Taking a Look at the Bears’ Needs: Offense
Published by Bryan Dietzler on February 12, 2010
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
The Bears have seen some significant changes in their offensive coaching staff this offseason, and there are sure to be some changes in personnel as we continue to move towards the start of free agency and the 2010 NFL Draft.
We know that there are several needs that the Bears have on both sides of the ball, but there are going to be some things that limit their ability to come up with some quality players for their needed positions.
One of these limitations is the lack of top draft picks (the Bears don’t pick until the third round in the draft), while the other will be a lack of good free agent players.
Thanks to the new rules for free agents imposed by the Collective Bargaining Agreement, only those players who have six or more accumulated seasons in the NFL can become free agents, so it will be slim picking for the Bears in free agency.
The Bears have several different needs on offense going deeper into the offseason, and some of these may not be filled by some of the top talent because of the problems discussed above.
Here is a quick look at the Bears top needs on offense going towards the scouting combine.
Wide Receiver —It may seem like a broken record, but we all know just how much the Bears need a true No. 1 wide receiver with speed to be on the field at all times and give quarterback Jay Cutler someone to throw the ball to.
The problem is, with the draft picks that they currently have, along with the value of the receivers in free agency, that might not be possible this year unless they can swing a trade using some of next year’s draft picks.
Offensive Guard —With current starter Roberto Garza being somewhat underwhelming, the Bears could really use some depth here, and also someone with starting potential to help solidify the position.
With the kind of offense the Bears could be running (which might require a lot of pass protection), Chicago will need a guard that is great at protecting the quarterback on passing downs.
Running Back —With Matt Forte having an off-year, Kevin Jones coming back from a serious injury (for the second time in his career), Khalil Bell still unproven, and the Bears and Garrett Wolfe not really a fit in the system, Chicago may want to take a look at a running back this offseason—not to start, but to add some depth.
Quarterback —Some veteran depth here would be great especially if Cutler gets injured. If he did, the only backups that they would have would be Caleb Hanie and Brett Basanez. Kind of scary to think about.
Tight End —Sure, Greg Olsen and Desmond Clark are there, and Kellen Davis was a decent pass receiver a few times last season. However, Davis isn’t a willing blocker, and neither is Olsen, so the Bears may want to bring in a tight end that can block effectively. Look for them to grab someone in the draft to help things out there.
Chicago had a lot of problems on offense last year, and fingers can be pointed to almost every position on offense. Now they have a new offensive coordinator, and things should end up being much different in Chicago from here on out.
With the current group of players that the Bears have on offense things will still remain difficult (in terms of execution and the ability to carry out the kind of offense that Mike Martz likes to run), so the Bears will have to find some new players, or end up living with what they have—which could hurt them next season.
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