Avernus Posted August 15, 2005 Share Posted August 15, 2005 I just read this and it was reported yesterday or the day before ANGELO WANTS TO GET BENSON DEAL DONE With starting quarterback Rex Grossman gone for at least half of the season and no plans to acquire a veteran to complement the trio of Chad Hutchinson, Kyle Orton, and Kurt Kittner, word out of Chicago is that Bears G.M. Jerry Angelo is making a big push to get No. 4 overall draft pick Cedric Benson signed and into camp. Benson has now missed three weeks of work in a dispute over the amount of his rookie deal. We're hearing that a big sticking point in negotiations relates to the length of the deal. The team wants six years, and Benson wants five. From the perspective of a running back, whose ability to cash in as a free agent decreases significantly with each passing year after his 25th birthday, holding the contract to five seasons is extremely important. We're also told that Angelo might be tempted to cut Thomas Jones and keep Adrian Peterson as the primary backup to Benson, in order to free up 2005 cap dollars that would be used to extend the deals of cornerbacks Charles Tillman and Jerry Azumah. It's also possible that linebacker Brian Urlacher will be asked to tweak his deal in order to create some 2005 cap space. As to the quarterback position, we've confirmed through separate sources our Saturday report that the Bears won't rush to sign a veteran to take Grossman's place on the depth chart. Angelo, we're told, fears that he would take a pounding in the press if he signs any of the available free agents (Vinny Testaverde, Jeff George, Jeff Blake), since he previously passed on others like Kurt Warner, Brad Johnson, Jay Fiedler, and Jeff Garcia. If any of the remaining signal-callers in camp get hurt, however, look for Angelo to make a move quickly. Finally, we hear that Grossman's second serious injury in less than a year has opened the door to a full-blown quarterback competition in 2005, when Orton is expected to be ready to challenge "Glassman" for the full-time gig. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Neutron Posted August 15, 2005 Share Posted August 15, 2005 That would be a typical CHI front office move. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralph Furley Posted August 15, 2005 Share Posted August 15, 2005 No way does that happen. The article is incorrect from the start as they are signing Jeff Blake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigTen Posted August 15, 2005 Share Posted August 15, 2005 And C. Benson is not even signed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crispirons Posted August 15, 2005 Share Posted August 15, 2005 i think benson gets in soon. probably within the next week. would still give him time to at least know his assignments for the most part. i would then suspect he might get some looks in the opener. of course i'm being optimistic, but i would really be surprised if bears management doesn't get it done in light of another qb issue so early in the yr. the fans have to have something to cheer about....don't they? oh wait, we didn't last yr........DOH!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Swerski Posted August 15, 2005 Share Posted August 15, 2005 If I were looking to get rid of Jones (which I believe is stupid in the first place), I'd be looking to trade him, not outright cut him. Did Angelo forget that Jones averaged 4.0 yds/carry on the league's worst pass offense and also lead the team in receptions? This guy has to have some trade value. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Talker Posted August 15, 2005 Share Posted August 15, 2005 I despise this kind of "reporting." "We're also told (2nd hand, and from what source? the reporter's next door neighbor?) that Angelo might (big whoop--a lot of people "might" do a lot of things) be tempted (another red flag that this is pure speculation) to cut Thomas Jones...." Must have been a slow day over at profootballtalk.com to churn out this kind of drek. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WaterMan Posted August 15, 2005 Share Posted August 15, 2005 It's a buyer's market for RBs. I'd cut him if no trade offers came in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brentastic Posted August 15, 2005 Share Posted August 15, 2005 If I were looking to get rid of Jones (which I believe is stupid in the first place), I'd be looking to trade him, not outright cut him. Did Angelo forget that Jones averaged 4.0 yds/carry on the league's worst pass offense and also lead the team in receptions? This guy has to have some trade value. 928545[/snapback] Exactly!! That article doesn't seem very accurate, nor make much sense. Jones has plenty of trade value, he won't get cut outright. Well it is the Chicago front office we're talking about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pope Flick Posted August 15, 2005 Share Posted August 15, 2005 This site as source does nothing but spew forth all possible conjectures, and if one sticks they promote the hell out of it as a sign of their 'accuracy.' CUT a rusher like T Jones without any compensation is something so dumb, even the Bears wouldn't do it. And that's saying a LOT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avernus Posted August 15, 2005 Author Share Posted August 15, 2005 This site as source does nothing but spew forth all possible conjectures, and if one sticks they promote the hell out of it as a sign of their 'accuracy.' CUT a rusher like T Jones without any compensation is something so dumb, even the Bears wouldn't do it. And that's saying a LOT. 928852[/snapback] I was kind of hoping he'd be cut for a better situation somewhere else... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caveman_Nick Posted August 15, 2005 Share Posted August 15, 2005 If I were looking to get rid of Jones (which I believe is stupid in the first place), I'd be looking to trade him, not outright cut him. Did Angelo forget that Jones averaged 4.0 yds/carry on the league's worst pass offense and also lead the team in receptions? This guy has to have some trade value. 928545[/snapback] Trade him to NE for Rohan Davey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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