Bears should look at free-agent wide receivers
No matter how well new general manager Phil Emery does in this year's draft, it won't be enough to elevate the Bears' offense to a championship level. So it's likely they'll do more than kick the tires on some unrestricted free agents next month.
If the Bears aim to upgrade at wide receiver — and anyone who saw them play last season would advise them to do so — they'll have plenty of targets in free agency. The Bears might not have the NFL's worst group of receivers, but they're in the discussion.
The good news is that there are six wide receivers who topped 1,000 yards in 2011 currently scheduled to hit the open market on March 13, including Steelers restricted free agent Mike Wallace (72 catches, 1,193 yards, 8 touchdowns). And there are three more who finished with between 900 and 1,000 yards.
Some will re-sign with their own team before free agency begins, and others may stay put after receiving the franchise tag, but WR-poor teams such as the Bears will have an opportunity to upgrade immediately.
The Patriots' Wes Welker (122 catches, 1,569 yards, 9 touchdowns) probably isn't going anywhere, and ditto for Wallace. But that still leaves the Chiefs' Dwayne Bowe (81, 1,159, 5 TDs), the Saints' Marques Colston (80, 1,143, 8), the Chargers' Vincent Jackson (60, 1,106, 9) and the Bills' Stevie Johnson (76, 1,004, 7).
All those numbers look even more spectacular considering Johnny Knox was the Bears' leading receiver with 727 yards last season. And Knox is still in the early stages of rehabilitation from the back surgery he needed after the gruesome hit he took in Week 15.
Knox and Roy Williams, an unrestricted free agent who probably won't be back, tied for the team lead among wideouts with just 37 catches, well behind running back Matt Forte's 52. No one else on the team caught more than 27 passes.
Tight end Kellen Davis' 5 TD catches were as many as the next two Bears combined. Davis, who got his 5 scores on just 18 catches, is also an unrestricted free agent.
Now that Mike Martz is gone, the Bears may decide, under new offensive coordinator Mike Tice, to join the rest of the NFL in this wacky, razzle-dazzle gimmick of “throwing the ball to the tight end.”
Bears tight ends Davis and Matt Spaeth caught a total of 25 passes last season. In the NFL, 17 tight ends caught more than 50 passes last season. Ten of the 12 playoff teams had a tight with more than 50 catches, and the New England Patriots had two.
There isn't as much free-agent talent available at tight end, but the Packers' Jermichael Finley (55, 767, 8) and the Redskins' Fred Davis (59, 796, 3) are four-year veterans who should have a lot of productive years remaining.
Offensive line remains a Bears weakness. The healthy return of 2011 first-round offensive tackle Gabe Carimi will help, but it might not be enough.
Saints Pro Bowl guard Carl Nicks is the cream of this year's unrestricted O-line crop, and New Orleans might not have an abundance of loot left over after signing UFA quarterback Drew Brees to an expected long-term deal. The Saints also have a decision to make on UFA wide receiver Colston, but Nicks is probably a higher priority considering he might be the best guard in the NFL.
Left tackle is more of a concern for the Bears than guard, and the San Diego Chargers could cut Marcus McNeil, who was injured for much of last season. His replacement, Jared Gaither, is unrestricted and would also be an upgrade. So would Buffalo left tackle Demetrius Bell, but the Bills may not let him get away.
Quality left tackles don't come cheaply. But if the Bears were able to land one in free agency, and if Gabe Carimi stays healthy and plays to his potential, a former trouble spot could become a team strength.
Top NFL free-agent wide-receivers
Player, team rec. yds. TD
W. Welker, NE 122 1,569 9
M. Wallace, PITT 72 1,193 8
D. Bowe, KC 81 1,159 5
M Colston, NO 80 1,143 8
V. Jackson, SD 60 1,106 9
S. Johnson, BUF 76 1,004 7
B. Lloyd, DEN/STL 70 966 5
D. Jackson, PHI 58 961 4
R. Wayne, IND 75 960 4
L. Robinson, DAL 54 858 11
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