Wesson44 Posted February 2, 2009 Report Share Posted February 2, 2009 Plenty of attractive pieces on market for Chicago Bears Bears will find good options if they're willing to invest cash By David Haugh | Tribune reporter February 1, 2009 TAMPA - Monday officially begins the off-season. Even if free agency doesn't begin for another 25 days, Bears fans will bandy about many names over the next month that may or may not make sense for a team buoyed by watching a fellow 9-7 team play in the Super Bowl. Quarterbacks Chris Simms. Veteran leaving the Titans makes sense as Jerry Angelo seeks competition for Kyle Orton. If the choice ends up being Simms, whom the Bears have liked since the 2003 draft, it's a competition Orton likely will win — as many in the organization would prefer. Byron Leftwich. Steelers backup dazzled media during Super Bowl week and charisma definitely would change the chemistry in the Bears' locker room. If healthy, Leftwich might possess the most ability of any free-agent quarterback on the market — and he will arrive at his next team intent on proving he still can play. David Carr. Eli Manning's backup made a nice showing in Week 17 appearance against Vikings, but his next shot to start figures to come because of someone else's injury more than his own ability. Kurt Warner. A Bears fan can dream, and Warner's agent, Mark Bartelstein, can promise to listen to teams in the open market, as any good agent would. But there's a better chance of snow in Phoenix next month than for the Cardinals to let Warner sign with another team. If Warner isn't a Cardinal next season, it likely will be because he retires rather than starting another phase of his career with a fourth team. Donovan McNabb. Sorry, Chicago, McNabb announced Saturday he wants to retire as an Eagle. And the team is likely to bring him closer to that wish with a new contract. Wide receivers T.J. Houshmandzadeh. He will be a hotly pursued free agent and is already rumored to be targeted by the Seahawks. The Bears will have to decide how involved they want to be in the inevitable bidding war for the best available free-agent receiver, who will be happy to get out of Cincinnati. Nate Washington. Steelers' surprising success story could be more affordable, but any team needs to avoid paying No. 2 money for a guy more likely to fit as a No. 3. Mike Furrey. Lions reject knows Lovie Smith from Rams in '03 and Rod Marinelli from Detroit experience and would be a welcome addition to a wide receiver group that could use some toughness and reliable hands. Anquan Boldin. Like Warner, he is a guy the Cardinals will be committed to keep, but he could demand a trade. They would be foolish to let him go. Offensive tackles John St. Clair. The Bears will try hard to re-sign St. Clair, who might be tempted to test the market. If Bears are successful in keeping the veteran who solidified the left side of the line, don't be surprised if he is penciled in as the starting right tackle ahead of John Tait heading into training camp. Max Starks. The Steelers' left tackle has started in two Super Bowls and is only 27. So if he is available, teams in need of line stability such as the Bears need to at least explore the possibility. Defensive line Albert Haynesworth. Titan-ic force in the middle has scoffed at idea of a "hometown discount" and is rumored to want a six-year deal that will make him the highest-paid defensive player. The Bears might consider other needs more pressing, but what if Green Bay gets in the bidding? Julius Peppers. Sack specialist has made noise about wanting to play in a 3-4 scheme — posturing by his agent to bring more teams into the bidding — but Carolina could use the franchise tag. It changed defensive coordinators, which might make a difference to Peppers. If not, the Bears have an obligation to get involved no matter the cost. Consider the investment part of a pass-rush stimulus package. Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha. The Raiders figure to slap the franchise tag on Asomugha, but if Al Davis finds a way to screw it up, the Bears would be wise to make a run at one of the game's most underrated shut-down cornerbacks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nfoligno Posted February 2, 2009 Report Share Posted February 2, 2009 Saw the article, and really had to question any article titled, "Plenty of attractive pieces", and then leads w/ Chris Simms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrunkBomber Posted February 2, 2009 Report Share Posted February 2, 2009 Garcia not listed in QB mix? Hes the best available QB IMO. I doubt he would want to play here because we dont run a WCO but Im surprised to see his name wasnt mentioned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearSox Posted February 2, 2009 Report Share Posted February 2, 2009 I wouldn't mind Mike Furrey in a slot receiver role. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrizzlyBear Posted February 2, 2009 Report Share Posted February 2, 2009 Plenty of attractive pieces on market for Chicago Bears Bears will find good options if they're willing to invest cash By David Haugh | Tribune reporter February 1, 2009 TAMPA - Monday officially begins the off-season. Even if free agency doesn't begin for another 25 days, Bears fans will bandy about many names over the next month that may or may not make sense for a team buoyed by watching a fellow 9-7 team play in the Super Bowl. Quarterbacks Chris Simms. Veteran leaving the Titans makes sense as Jerry Angelo seeks competition for Kyle Orton. If the choice ends up being Simms, whom the Bears have liked since the 2003 draft, it's a competition Orton likely will win — as many in the organization would prefer. Byron Leftwich. Steelers backup dazzled media during Super Bowl week and charisma definitely would change the chemistry in the Bears' locker room. If healthy, Leftwich might possess the most ability of any free-agent quarterback on the market — and he will arrive at his next team intent on proving he still can play. David Carr. Eli Manning's backup made a nice showing in Week 17 appearance against Vikings, but his next shot to start figures to come because of someone else's injury more than his own ability. Kurt Warner. A Bears fan can dream, and Warner's agent, Mark Bartelstein, can promise to listen to teams in the open market, as any good agent would. But there's a better chance of snow in Phoenix next month than for the Cardinals to let Warner sign with another team. If Warner isn't a Cardinal next season, it likely will be because he retires rather than starting another phase of his career with a fourth team. Donovan McNabb. Sorry, Chicago, McNabb announced Saturday he wants to retire as an Eagle. And the team is likely to bring him closer to that wish with a new contract. If McNabb is not goin gto come none of the above Wide receivers T.J. Houshmandzadeh. He will be a hotly pursued free agent and is already rumored to be targeted by the Seahawks. The Bears will have to decide how involved they want to be in the inevitable bidding war for the best available free-agent receiver, who will be happy to get out of Cincinnati. Nate Washington. Steelers' surprising success story could be more affordable, but any team needs to avoid paying No. 2 money for a guy more likely to fit as a No. 3. Mike Furrey. Lions reject knows Lovie Smith from Rams in '03 and Rod Marinelli from Detroit experience and would be a welcome addition to a wide receiver group that could use some toughness and reliable hands. Anquan Boldin. Like Warner, he is a guy the Cardinals will be committed to keep, but he could demand a trade. They would be foolish to let him go. Houshmandzadeh or Bolden nuff said Offensive tackles John St. Clair. The Bears will try hard to re-sign St. Clair, who might be tempted to test the market. If Bears are successful in keeping the veteran who solidified the left side of the line, don't be surprised if he is penciled in as the starting right tackle ahead of John Tait heading into training camp. Max Starks. The Steelers' left tackle has started in two Super Bowls and is only 27. So if he is available, teams in need of line stability such as the Bears need to at least explore the possibility. Both would be great. Defensive line Albert Haynesworth. Titan-ic force in the middle has scoffed at idea of a "hometown discount" and is rumored to want a six-year deal that will make him the highest-paid defensive player. The Bears might consider other needs more pressing, but what if Green Bay gets in the bidding? Julius Peppers. Sack specialist has made noise about wanting to play in a 3-4 scheme — posturing by his agent to bring more teams into the bidding — but Carolina could use the franchise tag. It changed defensive coordinators, which might make a difference to Peppers. If not, the Bears have an obligation to get involved no matter the cost. Consider the investment part of a pass-rush stimulus package. Peppers to Pricey Haynesworth I feel Lovie would look at because of his Production but may not fit in Lovie's prtotype tackle or Nose Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha. The Raiders figure to slap the franchise tag on Asomugha, but if Al Davis finds a way to screw it up, the Bears would be wise to make a run at one of the game's most underrated shut-down cornerbacks. Would love this pick up. for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pixote Posted February 2, 2009 Report Share Posted February 2, 2009 I wouldn't mind Mike Furrey in a slot receiver role. I agree. He should be at a reasonable price tag. He has ties with LS & RM, and he is an excellent 3rd down WR (what we thought R Davis was suppose to be). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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