[CBFF] Bursting at seams with depth

[Steve Behrens]

Bursting at seams with depth
The Bears have a Super Bowl-quality starting lineup and a lot of reserves
who could start on other teams

By John Mullin
Tribune staff reporter

August 5, 2007, 10:00 PM CDT

 In this era of free agency and salary caps, quality depth on NFL rosters is
rare. But not for the Bears.

General manager Jerry Angelo has managed not only to assemble a starting
lineup good enough to reach a Super Bowl but also to build a roster replete
with players good enough to start for multiple NFL teams.

As the No. 4 safety on the Bears' depth chart, Chris Harris was expendable.
Now, after last week's trade to the Panthers, he likely will be a starter on
a playoff contender.

Here's a look at other Bears reserves who could start elsewhere:

Alex Brown, DEBrown still may start for the Bears. He is a two-time Pro Bowl
alternate whom the Bears allowed to solicit trade offers last off-season,
none of which were good enough to give away an all-around end who has
started 64 straight games.

*Who should call:* New York Giants. Michael Strahan is near retirement and
Brown has more sacks than Strahan (21-18.5) over the last three years. At
this point of their careers, frankly, Brown is better.

Brian Griese, QBGriese was not happy that he didn't get a shot at starting
last year when Rex Grossman faltered, and the Bears were not overly pleased
with his attitude last off-season. The Bears are not shopping Griese, but if
the phone should ring ...

*Who should call:* Atlanta Falcons. With Michael Vick in some jeopardy, they
are relying on Joey Harrington. Yes, *that *Joey Harrington.

Israel Idonije, DEThe Buffalo Bills signed Idonije to an offer sheet for a
three-year deal last year; the Bears, even with Alex Brown and Adewale
Ogunleye, thought enough of Idonije to match the offer and keep him. At 6
feet 6 inches and 275 pounds, he plays anywhere and on special teams.

*Who should call:* The Bills. They had the right idea targeting a young
player below the public's radar.

Danieal Manning, SManning is part of the reason Harris was expendable, and
Carolina wouldn't have minded him stowing away in Harris' luggage. With his
ability to return kickoffs and play corner, he is not going anywhere.

*Who should call:* The Panthers. Harris solves only one problem in the
secondary. Veteran Mike Minter is on the edge of retirement and Manning is
all upside.

Ricky Manning Jr., CBHe came to Chicago with designs on a starting job. That
won't happen with Nathan Vasher and Charles Tillman set, but Manning was a
sometime starter at Carolina.

*Who should call:* New England Patriots. Franchise-tagged Asante Samuel is
threatening to hold out the first 10 games and Manning is a No. 1 nickel
corner at the least.

Terrence Metcalf, GMetcalf started the first 12 games of 2005 and the Bears
won nine, and the franchise thought enough of him to lock him up with a
six-year contract in '06. Metcalf has 20 starts in Chicago.

*Who should call:* New York Jets. Veteran Pete Kendall has contract issues
and Adrien Clarke is young and has had back surgery. It could be a reunion
of Metcalf and Thomas Jones, who piled up 1,335 yards and nine TDs with
Metcalf at right guard in 2005.

Kyle Orton, QBAfter an off-season makeover, Orton has looked like the kind
of second-day draft pick teams dream about (think: Tom Brady, Mark Brunell,
Marc Bulger). The Bears won 10 of his 15 starts in 2005 when he was charged
with not losing games as much as winning them.

*Who should call:* Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jeff Garcia? Chris Simms? Jake
Plummer? Bruce Gradkowski? Orton has a future and the Bucs need to start
over. The Vikings were 0-3 with Tavaris Jackson, but Angelo isn't going to
help a division rival.

Adrian Peterson, RBThe quiet one is a low-mileage 28 years old and a true
every-down back, skilled as a ball carrier, receiver and pass protector. He
is 210 pounds with a career average of 4.7 yards per carry. He has started
only one game as a Bear (in 2003); he would start many more elsewhere.

*Who should call:* Green Bay Packers. Northwestern's Noah Herron may be the
answer, but Peterson is an ideal fit with Favre in that offense. One
problem: Angelo won't answer the phone when caller ID reveals who's on the
line.

Jamar Williams, LBIf Lance Briggs had stayed out, Williams would have been
in. Williams can play strong or weak side and with Briggs not likely to be a
Bear beyond this season, the team is in no hurry to lose Williams.

*Who should call:* Indianapolis Colts. The Super Bowl champs lost Cato June
to the Buccaneers and Tyjuan Hagler is a project for a Colts defense that
has lost four starting linebackers since 2003.