NFC North/NFL Thread 2016-17

[jsglow]

Lions pick up Lang.  Spending a lot to protect Stafford.

My sense is that TT had a hard limit, especially given Lang's wear and tear.  But Pack better have a plan at RG.

[hairy worthen]

My sense is that TT had a hard limit, especially given Lang's wear and tear.  But Pack better have a plan at RG.

They rarely pay for guards or middle linebackers. No clue on what they will do at guard. Probably move Bulaga to guard and sprigs to tackle or they have someone they have in mind like murphy.

[wadesworld]

They rarely pay for guards or middle linebackers. No clue on what they will do at guard. Probably move Bulaga to guard and sprigs to tackle or they have someone they have in mind like murphy.

Yup.

[GGGG]

Lions offered $19M guaranteed over three years.  Packers countered with the same number of years but only $6.5M guaranteed.

[jsglow]

Lions offered $19M guaranteed over three years.  Packers countered with the same number of years but only $6.5M guaranteed.

$19 is too much for Lang.  He's not 27.

[GB Warrior]

Lions pick up Lang.  Spending a lot to protect Stafford.

A lot of money on their line.

[brandx]

A lot of money on their line.

Bears give Wheaton $6M for next year.

Overpay much?

[GB Warrior]

Bears give Wheaton $6M for next year.

Overpay much?

WRs was a strange market this year, and I don't like that move in light of what Pryor made. But it also wasn't egregious, and the risk is pretty contained.

[DegenerateDish]

WRs was a strange market this year, and I don't like that move in light of what Pryor made. But it also wasn't egregious, and the risk is pretty contained.

Which to me made the Cooks trade seem so steep. Wideouts were remarkably cheap on the open market for the best talent available (Woods and Britt contracts aside...which made no sense.

Bears have had to overpay for everyone outside of Prince. There's really little appeal to playing for the Bears right now, team's going nowhere.

[GGGG]

Which to me made the Cooks trade seem so steep. Wideouts were remarkably cheap on the open market for the best talent available (Woods and Britt contracts aside...which made no sense.

Bears have had to overpay for everyone outside of Prince. There's really little appeal to playing for the Bears right now, team's going nowhere.

Which makes you wonder why they should even be an aggressive participant in the FA market at all.  Gotta draft and build your way out of this.

[tower912]

Protecting Stafford is job one.    Establishing the run is job two.   Detroit is spending to do those two things.    I expect they will focus on defense in the draft. 

[jesmu84]

Which makes you wonder why they should even be an aggressive participant in the FA market at all.  Gotta draft and build your way out of this.

I think that's paces strategy, ultimately. Seems to be making "second tier" FA signings on short term deals. My guess is these are all stop gaps while waiting for draft picks to develop

[JWags85]

I think that's paces strategy, ultimately. Seems to be making "second tier" FA signings on short term deals. My guess is these are all stop gaps while waiting for draft picks to develop

I still have some faith in Pace, and think he has a plan.  Hope he's given the time and the leash by the rest of the FO disaster to execute it.

[RJax55]

I still have some faith in Pace, and think he has a plan.  Hope he's given the time and the leash by the rest of the FO disaster to execute it.

Pace's biggest mistake so far is Fox. He doesn't fit and he hurts the narrative. This is a massive and complete rebuild, but all the talk last off-season was about how much Fox teams improve his 2nd year. Rebuild on the fly and such. It definitely feels that the timeline for success for Fox and Pace are completely different. To the point, if Fox goes 4-12 or 5-11 this year, I think he's gone, but I would be very surprised if the Bears moved on from Pace.

Having a coaching-staff that is potentially disconnected with management's vision is a recipe for disaster. That's my biggest fear going into the season. Fox & staff need to win, but the organization needs to develop its young players.
 

[GGGG]

But Fox wasn't Pace's choice right?

[MerrittsMustache]

But Fox wasn't Pace's choice right?

Correct. I don't know who Pace preferred but the McCaskey's hired Fox.

[RJax55]

But Fox wasn't Pace's choice right?

Correct, but he went along with it.

I realize he was in a difficult position. Having the consultant who had hired him, pushing Fox with ownership's ear. But, Pace was in a powerful position as well.

When the Bears hired him, they announced to the league, the media and fans that Pace had full and total control of the football operation. He made the decisions. However, only a week later facing one of his biggest decisions, an outsider is influencing the process. A more skilled (and likely experienced) GM would have voiced his displeasure. Done correctly, Pace could have leaked his concern with Ernie Accorsi pushing Fox, and I think he could have gotten the McCaskey's to back off.

After the Dave McGinnis fiasco, the family is very sensitive to criticism about them meddling in the football operation. Undercutting their newly appointed GM only days into his tenure, would have been a story and embarrassment I believe they would have avoided.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

I also think one of the reasons Fox was hired is because of the complete ineptitude of Trestman.  I think they felt they needed an experienced coach that could command the respect of the locker room. 

I don't recall who Pace's other top candidates were at the time however. 

[GGGG]

I also think one of the reasons Fox was hired is because of the complete ineptitude of Trestman.  I think they felt they needed an experienced coach that could command the respect of the locker room. 

I don't recall who Pace's other top candidates were at the time however. 

To be honest, I got the impression that it was a done deal when Pace was hired, and the only reason it wasn't announced immediately was due to the Rooney Rule.

[GB Warrior]

Lacy to the Seahawks on a 1-year, $5.5 MM deal. I look forward to seeing what he does behind what has probably become the worst line in football (Vikings have spent big to improve).

RB market is just not there. I wouldn't mind signing someone like Charles since he doesn't impact our compensatory picks.

[brandx]

Lacy to the Seahawks on a 1-year, $5.5 MM deal. I look forward to seeing what he does behind what has probably become the worst line in football (Vikings have spent big to improve).

RB market is just not there. I wouldn't mind signing someone like Charles since he doesn't impact our compensatory picks.

He will be among the top 10 highest paid backs in the league next year.

[GB Warrior]

The Packers picked up Davon House off the reject pile. Excuse me while I go purchase my Super Bowl tickets...

[RJax55]

He will be among the top 10 highest paid backs in the league next year.

Teams are finally getting smart. No reason to paid a veteran RB, when you can draft a cheaper replacement that can get similar production. Better off investing in your OL.

[drewm88]

Lacy also weighed in at 267 for one of the teams he visited, which is 33 pounds above his listed weight last year.

[GB Warrior]

Lacy also weighed in at 267 for one of the teams he visited, which is 33 pounds above his listed weight last year.

5.5MM is a good deal for a starting guard.