[CBFF] Bye bye, Berrian :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Bears - Sent Using Google Toolbar

[Jason Cetina]

That's stupid money. Beyond that, I'm not sure any receiver ever really 
puts a team over the top and into the Super Bowl. The free agents that 
always seem to make a difference are the defensive ones (Reggie White, 
Deion Sanders, various Patriots players). The only reason this reeks at 
all was because of the missed opportunity to franchise him.

I'm thinking that even though Angelo won't call it such, we're in year 1 
of a 3 year rebuilding project. If that's the case, he was right to let 
Berrian go so he can focus on younger more important talent (Briggs, 
Harris), and to start rebuilding the o-line through the draft. I think 
the defense has 3-5 years left in the tank if Harris stays and we 
solidify the safeties. The nucleus of this team is no longer Urlacher 
and Mike Brown, though. It's Tommie Harris, Briggs, Tillman, Vasher, 
Ogunleye, and A. Brown.

For the record, Berrian probably will do really well this year because 
the Vikings can easily sell play action. If their running game collapses 
though, he won't do much.
-
Jason

Tom Shannon wrote:
> Bye bye, Berrian :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Bears
>
> Bears receiver Berrian to sign with Vikings
>
>
>
> March 1, 2008
> BY BRAD BIGGS
>
> The Bears have lost wide receiver Bernard Berrian.
>
>  Minnesota was determined not to let Berrian leave for a visit to the
> Oakland Raiders, and after the Vikings lost out on defensive end
> Justin Smith Saturday morning when he agreed to a deal in San
> Francisco, there were more resources to pour into a wide receiver to
> bolster the offense. Terms of the deal have not yet been confirmed,
> but once source said the Bears never moved off their offer of $25
> million over five years.
>
> » Click to enlarge image
> The NFL's shopping bonanza kicked off with wide receiver Bernard
> Berrian being one of the hottest commodities.
> (Tom Cruze/Sun-Times)
>
>
> RELATED STORIES Blog: Inside the Bears Updated 9:30: Gilmore
> officially signs with Bucs Bears hold out hope
>
>
>  Berrian's departure leaves the Bears' receiving corps in a hole.
> Muhsin Muhammad was previously released so the team must come up with
> two starters now. Mark Bradley, Devin Hester, Mike Hass and Brandon
> Rideau are the only receivers under contract. Rashied Davis has been
> tendered an offer at the low level of $927,000 as a restricted free
> agent.
>
>  ``We don't have any choice but to make it,'' wide receivers coach
> Darryl Drake said. ``You have to move on and work on getting better.
> It'll be tough without him.''
>
>  Berrian led the Bears with 71 receptions for 951 yards and five
> touchdowns last season. The Bears had offered him a $25 million,
> five-year contract with $8 million to sign. They remained in
> discussions with agent Drew Rosenhaus during Berrian's visit to
> Minnesota, but couldn't lure him back.
>
>  Here is how big of a hole the Bears have on offense now-Berrian and
> Muhammad combined for 111 catches, 1,521 yards and eight touchdowns
> last season. The rest of the wide receivers on the roster had 43
> catches for 535 yards and three touchdowns. Bradley, the former
> second-round draft pick player coaches and management alike have been
> talking up so much, had only six receptions and barely saw the field.
>
>  The departure of Berrian signals the Bears will likely increase
> efforts to re-sign three-time Pro Bowl linebacker Lance Briggs.
> However, the market has been eerily quiet for him thus far and it
> might be a situation right now where there is no one for the team to
> bid against. The Bears have a big-money deal on the table for him.
>
>  As for the needs at receiver, the Bears will likely contact agent
> Joel Segal about finalizing a visit with Bryant Johnson, provided he
> does not sign with the Buffalo Bills, where he is headed this weekend.
> Javon Walker and D.J. Hackett are also part of Plan B. The Bears may
> need to move quickly as NFL Network reports Donte Stallworth has
> agreed to terms with Cleveland.
>
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