Free Safety Is the Number One Offseason Priority For the Bears
Brad Biggs at the Chicago Tribune talked to Darren Sharper while at the New Orleans Saints-Arizona Cardinals game. He reminds us that the Bears passed on Sharper in free agency:
“‘You know how long ago that was?’ Sharper said. ‘What do they run up there? Cover 2? It would have been a good opportunity but I am not surprised. They know who I was and I played in that division for so long. To make a run at me, it’s not up to me to say whether they should have done that or not.’”
Though some would put wide receiver and offensive line high on the list, Biggs says that he feels that the Bears need to address the need for a consistent pass rusher first this offseason and the need at free safety second. But the truth is that, like it or not, the Bears addressed that defensive line need with the acquisition of Gaines Adams. That was their second round pick and they aren’t going to find aconsistent pass rusher any lower. Once they spent the pick, the likelihood that the Bears would make a major free agency acquisition. They’ve already chosen to gamble.
Finding a good free safety is going to be a challenge:
“‘You know what, a lot of people don’t know the free safety position takes on a lot of responsibilities,’ Sharper said. ‘A lot of people want to get younger. But there are so many things you need to think about as a free safety whether it is calling a defense, with the angles approaching the football, playing the ball as a deep half player, you know there are adjustments you have to make and it can be tough for younger guys to do that. That’s why you see Brian Dawkins still playing in the league. Guys of that stature, guys that have been around and seen a lot of things, that is why they are still able to play at a high level.’”
One way or another the Bears are going to have to do something about this position. Given what I said above about Adams, its probably the Bears highest offseason priority.
It should have been high on their list last year. Everyone knew they needed one but in another talent evaluation blunder Lovie Smith evidently became convinced them that he could coach up the players he had to do the job. As a result, free safety was a revolving door over the course of the season with no one doing a very good job.
Despite Sharper’s comments above my gut tells me that the Bears will address this need in the draft. You would think that they could find a good one in the third round. I would strongly suggest that Angelo draft a player who shows some instincts for the game. He has a bad habit of gambling on athletes in these early to mid rounds in an effort to hit a home run. Danieal Manning is a good example and, though it’s still early, Jarron Gilbert has that look about him. As Sharper implies, a player who is less likely to make mistakes is more important there and its a position where the ability to anticipate and read a situation quickly can be of more value than athleticism. Since they don’t have one on the roster, they should also consider addressing depth at the position in free agency.
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