[CBFF] Hard choices ahead for Bears

Sun Dec 9 19:58:57 MST 2007

There is a silver lining here I believe -

The Bears have not attempted to build a young o-line in forever. Now 
they have to. I don't think Alan Faneca is a good option for the Bears 
due to his age. I think a better bet would be to draft a guard, and then 
try and pick up a younger guy like Max Starks from Pittsburgh who will 
be an UFA. I'd just rather sign a proven tackle than a proven guard 
since tackle is more critical. Anyway, my point is that I personally 
believe that dynasties are really built in the trenches, and that in 
order to have a ten year QB, you have to start young on the line and 
constantly replenish it as players move on. As such, I happen to think 
that the Bears should pick two linemen in the first 3 rounds of the 
draft now, and one in the first 3 rounds for the next couple of years.

So, now that the Bears *must* address this issue, they will be in a 
position to protect a great QB should they draft one, or if Rex develops 
into one. That's the silver lining. As long as they can execute on 
drafting the right talent.
-
Jason

mactbone wrote:
> Hard choices ahead for Bears
> Sudden demise means Bears must explore many roster changes to get back on winning track for '08 season
>  
> Look out below.
>
> Suddenly and shockingly, the defending NFC champion Bears find themselves several key decisions away from free- falling into back-to-back losing seasons in 2007 and 2008.
>
> That much potentially rides on the choices the Bears will make over the final three games and in the first month of the off-season. The standings mean nothing, but it's a pivotal period for the organization that could dictate how long the stench of this losing season lingers.
>
> >From coordinators Ron Turner and Bob Babich to the most stable position group, every area of the Bears' 53-man roster and coaching staff requires thorough re-evaluation after a year widely recognized as the NFL's most disappointing.
>
> Trust coach Lovie Smith this off-season? It was much easier to do coming off a Super Bowl defeat than a season in which the biggest loss might have been faith in leadership at Halas Hall.
>
> For the Bears' brain trust, the process of balancing short-term goals with long-range plans began on the long flight home from Maryland and will continue until a winning culture returns. Here's a look at how that thought process might go for each position group.
>
>
> Quarterback
> Looking to 2008: The Bears and Rex Grossman both were fortunate the injury to his left knee didn't require surgery to repair the sprained ligament. Grossman posted a passer rating of 82.1 in the four games before Thursday's injury that, more than anything, showed the Bears have bigger problems than the quarterback.
>
> Make Grossman a fair, reasonable offer, but don't be surprised if other teams desperate for quarterback experience outbid them for him. Because of that uncertainty and other durability and consistency concerns, the Bears still should monitor Donovan McNabb's trade availability in Philadelphia—where the team owner this week said McNabb will be back in '08.
>
> Also, if the Bears are concerned about Grossman's injury history, they at least will have to consider whether two high draft picks would be worth Browns restricted free-agent Derek Anderson. They still should consider drafting a quarterback. Brian Griese is under contract as the backup he has shown to be. And Kyle Orton could be valuable either as trade bait or maybe as a challenger for the starting job during training camp's open competition.
>
> Immediate action: Play Orton every snap the rest of the season to see if he's a plausible alternative.
>
>
> Running back
> Looking to 2008: Cutting Cedric Benson would serve little purpose. So bring him back cautiously, with conditions tied to his fitness, and pencil him in as a backup. Either draft a running back in the second round—will Illinois' Rashard Mendenhall be on the board?—or dig deep to go after a free agent such as Michael Turner or Julius Jones.
>
> Benson has worked best when sharing the load, so he and the offense could benefit most from returning to a two-back system. That would allow the versatile Adrian Peterson to return to a special-teams role and spot running-back duty.
>
> Immediate action: See more of Garrett Wolfe to give him opportunities to prove himself. The experience could be valuable if Wolfe is still looking for his niche next summer.
>
>
> Offensive line
> Looking to 2008: In a perfect Bears world, they would draft an offensive right tackle out of a rich crop in the first round to replace Fred Miller and his $5.8 million salary-cap hit in '08. Then they could sign the Steelers' free-agent Pro Bowler Alan Faneca to play left guard. That would help the team's most disappointing position group in 2007 turn things around quickly.
>
> But rarely do teams get everything they want in the off-season, especially a team that wants and needs as many things as the Bears will. But the plan should include drafting an offensive lineman on the first day and signing a veteran free agent.
>
> The keepers of the starting five are left tackle John Tait, right guard Roberto Garza and center Olin Kreutz. At left guard, re-signing Ruben Brown to start would be a risk at 36 and Terrence Metcalf hasn't distinguished himself replacing Brown.
>
> Immediate action: Fourth-round draft pick Josh Beekman has seen action in just one game and the Bears have an opportunity to evaluate him so they know what they have planning ahead. How much worse could he be?
>
>
> Tight end
> Looking to 2008: Whoever the offensive coordinator is, he needs to devise more ways to keep Greg Olsen on the field for at least 80 percent of the snaps. Desmond Clark will enter the final year of his contract and is a bargain. John Gilmore is a guard wearing No. 85. This has emerged as the position group posing the fewest questions.
>
> Immediate action: Get Olsen the ball even more.
>
>
> Wide receiver
> Looking to 2008: The Bears must consider restructuring his contract or parting ways with Muhsin Muhammad, who will cost $2.1 million combining salary and roster bonus. That's too expensive for a receiver who will be 35 next season.
>
> Make a run at Bernard Berrian, whose free-agent price tag will be steep, but maybe he will offer a hometown discount. Groom Devin Hester to be a full-fledged, 30-play-a-game receiver. Let Mark Bradley break some other GM's heart. Draft a wide receiver in the first three rounds and scour the free-agent list for a reliable, affordable veteran.
>
> Immediate action: Give Mike Hass a chance to prove whether he does or doesn't belong on an NFL roster. It couldn't hurt a group that has had some of the slipperiest hands in the league.
>
> Defensive tackle
> Looking to 2008: Expect Dusty Dvoracek to return, pleasant surprise Anthony Adams to come back, too, and Tommie Harris to be whole again physically and mentally in a position to dominate.
>
> It could be hard to justify paying Darwin Walker, who hasn't lived up to expectations, a $5.5 million roster bonus March 1 if the resources might be better allocated elsewhere. The Bears might find a cheaper alternative for depth on the second day of the draft, in free agency where they found Adams or in a rehabilitated Antonio Garay.
>
> Immediate action: Take no chances with Harris and shut him down for final three games. Elevate Babatunde Oshinowo from the practice squad just to have enough bodies on the defensive line to get through the month.
>
>
> Defensive end
> Looking to 2008: Congratulate Adewale Ogunleye on what should be a Pro Bowl appearance. Forget trading Alex Brown, put him back at the right end spot he never should have lost and hope Mark Anderson uses this year's disappointment as fuel to improve. Dan Bazuin will get a long look after his "redshirt" year so this position is one that won't worry the Bears in the off-season.
>
> Immediate action: Restore Brown to the starting lineup as a reward for continuing to work hard no matter the circumstances and use Anderson as the swing end, hoping he can rediscover what helped him make 16 sacks in his first 20 NFL games. He has one in his last nine.
>
>
> Linebacker
> Looking to 2008: It probably doesn't bode well that Lance Briggs is thinking enough about his upcoming free-agent status to remind the NFL Network that Thursday night's game meant he will have played in 75 percent of the Bears' snaps this year. Thus, the team cannot put the franchise tag on him under the one-year deal he signed. The Bears still need to make a reasonable effort to re-sign Briggs at the inflated price—he's their most productive defensive player.
>
> Brian Urlacher remains better with an arthritic back than probably 75 percent of the guys at his position, but he likely won't be as dominant as before. As steady as Hunter Hillenmeyer has been, Jamar Williams should be given a chance to challenge for the job if he's not Briggs' replacement.
>
> Immediate action: It's a tough conversation to have, but the Bears really should consider telling Urlacher to rest his ailing back and calf until next season for the good of everybody. That also would give them a longer look at Williams.
>
>
> Secondary
> Looking to 2008: The starting cornerbacks are set with Charles Tillman and a healthy and rested Nathan Vasher. Rookie Trumaine McBride gained valuable experience and always could slide into the nickel spot if the Bears deem Ricky Manning Jr., who has spent the year mostly in a funk, too expensive and expendable.
>
> But safety rates a bigger priority and the Bears need to draft a playmaker and sign a free agent at the position. That's even if rookie Kevin Payne, still an unknown, returns healthy. Decisions on Adam Archuleta and Mike Brown can wait until after the draft and free agency, but neither seems like a roster lock. The Bears need a safety who will factor into big plays that help them win not lose.
>
> Immediate action: They have no healthy options, player-wise, and must gut it out with the remaining bodies available.
>
> David Haugh
> Copyright © 2007, The Chicago Tribune 
> http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/cs-071208haugh,1,2764233.column?coll=cs-bears-headlines
>
>
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