Well the Bears season hasn't been all too joyful. A still inconsistent Rex Grossman, a non existant running game, injuries, and dropped catches. So say the season ends right here, what would the Bears offseason look like?
QB: Griese isn't the long term answer. First player who comes into a Bears fan mind, Donovan McNabb. If the Eagles miss the playoffs, they may be consider giving the job to rookie Kolb and trade McNabb to his hometown. Other option would be to go into the draft and take a quarterback. First rounders that come into mind: Matt Ryan, Colt Brennan, Brian Brohm, Andre Woodson. A long shot is going to be free agent Tony Romo who went to college in Illinois.
RB/FB: Benson has better prove something now or Chicago will be looking for a new "franchise" running back. This should be either addressed in trade or free agency. Top options would be Michael Turner or Thomas Jones' brother, Julius Jones. As for fullback, it is not needed as Ron Turner plans on playing alot of 2 TE formations.
WR: With Berrian signing with Rosenhaus, the agent of Lance Briggs, it isn't a sure thing he will resign with Chicago. Other than Berrian, the rest of the receiving group is mediocre. The free agency class is weak, so drafting or developping one of their young receivers is most likely the best option. More time for Mark Bradley, who had a solid rookie season before a season ending injury, could be one of the young guys that will turn into a reliable receiver. Bradley caught 18 passes for 230 yards in 7 games his rookie season and 14 catches for 282 yards and 3 touchdowns the following season, year 2006.
TE: There is no need here as their 2 TE's Desmond Clark and rookie Greg Olsen is one of the top tight end combos in the NFL.
OL: The offensive line is aging and needs some upgrades. The best option would be to go into the draft and take some with the early picks. They could also go into free agency, but they would need in at the right price.
Slot Receiver: Rashied Davis Fullback: Jason Mckie
DE: Nothing should be done as the 3rd string defensive end would be a starter on pretty much every NFL team.
DT: Resign Tommie Harris is about all what can be done. With Dusty Dvoracek and Darwin Walker missing a couple games to injury, you can't expect too much from a 4th stringer.
MLB: Brian Urlacher. It can't improve.
ILB: Hunter Hillenmeyer isn't doing anything outstanding, but he isn't doing anything wrong. Solid option.
WLB: Will Lance Briggs be back or not? Would he truly consider coming back? If he won't, is Jamar Williams the answer? If not, Jonathan Vilma comes into my mind. He has said he wanted out of New York, as the 3-4 scheme is not his thing, and performance wise, he hasn't played well. In the 4-3 scheme, Vilma was a pro bowler and a defensive rookie. Worth the risk? I think so, even though MLB is his natural position.
CB: TIllman and Vasher have been locked up long term, and with Ricky Manning Jr. in the nickel, nothing needs to be done.
FS: Mike Brown is a beast, but he can't avoid injuries. What do the Bears do? I would keep him as the starter, but draft or sign a quality backup in case he goes out yet again. Gibril Wilson?
SS: Archuleta has been nothing as advertised, which leaves a hole in the Bears defense. I would keep him, and if he doesn't perform well enough next season, move Mike Brown to SS and Daniel Manning to FS, and if Brown gets hurt again, Gibril Wilson as SS.
How would I want the defense to look?
Dvoracek
OgunleyeHarrisAnderson
Hillenmeyer Urlacher Briggs(if not Vilma or Jamar Williams)
Tillman
Vasher
Brown
Archuleta
(apology the way i wanted the blog to look didn't turn out as expected. I wanted it to look like an offensive and defensive formation. You will now be able to tell the positions with color coding)
I'm still trying to break down the subject line of this blog.
That Avatar...your Halloween mask? Scary.
The Bears have been decimated yearly, on the Defensive side.
There's no way to plan for it. Get ready to replace Mike Brown.
Start looking in the weeds for a long term QB.
