With NFL free agency kicking off at midnight on Thursday, the Chicago Bears need to make a huge splash. They have no first or second-round draft picks to spend money on and a salary cap-less year on the horizon, priming them to be major players in free agency for the first time I can remember. I'll take a look at a few positions and players the Bears should be targeting in free agency.
Defensive End
Julius Peppers (Carolina)
Undoubtedly the biggest fish in the free agent pool, the 30-year old defensive lineman would bring instant pass-rush to a Bears defense that is sorely lacking. In Lovie Smith's much maligned cover-two scheme, getting pressure with your front four is key. Adewale Ogunleye's impending departure and the death of Gaines Adams makes signing Peppers a no-brainer. When he wants to he's one of the best pass-rushers in the league. Every now and again he'll take plays off (or seasons, as evident by his 2.5 sack 2007), but he's racked up double digit sacks in six of his eight years in the NFL.
To my shock, the Bears seem extremely aggressive in their efforts, going so far as reportedly meeting with his agent over the weekend. (Which could be tampering, as noted by ESPN Chicago). This shift in attitude makes me excited about the prospects for a money-printing Bears franchise who aren't afraid to shell out the money. Peppers is going to get at least $12 million a year (and probably overnight), so there's no point in talking to him unless you're ready to pay the man. Signing Peppers would be a giant step in the right direction.
Aaron Kampman (Green Bay)
If the Bears lost out on Peppers, expect them to make a serious move on Kampman. Coming off an ACL injury, he's not going to command the same money as he would have after last season and he'll have a chip on his shoulder. He's got great speed and would give the Bears room to tackle other needs via free agency. (Not that it really matters without a salary cap.) He'd be a great consolation prize.
Other notable free agents: Jevon Kearse, Kyle Vanden Bosch, Elvis Dumervil (Restricted)
Safety
Antrel Rolle (Arizona)
In a fairly weak free agent class, quality safeties are hard to come by. Rolle is a 2009 Pro Bowler, so he's an obvious upgrade over the pile of junk the Bears have in the secondary. He's being released by the Cardinals so they can avoid paying him a $4 million roster bonus, but its been mentioned they could re-sign him. If Lovie's bluster about needing better performance at the safety position, Rolle better be on their radar.
Darren Sharper (New Orleans)
Yep, Super Bowl winning Darren Sharper will be a free agent. He may not be a perfect fit for the cover-two, but if that system gets in the way of Jerry Angelo signing a playmaker like Sharper I'll be furious. He won't be a long-term solution, but this staff is trying to win now or they won't be here next season.
Other notable free agents: Ryan Clark, Will Allen, Kerry Rhodes
Running Back
Chester Taylor
Expect Taylor to make bank in free agency as the best back on the market. Serving as Adrian Peterson's back-up in Minnesota has given him an elongated life at a relatively short-lived position. He has less wear and tear than the other big name backs available. Still, I doubt the Bears are going to pay him what he can get elsewhere when they already have Matt Forte,
LaDainian Tomlinson (San Diego), Brian Westbrook (Philadelphia)
These names have come a lot since their high-profile releases a few weeks ago. Both would have something to prove wherever they go, but they each have concerns. LT could simply be out of gas. After his fantastic record-setting TD season, he's gone downhill fast. Last year he was a ghost of the player he used to be. Westbrook suffered two concussions last season, but he's been given the clean bill of mental health. Unfortunately he's always been injury-prone, something we don't need from the guy who'd be spelling Forte. On the plus side, both backs are excellent pass catchers and could serve as a mentor to Forte.
Other notable free agents: Leon Washington, Willie Parker, Thomas Jones,
Wide Recevier:
Terrell Owens (Buffalo)
HELL NO. Need I say more? Productive or not, I just don't need to see him in a Bears uniform. Though Cutler-Owens shouting matches would be EPIC.
The unrestricted free agent crop is weak at best. Derrick Mason and Antonio Bryant are the best names available unless the Bears are willing to give up draft picks they don't have for a restricted wide-out.
Obviously Chicago needs help on the offensive line, but there aren't any major pieces available. Look for a plug-in or two, but nothing spectacular.
Alright, you are now ready for free agency. Let the spending commence!
Keywords: Aaron Kampman, Antrell Rolle, Brian Westbrook, Chester Taylor, Darren Sharper, Free Agency, Jerry Angelo, Joe Anello, Julius Peppers, LaDainian Tomlinson, Lovie Smith, NFL, Terrell Owens
