Bears sign offensive line help, still want St. Clair back

Bears general manager Jerry Angelo said Friday's signing of unrestricted free-agent offensive lineman Frank Omiyale (pronounced oh-mee-yell) would not affect the team's pursuit of its own free-agent offensive lineman John St. Clair.

Omiyale, who has started just one game in four NFL seasons and played in only 11, will initially be thrown into the mix at guard, according to Angelo, even though most of his experience is at tackle and his only start came at left tackle.

"We told him we wanted to look at him at guard first," Angelo said, "and then we'll expose him to tackle, where he's been predominantly trained."

That's fine with the 6-foot-4, 310-pound Omiyale, who just hours after free agency began Thursday night at 11:01 p.m., signed a four-year deal worth between $11.5 million and $14 million depending on how many playing-time incentives he reaches. The contract includes a $5.5 million guaranteed signing bonus.

"I'm just trying to get on the field," the 26-year-old Omiyale said. "I hope to be a starter, but I just want the chance to compete for a spot on the line."

Angelo said the Bears were still interested in re-signing St. Clair, who started 16 games at left tackle last season but would likely move to right tackle or inside to guard if he is back.

"We're talking to John, and we'll continue to visit with him," Angelo said. "But they wanted to explore some things in the market, and we'll see how they unfold."