[CBFF] McGowan back in fold :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Bears - Sent Using Google Toolbar

[Tom Shannon]

McGowan back in fold :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES ::
Bears<http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/bears/872442,CST-SPT-bear02.article#>

McGowan back in fold  BEARS | Versatile safety could get shot at starting

 April 2, 2008
 Recommend (8)
<http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/bears/872442,CST-SPT-bear02.article#none>

 BY BRAD BIGGS <bbiggs at suntimes.com> bbiggs at suntimes.com

Brandon McGowan joined the mix Tuesday to be the Bears' starting strong
safety, signing the one-year tender the team offered him as a restricted
free agent.

The Bears tendered McGowan at the mid-level for $1.417 million because they
like him and lack depth at the position. He made nine starts last season,
including the final four, when he trailed only middle linebacker Brian
Urlacher in tackles.

Durability issues have plagued McGowan in the past, but he has a nose for
the ball and figures to be part of what could be an interesting competition
involving Danieal Manning, Kevin Payne and perhaps oft-injured veteran Mike
Brown for the two starting safety jobs.

Brown can play both spots, Manning is a free safety and Payne projects best
at strong safety. Everyone in the organization wants to see a healthy Brown,
but no one is counting on it.

Wide receiver Rashied Davis has yet to sign his low-level tender for
$927,000. The Kansas City Chiefs might have interest in Davis because he's a
restricted free agent who was not drafted, meaning they would not owe the
Bears draft-pick compensation if they signed him away.

The deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets is April 18.

The Bears will bring Georgia offensive lineman Chester Adams to Halas Hall
next week for a pre-draft visit.

Adams is one of eight known players who have a visit scheduled or have made
one, joining quarterbacks Nick Hill of Southern Illinois and Caleb Hanie of
Colorado State, safeties Matthew Harper of Oregon and Haruki Nakamura of
Cincinnati, San Diego State running back Brandon Bornes, Western Kentucky
wide receiver Curtis Hamilton and Oregon defensive tackle David Faaeteete.