Still on Bears' to-do list: Find free-safety help
Almost before the ink was dry late last week on the monster contracts signed by free agents Julius Peppers, Chester Taylor and Brandon Manumaleuna, fans wondered how the Bears could upgrade the free safety position.
Bears coach Lovie Smith has been wondering the same thing since the 2009 season ended.
"We need to improve our safety position, period," Smith said. "Maybe by adding a couple guys. We haven't been pleased with the production we've gotten."
There are several ways the Bears could go.
They could use their first draft pick, 76th overall, to possibly get a starting free safety. But, as with any draft pick, that's a gamble. If the Bears want more of a sure thing, free agency is the way to go, but it's also a lot more expensive than a third-round pick.
The best option, in terms of talent, is the Rams' O.J. Atogwe. In his five NFL seasons, Atogwe has been involved in 41 takeaways, more than anyone in the league. If head coach Lovie Smith, who has preached takeaways from Day One, were to create a free safety for his Cover-2 defense, it would be the 28-year-old Atogwe.
All Bears safeties combined had a total of 1 interception last season. Atogwe had just 2 in 2009, but he had a total of 13 picks the two previous seasons.
The former second-round pick had started 60 straight games for the Rams before a shoulder injury knocked him out of the final four games last season. The injury required surgery, but Atogwe's rehab is on schedule, and he's expected to be back before the start of training camp.
The Bears would not owe the Rams any compensation for Atogwe, since he was tendered at a low level. But St. Louis retains the right to match any offer, and it would take a lucrative bid to get them to fold. It's assumed the Rams wouldn't let one of their best players go without a fight, but it's hard to figure out what the team and its new owner are doing lately.
Atogwe would not come cheaply. Antrel Rolle last week became the NFL's highest paid safety by signing a five-year, $37 million deal with the Giants that includes $15 million in guaranteed money, and Atogwe is worth that much at least.
"He's a better player than Rolle," one NFL source said of Atogwe. "The Rams say they want to keep him, but he's more than willing to move on if the money's there."
Cheaper options are available, especially if the Bears are willing to settle for a quick fix.
The Saints' Darren Sharper is coming off postseason knee surgery, and he's 34, but he tied for the NFL lead with 9 interceptions last season. He should get more than the $1.7 million he received last year but would probably cost less than half of Rolle's annual salary.
Marlin Jackson, a former first-round draft choice has played cornerback for the Colts, and he was another possibility until Thursday afternoon, when he signed with the Eagles.
Cornerback Lito Sheppard had 6 interceptions and 13 passes defensed in 2006 for the Eagles, but he was cut by the Jets last week before he was due a $10 million roster bonus. Sheppard would only make sense if the Bears revisited the idea of moving cornerback Charles Tillman to safety, which Smith has vehemently opposed in the past.
• The Bears signed free-agent fullback Eddie Williams on Wednesday. The 2009 seventh-round draft pick (221st overall) of the Redskins spent most of the season on their practice squad.