Bears preseason schedule features Bills, Giants, Broncos and Browns
The Bears apparently are considering an insurance policy, or maybe an upgrade, for what is curently a youthful and unsettled offensive line.
Twelve-year veteran offensive tackle Orlando Pace, a seven-time Pro Bowl pick, was a visitor to Halas Hall on Monday, but he left without signing a contract. Pace, 33, the first overall pick in the 1997 draft, was released by the Rams March 10, in order to save $6 million under the salary cap.
The 6-foot-7, 325-pound Ohio State product already had established himself as one of the best offensive linemen of his generation when Bears coach Lovie Smith was hired as the Rams' defensive coordinator in 2001. Pace previously visited the Baltimore Ravens.
The Bears signed free-agent offensive linemen Frank Omiyale and Kevin Shaffer earlier this month. But they lost John St. Clair, who started 16 games at left tackle last season, when he signed with the Browns as an unrestricted free agent; and right tackle John Tait retired.
Chris Williams, last year's first-round pick, is expected to start at left tackle this season. But Pace could provide a safety net there or challenge Omiyale and Shaffer for the right tackle spot. Omiyale started the Bears' minicamp working at left guard behind last year's starter, Josh Beekman, but he moved to right tackle when St. Clair signed with the Browns.
The Bears' exhibition schedule is out, and the team could be just a footnote in their two preseason road games.
They'll open against the Buffalo Bills and their new wide receiver Terrell Owens, and then host the New York Giants before traveling to play the Denver Broncos, who may or may not be quarterbacked by malcontent Jay Cutler.
The Denver game will be nationally televised at 7 p.m., Aug. 30, on NBC.
While specific dates and start times for the other preseason games won't be announced until next month, the Bills game will be the week of Aug. 13-16.
The Bears' home preseason games are against the Giants (the week of Aug. 20-23) and the Browns (the week of Sept. 3-6) in the preseason finale.
The Bills game and the two home contests will be televised locally (Ch. 32, WFLD), with former Bears quarterback Erik Kramer providing color commentary and Lou Canellis as the sideline reporter.
The Bears are 11-10 in preseason games under Lovie Smith. The Bears and Browns will close their respective preseason schedules against one another for the sixth year in a row.
The Bears' regular-season opener will also be nationally televised on NBC's Sunday Night Football, Sept. 13 against the Packers at Lambeau Field. The remainder of the regular-season schedule will be announced in mid-April.
Bears preseason slate
Aug. 13-16: at Buffalo (WFLD)
Aug. 20-23: N.Y. GIANTS (WFLD)
Aug. 30: at Denver (7 p.m. NBC)
Sept. 3-6: CLEVELAND (WFLD)
Source: Chicago Bears
<p class="factboxheadblack">Bears preseason slate</p> <p class="News">Aug. 13-16: at Buffalo (WFLD)</p> <p class="News">Aug. 20-23: N.Y. GIANTS (WFLD)</p> <p class="News">Aug. 30: at Denver (7 p.m. NBC)</p> <p class="News">Sept. 3-6: CLEVELAND (WFLD)</p>