  In 2013, he earned the Associated Press defensive rookie of the year and he had no sophomore slump as he was selected to the 2014 pro bowl.  In the first 10 games of his 3^rd season, he continued to build on his success with 5 sacks but a hamstring injury kept him out and ineffective for the rest of the 2015 season.

After a mediocre 2016 season, the Jets traded Richardson to the Seahawks for WR Jermaine Kearse and a 2^nd round pick.  In Seattle, he did not return to his Pro Bowl form with 27 tackles and only 1 sack.  However, Sheldon Richardson is still young and Ryan Pace could give him a 1 year ‘prove it’ deal to see if he can resurrect under Vic Fangio’s 3-4 defensive scheme.  If the Bears decide not to take a chance on him, they should definitely re-sign Mitch Unrein and gamble on Bullard and Robertson-Harris as legitimate challengers to that 3^rd starting defensive line position to compliment Goldman and Hicks.  April’s NFL draft may also provide a solution but the Bears have major holes at WR, OLB, OL and CB.

By Adewale Apata

Bobby Massie and Charles Leno Jr takes a plethora of heat from several mainstream Chicago media guys but do they really deserve the constant criticism?  There’s one quality about Massie and Leno Jr that their haters cannot deny and that’s durability.  Since Leno Jr took over the starting left tackle position in week 4 of 2015, he has not missed a start and Massie has only missed 4 games in the last 4 seasons.  That’s saying a lot for a team that is use to digging deep on their depth chart due to terrible luck in the injury department.

According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Charles Leno Jr is much better than most Bear fans think.  PFF ranked him as the 15^th best out of the 64 starting tackles in the NFL for the 2017 season.  The Bears were 11^th in the league in rushing yards per attempt and in the middle of the pack at 17^th in the NFL in sacks allowed per game with Mike Glennon and a rookie QB.  The Bears organization clearly does not believe the hate for Charles Leno Jr is warranted.  They signed the 26 year old to a 4 year contract extension before the 2017 season that runs through the 2021 season.  However, gripes Bobby Massie is justifiable as he is the 39^th ranked offensive tackle on that PFF list.  Leno Jr is not going anywhere but are there any unrestricted free agent offensive tackles that can replace Bobby Massie?  There’s only one guy that may get some consideration from Ryan Pace.

Nate Solder New England Patriots– He has started the last 7 years for the Patriots and the soon to be 30 year old (April 12^th) has contributed to an offensive line unit that has kept Tom Brady clean over the years but Pro Football Focus ranks him as the 32^nd best offensive tackle in the NFL.  Plus signing Solder would create complications for the Bears offensive line structure because he has played left tackle his entire career, which is the same position Charles Leno Jr plays.

Bear fans can forget about Massie being replaced this off-season through free agency.  However; since Massie will be a free agent after the 2018 season and Bears backup swing tackle Tom Compton is an unrestricted free agent, Pace will search for his backup and/or replacement through the draft.