Chicago Bears 2007 Comprehensive Off-Season Report

The Chicago Bears found themselves back in the Super Bowl this past season, and are looking to return to it next February. The Bears have seen quite a few changes in personnel since the off-season began, and they will have to address the remaining issues that they have before next season.

The biggest signing of them all was without question resigning head coach Lovie Smith to a new deal. After much debate and scrutiny by fans and media towards the Bears front office, a deal to retain Lovie Smith as coach was finally settled. Lovie Smith has guided the Bears to back-to-back division titles for the first time since 1987-88.

Another transaction was linebacker Lance Briggs having the franchise tag placed on him. Briggs has spoken publicly about never wanting to play for Chicago again, and is demanding a trade from the organization. Briggs is a Pro Bowl linebacker, so that is an issue they have to deal with.

Here are the areas of need for the Bears going into next season as it currently stands:

Offensive tackle- The Bears have two steady tackles in John Tait and Fred Miller. The problem is that both are over 30 years of age, and the team doesn't have much depth behind them. This is an area that will get addressed early in the NFL Draft, and I can see the Bears taking a tackle like Tony Ugoh of Arkansas or Joe Staley of Central Michigan in the opening round. Chicago could trade for an offensive lineman, but they need to invest in the future at the position.

Offensive guard- It is true that Reuben Brown resigned with the Bears, but Chicago has to get younger at the guard spots. Brown may have one or two productive years left, but signed only a one-year deal. The Bears won't likely use an early pick on a guard now, but the position should addressed sometime during the weekend of the NFL Draft.

TIght end- Even with Desmond Clark having a nice season last year, the Bears would like to improve here to help to further the development for Rex Grossman. The best two options at that position in the draft are Greg Olsen of Miami and Zach Miller of Arizona State. However, the Bears would likely have to trade up to take Olsen if they truly wanted him. They team has the 31st and 37th overall picks, so those could be packaged in order to move up in the first round. That said, the Bears general manager Jerry Angelo has the reputation of trading down for more picks than moving up to select a potentially special player. But the Bears don't have as many glaring weaknesses as most teams, so the possibility of them trading up shouldn't be ruled out to get Olsen.

Outside linebacker- With Briggs likely holding out this season, the Bears have to find an immediate replacement. The Bears currently don't have a backup that is capable of being a full-time starter on the team, so this could prompt them to select one early in the draft. If Paul Posluszny of Penn State or Lawrence Timmons of Florida State are available when the Bears have their first pick, then one of them could be selected there. If not, then the Bears could wait until the second round and take a player like Rufus Alexander of Oklahoma, who played in a simular defensive system that the Bears currently use.

Defensive tackle- With Tommie Harris as the only true starter going into next season, the Bears may need to improve in this area. Tank Johnson's off the field troubles adds to the need as well as the loss of Alfonso Boone to the Chiefs. Ian Scott is likely to leave the team as well, and Dusty Dvoracek is coming back after missing his entire rookie season. The team did sign Anthony Adams from San Francisco to add more depth, but another defensive tackle could picked up if Johnson does not stay out of trouble.

Running back- Thomas Jones is now gone, and Cedric Benson has had durability issues since coming into the league. The Bears have a good backup in Adrian Peterson, but the need for a third down-type back should not be ignored. This position should get addressed very late in the draft, and that means that a running back with speed would likely be the focus.

Wide Receiver- The Bears improved in this area last year in a big way with the emergence of Bernard Berrian as a true deep threat. But the Bears have become thin at the position with Justin Gage leaving the team, and the lack of durability from Mark Bradley. Also, Muhsin Muhamad is going to be in his 12th year in the league, and he is not getting any younger. This position is not that glaring of a weakness, but depth is needed. The Bears could take a wide receiver in the third or fourth round in the NFL Draft. Signing a receiver before the season is also a possibility for the team.

Quarterback- Yes, this has been a problem with the very inconsistent play from Rex Grossman. However, Grossman is in a contract year, so this is the year he either gets over the hump at the position, or he finds a job elsewhere. Brian Griese signed a multi-year deal before last season to backup Grossman, and Kyle Orton has enough starting experience to step in if need be. This is a position that won't get addressed this off-season for those reasons, but the team will do so next year if Grossman doesn't give the Bears more consistency.

Thoughts on the team transactions this off-season:

The Bears addressed the need for depth at the safety spot by acquiring Adam Archuleta from Washington for a sixth round pick in this year's NFL Draft. Archuleta wasn't a good fit at all in the defensive scheme in Washington, and he gets the chance to resurrect his career in Chicago as he reunites with Lovie Smith. The team lost Cameron Worrell and Todd Johnson this off-season, and that hurt the depth of the position. Archuleta is stronger in run support, and will not be relied upon so much in coverage like in Washington. The lessens the need for the Bears to make an early pick on a safety in the upcoming draft.

The Bears have been less active in free agency with only the signing of Anthony Adams so far. The team could still end up signing more players on the free agent market for depth on the roster. Also, while the Bears may think of trading up in the NFL Draft, they also could trade down as well to fill more holes in case they are unable to address many of those needs in the remaining free agency period. The Bears are in good enough cap shape to make a move here and there as they address those issues before the season begins.

The team has had a very interesting off-season, but the pieces remain in place to make another run at a Super Bowl. With added depth, and better consistency at the quarterback position, the Bears will be in the thick of things in 2007.