DH:Bears figure to dip into free-agent pool

[denverdan]

http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/bears.asp?intID=38401169

Bears figure to dip into free-agent pool

By Bob LeGere Daily Herald Sports Writer

Posted Friday, February 18, 2005

The Bears have far too many needs to be filled solely through the draft, April 23-24, so they're already assessing the prospects for immediate upgrades during the free-agency period, which begins March 2.

An experienced quarterback to back up Rex Grossman is expected to be a priority after the disastrous results of last season, when Jonathan Quinn and Craig Krenzel failed to provide adequate relief. At least one quality wide receiver is a necessity if the Bears hope to improve upon the NFL's worst passing attack, and a reliable tight end wouldn't hurt.

The franchise-record 66 sacks the offensive line allowed indicates that unit is in need of help as well. A left tackle would allow John Tait to remain at right tackle, which he would prefer. But the cost of a starting left tackle might be prohibitive in free agency.

"Obviously the way we've gone offensively, we're certainly going to look on that side of the ball first," Bears general manager Jerry Angelo said, referring to free agency and the draft. "I feel we'll be able to help our offense in the off-season."

Quarterback

The Bears never seriously courted the top veterans last year so as not to create any confusion over Grossman's status as the clear-cut starter. They didn't want a quarterback controversy, and they still don't. But this time they are expected to worry more about securing a functional player and less about creating conflict at the position.

Grossman is still the man, but he's coming off a ruptured ACL in his right knee that limited him to three games. It's uncertain how many, if any, of last year's fill-ins will be back. Chad Hutchinson played better than Quinn and Krenzel, but he wasn't anything special, and Jeff George never got on the field.

This year's list of free-agent quarterbacks is interesting in that five have spent time on a Bears roster: George, Shane Matthews, Jim Miller, Rick Mirer and Kordell Stewart.

The Bears never gave George an opportunity to play after signing him late last season, although he showed in practice that he still possesses a live arm.

There originally wasn't much out there to choose from, but two big-name veterans have already been informed that they will be cut and several others may follow before the Feb. 22 deadline.

Kurt Warner was considered by the Bears last year and could get another look. Cleveland's Kelly Holcomb has been an on-and-off starter, and he's looking to be a No. 1 somewhere, which could wind up being with the Browns, now that they've decided to release Jeff Garcia, as the Bills have done with Drew Bledsoe.

The San Diego Chargers slapped a franchise tag on Drew Brees, keeping him off the market unless suitors are willing to part with two first-round draft picks as compensation. If starter Matt Hasselbeck isn't re-signed or given the franchise tag by the Seahawks, he'll become someone else's No. 1.

Several other veteran starters could soon join Garcia and Bledsoe on the market, and some will attract the Bears' interest. The Bucs' Brian Griese and Doug Johnson, the Raiders' Rich Gannon and the Dolphins' Jay Fiedler could all be cut loose by next week.

Running back

Anthony Thomas is a lock to leave town for an opportunity to start elsewhere, so the Bears will at least consider signing a solid backup, knowing Thomas Jones is unlikely to make it through an entire season healthy.

Without the A-Train, the Bears' top backup is Adrian Peterson, who had 6 carries last season. The current free-agent list is impressive, although many of the top players might not make it to market before they're re-signed by their current teams. The Seattle Seahawks' Shaun Alexander and the Indianapolis Colts' Edgerrin James are the marquee names, but they aren't the only talent available. The Eagles' Correll Buckhalter and the Jets' Lamont Jordan will both attract interest. The Eagles' Brian Westbrook and the Packers' Najeh Davenport are restricted free agents, but Westbrook won't be leaving Philadelphia.

Wide receiver

The Bears don't have a traditional No. 1 receiver, and it's debatable whether they have a quality No. 2. David Terrell has one more year under contract, but he's proven repeatedly that he's not a dependable go-to guy, and the remainder of the receivers are role players.

Bobby Wade is an undersized possession receiver, and no other wideout had more than 15 catches last season. As a rookie, Bernard Berrian flashed some ability to get deep, and Justin Gage has size and some downfield play-making ability, but he was largely ignored last season. The Bears' wide receivers combined for a grand total of 3 TD catches last season.

The Steelers' 6-foot-5 Plaxico Burress is just 27, already has two 1,000-yard seasons and possesses the talent to be featured. Burress was injured much of last season, yet still averaged 19.9 yards on 35 catches and had 5 TDs. But the Bears might not be able to afford him, and the same could be said for the Raiders' Jerry Porter (64 catches, 998 yards, 9 TDs), who has a rare combination of size, speed and strength. More economical players who would still represent an upgrade for the Bears include the Bucs' wicked-fast but always-injured Joey Galloway (33 catches, 416 yards, 5 TDs), the Bengals' T.J. Houshmandzadeh (73-978-4), the Patriots' David Patten (44-800-7) and the 49ers' Cedrick Wilson (47-641-3).

Tight end

If the Bears decide they want the tight end to be an integral part of the offense, they need more than the 24 catches, 282 yards and 1 touchdown they got from Desmond Clark in 2004. Backups Dustin Lyman and John Gilmore have never established themselves as pass catchers. It's definitely a buyer's market for tight ends this year because the talent pool is overflowing. Minnesota's Jermaine Wiggins 71-705-4, Arizona's Freddie Jones (45-426-2), Detroit's Stephen Alexander (41-377-1), Tampa's Ken Dilger (39-345-3), Green Bay's Bubba Franks (34-361-7) and Denver's restricted Jeb Putzier (36-572-2) are the cream of the crop.

Offensive line

Since the Seahawks signed UFA-to-be Walter Jones to a seven-year, $52.5 million contract on Wednesday, and the Rams are likely to make Orlando Pace their franchise player, the top left tackle talent is off the market.

The Bears might still look for one to solidify a unit that underachieved last season. But someone like the Bills' Jonas Jennings won't come cheaply, and the Bears have already spent $57 million on center Olin Kreutz and right tackle John Tait. If they follow through on a tentative plan to move Tait to left tackle, there are some solid right tackles available. The Colts' Ryan Diem, a Northern Illinois University product from Carol Stream and Glenbard North High School; and the Lions' Stockar McDougle, a cousin of Bears defensive tackle Tommie Harris, are two of the best. At guard, injury-cursed Rex Tucker is a potential salary-cap casualty for the Bears, 33-year-old Ruben Brown is coming off season-ending neck surgery, and youngsters Steve Edwards and Terrence Metcalf haven't proved they are capable of starting full time. The free-agent talent at guard runs much deeper, and interior positions generally are less expensive to fill than they are at tackle.

[DonMagicJuan]

i hope they get a WR in free agency so we have a better chance at getting Mike Williams!

[denverdan]

and I thought the skins had a lot of holes to fill.

[GIBBS LIVES]

If you really pay attention, you'll relize that the Bears are the key to our whole draft because of the WR position that is in question.

If the Bears fill some needs in free agency and leave the WR position alone, then you can rest assured that they will take Mike Williams.

Which means the skins will adress the positions of DE, CB or maybe give serious consideration to Troy Williamson.

And to do those things, we could trade down.

[skinzfan4life]

Originally posted by GIBBS LIVES

If the Bears fill some needs in free agency and leave the WR position alone, then you can rest assured that they will take Mike Williams.

Or B Edwards...people have to realize that as of right now Edwards seems to be ahead of williams....at least until the combine. So if they take a WR as of right now it would prob be edwards....leaving williams for us.