Choosing right pieces still a puzzle
January 16
Chicago Tribune columnist David Haugh
"For 17 minutes Tuesday — and with surprising candor — Bears coach Lovie Smith answered questions. Yet so many of yours remain …
Do you think the Bears will go defensive end, free safety, or outside linebacker with the 18th overall pick in the first round of this year's draft? -- Von M., Indianapolis
That all depends on free agency. Consider the Bears' free-agent priorities, according to my list: impact defensive lineman, wide receiver, safety and quarterback. With as much as $25 million in salary-cap space, the Bears can be active in a competitive marketplace in which some teams have as much as $35 million to spend. If the Bears address those needs before the draft, it makes sense for them to use their first-round pick on one of the talented wide receivers likely to fit in the spot they select.
Florida's Percy Harvin declared for the NFL draft Thursday and is likely to be on the board for them, whereas Michael Crabtree and Jeremy Maclin should be top 10 picks. Choosing an outside linebacker also would be a popular choice, especially if it's Ohio State's James Laurinaitis. USC quarterback Mark Sanchez also declared for the draft Thursday, and he could be tempting. But in order of importance, the draft to-do list from here looks like wide receiver, defensive end, linebacker, offensive line, running back and quarterback.
The National Football Post reported the Cowboys might cut Terrell Owens. The Giants could try to trade Plaxico Burress. Shouldn't the Bears go after either one of those guys if they want a big-play wide receiver? -- Shawn, Calumet City
The initial reaction would be absolutely not, but the Bears have surprised us with boldness this off-season: first when general manager Jerry Angelo identified quarterback as a priority in fixing the offense and then when Smith added defensive play-caller to his title.
Owens has ruined every team he has played on and ripped apart every locker room, so the short-term gain might not be worth any long-term pain—especially if the quarterback struggles getting him the ball. Also, Owens' age and relative decline cannot be ignored. Burress is younger but no less disruptive to team chemistry.
Going after either guy would signal desperation the Bears don't need to show. See if the Cardinals will dangle Anquan Boldin, monitor the price for free-agent T.J. Houshmandzadeh and wait to see if any other proven veterans get cut or end up on the trading block for salary-cap purposes.
The NFC championship game will feature the nine-victory Eagles and Cardinals. The Bears won nine games and beat the Eagles. Yet the only Bear to receive a vote in the All-Pro voting was punter Brad Maynard. The only other teams in the league not to have a single player were the Jaguars (5-11), Bengals (4-11), Rams (2-14) and Chiefs (2-14). … So How good are the Bears? -- Tom E.
The Bears are good enough to go deep in the playoffs next year by adding a couple of the right players. Yet they are still fragile enough to find themselves 6-10 if they kid themselves into thinking a nine-victory season suggests something it doesn't. Early indications are the franchise understands the win-now urgency it faces."
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