(09-01-2018, 10:02 AM)imtheblkranger Wrote:

(09-01-2018, 09:32 AM)Bullseye Wrote: For a young, All Pro caliber pass rushing DE/OLB, you're going to pay a premium contract.

If you have any hopes of fielding a competitive team, that's the almost inevitable cost.  Pass rushers are a must have.

For me the "questionable" part of the deal are giving up the 2 first rounders.

But the Bears could have kept both first rounders and drafted pass rushers with both and still not gotten anyone as good and still in his prime as Mack.

Or they could draft 2 HOF players. It's a crapshoot.

My issue is they gave up the picks AND have to give that contract. Paying that to a Mack who you drafted 3-4 years ago is one thing. Doing all of that for one player, particularly on a team that is definitely not a pass rusher away, seems foolish long term.

It's foolish long term if he isn't the player you envisioned.

If he does not produce at a Pro bowl level, then yes it's foolish long term.

But why is paying a big contract to a  player you drafted 3-4 years ago any more foolish than it is for a player for whom you are trading?

Even though you "know" the player you sign after previously drafting him, signing him to the new contract is no more a guarantee he will continue produce at a high level than trading for that same player or signing him as a free agent.

The Jaguars went from perpetual doormat to within 5 minutes of the Super Bowl on the strength of their defense.

The Vikings went from a team that missed the playoffs 5 out of the past 8 seasons to the NFC Championship game on the strength of their defense.

The Saints went from three straight 7-9 seasons to a last second miracle away from the NFC championship on the strength of their defense.

I can't blame the Bears for hoping for a similar turnaround (especially after drafting what they hope is a franchise QB) for signing a still in his prime All Pro caliber pass rushing OLB, to pair with their other young OLB in Floyd, rookie Roquan Smith, and NT Eddie Goldman.

They have the makings of a nasty defense there-at least a nasty front 7.

If they are going to have any hopes of overtaking Detroit and Green Bay, they have to find a way to get Stafford and Rodgers on the ground.  Cousins too, for that matter.

If they hit on this trade, Mack gives them the ability to put those guys on the ground and give them a chance to win those games.

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