Free agent signings and what they mean

Four days into the NFL free agency and Bears fans are still on a high from what took place on day one. Landing three free agents is something that Bears fans aren't used to, let alone signing all three on the same day. After giving Julius Peppers the largest free agent contract in franchise history, the expectations cannot be any higher for this season. In my last blog I spoke about the Bears going after a veteran running back, such as, Brian Westbrook. In fact, in my last blog, I didn't even mention Chester Taylor once. The reason is very simple. Chester Taylor said he was looking to be a feature back once again and it sounded like the kind of money he wanted would be a starting running back's salary. Maurice Jones-Drew's contract that he signed last April is for 5 years $30.95 million. Now I'm not saying that Taylor was going to get that, but I certainly expected him to get more than the 4 years $12.5 million he signed with the Bears. What about Brandon Manumaleuna? Exact price has not yet been disclosed, but we know for sure it is a 5 year deal. This is the most controversial move the Bears have made since letting go of Ron Rivera. Let's go deeper:
Julius Peppers: Everyone knows what kind of player the Bears got in Peppers. He is a guy who will get to the quarterback and cause all kind of problems for an offensive line. He is also very good in dropping back in coverage, which is why he considered moving to a 3-4 defense. With the kind of money he has coming his way, Bears fans are expecting at least 10 sacks this seasons and a pro-bowl selection.
Chester Taylor: Like I said earlier, I cannot believe he took the contract we gave him. In 2006, Taylor signed a 4 year $14.1 million contract with Minnesota, so if you think about it, his age cost him just 1.6 million. So you may ask, didn't he want to be a starting running back? We already have Matt Forte? This is the question that has been going through my mind since the signing. My attempt at an answer is this. Maybe the Bears are actually going to use a two back system. Maybe we'll see Matt Forte on the first series of the game and then Chester Taylor on the second. Perhaps Jerry Angelo is upset with Forte due to his poor production last season and the Bears will hold an open competition in training camp for one of the backs to grab the top spot. $12.5 million sounds like a lot for a back-up doesn't it?
Brandon Manumaleuna was the first signing of free agency and the one I disagree with the most. While he is known for his exceptional blocking abilities, he does almost zero as a receiving threat. Last season he recorded a whopping 5 catches for 13 yards, a 2.6 yards per reception average. When Matt Forte rushed just 5 times against Arizona his yards per carry was 6.6. That's 4 yards a play more! So let's put statistics aside for a second and think about what Manumaleuna brings to the table. He is basically like a 6th offensive lineman who can help double players like Jared Allen and newly acquired Detroit Lion, Kyle Vanden-Bosch. But what does this mean for tight ends who are already on the team? From the people I spoke to, trading Greg Olsen sounds like a terrible idea. Desmond Clark is an 11 year veteran and 7 year Bear. Is he out the door? I'm not sure how much value we'll get for him. In fact, Lovie Smith always talks about how great of a blocking tight end Desmond Clark is. Kellen Davis had a decent year hauling in 9 balls for 75 yards and 5 touchdowns, but he's no Greg Olsen. He's young and definitely has some talent but he's not a threat.
Remember at the beginning of last season when the Bears signed Michael Gaines and nobody fully understood why? Doesn't this kind of feel like the same thing? They said he would be a good fit for Cutler and the offense and then they released him after he was active for just one game. Well he had 5 grabs for 59 yards and a touchdown this season for the Browns, that's better than Manumaleuna. But I'm getting away from the fact that Manumaleuna actually is a terrific blocker. He may add that "sixth offensive lineman" but is he worth the price. If the Bears are looking to trade one of the tight ends on our team, I would have to vote for Desmond Clark. Olsen just has too much of an upside to let go of, and if we fail to make the playoffs again this year, Mike Martz, Lovie Smith and Jerry Angelo are probably all fired and Greg Olsen will be one bright spot in our rebuilding process.
With Antrel Rolle signing with the Giants and Ryan Clark re-signing with the Steelers, two very decent safeties are no longer available. So who else is out there? Darren Sharper is, but he's way up there in age (he'll be 35 in November). But looking over the list, there really aren't a lot of starting free safeties available. The one name that stands out to me is Antoine Bethea from Indianapolis but he's a restricted free agent and the Bears would have to give up their non-existent second round pick for him. Oshiomogho Atogwe from St. Louis is also available but he'll cost a fourth round pick. I guess the Bears are just going to stick with Danieal Manning and Josh Bullocks- assuming no one grabs them off the restricted free agent list.

Trade Rumors and Free Agency

There has been a lot of speculation lately that the Chicago Bears are looking to trade former first round pick Greg Olsen. Why they would even consider this as an option is mind blowing. As we have seen from several other teams, a big receiving tight end can be a huge threat offensively and can cause all sorts of problems for opposing defenses. Just look at guys like Tony Gonzalez, Antonio Gates, Vernon Davis even. Now please don't misunderstand me, I am not saying that Greg Olsen is the next Tony Gonzalez but why can't he be? In fact they're both listed as 6 ft. 5 in. and Olsen is just 1 pound heavier than Gonzalez so they're build is basically the same. But I digress. With Mike Martz now running the offense it doesn't sound like Olsen will have such a big role right? Well, I disagree. Jay Cutler is known to love his ends as he has shown in Denver with Tony Scheffler (who by the way is also 6-5 250) and now with Greg Olsen. Olsen's numbers have been increasing every year since he joined the league and there is no reason why that should change. The Bears have previously used Olsen as a receiver in the slot and Mike Martz can easily find ways to use his talents. So maybe Olsen sees a little less of the field than he's used to because of his inability to block thus making his numbers slide a little. If you use that argument I'll buy it. But to trade away a guy with as much receiving talent as Olsen, is a move that could haunt this team for a while.
I do agree the Bears need an earlier pick than the one they currently have (3rd round 11th pick or the 75th pick overall) but why not move a guy like Devin Hester? I know I've talked about this before but it make more sense to me to trade Hester than Olsen. With the emergence of Devin Aromashodu at the end of last season plus the remarkably acrobatic catches that Earl Bennett made several times this year and the speed and talent of Johnny Knox, Hester, the converted cornerback doesn't sound like he's going to be needed that much.I would be shocked if the Bears couldn't work out a deal to get a least a second round pick out of him if not for his receiving talents, then his returning abilities.
Let's talk free agency. While Julius Peppers is a huge name and a high priority for the Bears, I'm not sure its the best move for the team. Don't get me wrong, if they do sign Peppers it would be the best free agent signing of this team since Jerry Angelo took over as GM. However, for the amount of money Peppers will demand, would it be a good idea to try to go after two lesser named free agents instead? Perhaps Aaron Kampman from Green Bay, assuming that he has fully recovered from his ACL tear and with the left over money maybe try to go after recently released safety Antrel Rolle from Arizona. We know that the Bears need to address defensive end, safety and offensive line, so this may be a good route to take.
Speaking of big name free agents on the market, how about Brian Westbrook? Now I know future hall-of-fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson is out there, but LT is going to want a starting running back's salary and with the way he played last season, I don't see him getting it. Both running backs are the same age and height, but LT is 18 pounds heavier than Westbrook and has been in the league for a full year more. I think it would be easier to convince Westbrook to accept a back-up role than LT. Both backs have excellent hands and will fit in perfectly in Mike Martz's system but if Westbrook is cleared of all his concussions issues, I can see him being more of a threat than the great LT.
You may call me crazy for even suggesting to bring in a running back, but lets be honest, Forte needs a back-up to help him carry the load -especially if he struggles again- this season. Think about who is lined up behind him: Kevin Jones? Can't stay healthy, Garrette Wolfe? Really? Adrian Peterson? He should only play special teams. Kahlil Bell? I haven't seen enough of Kahlil Bell to say anything, and 40 rushes for 220 yards is a 5.5 yards per carry average, but would you rather Brian Westbrook of Kahlil Bell?
Let's talk something else. Let's talk Blackhawks hockey. After watching several Blackhawks players compete in the Olympics, one thing became very clear to me. Goaltending can make or break your entire season. Now I've heard rumors that the Hawks have finally realized that they need a seasoned veteran and are looking in to players such as Florida's Tomas Vokoun and Montreal's Jaroslav Halak. All I have to say is, PLEASE! Christobal Huet has proven time and time again that he is not worthy or able of taking us deep into the playoffs and Antti Niemi just isn't ready. Vokoun would be a great pick-up but he's 34. Halak is just turning 30. The main problem will be Huet's ridiculous contract which has him making 5.6 million for the next 2 years. Pay attention to the the trade deadline which is March 3rd at 3 p.m. Eastern time, it could be the the most important hour for the Blackhawks this season.