[CBFF] Angelo reiterates desire to re-sign Grossman - Chicago Bears - Sent Using Google Toolbar

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Angelo reiterates desire to re-sign Grossman - Chicago Bears


Angelo reiterates desire to re-sign Grossman

By Larry Mayer





LAKE FOREST, Ill. – In the first of a two-part series, general manager
Jerry Angelo answers email questions from fans exclusively on
ChicagoBears.com:

 Will the Bears try to re-sign Rex Grossman [who's due to become an
unrestricted free agent Feb. 29], and if so, when do you anticipate
the negotiations will begin if they haven't already?



 Bears quarterback Rex Grossman threw for 1,411 yards with 4 TDs, 7
interceptions and a 66.4 passer rating in 2007. Rich
 Schaumburg, Illinois

We would definitely like to have Rex back. We've talked internally,
and at some point we will visit with him and see if we can create a
situation that's workable for all of us. We've invested a lot in Rex,
and we see him competing for the starting position. Given the
familiarity that he has with our system and us with him, there's no
downside. He's been a good soldier for us in terms of whatever role
we've asked him to play, particularly this past season. We feel that
having him in the mix makes us a better football team.

With the success Kyle Orton had as a rookie in 2005 and again late in
2007, do you see him entering training camp as the Bears' No. 1
quarterback?

J.D.
 Van Wert, Ohio

That's going to be determined by the coaches [in relation to] the
competition that we're able to create here in the offseason. But we
certainly respect and feel very good about what Kyle has done for us,
not just this past year but when you go back to his rookie year, and
we certainly see a player that has gotten better.

In trying to stabilize the most important position on the field, what
are the chances of the Bears adding a quarterback to the mix this
offseason, and are you more likely to do so via the draft, free agency
or a trade?

Tom
 Wauseon, Ohio

We're not going to rule anything out given the fact that we do want to
stay focused on that position at all times. Last year we were the best
we've ever been with our three quarterbacks since I've been here and I
feel that we will again be very solid at the position. I feel good
about the direction we're going in terms of the players that we're
looking at in free agency and the draft as well.

Without a good offensive line, it doesn't matter who plays quarterback
or running back. How much of a priority is bolstering the line this
offseason and what are your plans in that area?

Gary
 Virginia Beach, Virginia

It's going to be a high priority this offseason, and we'll look both
in the draft and free agency to continue to create competition and
upgrade the best we can. We're very focused on our offensive and
defensive lines.

Do the Bears plan on acquiring a running back to challenge Cedric
Benson for the starting job, and are they likelier to land that player
in free agency or the draft? I believe the Bears would benefit more by
addressing the position in free agency than with an unproven back from
college.

Robert
 Bartlett, Illinois

Cedric will compete for the starting job. He certainly showed some
good things prior to his injury. But given the fact that he really
hasn't laid the foundation yet … we're going to look to create
competition at that position just like we would at any position, and
we won't limit ourselves to either the draft or free agency. If we
want to be a running football team, we've got to have good running
backs.

With Bernard Berrian scheduled to become a free agent, do you expect
the Bears will re-sign him or maybe place the franchise tag on him?

Jay
 Billings, Montana

We haven't gotten to determining anything on tags. We'd certainly like
to have Bernard back, and I'll leave it at that.

With Muhsin Muhammad not getting any younger and Bernard Berrian
possibly exiting via free agency, do you see the Bears choosing a wide
receiver in the first three rounds of the draft?

Jerry
 Albuquerque, New Mexico

I'm not going to rule out wide receiver, but until we know Bernard's
future, we can't say for sure in any round.