Bears Look Formidable Again

Team-By-Team Offseason Roundup

Chicago Bears

Players Released:
None

Free Agents Lost:
Cameron Worrell, S
Todd Johnson, S
Justin Gage, WR
Alfonso Boone, DT
Ian Scott, DT

Traded:
Thomas Jones, RB

Traded For:
Adam Archuleta, S

Free Agents Re-Signed:
Ruben Brown, G

Free Agents Added:
Anthony Adams, DT

Draft
Rd. 1 (No. 31 overall) Greg Olsen, TE, Miami
2 (62) Dan Bazuin, DE, Central Michigan
3 (93) Garrett Wolfe, RB, Northern Illinois
3 (94) Michael Okwo, LB, Stanford
4 (130) Josh Beekman, G, Boston College
5 (167) Kevin Payne, S, Louisiana-Monroe
5 (168) Corey Graham, CB, New Hampshire
7 (221) Trumaine McBride, CB, Mississippi
7 (241) Aaron Brant, T, Iowa State

Analysis:

The Chicago Bears finally gave Coach Lovie Smith a long-overdue contract extension after he took them to the Super Bowl, signing him to a four-year deal that runs through the 2011 season. That was accompanied, however, by Smith's oddly timed decision to part ways with defensive coordinator Ron Rivera, who didn't have his contract renewed and became the San Diego Chargers' linebackers coach. Smith promoted linebackers coach Bob Babich to defensive coordinator. It seems curious to oust the defensive coordinator of a defensive-oriented team that just reached the Super Bowl, but Smith deserves the benefit of the doubt after what he's accomplished in Chicago.

The Bears' player-related moves this offseason have been a mixed bag. They traded disgruntled tailback Thomas Jones to the New York Jets. That leaves Cedric Benson as the club's running centerpiece. The Bears used a third-round draft choice on Northern Illinois running back Garrett Wolfe. The interior of the Bears' defensive line took a hit in free agency with the loss of tackles Alfonso Boone and Ian Scott. Fellow defensive tackle Tank Johnson is serving a jail term for violating his probation in a gun case, and many people around the league expect him to be suspended by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for a significant portion of next season for violating the league's conduct policy. The one addition that the Bears made in free agency was a defensive tackle, signing Anthony Adams, formerly of the San Francisco 49ers.

Smith got safety Adam Archuleta, his former pupil from his days as a St. Louis Rams assistant, in a trade with the Washington Redskins. The Bears tried but failed to sign Archuleta last year as a free agent, and his one miserable season with the Redskins made him long for the reunion with Smith that he probably should have opted for a year ago. He should be a far better player for the Bears than he was for the Redskins, and his arrival offsets the departures of safeties Todd Johnson and Cameron Worrell in free agency.

The Bears still must deal with linebacker Lance Briggs, who has threatened to sit out the majority of next season because of his displeasure with being named the team's franchise player. The Bears rejected a trade that would have sent Briggs and the 31st pick in the draft to the Redskins for the sixth overall choice. Maybe getting rid of the Briggs headache and getting an impact defensive player early in the draft would have been the way to go, but Smith believes in trusting your own players more than those that you can bring in from outside the organization. The Bears kept the 31st pick and used it on Miami tight end Greg Olsen, and he perhaps can help quarterback Rex Grossman cut down on his mistakes by providing Grossman with a reliable target for lower-risk throws. The Bears probably won't be quite as overpowering as they were at times last season. But if they can get a little bit more consistency from Grossman, they will remain formidable.

By Mark Maske |  May 9, 2007; 10:44 AM ET  | Category:  Bears
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Posted by: pack4life | May 9, 2007 11:34 AM

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