Quarterback Jeff Francis, left unprotected under Plan B by the Cleveland Browns, is among several free agents the Bears plan to inspect in the next couple of weeks.
A Mt. Prospect native, the 6-foot-4-inch, 220-pound Francis was the sixth-round pick of the Los Angeles Raiders out of Tennessee in 1989. He was cut by the Raiders after seeing very little playing time. Francis will receive a physical next Monday and then work out for offensive coordinator Greg Landry the next day.
Will Geiger count? Indianapolis Colts linebacker/defensive end O`Brien Alston was in Lake Forest Monday for a physical. He will work out for Bears linebacker coach Dave McGinnis Tuesday morning.
”He has been nicked up a little with a foot injury, but we liked him when he was a rookie,” said Bears pro scout Ken Geiger of the 6-6, 240-pound 10th-round draft pick out of Maryland.
New defensive blood? The Bears hope to look at Atlanta Falcons cornerback Charles Dimry March 5-6. Minnesota safety Mike Brim and Denver linebacker/
defensive end Gerald Robinson are penciled in for March 6-7.
Dimry, a fifth-round draft pick out of UNLV in 1988, started 12 games last season.
Brim, a 1988 fourth-round pick by Phoenix from Virginia Union, played with Minnesota last year at safety and on special teams.
Minnesota picked the 6-3, 248-pound Robinson in the first round out of Auburn in 1986. He has had chronic knee problems, and the Bears plan to give him a thorough orthopedic examination.
AWOL Holland wanted: The Bears also are very interested in speedy Los Angeles Raiders wide receiver/kick returner Jamie Holland. If only they can catch up with him.
”I called (the Raiders) Saturday and they are trying to locate him,”
said Geiger. ”He was on a vacation. I left word that we are extremely interested. But when a guy can`t be located, you kind of figure he might have a deal, staying with (the Raiders) or something.”
But sources in Los Angeles say Holland is determined not to return to the Raiders.
Is Les more? San Diego defensive tackle Les Miller, 6-7, 293, is another Plan B player the Bears are interested in bringing in for a workout.
