Chicago Bears (Last Year: 7-9)

2008 NFL Draft Grade:

Good Moves: It seemed like the Bears made (almost) all the right moves early on. I'll get to that almost in a second. But for now, Chris Williams was definitely the right pick at 14. He should be able to start from Day 1 on a horrendous offensive front. Meanwhile, another solid line addition was Kirk Barton in the seventh round. Major steal ... Chicago also added some juice to the skill positions. Matt Forte will quickly displace Cedric Benson. Earl Bennett was an awesome third-round selection and is probably the most talented receiver on the Bears' roster at this current moment. Marcus Monk, meanwhile, was another seventh-round gem ... The defense wasn't ignored either. Marcus Harrison is some much-needed depth at defensive tackle. Craig Steltz was a major find in the fourth round. At pick No. 142, Zack Bowman figures to be a low-risk, high-reward proposition.

Bad Moves: Now for the "almost." What happened to addressing the quarterback position? Why didn't the Bears go after Brian Brohm in the second round? Jerry Angelo is going to hear it for decades if Brohm becomes a Pro Bowler with rival Green Bay. And why Kellen Davis instead of Andre' Woodson at 158? Davis won't get any playing time in a crowded tight end corps. It's a shame Bears fans are going to have to suffer through another year of Rex Grossman's turnovers.

Grade give on 4/28/08: A-



2008 NFL Draft Picks:

14. Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt
Great pick. The Bears addressed their biggest need. I probably would have went with Branden Albert, but I definitely can't argue Chris Williams. (Pick Grade: A)

44. Matt Forte, RB, Tulane
I'm surprised the Bears didn't go Brian Brohm at 44, but the fact remains that they addressed a need while acquiring a very talented player. Good job, Jerry Angelo. On a day of utter madness, you managed to have an excellent draft. (Pick Grade: A)

70. Earl Bennett, WR, Vanderbilt
Another great pick by the Bears. They're having an incredible weekend. (Pick Grade: A)

90. Marcus Harrison, DT, Arkansas
I expected the Bears to take a break from addressing their offense in the third or fourth rounds, and acquire a defensive tackle for depth. (Pick Grade: A)

120. Craig Steltz, SS, LSU
The Bears needed safety help, and they get a major talent in the fourth round. When are they going to address the quarterback position? (Pick Grade: A)

142. Zack Bowman, CB, Nebraska
Andre' Woodson would have been better, but I still like this pick. Zack Bowman is a very talented corner, who falls to the fifth round because of his injury history. The Chargers drafted Antonio Cromartie in a similar situation in the first round a few years ago, so risking a fifth-rounder on a high-reward guy seems like a good idea. (Pick Grade: A)

158. Kellen Davis, TE, Michigan State
Tight end's pretty crowded in the Windy City. Why not a quarterback? This is the first pick of Jerry Angelo's that I don't like. (Pick Grade: C)

208. Ervin Baldwin, DE, Michigan State
Where's the quarterback? Are the Bears seriously going with Rex Grossman again? (Pick Grade: D)

222. Chester Adams, G, Georgia
Not on my board, but it's the seventh round. Where's the quarterback? (Pick Grade: C)

243. Joey LaRocque, OLB, Oregon State
Not on my board, but it's the seventh round. (Pick Grade: C)

247. Kirk Barton, OT, Ohio State
MAJOR STEAL. Kirk Barton should have been drafted in the fourth or fifth round. Yet another upgrade or depth player for a thin Chicago line. (Pick Grade: A)

248. Marcus Monk, WR, Arkansas
MAJOR STEAL. Marcus Monk was a second-round prospect before his knee injury. If Monk can make it back healthy, the Bears will have obtained a very talented receiver. (Pick Grade: A)





Season Summary:
No surprise that the Bears missed the playoffs; not that they had a lack of talent, or anything, but they were simply the sixth team in seven years to miss the postseason immediately following a loss in the Super Bowl. Apart from that infamous jinx, injuries also played a factor. I have to believe Chicago will be back in the hunt for the Doggone Playoff.

Offseason Moves:

Bears cut DT Babatunde Oshinowo

Bears cut G Mike Jones

Bears cut SS Adam Archuleta

Bears re-sign WR Rashied Davis

Bears re-sign S Brandon McGowan

Bears sign WR Brandon Lloyd

Bears sign WR Marty Booker

Bears trade QB Brian Griese to the Buccaneers for a late-round pick

Bears re-sign OLB Lance Briggs

Bears re-sign QB Rex Grossman

Bears cut WR Muhsin Muhammad

Bears cut OT Fred Miller

Bears cut DT Darwin Walker


Offseason Needs:

1. Two Offensive Tackles: The main reason the Bears couldn't pass protect (43 sacks) or run block (3.1 yards per carry) was because their two offensive tackles, John Tait and Fred Miller, are declining veterans entering their mid-30s. There's growing speculation that Miller, 35, won't be back with the team next year. Chicago has a dire need for two stout tackles, and that's why I believe it will select the best one available at No. 14. Drafted Chris Williams and Kirk Barton
   
   
2. Quarterback: The sad part about Rex Grossman's season-ending injury against the Redskins in Week 14 was that he was coming off one of the best four-game stretches of his career. During that span, he was 73-of-130, 897 yards, three touchdowns and just one pick. Still, despite those statistics, I think at least 90 percent of Bears Nation would have an aneurysm if their team brought Grossman back as a starter for another year. Tons of options for Chicago - a trade for Donovan McNabb; a signing of Derek Anderson; or the drafting of Andre' Woodson or Chad Henne in the second round. Given the team's vast offensive needs, the latter is probably the better choice. Re-signed Rex Grossman
   
   
3. Running Back: Remember when Cedric Benson was trying to shy away from comparisons to Ricky Williams? The truth is the two aren't alike at all. Williams is addicted to weed but likes playing football. Benson, on the other hand, is a lazy, overpaid bum. The Bears could look to Ray Rice or Tashard Choice with one of their two second-round selections. Drafted Matt Forte
   
   
4. Left Guard: Ruben Brown, a free agent, is older than time itself. A new left guard (Alan Faneca, perhaps?) is a must.
   
   
5. Two Wide Receivers: Make this one receiver if the Bears re-sign Bernard Berrian, who will command tons of money in the free-agent market, seeing as how he's the top guy available at the position, excluding Randy Moss. Lavelle Hawkins or Harry Douglas could be around in Round 3. D.J. Hackett and Bryant Johnson wouldn't be bad replacements for Berrian if he leaves. Drafted Earl Bennett and Marcus Monk; signed Marty Booker and Brandon Lloyd
   
   
6. Re-Sign Lance Briggs: I know the Bears like Jamar Williams, but Lance Briggs is one of the elite linebackers in the NFL. With $20 million in cap space, how can they possibly let him go, especially in the wake of Brian Urlacher's mysterious neck injury? Re-signed Lance Briggs
   
   
7. Defensive Tackle: The interior of Chicago's defensive line is uncharacteristically thin, so the Bears could be looking for depth in the middle rounds of the 2008 Draft. Drafted Marcus Harrison
   
   
8. Safety Depth: I'll be shocked if Mike Brown and Adam Archuleta are brought back next season. Drafted Craig Steltz; re-signed Brandon McGowan

Chicago Bears Free Agents:

Salary Cap (As of Feb. 13): $19.80 million

1. Lance Briggs, OLB. Age: 27.
   Re-signed with Bears (6 years, $36 million)
   
   One of the best linebackers in the NFL at the top of his game, Lance Briggs will receive top dollar this offseason.
   
   
2. Bernard Berrian, WR. Age: 27.
   Signed with Vikings (6 years, $42 million)
   
   Bernard Berrian had 71 catches for 951 yards and five touchdowns last season. Not bad considering the crap Chicago had at the quarterback position. Berrian's an explosive receiver, but sometimes criticized for dropping too many balls.
   
   
3. Rex Grossman, QB. Age: 28.
   Re-signed with Bears (1 year, $3 million)
   
   It's a shame Rex Grossman got hurt against the Redskins because he was coming off one of the best four-game stretches of his career. In Weeks 10-13, Grossman was a combined 73-of-130, 897 yards, three touchdowns and one pick. Not bad. Grossman has always had a powerful arm, but he lacked confidence. Perhaps his performance late last season made him believe that he can be a starting quarterback in this league. He definitely deserves another chance.
   
   
4. Brandon McGowan (RFA), S. Age: 24.
   Re-signed with Bears (1 year, $1.417 million)
   
   Brandon McGowan looked pretty solid in relief of Adam Archuleta last season. However, that could just be because Archuleta really sucks.
   
   
5. Muhsin Muhammad, WR. Age: 35.
   Signed with Panthers (2 years)
   
   Muhsin Muhammad is all but done; he had 40 catches for 520 yards last year, but with his 35th birthday coming up in May, I don't see him sticking around for too much longer.
   
   
6. Ruben Brown, G, Bears. Age: 36.
   It looks like Ruben Brown will attempt to play his 14th season next year. At the age of 36, he can't start anymore, but he'd make a great veteran backup.
   
   
7. Antonio Garay, DT. Age: 28.
8. Adam Archuleta, S. Age: 30.
9. Fred Miller, OT. Age: 35.
10. Rashied Davis, WR. Age: 29. - Re-signed with Bears (1 year, $927,000)
11. Darwin Walker, DT. Age: 31. - Signed with Panthers (1 year, $1 million)
12. John Gilmore, TE. Age: 28. - Signed with Buccaneers (3 years)
13. Brendon Ayanbadejo, OLB. Age: 32. - Signed with Ravens (4 years, $4.925 million)
14. Mike Jones, G. Age: 23.
15. Babatunde Oshinowo, DT. Age: 25.
    
    
16. Jimmy Kennedy, DT. Age: 28.
    Signed with Jaguars
    
    Only one free agent this offseason is as crappy as Mike Williams, and that's Jimmy Kennedy. Remember when he said that the Rams were winning the Super Bowl when they drafted him? Yeah, how's that working out, Jimmy? No stars for you. Come back next year.
    
    

Divisional Rival History:
Detroit Lions: Prior to this season, the Bears had won four meetings in a row. Well, that's done with. How did the Lions sweep Chicago?
Green Bay Packers: Brett Favre dominated the Bears for years. That's not the case anymore. Under Lovie Smith, Chicago is 6-2 against the Packers.
Minnesota Vikings: The home team has claimed 10 of 12.



Features to be Posted This Offseason:

1. Detailed season preview
2. Fantasy football projections
3. Positional rankings
4. Daily updates on free-agent signings

More 2008 NFL Offseason Pages:

DAL / NYG / PHI / WAS
CHI / DET / GB / MIN
ATL / CAR / NO / TB
ARZ / SF / SEA / STL

BUF / MIA / NE / NYJ
BAL / CIN / CLE / PIT
HOU /IND / JAX / TEN
DEN / KC / OAK / SD


Back to the 2008 NFL Offseason Page

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