Bears have begun negotiations with OT Fred Miller

[Michael82]

While Kurt Warner was agreeing to terms with the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, the Bears were turning their focus from finding a veteran backup to Grossman to improving their offensive line. General manager Jerry Angelo has pinned his hopes on the third-year quarterback and wants to do all he can to keep him healthy after the Bears led the league in sacks allowed last season.

With that in mind, veteran tackle Fred Miller was at Halas Hall on Sunday afternoon to take a physical and huddle with team officials. The Bears have begun negotiations with agent Harold Lewis, and if all goes well, Miller could be signed today.

http://www.suntimes.com/output/bears/cst-spt-bear07.html

[Michael82]

IMO, Tom Donahoe would have all the leverage for the LJ Shelton trade and a deal would get done soon, if the Bears sign Miller.

No matter what, I still have a feeling that LJ Shelton will be a Bill somehow.

[buffmaniac]

I also saw this. This leaves the Cardinals with 1 less suitor for Shelton. I was thinking maybe the Cards just don't like Henry. Why don't we offer them a 3rd round pick for Shelton and keep Henry? Too Much?

[Mr. Miyagi]

I want to keep our draft picks. No way we give up a 3rd for Shelton, especially when the Cards are basically desperate. Maybe a 4th, max.

I think at the 11th hour, Dennis Green will cave and throw in a pick along with Shelton for Henry.

[Michael82]

I want to keep our draft picks. No way we give up a 3rd for Shelton, especially when the Cards are basically desperate. Maybe a 4th, max.

I think at the 11th hour, Dennis Green will cave and throw in a pick along with Shelton for Henry.
That's what I was thinking too. :pray:

[Earthquake Enyart]

Trade Henry for Shelton, and swap picks in the 3rd or 4th.

[Romes]

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/3446028

The Bears signed him. The options are narrowing if the Cards want to trade Shelton...

[Tatonka]

he got something like 5 years 22 million, per espn ticker.. dont quote me on those numbers.. but they are close.

[ShadowHawk7]

Trade Henry for Shelton, and swap picks in the 3rd or 4th.
That would be awesome.

[Romes]

Miller, 32, will sign a five-year contract worth $22.5 million. The deal includes a signing bonus of $6 million and base salaries of $1 million (2005), $1 million (2006), $3 million (2007), $4 million (2008) and $4 million (2009). There is a $2 million roster bonus that is due next March and roster bonuses of $500,000 for each of the final three years.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=pasquarelli_len&id=2007278

I'd take McDougle for a deal similar to this one but with a slighlty smaller signing bonus.

[Dozerdog]

Trade Henry for Shelton, and swap picks in the 3rd or 4th.
I was thinking somethong along those lines- something to sweeten the pot a bit.

Better yet- Swap Henry for Shelton, and give them a conditional pick in next year's (2006) draft based on Henry's production (or lack of) and/or the ability to sign him.

[Dozerdog]

Tampa Bay- also in the Shelton derby- is having issues staying under the cap. $3 million might be to big to swallow.


If the Lions loose McDougal- do they get in the Shelton derby?

[Mr. Cynical]

lose

[Novacane]

lose



:snicker:

[Carlton Bailey]

The Bears o-line is going to be really good. They got a pretty good player at every position.

LT- John Tait
LG- Ruben Brown
C- Olin Kreutz
RG- Rex Tucker
RT- Fred Miller

[askabry]

Fred Miller's a mistake. He's 32; he's completed two, back-to-back seasons where his productivity as an OT is falling; and the team that signed him is going to move their RT to LT. If you have $6MM in bonus money for a bad OT, you should be able to find $10MM for a good player.

I'd never, ever give that kind of coin to a player that's 32.