Bears roundup: Cribbs thinks he's better then Hester, Urlacher's neck, and the impending free agency of Briggs and Berrian
Something to read so you don't have to watch the Pro Bowl...
- Josh Cribbs thinks he’s better then Devin Hester
When most people try to put Devin Hester in perspective, they choose to do it historically rather than currently. Of course Hester is the best return man of right now, but is he the best of all-time? Even after only two seasons, the answer appears to be a definitive ‘yes’. But AFC Pro Bowl kick returner Josh Cribbs of Cleveland Browns doesn’t even think Hester is at the top of his profession at this moment.
Make no mistake, though -- Cribbs has no doubts he is better at returning kickoffs than Hester. Or, as Cribbs described it: "I've pretty much got that one locked up.""The more punt returns I get, I'll be his rival," Cribbs said. "I'm gonna get at Hester. I'm gonna start something with him, like, 'C'mon, Hester, I'm catching you!'"
Even his teammates agree, just asked tight end Kellen Winslow Jr.
"[Cribbs] is the best return guy I've ever seen," Winslow said."You know what -- they're different," Winslow said. "Josh is just reckless. He goes in the hole, breaks so many tackles. Yeah, I have to say he's better -- and I've seen a lot of them. I've seen Roscoe Parrish, I've seen Devin Hester, but Josh is the best."
Then again, Winslow nearly killed himself trying to do motorcycle tricks in an empty parking lot a few years ago, so maybe he’s not the brightest crayon in the box.
The numbers certainly favor Hester significantly. Hester has 13 career kick returns for touchdowns, including one off a missed field goal that set a then-record for the longest play ever and an unforgettable return to open the Super Bowl. The last two seasons, Cribbs has four returns for touchdowns.
In the golden age of NFL return men, Josh Cribbs is pretty good. But he’s not even close to Hester.
- Urlacher has neck surgery
There is no question Brian Urlacher’s level of play started to drop some last season. Much of the blame could be pinned on chronic back pain, as it was evident that Urlacher, who did not make the Pro Bowl, wasn’t completely healthy for most of 2007. But now Urlacher has the Bears worrying about more then just a bad back. Urlacher recently underwent minor neck surgery. Though he’s expected to be fully functional by the time training camp begins, another nagging injury to the team’s best player isn’t a good sign, especially when you consider that Lance Briggs is likely headed elsewhere.
- Where will Briggs land?
Speaking of Briggs, the Bears have to make a decision soon on whether they are going to pursue bringing him back next season. Since the Bears have the cap space to do it- they are reportedly around $20 million under the cap- it would seem foolish, at least to me, to let a 27-year old two-time Pro Bowl linebacker walk away. But as everyone has suspected for a while now, it appears that is precisely what the Bears are going to do. So where will Briggs, who may be the top free agent in the class, be playing next season? It appears the Washington Redskins and Jacksonville Jaguars may have interest in signing Briggs, and it has been rumored that San Francisco is interested as well.
- Will Berrian return?
Simply put, if the Bears let Bernard Berrian sign elsewhere in free agency, their passing game could be historically inept, even by Chicago standards. Muhsin Muhammad could (and should) be cut, so losing Berrian would mean the Bears top incumbent receiver for next season is…Rashied Davis? Needless to say, resigning Berrian should be a top priority. The only problem is that, assuming Randy Moss resigns with the Patriots, Berrian is clearly the top free agent receiver on the market. I wouldn’t expect Berrian to draw number one wideout money, but in this market, you never know. If the Bears can bring Berrian back at a fair price, they should do it. If not, we may see a lot more two tight end sets next season.
Comments
Better than Hester?
I dont know what they are smoking in Cleveland....but I want some!!
Posted by: bculz | February 10, 2008 09:24 AM
This blog needs some PICTURES!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: bculz | February 10, 2008 09:32 AM
Thanks for the update on Cribbs on Crack...reminds me to watch Breaking Bad tonight...
Well, we have 75 LB's on the roster...while Boss Bailey is an UFA...Jamar Williams can play all 3 positions...Hunter can B/U Brian...Draft Dre Moore or Pat Sims in the 2nd round to set next to Tommie Harris...I could be wrong but I can't remember the last time I was...
Berrian?..Bradley and Hester are our WR's...should have been last year, too...Bradley has always been better than Berrian...and R Davis is one heckuva slot receiver....Bradley/Hester/and Olsen...or is it Olson, Stevie?...oops...I mean Ms Nicks
Here...I drafted again..
1. Rashard Mendenhall or Jonathan Stewart...RB..Illinois & Oregon
2. Pat Sims or Dre Moore..DT's Auburn & Maryland
3. Jordy Nelson or Jerome Simpson WR's..Kansas & Coastal Carolina
3. Tom Zbikowski SS..ND
4. Owen Schmitt FB..W.Virginia
5. Brandon Keith OT..N. Iowa
6. Chad Rinehart OG//N. Iowa
7. Jason Shirley DT..Fresno State..Steal O' DaDraft
Posted by: Hitman | February 10, 2008 09:51 AM
Pretty long post for you, Roman. Lots of questions, not many answers.Tough decisions coming up for the Bears.Three sentence fragments in a row indicate how complete "my" thoughts are.
Posted by: Paul Manter | February 10, 2008 10:41 AM
What about Forte' from Tulane?
Posted by: bculz | February 10, 2008 11:01 AM
I'll withhold my prediction until after the draft, and after the Briggs / Berrian situation has been sorted out, but my initial hunch is that this team will be God awful next year.
I don't think much of Lovie Smith as a head coach.
Angelo has never been very good at making first round draft picks, and has little to show from this round if you look back at his body of work. You could field an entire Pro Bowl squad using the players he's passed on since taking over at Hallas Hall. He seems better at appraising talent in the later rounds. And his trade acquisitions aren't anything to jump up and down about either; unless of course you happen to be the GM that he's trading with.
Benson is a bust.
Bradley is a bust.
Grossman is a bust.
Archuleta is a bust.
Mushin Muhammad and Mike Brown are just plain busted.
And the other Brown (Alex) was benched in favor of Anderson ... who is also a bust.
Olin Kreutz, John Tait, Fred Miller, Ruben Brown, and Terrence Metcalf will be 31, 33, 35, 36, and 30 respectively. The average age of our offensive line is ancient by NFL standards.
And look for the Bears to lose one of the best special team players on the squad when Brendon takes a hike.
Nope ... I don't see much to look forward to here.
Posted by: Mark Villano | February 10, 2008 11:26 AM
Has anyone else thought about the Bears signing Albert Haynesworth? I know he is a restricted free agent, however if he is not franchised I think it would be a wise move to make. Him next to Tommy Harris would possibly be the best interior lineman tandem of all time. In addition, Urlacher would take on a lot less contact. It could possibly take him back to his previous days when Big Ted Washington was taking on constant double teams. Even if Haynesworth is franchised, the Bears could possibly even franchise Berrian and trade him to Tennessee for Haynesworth.
Just an idea.
Posted by: EZS | February 10, 2008 11:29 AM
I don't care what you say about Briggs. The Bears should spend their money on the O-line. I don't want Berrian back either. With a contract in hand, he will revert to the gator-armed, effort-challenged, mediocre (at best) receiver he was in the beginning of the 2007 season. But they do need to do something at the receiver position. I suppose in the end they will be stuck with Berrian (for a reasonable price) and/or kids. Aaaaarggghh!
Posted by: Greg H | February 10, 2008 11:54 AM
bculz sez: "This blog needs some PICTURES!!!!!!!!!"
Good idea. An attachment feature that allowed pictures, links, and PDF's would be a welcome addition.
Ricky responds: I've been posting links since I started doing this, but I wasn't sure if everyone realized they were there. Everything in blue is a link, if you click on it, it will take you to another story. As far as pictures go, someone else would have to make that decision because of copyright laws and whatnot, i would assume.
Posted by: Mark Villano | February 10, 2008 12:10 PM
I'm worried about any type of invasive surgery especially to the neck. In fact with a bad back that Lovie rightfully called a non-injury,that is a constant worry as well. Arthritis is a degenerative thing that shouldn't be called an injury because you can not pin point when it happened. Jamar Williams is thought to be a good player but I didn't see anything special last year to warrant that being a great assessment. One good game that he started and disappeared after a few good plays doesn't sway me entirely. Obviously he didn't show anything in 2006 because they could have saved that 7 mill that they gave Briggs and gave it to someone else in 2007. Someone like Tommy Harris, maybe. And as steady as Hillenmeyer is: if you had a true stud wouldn't he have started over steady? I can not see paying Berrian 7 million dollars. You'll miss his speed but his blocking is just about as weak as you can get. Someone on one of these blogs mentioned how he barely catch anything when a CB is within a few yards and that sounds very true. It's time to start drafting on the offensive side. We always find studs in the later rounds on D but fail to do so on offense in either round. We all love Olson but on average( attempted passes to him) he dropped as many balls as Moose. Once he learn how to keep his feet inbound he's gonna be Awesome. He has great speed for a TE but if you ask him to be a WR you're taking away his biggest asset. He'd be matched up against a CB and I know that with height should come leaping ability and that is what he would have to do to constantly to beat a CB. He had a lot of passes up top that he just couldn't bring in or have his feet down inbound when it could have kept some drives alive. All that come with experience and he needed that when he got hurt in a pre-season game that a lot of people thought he shouldn't have been in. He wasn't the starter and he had to get those game-type reps in. If he didn't get hurt no one would've said anything. If he started out cold after not playing a lot in pre-season people would've said that he didn't play enough in pre-season. And honestly,I don't watch college ball enough to know who should be drafted anywhere but you hear the obvious names and know who is highly thought of. I'm not scared of taking a OT because they are the cornerstone to anything you do on offense. Look at how bad Miller looked and you can see how those things shaped up. And there is nothing wrong with boosting your teammate' s ego by stating some outlandish comment or concurring his stupid comments. Did you honestly think that a guy's teammate isn't going to back up his words? Plaxico said that the Giants would win the Super bowl and no one came out and said that he was wrong for saying it. They tip-toe around these mine-fields and rarely talk negative about each other. Maybe Winslow never SAW Hester before. He didn't see what he bike tripped over so maybe his vision isn't that great except for catching footballs. When guys in the NFL spoke out against Urlacher every teammate defended him. And you can't tell me that every teammate likes Brian. I'm sure there are some who agree with those overrated statements but won't say anything bad about the biggest and most loved Bear in public. There have to be some guys who are jealous of him and his popularity.
Posted by: William R. Donald | February 10, 2008 01:14 PM
is there any way to trade for chad johnson? if urlacher is hurt bears are screwed
Posted by: jesse | February 10, 2008 01:26 PM
EZS sez: "Even if Haynesworth is franchised, the Bears could possibly even franchise Berrian and trade him to Tennessee for Haynesworth."
Can players with franchise tags be traded or swapped? If so, would the tag and it's restrictions still apply with the new team?
I know it's a stupid question, but I don't really know.
Ricky responds: Albert Haynesworth is awesome, but the won't go after him for the same reason they won't resign Briggs: they don't want too much money committed to one position. Tommie Harris, who is better then Haynesworth, is going to get paid next season, so, like Briggs and Urlacher, the Bears would not want to tie up all that money at one position.
Posted by: Mark Villano | February 10, 2008 04:12 PM
How about shawn rogers? DT isnt a big need but Detroit wants to move him and they might end up having to cut him and he could come relatively cheap. If and when they cut walker his money could easily pay for Rogers who is a much better player. When players feel their jilted by there teams they can be more motivated knowing they will play against them twice a year. He is a monster and even if he doesn't work on his conditioning he would still be an animal in a rotation.
Posted by: steve | February 10, 2008 04:36 PM
Hey, all you would-be GMs.
Answer this question.
If Briggs goes, which area is weaker, LB or D-Line?
" " " " " " " LB or O-line?
If you cannot figure out that the correct answer is LB, then your name must be Jerry Angelo.
Posted by: Tim | February 10, 2008 06:42 PM
I like the Chad Johnson idea...
He could make Rex a pro Bowler....
Posted by: bculz | February 10, 2008 08:04 PM
I just want to know when the Next Michael Vick post is due out???
Posted by: bculz | February 10, 2008 08:15 PM
EZS, I am also a big A. Haynesworth fan, yes I would love to see him, Bailey, Turner, Fanaca.
Hitman, disagree on Rex, agree on Mendenhall.
Move St. Clair to LG, find a good free agent RT. Cut Moose, resign Berrian using his money, let Briggs go, sign a WLB that can actually accept playing with Urlacher.
Cut Walker, resign M. Brown 1 yr. Get another safety, a solid one in free agency. Cut Arch, let Benson play the string, let Rex play the string for 2 yr deal, draft another project at qb, later rounds, go after Moss in free agency. No Chad Johnson, price is too high.
We need 3rd cornerback that can cover, or Manning needs to step up, use the money from Arch and Walker to sign another big name WLB, Briggs is good, but he does not want to be here, so BUH BYE.
Cribbs better than Hester? Hell, I'm better than Hester, too.
Urlacher's neck surgery is a concern, minor or not. He's around 30, so a bad neck is probably common at his position, at his age.
Posted by: Chuck | February 10, 2008 08:34 PM
rosevelt colvin any 1 who plays next 2 urlacher is good until they leave!!! mcnabb sucks grossman with recivers who dont play drop- will be the best q b in the nfc sign tommie harris for the long term right now please briggs he gone berrian he gone turner he gone draft O linemen benson will be good trade 4 chad johnson grossman probowlbol look at tony romo without owens sorry q b
Posted by: jesse | February 10, 2008 10:13 PM
if urlacher is hurt bears are screwed
Posted by: jesse | February 10, 2008 10:18 PM
Jesse and bculz should be friends...
Posted by: Slabadon Milosavich | February 10, 2008 10:44 PM
Jesse...do you want to come over and play Xbox Madden Live 2009? pre release edition? It has Adrian Peterson on the cover!!!
Posted by: bculz | February 11, 2008 08:28 AM
Josh who? what a bone head...anyone that needs to blow his own horn...to self promote...is a street performer...he needs to stand on the corner while people pass by dropping change in his cup with his monkey Kellen Winslow Jr...and leave it up to Hester who lets his play do the talking...like a true champion does...
Posted by: Greg | February 11, 2008 08:56 AM
and when I say Adrian Peterson...I mean....."The Real One"
(i should clarify as to not confuse the utterly confused.)
Posted by: bculz | February 11, 2008 09:36 AM
Chuck, you ideas intrigue me and wish to subscribe to your newsletter. I'll be happy to second your promotion to the next GM, but the only thing I'd change in your plan is to draft a offensive tackle in the draft and move Tait to RT.
Nice post Slabadon, Jesse and Culzie appear to share the same disdain for punctuation.
Posted by: Nate | February 11, 2008 10:55 AM
Culzie...Forte is solid..but I want a RB at 14...
Dre Moore and Pat Sims...oh boy...and if Jason Shirley drops like he has been..and we get him..and with Dusty....now that is a DT rotation
LB..although it's kind of a backwards move...I want Urlacher at the Will...shades of it in the last two games looked promising...also, I wasn't kidding about Boss Bailey
OT...Brandon Keith is gonna move into day one of the draft and Rinehart is also solid...teammates..chemistry...then grab a FA or two...the OLine is now fixed..and you're welcome
at QB..everyone is drooling over Flacco...heck of an arm...Kyle has one of those as well...Kyle also had a better collegiate career than any of the QB's in this draft...Colt Brennan doesn't count....don't resign Rex..Commit to Orton..Griese is still under contract...and Daunte Culpepper in an UFA... and two years removed from that knee...bring him in as well...I don't want to re-sign Rex...he would not start for any other team in the league...Half of a decade to "develop" is plenty, thank you very little..
I owe Mark Villano a thank you, btw....
Posted by: Hitman | February 11, 2008 11:22 AM
josh cribbs ha!..You know why he will never be better than Hester? He has diareha mouth! Thats going to be the next guy that wants 50 mill guaranteed to not perform. we need to have a great draft to fill the holes! i would even say bounce olin kreutz and start fresh with a new group up front. Berrian can walk so can briggs. Anyone see anyebadejo at the pro bowl? let em try to play lb. we need to move olsen to wr2 and try mark bradley at wr1 and draft a couple studs that will mature throughout the season. move gareret wolfe to wr3 and share with hester. get turner and also a downhill rb. Bring back mike brown but let him rehab we just need to play good enough to make the playoffs and be healthy. We just need some big guys that are competitive and tuff as nails and will put the team first. we had just as much of a shot as NYG to make the superbowl this year .. Offseason is where the coaches and gm's need to win! Then it's up to the talent to perform.
Posted by: kevo | February 11, 2008 11:27 AM
Grossman still thinks he can run faster backwards and cut better than an NFL rusher or blitzer. Until he learns to move forward he will escape neither the rush nor the sacks. Check the tape on Eli.
The pocket is designed to make the rushers go around Grossman. His going backwards merely emables the defense to narrow the rush. It also puts his weight on the wrong foot to set and throw strongly.
Trade him. Orton is still better, smarter and stronger. Get O-Line help in the trade.
Posted by: Truthful James | February 11, 2008 11:35 AM
I would like to see Rocky Wirtz traded to the Bears for Michael McCaskey, Jerry Angelo, Culzie's .3 acres of land, Julie B.'s skates and "home-made" yoga demonstration videos and KLSS, Chuck's and WRD's respective collections of man-dolls.
Then Hitman can be hired to run the Bears draft and handle personnel decisions.
That way the Bears would have at the top of the org chart two guys named "Rocky" and "Hitman." Pretty freaking appropriate for a division that once called itself, "The Black and Blue Division."
Then, and only then, would the Bears truly have a chance to get their swagger back.
Posted by: Seedy Backslash | February 11, 2008 12:33 PM
Hitman..
I bet you double or nothing....since you lost your bet about T2J...
that we draft Andre Woodsen...
1 Month no blogging!!
Want to take it now?
Posted by: bculz | February 11, 2008 12:45 PM
Seedy....your last post just
TOTALLY REDEEMED YOURSELF!!!
Posted by: bculz | February 11, 2008 02:00 PM
funny stuff culzie...get behind Steve and I'll hug you next...Benson is a bust and he's gettin cut June 1st...TJ had a better season and a complete one, too...Benson has yet to have one....great pick...but as always...I freaking told you so....but
I knew Benson was poison his junior year..Selvin Young was heads and tails above your favorite chode..
I'll take your bet on Woodson...no way in he!! we draft him...if he's drafted in the first round I'll be surprised...Bernard Morris from Marshall is better than he is if ya wanna compare mobile, big armed QB's
this is a double chump bet, tho...I know better concerning Woodson #1..and #2..Roman would have to agree to suspending you...you have Florida Ballot Counter written all over you, bro..
Kyle is our QB
Posted by: Hitman | February 11, 2008 02:27 PM
I thought Cribbs was a TV show??? He's obviously taken too many hits.
Hester is the best EVER and is in Prime-time's favorite 5. He is from Chicago and wears the number 23 - nuff said.
Posted by: Keith Lifetime Southsider | February 11, 2008 02:36 PM
Seedy...I laughed my ellipses off
and yes I would..
Posted by: Hitman | February 11, 2008 02:37 PM
Ops! I just noticed that Ricky was the poster. He's more verbose by far than you are, Roman. Quality, not quantity, should be the guiding journalistic principle.
Posted by: Paul Manter | February 11, 2008 03:06 PM
Hitman sez: "I owe Mark Villano a thank you, btw...."
You're very welcome.
Keep posting good, and entertaining material.
Posted by: Anonymous | February 11, 2008 06:13 PM
Welcome to 2008 Paul....where have you been?
Posted by: bculz | February 11, 2008 06:58 PM
#1 - I want Romans ruling on T2J or Benson having better season. I mean...Benson had More TD's and almost more yards, in less games.
What criteria are you using....Corn row style points?
#2 - I still plan on wearing a pink sox hat to cubs spring training game. I lost that bet and I am willing to pay up. (hitman...can you let me borrow yours...i dont have one).
Posted by: bculz | February 11, 2008 07:01 PM
Thanks Nate....you are right, that's what I wanted to say, put Tait at RT, and get a decent one in FA(LT), then draft one on day one, and get a WR on day one, thanks for reminding me of that.
Seedy, you are a nut.
Posted by: Chuck | February 12, 2008 12:08 AM
My main rebuttal, if we get a franchise QB in the first round like a lot of people want, we'll need about a couple of years to develop him, it will not be pretty until then.
Posted by: Chuck | February 12, 2008 12:12 AM
Someone please explain to me SLOWLY:
WHY DO THE BEARS TAKE SO MANY GAMBLES ON ``ATHLETES'' THAT DON'T REALLY PLAY FOOTBALL?! (e.g. mark bradley)
and hire unproven coaches from the worst programs (Northwestern and Illinois) in the weakest league (Big Ten) ???
THEY ARE ALL BUSTS!!!
CAN'T WE GET SOME A-GRADE TALENT
AROUND THE FOUNDING NFL FRANCHISE FOR CRYING OUT LOUD?!
so frustrated .
Posted by: boersfan | February 12, 2008 09:45 AM
ok everyone.....who had a better year at RB...TJ or Benson?...lmao culzie.."almost more yards"...400 isn't almost
I don't make talent evals in the fantasy football world...so here are "all" the stats..
http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorystats?archive=false&conference=null&statisticCategory=RUSHING&season=2007&seasonType=REG&experience=null&tabSeq=0&qualified=true&Submit=Find
culzie, culzie, culzie...And after you get back from this 2 week vacation...you'll get the month of May off after the draft...just in time for the June 1st cuts...BuhByeBenson
You'll be back by March 1st after this loss, tho...how about a "who is stupid enough pool"....in regards to who is stupid enough to give Rex money to play football...and you have to answer like this...
"I think the (team's name) are stupid enough to sign Rex"
Rex's best bet would be to follow Edinger onto the mini stage where he belongs..
Do you all realize if Rex signed with the Calgary Stampeders.. he would be Henry Burris's back up?...Do ya's?....cuz he would
Kyle is our QB
Posted by: Hitman | February 12, 2008 10:25 AM
Linebacker is not the problem child for the Bears, it's the o-line. Both can be fixed via free agency, but in the Bears' scheme on both sides of the ball, the linemen are key. On defense, the linemen must keep people off the linebackers. That's been true since Urlacher walked onto the field and showed his ability to cover tackle-to-tackle. When the line hasn't played well, Urlacher hasn't played well.
On offense, our approach is to play smash mouth, control the ball football. Thing was, we could barely play pat-the-guy-on-the-fanny with our o-line. They got torched just about every game. Our inability to run reduces our ability to play-action-pass, our ability to use the TEs effectively, our ability to play out of the shotgun and so on. All the other teams we played figured this out before the Bears' Offensive "braintrust" did.
If we get a solid o-line, upgrade some of the talent at our receiving slots and get a passable 800-1000 yard running back who can catch swing passes and the like, we will be fine on offense. If somehow Hester could morph into a productive slot back, we could be better than fine. If Olsen upgrades his game a level or two, we could be bordering on having some offensive weapons that would force opposing defenses to respond to our personnel. When was that las