Bears Blitz

Published by Jake Perper on March 15, 2012
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

Day three of NFL free agency was pretty slow when it came to transactions, especially for the Chicago Bears.

The Bears made one move by re-signing veteran defensive end Israel Idonije to a one-year deal.

Let’s breakdown the Bears’ lone signing and rumors by position.

RB: Michael Bush visited Halas Hall on Wednesday and left without signing a deal. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Bush is planning a visit to the Bengals headquarters next Monday. The Bengals are also looking at BenJarvus Green-Ellis. Bush would be a perfect complement to Matt Forte; it will likely just come down to money.

WR: Jay Cutler took to the airwaves (ESPN 1000) yesterday to discuss his second stint with Brandon Marshall. Cutler also mentioned the possibility of former teammate Eddie Royal coming to town. Royal signed a three-year, $13 million deal with the Chargers today, so that won’t be happening. Early Doucet and Mario Manningham are arguably the best available free agents at the receiver position.

DE: Israel Idonije was brought back on a one-year deal. He will have to earn the starting gig across from Julius Peppers. He recorded 57 tackles and 5.0 sacks a season ago. The Bears have three other ends under contract (Chauncey Davis, Corey Wootton, Thaddeus Gibson) besides Peppers and Idonije. Look for the Bears to add a pass-rushing specialist through the NFL draft either in the first or second round.

DT: The Bears are reportedly working on a long-term deal with Amobi Okoye. He added 4.0 sacks a year ago and really made the position a strength with his consistent play.

CB: Kelvin Hayden was reportedly meeting with the Bears on Wednesday, but hasn’t signed a deal with the team just yet. He could ink a deal later this week. The Bears are likely making sure he is 100 percent healthy.

S: Laron Landry’s name was thrown around as a possibility, but he would likely be an expensive option who seems to be injured as often as current Bears safety Major Wright. A veteran like Reggie Smith could be a cheaper option for the Bears. Craig Steltz is likely going to be re-signed tomorrow, if not this weekend.

Final Thoughts

Bears general manager Phil Emery has made some splashes already. The Bears could continue to make some moves over the next couple days of free agency, or they could sit back and wait till the draft. With the free-agency crop growing smaller, look for the Bears to make minimal moves moving forward.

Safety Craig Steltz, CB Corey Graham are two free agents of the Bears that could be brought back sometime soon.

Emery has definitely made a strong impression on the Bears faithful thus far. The draft isn’t too far away, and it seems like the Bears are getting closer and closer to focusing on just that.

Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Bears.

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