Bears Shouldn't Stop With Cutler, Pace

After the Bears made the announcement of their franchise-shattering acquisition of Jay Cutler, they didn't rest. Within a few hours, they announced they had also agreed to terms with venerable left tackle Orlando Pace. I'll admit, I was overly excited about the two new Bears, as were all my Bears fans friends -- which is weird, usually at least one of us disagrees about player movement. Make no mistake about it, though. We aren't delusional. This team is far from complete and the die-hards know it.

With the team still a decent amount below the salary cap and several holes left to fill for 2009, here's what I think the Bears should do.

1. Sign Torry Holt. Like Pace, Holt should have at least a small relationship with Lovie Smith. The Bears should be infinitely more attractive to Holt now that Cutler is the quarterback instead of the inaccurate Kyle Orton. Also, the Bears have enough cap space to make Holt happy. Unlike Marvin Harrison, I don't think Holt is done. Sure, his best days are behind him, but he's got enough in the tank to be the Bears number one receiver opposite Devin Hester. Cutler would offer a significant upgrade to what Holt had last year in Marc Bulger, too.

2. Sign Ken Lucas. I agree with MDS that this would be a good move for the Bears. Nathan Vasher has not only been too injury-prone to rely upon the past two seasons, but he's also regressed. The Bears don't necessarily have to release Vasher, but adding Lucas for competition at this position would definitely alleviate concerns at this position. With Charles Tillman, Lucas, Vasher and Corey Graham, I don't think the Bears would need to further address corner in the draft.

3. Have Rod Marinelli work extensively and exclusively with the defensive line on its pass rush. So the Bears brought in a coach who was a terrible head coach. He also didn't have the best circumstances and he's generally thought of as one of the best defensive line coaches in the NFL. So, let's see it. I look at the personnel -- Adewale Ogunleye, Alex Brown, Tommie Harris, Marcus Harrison, Isreal Idonije, Mark Anderson, Dusty Dvoracek and Anthony Adams -- and see enough collective talent to be a formidable defensive line. None of them are overly old and they did form the NFL's fifth best run defense in 2008. The problems in '09 stemmed from the pass rush.

If Marinelli and Smith -- who said he'd take a more active role in the defense -- can work with the players and find a better scheme to match their collective skill sets, the personnel could very well be in place without needing a major facelift. Remember, Bob Babich has been demoted from defensive coordinator. Marinelli and Smith are smart enough defensive minds to together find a more efficient way of blitzing.

4. Draft for depth. If the above three things work as well as they can, the 2009 roster doesn't have any real glaring weakness. There are needs, sure, and that's why you draft. With the four picks, it would behoove the Bears to grab a wide receiver or two, and then go for the best player on the board types.

The offensive line has enough depth now with the addition of Pace, the hopeful development last year's first-rounder, Chris Williams, and the additions of Frank Omiyale and Kevin Shaffer. Lucas would complete the defensive backfield. Aside from the two stud linebackers, Nick Roach and Hunter Hillenmeyer are servicable enough to complete that position. Holt, Hester, Earl Bennett, a draft choice, and Rashied Davis would be enough at receiver to balance the offense from a run-heavy approach -- which would save Matt Forte from being torn apart.

Perhaps Brian Robiskie from Ohio State falls to the Bears in the second round? If that happens, it would beautifully fill out the once-maligned receiving corps. If not, Angelo's proven he can find defensive gems in round 2 or later (Danieal Manning, Lance Briggs, Tillman, Vasher, Alex Brown, etc.).


If these moves and strides are made by the organization, the foundation is in place for the Bears to get back into the Super Bowl conversation, as soon as this coming season.