HC09 Bears: Out of hibernation

[Aurabolt127]

Well, it's been 3 or so months since I posted a franchise on here. Between work, life, the time-consuming nature of it, other games, etc. I figured why not? I tried a few different sites to build a franchise and keep the info, but this site with the table generators is still easiest. so.. hopefully you'll be entertained, hopefully I'll be able to play games and update faster!


February 2008. Only one year removed from the Bears Super Bowl appearance; but it feels like a decade. The Bears gave the Colts all they could, but they were just not up to the task. Coach Lovie Smith attempted to rebound in 2007, but the roster's weaknesses couldn't be covered up, and the miracle plays in '06 that pulled out win after win just weren't there anymore.

Ownership turned to Coach Smith and looked to him for answers. "Stay the course." was his reply. He believed in his system, his quarterback, his coaching style. Ownership did not, and Coach Smith was let go.

Enter Coach Cotignola. A former college DB turned coach, his last job was the head coach of the Youngstown Penguins. Coach Cotignola had moved his way through the coaching ranks as a DBs coach at Youngstown, followed by a three year stint as defensive backs coach/assistant defensive coordinator at Towson, then 2 years in the same role at Maryland. He was offered the position at Youngstown when Maryland cleaned house in '03 and Coach Cotignola manned the helm at Youngstown for several seasons, before getting interviewed for the head coaching jobs at Illiniois and Indiana when he was noticed by the Chicago Bears. He was offered the position at Chicago two weeks later. The Bears ownership was impressed by his "no-nonsense" attitude, and the fact that he had a solid plan, a clear direction he was determined to take the Bears once he took over. He never acted with an "If I" attitude, it was always a "When I".

Coach's first decision was to scrap the complicated and sloppy offensive playbook. He challenged his Offensive coaches to come up with a simple, physical, grinding playbook to combine with his own ideas. Second, he ditched what he called a "passive aggressive" zone defense with a more aggressive, attacking, risk taking D. (took the Chiefs "Grind it Out" - very weak (as I'm a rookie coach, makes sense) - 89 plays (small is good.) and the Haslett Physical D (very weak, 80 plays) so I can work with the playbooks and improve them as my coach and team improve. Definitely won't be "loading up" with custom plays or premade power playbooks.

Coach's second decision was a hard one. While it's true the Bears were only one year removed from a Super Bowl, he felt that they lost their identity along the way. He wanted bigger, stronger players - power backs, cannon-armed QBs, big physical possession receivers, press/man cover corners, Jack Tatum-esque safeties...

Most of the contracts were manageable, it was more a matter of getting the right guys somehow without inciting a riot with the fans when popular guys were moved on, nor gutting the team and being unable to compete. He knew there were players wasting on other teams benches that he could use - guys who needed another chance - be it their first, second, or third one!

UP NEXT: ROSTER ANALYSIS

[Aurabolt127]

I did not franchise anyone, Briggs is too expensive, Berrian is good, but too small for what I want to do. I did not tender WR Rashied Davis either for the same reason. Starting FA we have $24.04 million in cap space.

ROSTER ANALYSIS

QBs - Right now we have Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton. While Rex has a great arm, he's been prone to turnovers and it seems his time as an inspiring leader and credible franchise QB is over. Orton has potential, but he's small and has no arm strength. He's more of a touch passer and better suited to the west coast offense or something like that. Verdict: Clean house.

RBs/FBs - Cedric Benson was drafted to be the back of the future, but has had to wait behind Thomas Jones. He's got some power, but some flaws. He'll face competition from someone, but he's the incumbent. Adrian Peterson had a great FCS college career, but isn't really an NFL caliber guy. He's older too. Garrett Wolfe was really productive in college, but small and doesn't have any power. He does have good hands, but no real return ability. McKie is a good blocker, think I'm ok there. Verdict: Cedric's getting the chance to be "the man", but I'm not sure he's going to be able to be the monster power back I envision running my offense. The other two are gone.

WRs - Currently there are only 2 wideouts on the roster, Hester and Bradley. Hester is a small, return specialist. He is pushing hard for a a full time receiver role, but it's not going to happen here. Despite his amazing return ability, not sure he's long for the roster. Bradley's got ok size, and is pretty versatile. He's got a shot. Verdict: two men enter, one man leaves.

TEs - Greg Olsen is fast and makes plays. He's just what I want. Desmond Clark is more of a blocker now. Verdict: Clark is going to be moved.

OL - John Tait is a great LT, but the rest of the OLine is getting older and underperforming. C Olin Kreutz is great, but in the last year of a MONSTER contract, and old. Prob going to have to move him to save our cap. Currently we have no RT. Verdict: HELP!!!!

DL - Adewale Ogunleye has been a good starter over the years, and young Mark Anderson shows promise on the other side. They're small, but were effective last year. 'Wale's age and contract is an issue, but not that big of a deal this year. Last year's surprise pick of CMU's Dan Bazuin raised eyebrows, and there is some depth but not future stars at the ends. DT Tommie Harris is a Pro Bowl superstar at DT. I want to get him some help there to give him less double teams, the guys behind him now aren't getting it done. Verdict: A strong unit that just needs a few new faces to fill depth and develop.

LBs - Urlacher is the key here, that goes without saying. Briggs was too expensive to keep. Hillenmeyer is a great tackler, but terribly slow and poor at covering. The rest of the corps is average at best. Verdict: ROLB is definitely a position of need, and probably LOLB as I think I will move Hillenmeyer inside to back up Urlacher. I need more speed on the edges.

DBs - There's a ton of money tied up here, with Tillman, Vasher and Manning especially. Tillman's a little slower than I like my #2 corner, but it'd be hard to move any of them, plus they can really cover. Tillman has good size too. Mike Brown has been a hero at FS, but he's older, hurt often and also in the last year of a terribly pricey contract. Adam Archuleta is my only SS - he's a powerful tackler, but can't cover at all. His contract saves his roster spot this year, but he knows he's going to get a challenger for his starting spot. Verdict: Some good pieces here, I just need to up the skill in the depth chart to create challenges and prepare for a few possible departures next year.

Special Teams: Robbie Gould is a GREAT kicker. Brad Maynard is getting older, but he's still very effective too. I hate paying for a punter in this game, but I hate wasting money cutting them more. I'll need to solve the return game with Hester a lock to move on. Verdict: All I need is a return man and I'm set.

Free Agency Plans and Draft Dreams

I already know I need to get big and physical. I want this team to have its "fear factor" back on defense. I think I have an idea at QB, there's a certain cannon-armed youngster who had his replacement drafted last year, and a couple BIG backs I can get my hands on. At WR I have an idea to get two troubled former college superstars to add size and try to rehabilitate their careers, and there's a couple big guys in the draft I could maybe find there. My draft will prob focus on defense more, as I need linebackers, maybe a good DT, and some depth all around. Prob won't get to crazy with free agency till after the draft. No sense getting caught in bidding wars over guys who aren't worth it. My offensive line can get fixed with a smart draft, and there's a few guys that I'm sure will pop up in Free Agency I can get on the cheap to come in and compete. No one competes harder than a 330 pound offensive lineman looking for a paycheck when he looks into an empty refrigerator at home.

Up next: Free agency ends and the draft begins! Did I get fired already???

[Aurabolt127]

Free Agency:

I'll just kind of "catch you up here" - it'd take forever to do this part and write it all down. I'll just sum up my moves.

Devin Hester and my 09 4th went to the Raiders for Andrew Walter - the big, cannon armed youngster I hope to develop.

Alex Brown and my 09 5 and 6 went to the Raiders for Michael Bush.

We sent a 2008 6th rounder to the Titans for Kerry Collins

We sent a 2008 5th rounder to the Jags for Matt Jones

We traded RB Garrett Wolfe to the Panthers for WR Dwayne Jarrett (a god at USC when he was there, a recent DUI in early 2008 plus the depth chart in Carolina gives him a chance to start over here.)

We sent C Olin Kreutz to the Falcons for their 08 3rd and 08 7th. Could have got more, but didn't want to bolster teams like the Pats.

FS Mike Brown was traded to the Vikings for an 09 4th, and 09 6th. Hate sending him to a division rival, but I think we'll actually be able to take advantage of that situation.

WR Mike Williams was acquired from the Titans for an 08 7th and 09 6th. (another hugely productive college player with great size I am giving a second chance to.)

We signed OLB Calvin Pace and RT J. Dunn to 2 year contracts.

again, no one too special, just guys who fit the story in my head and some needs. Coming up on the draft, I freed up more room and my cap space went from $24+ million to $34+million.

[Aurabolt127]

2008 NFL DRAFT

2008 NFL Draft - Round 1 Recap
Pick	Team	Player	Pos	Ht	Wt
1	Dolphins	Jake Long	RT
2	Rams	Vernon Gholston	ROLB
3	Falcons	Darren McFadden	RB
4	Raiders	Glen Dorsey	DT
5	Chiefs	Chris Long	RE
6	Jets	Matt Ryan	QB
7	Cardinals	Derrick Harvey	LE
8	Ravens	Leodis McKelvin	CB
9	Bengals	Sedrick Ellis	DT
10	Patriots	Keith Rivers	ROLB
11	Bills	Brandon Albert	LG
12	Broncos	Ryan Clady	LT
13	Panthers	Chris Williams	LT
14	Bears	Jeff Otah	RT
15	Lions	Dominique Cromartie	CB
16	Patriots (2)	Rashard Mendenhall	RB
17	Chiefs (2)	Joe Flacco	QB
18	Texans	Jerod Mayo	LOLB
19	Eagles	Lawrence Jackson	LE
20	Buccaneers	Mike Jenkins	CB
21	Seahawks	Felix Jones	RB
22	Cowboys	Chris Johnson	RB
23	Steelers	Gosder Cherilus	RT
24	Titans	Dustin Keller	TE
25	Titans (2)	Antoine Cason	CB
26	Jaguars	Philip Merling	RE
27	Chargers	Kenny Phillips	SS
28	Chiefs (3)	Brandon Flowers	CB
29	49ers	Aqib Talib	CB
30	Packers	Duane Brown	LT
31	Giants	Tracy Porter	CB
32	Dolphins (2)	Sam Baker	LT

[Aurabolt127]

My draft results again, I know who the sleepers are, just going with my GM suggestions, what fits the 'story' in my head, and just grabbing guys I never usually get to see what happens. I know there could be misses in my draft, but EVERY draft EVER has misses. That's the fun of it!

r1p15 RT Jeff Otah - I went with the GM pick here - absolutely no reason to argue the point. Very happy.

r2p44 James Hardy is here, and he fits the bill for a big WR all right. I was leaning more towards Sweed though. My top DT is still there, but interestignly enough SS Tyrell Johnson is there and he's rated an 83. I'm not sure I want to go into the season with Archuleta as my starter - maybe this guy's the guy to get? GM suggested RB James Stewart, but I have to override that - with Benson and Bush already there. I think I can come back for Sweed since there are 2 WRs ahead of him on the board. SS Tyrell Johnson is my 2nd round pick. Pick got me an approval boost too! Score!

(well I was wrong, Tampa took Sweed. I gambled and lost. Maybe I should take Maurice Stovall from them if he's buried - he's a big guy that can catch too, but I'm not sure. Bradley and Jones "feel" like a better set of starters till I figure out my 2 USC projects. Marcus Smith from NM is there too, he's tall with better speed than Sweed or Stovall...)

(Dallas draft Chris Johnson and Ray Rice - hate when the computer is Frakking stupid like that)

r3p68 DT Pat Sims I wanted a strong force to go alongside of Tommie Harris. Pat has great strength and quickness and I think he'll fit in nicely.

r3p70 LE Chris Ellis - I needed some depth and competition here. Bazuin has a great motor, but is coming off injury. Adewale is good, but expensive and aging - I need to find someone who can spell him and bring something to the table.

r3p90 WR Marcus Smith - tall and fast, I'm glad I got him. He can push my USC projects and learn from Matt and Mark - I really feel like the sky's the limit with this guy in my style of offense. We'll see how he does.

r4p107 RG Michael McGlynn - Jeff Otah's linemate at Pitt, he might get a shot at center too. Last pick till round 7 unless I can move up. There's still a couple guys I'd like and some positions that need help.

*traded TE Desmond Clark to the Falcons for their 5th round pick (131)

r5p131 LE Robert Henderson - kind of a luxury pick, but his speed is intriguing... just decided to roll the dice here.

r7p217 CB Orlando Scandrick - I'll admit this is more about speed and a chance to work the return game for this kid, but I definitely need a returner and he's got a shot. 7th rounder, so can't really lose on this one.

UDFA

DT Taz McDray - decided to take a flyer on a pass-rushing DT, see if he can add something to the pass rush.
ROLB David Vobora good size and great speed. Still need a LB or two, worth a shot to see how this former Vandal pans out.
LG Chris McDuffie I confess, I took him because he was rated a "1". I had to see how bad he was and if he had any redeeming qualities.
C Don Michaels not sure if McGlynn's moving to center, or if he's even good enough to try. Decided to give this guy a shot since my OLine has a lot of issues.
FS Jonathan Hefney he adds a TON of speed to my secondary, and can cover well from the safety spot. Not sure how well he'll do on Sundays, but his speed and potential for the big play got him to camp at least.


Overall, I'm ok with this. A lot of guys I never drafted before, or not in a long long long while. Hoped to fill some holes and create some competition. We'll see who else to add to the mix once teams start cutting dead weight.

Time to finish the preseason and get ready to ROCK AND ROLL

[Aurabolt127]

Preseason is started... check this out

after day 1 of practice, DE Dan Bazuin hurts his leg - 2-5 weeks.

after day 3, FB McKie hurts his knee - 2-5 weeks

after day 4, DT Dusty Dvoracek hurts hammy - 3-4 weeks.

SERIOUSLY? Who the heck is my trainer? Leatherface?

Preseason Week 1 vs. the Chiefs... 21-3 loss.
-I have nothing nice to say

Preseason Week 2 vs. the Seahawks... 17-10 loss.
-Walter had a TD pass to Bradley - that's a good sign.
-after this game I picked up UDFA Sam Keller at qb, figured he was just sitting there, has a good arm, and I could use the extra QB for preseason since Collins is older.

Preseason Week 3 vs. San Francisco... 20-16 loss.
-sat collins. Played Keller as the #2 and Matt Jones as the #3
- Walter threw a TD to Jarrett
- Benson - fighting for his roster spot now, rushed for a TD

Preseason Week 4 vs. Cleveland... 17-6 loss.

Preseason thoughts

Walter only had 2 TD passes this preseason, but will start week 1 vs Indianapolis. Talk about a rough season opener!!!

Cedric Benson led my running backs with 104 yards and 2 TDs, but that's over 4 games. He also fumbled.

Bradley was my top receiver, but Jarrett had a great preseason too, despite being listed as the #4 guy.

Tommie Harris had 4 sacks, feeling good about that. Tillman had 2 picks. Gould was perfect on his kicks.

I think I'm going to move Cedric Benson on and go with Michael Bush, Ron Dayne and Eric Shelton. 3 huge backs, over 240 pounds each. Benson has had 3 years, and his 2.8 ypc, 26 ypg and fumble this preseason is just terrible.

Up next - week one vs Indianapolis. Nothing like a trial by fire!!!

[Aurabolt127]

Right before the Indy game my coaching staff held a little 'retreat' and gained some skill points. Cool deal! With Indy coming, I wasn't sure what they meant by retreat! I just hope I can hold Peyton to under 500 yards. Week one when I barely know my playbook is NOT the time to face him.

I'll prob just summarize this game as it goes, lots to do and running out of beer and time...

Henderson and Bazuin are both dinged for a couple days, with minutes to spare I grabbed Tyler Brayton to help back up my defensive ends, along with Ellis (who just came off injury)

game time

[Mike3207]

Good to see someone doing a Bears dynasty. I'll warn you first-the NFC North can be pretty easy.