The Chicago Tribune's Vaughn McClure, with the help of an NFL executive, connects the dots on where soon-to-be Bears free agents, linebacker Lance Briggs and wideout Bernard Berrian, might end up next season. Both have roots in California which has fueled speculation that the Bay Area could be a likely 2008 destination.
McClure's source thinks the 49ers will make a run at Briggs, and Berrian could end up across the Bay Bridge in Oakland.
Seeing that Patrick Willis was just named Defensive Rookie of the Year, and San Francisco spent gobs of dough for cornerback Nate Clements last off-season, it's clear the team is intent on improving the defense. And for all of head coach Mike Nolan's shortcomings, he's done exactly that. Adding Briggs would obviously improve things.
As for Berrian, who's considered the best available free-agent option at wide receiver (with Patrick Crayton signing his new deal and assuming Randy Moss stays in New England), Oakland seems like a good fit. Al Davis is all about the vertical passing game. Berrian can run like the nobody's business, and JaMarcus Russell can throw it out of the stadium. Seems like a pretty good match. Of course, it's hard to execute a seven-step drop when the offensive line is chock full of holes, but this has to be the year Robert Gallery finally puts it all together.
