Bears receivers and free-agency

[Firehawk]

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20120208/sports/702089759/

No matter how well new general manager Phil Emery does in this year's draft, it won't be enough to elevate the Bears' offense to a championship level. So it's likely they'll do more than kick the tires on some unrestricted free agents next month.

If the Bears aim to upgrade at wide receiver ? and anyone who saw them play last season would advise them to do so ? they'll have plenty of targets in free agency. The Bears might not have the NFL's worst group of receivers, but they're in the discussion.

The good news is that there are six wide receivers who topped 1,000 yards in 2011 currently scheduled to hit the open market on March 13, including Steelers restricted free agent Mike Wallace (72 catches, 1,193 yards, 8 touchdowns). And there are three more who finished with between 900 and 1,000 yards.

Some will re-sign with their own team before free agency begins, and others may stay put after receiving the franchise tag, but WR-poor teams such as the Bears will have an opportunity to upgrade immediately.

The Patriots' Wes Welker (122 catches, 1,569 yards, 9 touchdowns) probably isn't going anywhere, and ditto for Wallace. But that still leaves the Chiefs' Dwayne Bowe (81, 1,159, 5 TDs), the Saints' Marques Colston (80, 1,143, 8), the Chargers' Vincent Jackson (60, 1,106, 9) and the Bills' Stevie Johnson (76, 1,004, 7).

All those numbers look even more spectacular considering Johnny Knox was the Bears' leading receiver with 727 yards last season. And Knox is still in the early stages of rehabilitation from the back surgery he needed after the gruesome hit he took in Week 15.

Knox and Roy Williams, an unrestricted free agent who probably won't be back, tied for the team lead among wideouts with just 37 catches, well behind running back Matt Forte's 52. No one else on the team caught more than 27 passes.

Tight end Kellen Davis' 5 TD catches were as many as the next two Bears combined. Davis, who got his 5 scores on just 18 catches, is also an unrestricted free agent.

Now that Mike Martz is gone, the Bears may decide, under new offensive coordinator Mike Tice, to join the rest of the NFL in this wacky, razzle-dazzle gimmick of ?throwing the ball to the tight end.?

Bears tight ends Davis and Matt Spaeth caught a total of 25 passes last season. In the NFL, 17 tight ends caught more than 50 passes last season. Ten of the 12 playoff teams had a tight with more than 50 catches, and the New England Patriots had two.

There isn't as much free-agent talent available at tight end, but the Packers' Jermichael Finley (55, 767, 8) and the Redskins' Fred Davis (59, 796, 3) are four-year veterans who should have a lot of productive years remaining.

Offensive line remains a Bears weakness. The healthy return of 2011 first-round offensive tackle Gabe Carimi will help, but it might not be enough.

Saints Pro Bowl guard Carl Nicks is the cream of this year's unrestricted O-line crop, and New Orleans might not have an abundance of loot left over after signing UFA quarterback Drew Brees to an expected long-term deal. The Saints also have a decision to make on UFA wide receiver Colston, but Nicks is probably a higher priority considering he might be the best guard in the NFL.

Left tackle is more of a concern for the Bears than guard, and the San Diego Chargers could cut Marcus McNeil, who was injured for much of last season. His replacement, Jared Gaither, is unrestricted and would also be an upgrade. So would Buffalo left tackle Demetrius Bell, but the Bills may not let him get away.

Quality left tackles don't come cheaply. But if the Bears were able to land one in free agency, and if Gabe Carimi stays healthy and plays to his potential, a former trouble spot could become a team strength.

Top NFL free-agent wide-receivers

Player, team rec. yds. TD

W. Welker, NE 122 1,569 9

M. Wallace, PITT 72 1,193 8

D. Bowe, KC 81 1,159 5

M Colston, NO 80 1,143 8

V. Jackson, SD 60 1,106 9

S. Johnson, BUF 76 1,004 7

B. Lloyd, DEN/STL 70 966 5

D. Jackson, PHI 58 961 4

R. Wayne, IND 75 960 4

L. Robinson, DAL 54 858 11

[Firehawk]

Vincent Jackson...yes please!

[matfive2]

Vincent Jackson...yes please!

I think VJax will be the Bears #1 FA WR target this offseason. This might shock my fellow Bears fans, but I'm also in favor of resigning Roy Williams as long as its for a low base salary. I thought he was a really good #3 or 4 receiver. He's tall and was pretty awesome on 3rd downs in 2011. I'd just like to see more depth out of the Bears WRs by pushing the current crop of WRs down in the depth chart.

If I was Emery, I'd sign VJax, draft Floyd from ND, resign Williams and I think the Bears would have a legit WR core for Cutler in VJax/Floyd/Bennett/Williams/Knox + lets go ahead and steal Finley from the Pack!

[Firehawk]

it would be nice if they could snag some help for the O-line also...do that ad a legit #1 receiver and this team could be a legit contender this year, maybe the LAST year for this defense too.....lets face it they are not getting any younger...gonna have to address linebacker soon and the line

[matfive2]

it would be nice if they could snag some help for the O-line also...do that ad a legit #1 receiver and this team could be a legit contender this year, maybe the LAST year for this defense too.....lets face it they are not getting any younger...gonna have to address linebacker soon and the line

I'd like them to start thinking about LBs as well. But with Lovie's defensive scheme, the LBs hardly ever pass rush which limits the wear and tear on their bodies. I could see Urlacher and Briggs playing at a high level for at least 4-5 more years. I mean Ray Lewis is what 55 years old? And he's still a legit LB. The key is to stay healthy and be in tip-top shape every season. With this defensive scheme, I think our 2 HOF LBs can play at a high level for several more years.

[Firehawk]

it would be nice if they could snag some help for the O-line also...do that ad a legit #1 receiver and this team could be a legit contender this year, maybe the LAST year for this defense too.....lets face it they are not getting any younger...gonna have to address linebacker soon and the line

I'd like them to start thinking about LBs as well. But with Lovie's defensive scheme, the LBs hardly ever pass rush which limits the wear and tear on their bodies. I could see Urlacher and Briggs playing at a high level for at least 4-5 more years. I mean Ray Lewis is what 55 years old? And he's still a legit LB. The key is to stay healthy and be in tip-top shape every season. With this defensive scheme, I think our 2 HOF LBs can play at a high level for several more years.

that's just it...Urlacher isn't exactly in top shape anymore, hes had some injury concerns the last several seasons, back issues......and Briggs I would be shocked if he lasts here much longer, he's always b****ing about his contract EVERY YEAR it seems...I don't think he wants to stay here...I cant see a new GM putting up with a guy that wants to rock the boat every off season either, especially when you could probably get a decent return for moving that guy

[illinibearscards]

it would be nice if they could snag some help for the O-line also...do that ad a legit #1 receiver and this team could be a legit contender this year, maybe the LAST year for this defense too.....lets face it they are not getting any younger...gonna have to address linebacker soon and the line

I'd like them to start thinking about LBs as well. But with Lovie's defensive scheme, the LBs hardly ever pass rush which limits the wear and tear on their bodies. I could see Urlacher and Briggs playing at a high level for at least 4-5 more years. I mean Ray Lewis is what 55 years old? And he's still a legit LB. The key is to stay healthy and be in tip-top shape every season. With this defensive scheme, I think our 2 HOF LBs can play at a high level for several more years.

that's just it...Urlacher isn't exactly in top shape anymore, hes had some injury concerns the last several seasons, back issues......and Briggs I would be shocked if he lasts here much longer, he's always b****ing about his contract EVERY YEAR it seems...I don't think he wants to stay here...I cant see a new GM putting up with a guy that wants to rock the boat every off season either, especially when you could probably get a decent return for moving that guy

We have at least one more year with those two though. When they go, it time to rebuild the defense, including the scheme imo.

[Firehawk]

Bears shouldn't stop at adding one WR

By Barry Rozner

There is much talk these days about the Bears needing a wide receiver, and it's simply not true.

They need at least two, maybe three and probably a tight end, as well.

Matt Forte led the Bears in catches with 52, but the Bears' top receiver in 2011 was Johnny Knox with ? wait for it ? 37 receptions and 727 yards, but his future is in doubt after a horrific back injury.

Roy Williams tied Knox with 37 catches, but he will not be back. Next came Dane Sanzenbacher (27), Devin Hester (26) and Earl Bennett (24).

Bennett would be a nice third receiver if the Bears had two very good ones, but just because Jay Cutler likes throwing to him doesn't make Bennett a top two.

So the Bears need at least two top-tier receivers if they want an offense that is taken seriously and to get the most out of Cutler, and when you throw in an injury or two, maybe they ought to consider finding three.

Kellen Davis led the Bears in receiving touchdowns (5), but the Mike Martz offense didn't feature the tight end and Davis' 18 catches and 206 yards don't quite compare with the best in the division, like Brandon Pettigrew (83-777) and Jermichael Finley (55-767), who were the 11th and 12th best tight ends in the NFL (by yards) in 2011.

So when you start talking about maximizing Cutler's ability, having Knox or Bennett in your top two isn't taking seriously the concept.

The Bears need at least one huge receiver through the draft and another through free agency.

Anything less is not enough.

Anything more might actually make Cutler smile.
The bounty

What free-agent receivers will ultimately be available is unclear because guys like Wes Welker are likely to remain with their teams, but free agents Dwayne Bowe (Kansas City) and Vincent Jackson (San Diego) might be on the market, and Miami's Brandon Marshall could be available through trade.

As for the draft, Pro Football Weekly lists the top receivers in this order: Justin Blackmon (OSU), Kendall Wright (Baylor), Rueben Randle (LSU), Michael Floyd (ND) and Alshon Jeffery (SC).

Blackman will be gone long before the Bears pick at 19, but it remains to be seen what happens with Randle (6-4, 210), Floyd (6-3, 225) and Jeffery (6-4, 230), any of whom would look good in a Bears uniform.
The list

[Lou Do]

Patriots will be looking for a deep threat.  Whoever signs Manning will look for one.  Competition for wide outs will be fierce.

[player25]

I would target Stevie Johnson of the free agent WR's because he has put up good numbers, in a cold weather environment, plus he put up decent numbers with an average QB IMO.

I don't like V Jax because the cold weather and probably more money than Johnson.

If Finley can be had, I would take him gladly!  Fred Davis is good also though.

No matter the FA signings, in this draft there must be at least ONE WR drafted that can become a legit NFL WR.  Be it the 2nd, 3rd, or 5th rd, but draft a WR that great hands and some size.  Might have to give a little on speed the later you draft a WR, but we have plenty of small/little speed guys.  The WR from Iowa might be a good draft in the 2-4 rds?     MSU had a few good WR's.