Bears Blitz

Published by Bob Warja on March 17, 2012
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears have had a very interesting offseason thus far. They traded for a true No. 1 wideout in Brandon Marshall, re-signed some of their own free agents and signed some lesser free agents from other teams.

They got themselves an honest-to-goodness, actual backup quarterback in former Raider Jason Campbell. So one would be inclined to say that GM Phil Emery has had a very successful start to his regime in Chicago.

Yet despite those wins, the Bears find themselves lacking in certain areas. Let’s examine those positions and explore some possible solutions.

Pass Rush

The pass rush in 2011 was inconsistent. Isreal Idonije, who was re-signed to a one-year deal, was disappointing compared with 2010. He finished strong but was missing in action for stretches.

The Bears were said to be interested in Cliff Avril until he was tagged by the Lions. Then there were rumors that they were going after Mario Williams, but Super Mario signed a huge contract with the Bills while the Bears stood on the sidelines and watched.

They thought they had Jeremy Mincey signed, but he chose the Jaguars instead. They hinted at possible interest in Dwight Freeney also, but now the Colts say he’s off the market. Meanwhile, the Falcons have re-signed DE John Abraham.

But just when we figured the draft was all that was left, suddenly there is another option out there. The Oakland Raiders have released Kamerion Wimbley, who was a cap casualty.

Wimbley would play defensive end opposite Julius Peppers in the Bears’ 4-3 defense. But are they interested?

My guess is that while they would like to have him, Wimbley is probably too expensive for the Bears’ taste. It is difficult for us to determine exactly how much cap space the Bears have, but the $11 million he wants would seem to be a bit too much at this point.

Marshall and Matt Forte represent $16.7 million in salary for 2012. Add in other free agents and the draft and the $20-plus million the Bears had when the offseason started has dwindled considerably. 

I’m sure they will kick the tires on Wimbley, but in the “end” (pun intended), I think they look to draft a DE in the first or second round.

As many of you know, I am high on South Carolina‘s Melvin Ingram (I am also high on drugs but that’s another story), but a great combine means he will likely be taken before the Bears’ first pick. Quentin Coples (North Carolina) will likely be gone as well, though I see him better suited in a 3-4 defense.

Alabama’s Courtney Upshaw had a bad combine and saw his stock drop, so he is an option. Another player who should be on the board is Illinois DE Whitney Mercilus, who led the nation in sacks and forced fumbles last season.

Marshall’s DE Vinny Curry would be an option in the second round if he slips to No. 50.

Wide Receiver

I truly hope the Bears don’t think they are done upgrading at the wideout position. Unless they want opposing defenses to key on Marshall while our third- and fourth-type of receivers fail to take advantage, the Bears had better add some help.

This help must come from the draft. But following an outstanding combine, it appears that Michael Floyd will not make it to No. 19. If he does, the Bears should grab him.

But if he is not available, the question is: should they stretch for Georgia Tech’s Stephen Hill? He has a nice combination of speed and size, but I would probably wait until the second round and instead take the best player available with No. 19.

In the second round, the Bears don’t have a pick until No. 50, so the pickings will be slim. But Rueben Randle, Mohamed Sanu, Tommie Streeter, Alshon Jeffery, Marvin McNutt and Juron Criner could all be there. Randle, Streeter (who is tall and fast, but raw) and McNutt could even slip to the third round.

All are at least 6’2″ so they add good size. The Bears need to take the best one.

Offensive Line

This is another position that will be upgraded through the draft, and possibly even in the first round. Though Lovie Smith says he’s high on J’Marcus Webb (he is also high on drugs, but that’s another story), I am not.

Webb was one of the worst left tackles in the NFL in 2011, and the team needs an upgrade badly. Stanford’s Jonathan Martin is a possibility at No. 19.

I also like Wisconsin guard Kevin Zeitler in the second round, and he also worked out at center during the combine.

But I think the lack of interest in free agents Demetrius Bell and Jared Gaither likely mean the Bears will try Webb again, and that is unfortunate to say the least.

Cornerback

With Charles Tillman on one side, it currently appears that the re-signed Tim Jennings will start on the other side unless the Bears find someone in the draft.

They haven’t been active in free agency at the corner position, so it seems like it’s a lock that they draft a corner at some point. Brandon Carr, Cortland Finnegan and Carlos Rogers didn’t attract interest from Chicago.

Corner is a very real possibility at No. 19, especially if Martin, Ingram and Floyd are gone. North Alabama’s Janoris Jenkins might be too much of a risk due to his off-field arrests, but Alabama’s Dre Kirkpatrick could be there and would add size and talent at 6’2″.

However, Kirkpatrick has his own baggage, having been arrested in January for pot possession, though the charges were dropped. 

Alfonzo Dennard (Nebraska) and Trumaine Johnson (Montana) would be solid choices in the second or third round.

Linebacker

With Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs getting long in the tooth, it’s time to start thinking about drafting a middle linebacker to eventually replace Urlacher. However, with all of the needs they have and the Bears needing to win now, they may instead focus on depth in this draft.

I have little doubt that they will draft a linebacker, if for nothing else to take the best player available in the later rounds and to look for some help in special teams.

But even with age creeping up on Chicago, I’d say this is the least of the Bears’ needs at this time. But it’s why being a GM is hard work—you have to balance the present and the future.

In the draft, Boston College’s Luke Kuechly will be taken in the first round, so the Bears would have to spend their No. 19 pick on him.

That would be a tough choice to make if he is still on the board. He is an excellent open-field tackler with great instincts. Meanwhile, he posted some staggering athletic numbers at the combine, so he may be gone before the Bears’ pick.

With teams switching to a 3-4 defense, inside linebackers have been undervalued in recent years, but the Bears are one of the teams that still run a 4-3, so it would be a tough choice to pass him up if he’s available.

I like him—a lot.

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