Wesson44 Posted March 17, 2009 Report Share Posted March 17, 2009 By Brad Biggson March 16, 2009 12:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (14) | TrackBacks (0) With John St. Clair visiting the Cleveland Browns today it forces us to pose the question, what's next? If St. Clair signs with the Browns or another team, the already changing Bears' offensive line has another major question to answer--who plays right tackle? General manager Jerry Angelo could draft a tackle in the first round with the 18th pick and plan on plugging him in there from Day 1. He tried that last season and that didn't work so well with Chris Williams, although by all accounts he will be ready to go as the starting left tackle when minicamp opens Tuesday. The Bears could venture into free agency and take a look at what is around. They could do both. What they'll find in the third week of free agency is a long list of players long in the tooth, players with injury baggage or both. Here is an incomplete list of possibilities with the player's last team listed: George Foster, Detroit. He's visited Cincinnati already. The Bears got an up-close look at how vulnerable he was twice a season. Adam Goldberg, St. Louis. Seemed to improve once he left Minnesota. Has visited Cleveland and could return to the Rams. Kwame Harris, Oakland. Offensive tackle might have a good strike ratio when it comes to first-round picks. Here's an example of a first-round miss. Orlando Pace, St. Louis. His Pro Bowls seem obscured by injuries of late, although he was on the field most of last season. He's strictly been a left tackle. Jon Runyan, Philadelphia. A beast in his prime, Runyan might not be healthy. Ephraim Salaam, Houston. Before the Bears signed Fred Miller in 2005, they made a run at Salaam. Kevin Shaffer, Cleveland. Has plenty of experience starting, particularly on the right side. Marvel Smith, Pittsburgh. Back issues are biggest question for one-time Pro Bowl performer. He drew interest in Baltimore and Oakland. Mark Tauscher, Green Bay. Knee surgery might keep him on the shelf until some time in the season. Other options that are not on the market, the open market that is: Jonas Jennings, San Francisco. It's doubtful he returns to the Niners after some injury-wrecked seasons. In fact, he's been informed he isn't in the team's plans. That would indicate Jennings will likely be released. Levi Jones, Cincinnati. The Bengals are actively working to trade Jones. If they can't deal him, they'll probably cut him. Like Pace, he's been a left tackle. Another alternative would be to use Frank Omiyale, the Bears first free-agent signing, at right tackle. He's primarily played tackle in four seasons in the league but Angelo said the Bears want to look at him first at guard. He's expected to compete immediately at left guard with Josh Beekman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mongo3451 Posted March 17, 2009 Report Share Posted March 17, 2009 At this point, I don't see anyone other than St. Clair signing for OL. I think he signs with us before thew draft. After that, I see JA spending a 1st or 2nd rounder on a TRUE right tackle. We'll have St. Clair and Omiyale to play stopgap LT if Williams goes down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ostrogoth Posted March 17, 2009 Report Share Posted March 17, 2009 The Browns' contract offer to free agent OL John St. Clair is reportedly for three years. The Chicago Tribune doesn't have financial terms, but we can probably assume that it's worth more than the $4.5 million Chicago has on the table. St. Clair is tentatively expected to choose a team by the end of the week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stinger226 Posted March 17, 2009 Report Share Posted March 17, 2009 The Browns' contract offer to free agent OL John St. Clair is reportedly for three years. The Chicago Tribune doesn't have financial terms, but we can probably assume that it's worth more than the $4.5 million Chicago has on the table. St. Clair is tentatively expected to choose a team by the end of the week. As much as we might think there brain dead at Halas Hall, Im sure they have someone in mind to go after if SC signs with Browns. Maybe Ijodije(I cant spell) can play OT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
balta1701-A Posted March 17, 2009 Report Share Posted March 17, 2009 The Browns' contract offer to free agent OL John St. Clair is reportedly for three years. The Chicago Tribune doesn't have financial terms, but we can probably assume that it's worth more than the $4.5 million Chicago has on the table. St. Clair is tentatively expected to choose a team by the end of the week. For a 33 year old, the length can't matter much can it? For him it's all got to be about guaranteed dollars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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