Wheeling and Dealing: Analyzing the Bears' Recent Transactions

With teams trimming down their rosters to 53 this week, you knew there would be plenty of movement on the free agent front and a few surprises along the way. Even the Bears got themselves in the headlines for some key releases and one surprising but welcome addition.

Releases

Tight End Desmond Clark

There’s been a bit of uproar on this front, similar to the Kreutz release. Let me clear this one up for you Bear fans: it’s not that big of a deal. Though he had a poorly timed injury in the preseason game against Tennessee, that’s not why he was cut. (Though it probably didn’t help.) Clark has long since lost his ability to immediately impact the offense and was now being kept around merely as a third-string back-up and player-coach to Kellen Davis, the new starter. Unfortunately for Clark, your third tight end has to contribute to special teams, an activity for which Clark is too long in the tooth. That’s why the Bears feel more comfortable with rookie Kyle Adams as their third TE. He can also line up at fullback and H-back, skills that make him extraordinarily useful in the Martz offense. Clark’s tenure with the Bears was a long and moderately successful one, but we have better options on the roster.

Running Back Chester Taylor 

It’s about freaking time. Despite managing to stay with the team after being supposedly cut on Monday, Taylor couldn’t survive the ascension of Marion Barber and his own utter futility as a Bear thus far. Jerry Angelo signed Taylor last offseason to a four year, $12.5 million dollar deal, but the $7 million in guarantees was paid out over the first year of the contract. The Bears gave him his money and he gave them next to nothing in return. Sure, Taylor isn’t as awful as his stay in Chicago would suggest, but Barber was going to take away nearly all of his carries. As with Desmond Clark, your third running back MUST be a special teams contributor. At 31, you can’t expect that from Taylor. For those interested, he’s already signed on with Arizona, providing them with depth at the position and a veteran pass-catcher out of the backfield.

Defensive Tackle Marcus Harrison 

I really don’t want to even talk about Marcus Harrison anymore. He’s a third-round McBust because of his complete lack of motivation. He came into every year overweight and out-of-shape, starting behind the eight ball each of his four training camps in Chicago. Even with an opportunity to breach the starting line-up, Harrison couldn’t rise to the top. Carolina claimed him off waivers. Seeya buddy. I’ll take players who actually want to get better.

Safety Brandon Meriweather signed to a one-year contract

I could not be more excited about this move for the Bears. However, this is clearly an indictment on Major Wright’s readiness as much as it is about garnering depth after a slew of injuries at the position. He might not start week one, but expect Meriweather to make his way into the starting eleven sometime in the near future. He’s that good. With Pro Bowl selections in 2009 and 2010 (even with the latter having been somewhat unexpected), he’s instantly the most talented safety on the roster. A hard hitter, Meriweather can also be counted on in pass coverage. When partnered with Harris, the Bears have a safety duo unlike anything since Mike Brown was in his prime (and healthy). Keeping Brandon on a one-year contract will keep him hungry to earn a new long-term deal, something the Bears would be wise to examine if he performs up to par.

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