# The 2009 NFL free agency thread **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [February 11, 2009, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2009-nfl-free-agency-thread/485384 "2009-02-11T16:39:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 20
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2009, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2009-nfl-free-agency-thread/485384/381 "2009-06-20T13:16:24Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > With a good enough quarterback, running back(s) and tight end(s), you can build a dominant offense regardless of your wideout corps. Look at Kansas City under Dick Vermeil; they were consistently among the top five in yardage and scoring despite trotting out Eddie Kennison, Marc Boerigter (sp?) and that little guy from Detroit who Matt Millen called a pussy. I’m drawing a blank as to whom the Bears TE’s are. Clark? Also, who else runs the ball for Chicago besides Forte that’s any good? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2009, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2009-nfl-free-agency-thread/485384/382 "2009-06-20T22:01:53Z")
Greg Olsen - going into his third year, I think. He should be ready to start putting up huge numbers, and Clark is solid, especially in the red zone. He might be the best #2 TE in the league. Kevin Jones should be fully healthy this year, and has been very good at times. In any case, the Chiefs didn’t need two backs; they had Priest Holmes and a bunch of scrubs, at least until Larry Johnson showed up - and Johnson was worthless for his first two seasons. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2009, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2009-nfl-free-agency-thread/485384/383 "2009-06-21T11:43:47Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Greg Olsen - going into his third year, I think. He should be ready to start putting up huge numbers, and Clark is solid, especially in the red zone. He might be the best #2 TE in the league. Clark is officially listed as the Starting (#1) TE. He and Olsen got essentially the [exact same](http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2009/05/analyzing_the_playing_time_at.html) playing time last season. It will be interesting to see if Cutler creates more or less need for the 2 TE set and if he and Olsen end up clicking and making Clark an afterthought. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2009, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2009-nfl-free-agency-thread/485384/384 "2009-06-21T16:47:25Z")
Clark’s pretty old, isn’t he? Anyway, I’m not sure it matters. Cutler clicked pretty well with both Daniel Graham and Tony Scheffler in Denver - and they mirror Clark and Olsen quite well. Since he doesn’t have Brandon Marshall anymore he’ll have to throw to both of them a lot. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2009, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2009-nfl-free-agency-thread/485384/385 "2009-06-22T04:17:52Z")
He’s 32, so I suppose he’s pretty old by NFL standards. Granted the TE position is one that tends to age a little better than most and he was lightly used in his first few seasons. The Bears drafted Olsen with the expectation that Clark would deteriorate and cede the spot to him before now but Clark has just been playing too good and reliably. It’s a good problem to have. All indications are that the Bears will stick with a very heavy 2 TE usage and Cutler fits that mold to a T. Olsen as a speed TE should better capitalize on Cutler arm strength and downfield ability and Olsen will be split out wide in jump ball situations. I take some optimism from the fact that Olsen and Cutler have been seen partying together all summer so perhaps a Romo-Witten like rapport will develop with a better post-season track record. Anyways, I’m starting to talk myself into the Bears offense pretty quickly. Heh. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2009, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2009-nfl-free-agency-thread/485384/386 "2009-06-22T13:06:02Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > Anyways, I’m starting to talk myself into the Bears offense pretty quickly. Heh. Ahh, the rebirth of hope that happens to deluded NFL fans every offseason. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2009, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2009-nfl-free-agency-thread/485384/387 "2009-06-22T14:59:43Z")
Prop bet: will the Bears offense gain more passing yards than the Packers’ defense allows? ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2009, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2009-nfl-free-agency-thread/485384/388 "2009-06-22T22:15:11Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Prop bet: will the Bears offense gain more passing yards than the Packers’ defense allows? Hmm, I’m gonna bet the “NO”. The Packers pass defense will be wretched, the Bears Pass Offense may or may not excel but there’s essentially zero doubt that they’ll remain a conservative running team so long as Forte is healthy. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2009, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2009-nfl-free-agency-thread/485384/389 "2009-06-22T23:00:43Z")
In related news, it looks like the Texans have signed Rex Grossman to replace Rosenfels as Schaub’s backup. Smart move; in fact, I’d rather have Grossman. They both throw a ton of picks, and Grossman has more upside. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2009, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2009-nfl-free-agency-thread/485384/390 "2009-06-23T00:20:42Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > In related news, it looks like the Texans have signed Rex Grossman to replace Rosenfels as Schaub’s backup. Smart move; in fact, I’d rather have Grossman. They both throw a ton of picks, and Grossman has more upside. Yeah, you know Schaub is getting hurt at some point so Rexy will probably see the field some. ---
**Author:** ![dgrdfd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/eb8c5e/32.png) [@dgrdfd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dgrdfd)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2009, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2009-nfl-free-agency-thread/485384/391 "2009-06-23T00:42:08Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > Ahh, the rebirth of hope that happens to deluded NFL fans every offseason. Yes sir. Everyone is making the playoffs at this time of the year. I can envision scenarios where my Raiders make the playoffs…😃 As boring as the next month and a half will be news wise, this is about the most optimistic most people will be about their teams. If this guy works out, and that guy plays up to his contract it will make these other players better, etc. Suddenly it snowballs and all the bad teams can turn it around. It’s a fun time. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2009, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2009-nfl-free-agency-thread/485384/392 "2009-06-23T13:28:27Z")
> [@dgrdfd](#): > > I can envision scenarios where my Raiders make the playoffs…😃 “In NFL news, the recession has forced an emergency contraction of the league, leaving the Oakland Raiders and Detroit Lions as the only teams. Raiders owner Al Davis was reportedly very happy that his team has finally won another AFC Championship, and Oakland are clear favorites in next week’s Super Bowl. Under the new league rules, the first quarter will be played under preseason rules, and none of the points scored will count.” ---
**Author:** ![furt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/439d5e/32.png) [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2009, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2009-nfl-free-agency-thread/485384/393 "2009-06-24T05:17:56Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > “In NFL news, the recession has forced an emergency contraction of the league, leaving the Oakland Raiders and Detroit Lions as the only teams. Raiders owner Al Davis was reportedly very happy that his team has finally won another AFC Championship, and Oakland are clear favorites in next week’s Super Bowl. Under the new league rules, the first quarter will be played under preseason rules, and none of the points scored will count.” Nah, I’d take the Lions. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2009, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2009-nfl-free-agency-thread/485384/394 "2009-06-24T15:37:25Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > Hmm, I’m gonna bet the “NO”. The Packers pass defense will be wretched, _snort_. The Packers were 12th rated pass defense last year (guess where that vaunted Bears pass defense ranked), AND had the 3rd most interception in the league. Even though the Packers will be switching from the 4-3 to the 3-4, they still have the same starters at DB, including 2 pro bowlers. You’re drinking the FlavorAid they serve in Chicago if you think their pass defense will suddenly turn “wretched” this year. It may very well be worse this year because of the switch, but “wretched”? Not even close. But as to the prop bet, I do think the Bears will have more passing yards than the Packers give up (even though the Pack won that one this year 3244 to 3061). Cutler is a good statistical QB and has put up massive amounts of yardage, so I think the Bears would be a cinch to win that. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2009-nfl-free-agency-thread/485384.md?page=19)