[CBFF] Hard choices ahead for Bears

[Phil DeNomme]

I agree completely with this article.

-----Original Message-----
From: cbff-bounces at chicagobearsfanforum.com
[mailto:cbff-bounces at chicagobearsfanforum.com] On Behalf Of mactbone
Sent: Sunday, December 09, 2007 6:13 PM
To: post at chicagobearsfanforum.com
Subject: [CBFF] Hard choices ahead for Bears

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


 
____________________________________________________________________________
________
Never miss a thing.  Make Yahoo your home page. 
http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs
_______________________________________________
Check out the CBFF Blog:
blog.chicagobearsfanforum.com
CBFF Homepage:
www.chicagobearsfanforum.com

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition. 
Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.16.17/1178 - Release Date: 12/8/2007
11:59 AM
 

No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition. 
Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.16.17/1178 - Release Date: 12/8/2007
11:59 AM