With the NFL offseason grinding to a halt thanks to the courtroom football battle being waged by owners and players, fan can only wait and contemplate how their teams might be improved when/if free agency takes place. A closer look at the Chicago Bears roster yields some areas that need further improvement before the Bears and Falcons kick off the 2011 season in September.
Quarterback: The drafting of Idaho’s Nathan Enderle in the fifth round all but closes the door on the Bears shopping for a veteran quarterback. Caleb Hanie showed enough in the NFC Championship game to provide insurance should Jay Cutler go down. Matt Gutierrez may be brought in as a camp arm, but the rotation looks set with Cutler, Hanie (assuming he’s resigned), and Enderle.
Running Back: A bounce-back campaign from Matt Forte leaves the Bears confident in their backfield. However, should Forte go down, there could be some concerns. Chester Taylor disappointed after signing a big deal in free agency and may not be brought back. His yards per carry average has dropped each of the last four years, and whether his ineffectiveness was a result of the Bears poor o-line or Taylor’s declining productivity is debatable. Regardless, an upgrade is needed. Kahlil Bell remained inactive for the entire 2010 season, so his shelf life may be limited. Garrett Wolfe is a free agent and has never found a niche other than special teams. Keep an eye out for Harvey Unga, the seventh round supplemental pick in 2010 from BYU. Fully healthy, he’s a gifted runner and receiver who could contribute. A undrafted free agent or veteran free agent could be added for insurance.
Wide Receiver: The Bears braintrust pledges their support of this group, but behind closed doors, they have to know better. The Bears lack a big, physical receiver who can make plays at crucial times and give Jay Cutler an inviting target. Short of that, this unit could be complemented with veteran slot receiver who can move the sticks and work the seams. An interesting name to consider is New Orleans’ Lance Moore, who will be an unrestricted free agent when the labor mess ends. Moore is small, but is a fearless route runner with good hands and productive. If the Bears look for a long receiver, the likes of Green Bay’s James Jones or Jacksonville’s Mike Sims-Walker could interest them, along with the wild card of soon-to-be free Plaxico Burress.
Offensive Line: Despite the drafting of Carimi, the Bears need more help, ideally at guard or center. Olin Kreutz will probably be resigned for one more year, but his replacement must soon be found. Edwin Williams has limited experience, but the jury is out on whether he can fill a permanent role. Chris Williams and Roberto Garza carry their own question marks. Williams is a tackle playing guard with mixed reviews. Garza is close to running out of gas and probably needs to be replaced. Projects Lance Louis and Herman Johnson could be on the bubble. Chicago appears to be satisfied with a mix of Carimi, J’Marcus Webb, and Frank Omiyale at tackle.
Tight End: Bears have quality and depth with Greg Olsen, Brandon Manumaleuna, and Kellen Davis.
Defensive Line: An edge rusher would be nice to add to the mix. Israel Idonijie had a solid year opposite Julius Peppers, but doesn’t offer big-time rush skills. Rookie Stephen Paea should see considerable action and move into the starting lineup, possibly by the opener. Anthony Adams has always been underrated, but may move on in free agency. Matt Toeaina is a try hard guy who gets by more on effort than talent. Henry Melton has shown versatility, and has some quickness to disrupt. His size, however, prevents him from being any more than a rotation player. Second-year man Corey Wootton showed late flashes. He could emerge.
Linebacker: Bears possess top-notch unit, though age/injury could change that quickly. In particular, the weak side spot is somewhat in question. Will the Bears count on Pisa Tinoisamoa one more year? Doubtful. Nick Roach has had moments but struggles with staying healthy and on the field. How much longer can Urlacher and Briggs carry the load and remain at the top of their games? Depth is a serious issue here. Look for the Bears to address this position in free agency and attempt to get younger.
Secondary: The corner spot opposite Charles Tillman remains a question mark. Veteran Tim Jennings stepped up and did a credible job, but he was exposed by the Packers in the NFC title game. Jennings is more of a nickel back. Zach Bowman played his way out of the starting lineup after early season difficulties. He appeared to lose confidence and might be written off by the coaching staff. Raiders free agent Nnamdi Asomugha would be a welcome gift, but his arrival seems unlikely, though stranger things have happened. Safety is adequate, though Bears counting on major contributions from second-year man Major Wright and rookie third rounder Chris Conte.
Specialists: Punter is a concern. Brad Maynard appears to be a former Bear, and Richmond McGee, who’s back for another training camp go-round with hopes of sticking, may not be the long-term, or short-term, answer. Look for the Bears to bring in added competition. Robbie Gould is solid, though he slipped late in the season. Bears may bring in a camp kicker just to keep him motivated.
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