New Bear Brandon Meriweather has 12 interceptions in last 3 seasons

The Bears agreed to terms with two-time Pro Bowl safety Brandon Meriweather on a one-year contract Sunday.

Meriweather, a former first-round pick, was cut by the Patriots on Saturday. He has started 40 of 64 games in his four years after being selected 24th overall out of the University of Miami in the 2007 draft. Since then, Meriweather has 244 tackles, 12 interceptions, 27 passes defended, 4 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery and 2 sacks.

Although Meriweather’s cover ability has been called in question in the past, he has all 12 of his interceptions in the last three seasons, tied for fourth most in the NFL by a safety during that span.

Bears strong safety Chris Harris tied for the team lead with 5 interceptions last season while playing free safety, but he has been moved back to his more natural strong safety position this season.

Major Wright, the Bears’ 2010 third-round pick, was handed the starting job at free safety. But he missed a pair of potentially touchdown-saving tackles in the preseason, and coach Lovie Smith was disappointed that Wright didn’t make enough plays on the ball when he had opportunities.

Meriweather is also considered an excellent special teams player.

The Bears will have to cut a player from their 53-man roster to make room for Meriweather once he signs his contract.

They’re back:Seven players have been selected for the practice squad, all of whom were in training camp and played in the preseason with the Bears but were waived in the final cutdown.Wide receiver Kris Adams, a 6-foot-3, 195-pound undrafted rookie wide receiver from Texas-El Paso, caught 5 passes for 76 yards in the preseason. He will be joined by 6-foot-6, 320-pound, first-year offensive tackle Levi Horn, who spent most of last season on the Bears#146; practice squad after being undrafted out of Montana in 2010; guard Ricky Henry (Nebraska); defensive tackle Jordan Miller (Southern); tight end Andre Smith, (Virginia Tech); linebacker Patrick Trahan (Mississippi) and safety Anthony Walters (Delaware).One spot remains on the practice squad.Ÿ Follow Bob#146;s Bears reports via Twitter @Bob LeGere and check out our Bear Essentials blog at dailyherald.com.