Tuesday, February 5, 2013
A DE addition for Chicago?
By Tim Kavanagh
One would not be out of line to argue that the Chicago Bears do not have an extreme need for help at defensive end this offseason. They've still got Julius Peppers on one side, and a rising potential building block in Corey Wootton, in addition to 2012 first-round pick Shea McClellin. Nevertheless, with Israel Idonije hitting free agency, there could be room for more help, and an NFL team can never have too many adept pass-rushers.
Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com profiled some of the players at the position set to hit free agency (if their current team doesn't re-sign or franchise tag them). Two of the players mentioned are on the downslope of their career arc -- Dwight Freeney and Osi Umenyiora -- while the others -- Cliff Avril, Michael Bennett and Michael Johnson -- may require too high of an investment (if they even reach the market).
The X factor here is how the impending free agents that come from the 3-4 OLB position might fit. The list of players that fit that description includes Anthony Spencer, Paul Kruger and Connor Barwin. It's possible that these players could be an option, too, if the Bears' pro personnel scouts see something they like on film. Of course, none of those three will come very cheaply either.
