Too Little Too Late

Sunday's debacle at the Metrodome pretty much sums up the Bears' season right? I mean we hang in there through the first few minutes usually answering an opponent's open drive score with one of our own, and then the game gets out of hand. Was anyone at all surprised by the outcome? I told everyone who asked me about the game that the Bears were going to not only cover the 10.5 point spread, but win outright. I don't think anyone actually took me seriously though. But did I really mean it? I kept asking myself that. I came to the obvious conclusion that while I will stand behind this team through thick and thin, the reality is, they're a really bad football team who had zero chance on Sunday. While I rooted for them the whole game, I knew a loss was inevitable.

I could care less who we lose to at this point and that includes our upcoming game versus a worse team, the St. Louis Rams. The thing that I believe upsets most Bears fans is simply the poor excuses. I along with many others are tired of hearing Lovie have no answers for why this team can't win and the worst part is, he still says we can make the playoffs. I always joked that Lovie looked high on the sidelines, now I'm starting to think I'm right. Man up Lovie. Admit that this season has gotten out of control and that it is time to look forward to next year.

However, the future looks pretty gloom. After giving up our first round pick in this upcoming draft as part of the Jay Cutler deal, we also got rid of our second round pick to get Gaines Adams, a move I still can't figure out. That part may not be on Lovie. It also might not be on Lovie that we've been begging the Bears to sign a linebacker to help give some depth at that position, and they pushed it off until its too late. While Cato June will add depth to the linebacking unit, its too little too late. I also think we've lost our only potential Pro Bowl representative in Lance Briggs for a few games, another possible reason why we brought in June.

So here we sit with so many questions and no answers. I did a little research. While the draft is extremely far away, free agency is closer. While the Bears may be too cheap to get a new head coach, they're going to need to shell out cash in the offseason. We'll go by position. I'll list some but not all of the free agents available. We don't need a quaterback or running back... fullback is ok.. but what about wide receiver? This is something I'm not so sure about. While nobody gave our receiving corps a chance this season, their production (except for the first game) has been pretty impressive. Earl Bennett has impressed me most. He has made some really nice catches on balls that have been thrown way behind him and has really looked good. But I'll entertain the idea. Brandon Marshall is a free agent. Put him back with Cutler and that could be scary. Other free agents include: Vincent Jackson, Braylon Edwards, Terrell Owens, Antonio Bryant, Miles Austin and Steve Breston . All of these guys are probably going to be resigned or franchised tagged but, you never know. Offensive line is where all our problems lie but the market doesn't look like there is too much to offer.

Defensively, how many more guys do we really need up front? Adewale Ogunleye and Mark Anderson are free agents, should we resign either of them? I would say definitely to Ogunleye but not so sure about Anderson. Here's one, Aaron Kampman. He was stellar in a 4-3 and Green Bay has now switched to a 3-4 which he doesn't like, maybe replace Ogunleye with him. Other free agents include: Julius Peppers, Elvis Dumervil (Denver), Kyle Vanden Bosch (Titans) and Chike Okeafor (Arizona). Defensive tackles such as: Richard Seymour (Raiders), Casey Hampton (Steelers) and Vince Wilfork (Patriots). While the linebackers should be full, Pisa Tinoisamoa's contract expires at the end of this season. There is a lot of big names that are going to be out there but not many that will fit our system. Finally, defensive backs. While we have 6 cornerbacks now, Daniel Manning and Josh Bullocks' contract expire. We could get Fabian Washington from Baltimore or even Dunta Robinson from Houston or how about Carlos Rogers from Washington. Free agent safeties include: Nick Collins, Antoine Bethea and Darren Sharper. How about special teams? While Robbie still has some time left Brad Maynard's contract is up. While he clearly has lost as little bit, but the crop is pretty thin and I don't see the Bears wasting money on a punter.

While almost all these free agents will be resigned, the Bears still need to up their bid. I'm probably writing this way too early but I don't think I'm the only one. Maybe we'll beat St. Louis and help make it harder on the Packers the next week, who knows? But Jerry Angelo better start remembering the combination to the safe up at Halas Hall. Here is a link for anyone who wants to see where I got my information from and who I didn't mention. http://www.footballsfuture.com/freeagents.html