Bob Sanders was just released by the Colts. Could a healthy Bob Sanders help the Bears defense?
— Dave Schutt, Iowa City
This is a popular question, one I have been asked by many readers. I know my colleague Matt Bowen, who is a true expert in safety play, believes Sanders could be a good pickup. And there is no question Sanders would be the most talented safety on the Bears roster. But the issue is do you want to pay decent money (you probably would have to) to a player you can’t count on. Because that’s what history says Bob Sanders is. In his last three years, Sanders has missed 24 of 48 games, and in his career, he has missed 64 of 112 games. He is soon to be 30 years old. Chances are, he’s going to become less durable as he ages, not more durable. Sanders reminds me a lot of Mike Brown. Really good player, very valuable. But at some point during a season you can count on losing him, and he’s probably not going to be there when you need him most. I know there is a chance, I would call it a remote one, that you could strike absolute gold with this guy. But I would not be interested unless Sanders were available for a bargain price.
It seems that having two or more good pass rushers is absolutely key to shutting down opponent’s passing games. Profootballfocus.com ranks Shaun Rogers as one of the top defensive tackles available in the league, would he not be perfect as far as a compliment to Julius Peppers?
It depends which Shaun Rogers you are talking about. Is it the Rogers who played in three Pro Bowls in four years? Or the Rogers who was 20th on his team in tackles last year, and has battled weight, attitude and off the field problems? Don’t forget, Rod Marinelli got rid of this guy once. I’d be surprised if he wanted to dance with Rogers again, unless the price was next to nothing.
I know the last thing Bears management probably wants to do right now is enter into another trade, but Mario Williams intrigues me. He’s skeptical of playing in the new 3-4 that Wade Phillips will implement in Houston, and the Bears need another pass rusher across from Peppers. I think Israel Idonije could make a fantastic 3-4 defensive end (because of his playing time both inside and out) if he bulked up again, and was wondering if you think trading him and a first round pick would be a good idea if it could get a guy like Williams.
— George S., Orlando
I’d do that deal in a heartbeat if I were Bears general manager Jerry Angelo. But if I were Texans general manager Rick Smith, I’d only do that deal if I was intrigued by the prospect of never working again. I don’t believe the Texans will be dealing Mario Williams.
What do you think about an even trade — Tommie Harris for Albert Haynesworth? I really think that both teams and players would benefit from such a move. What’s your thought on this?
— Mario Robles; Salinas, CA
I think Haynesworth would look great in the middle of the Bears defense playing for Rod Marinelli. But he might not look so great pouting in the locker room, or getting arrested for some late night foolishness. Haynesworth has a history of having what scouts call “character” issues. As a result, he has been a very inconsistent performer throughout his career. When he’s on, he’s incredible. But he’s not on often, which is one reason the Redskins would love to dump him. I’m not sure I would want to mess with that. Besides, Mike Shanahan likely would have no use for Tommie Harris, given the Skins use a 3-4 front.
You’ve maintained all season that the Bears do not need a No. 1 receiver because of the way they spread the ball. You’ve also downplayed the idea of going after Sidney Rice. Is it time to reassess that? One thing the NFC championship game revealed was a crying need for a Greg Jennings type player.
— Ryan; Columbus, OH
I have to admit Sidney Rice intrigues me a bit, in part because signing him from a division rival would be a major coup, in part because of his special skill set. But I wouldn’t pay Rice a king’s ransom because that would limit the Bears’ flexibility to acquire players they need more than him. And are you really sure what you are getting with Sidney Rice? He has been in the NFL for four years. He has had one year of solid production — three years of below average production. He is coming off a hip injury. He is far from a sure thing.
Might the Bears look into maybe trying to bring in Eagles quarterback Kevin Kolb given that he’s good enough to start a game and because Jay Cutler is so unpredictable?
— Lexie H., Chicago
No chance Lexie. The Eagles are asking for a first round pick and more in return for Kolb. The Bears can’t be using their draft picks for players they expect to be backups. And Kolb also is going to be paid like a starter. Paying him would not be using the budget wisely.
Could someone explain why after the Carolina game Todd Collins was still the No. 2 QB over Caleb Hanie? It was clear Hanie was better, despite his lack of experience. Hanie actually outperformed Cutler in the NFC title game. It appears the Bears were just so stubborn in trying to justify the salary paid to Collins.
— David Hillis, Tuscon
In hindsight, I don’t think anyone could give a logical explanation for the move. But I can tell you what the Bears coaches were thinking. Playing Collins had absolutely nothing to do with salary. They didn’t pay him that much. If the Bears based playing time on salary, Chester Taylor would have had more carries than Matt Forte. Instead, this was about experience. It was pretty obvious Bears coaches didn’t trust Hanie’s understanding of the offense and feel for the game. They preferred Collins because he had been around so long. Sometimes, these decisions are made based on things we can’t see that go on during the week in practice and in the meeting rooms. Maybe if we had seen everything Bears coaches saw, we would have had Collins ahead of Hanie too. But then we would have miscalculated as they did.
I was amazed to find that Percy Harvin is listed as 5’11” 184 while Johnny Knox is listed at 6’0″ 185 and Devin Hester at 5’11” 190. The half dozen or so times that I’ve seen Harvin play, I surely thought he looked significantly bigger than Knox and Hester, at least weight/muscle wise. Are these measurements really accurate?
— Tim Flynn, Denver
Interesting point Tim. Sometimes we get too caught up in measurements and neglect how a player uses his height and weight. There is no question Harvin plays bigger, more physically, than the Bears receivers. He almost looks like a running back, and he runs through tackles like one too. The listed heights and weights may be a little off, but not much. At the 2006 combine, Hester was measured at 5-10.5 and weighed 190. At the 2009 combine, Harvin was 5-11.1 and weighed 192, and Knox measured 5-11.4 and weighed 185. In person, Knox looks like a thin guy. He does not look like he weighs 185. But he is all muscle, so it’s possible.
I may be wrong, but it seems to me that our receivers don’t run routes consistently. How much of that is coach Darryl Drake? How much is the receivers? I tend to blame Drake more than the receivers, but I may not have the whole story.
— Ben, Fort Atkinson, WI
I think you are wrong Ben. Everybody likes to beat up the Bears receivers, but I think as a rule they run routes pretty well. They are young and were playing in a new offense last year, so they screwed up from time to time. They should improve with age and experience. But it’s not like Jay Cutler has no idea where they are going to be. They typically get to where they are supposed to be. As for Drake, I think he’s a really good receivers coach, and he wouldn’t have lasted seven years under Lovie Smith if he wasn’t. Smith is not bashful about replacing assistants, and Drake never has given him a reason to replace him.
Do you think the Bears will receive any compensatory picks in this year’s draft? I think the loss of Gaines Adams should net us one — but is that offset by the signing of Julius Peppers? Thanks and I love your mailbag questions as you do not duck questions like the Bears website does.
— Kevin Merkel, Aurora
Thanks Kevin. The Bears will not receive a compensatory pick for Adams because the NFL does not award picks for players who die. Even if the Bears had lost some unrestricted free agents of value, it is probable they wouldn’t receive any comp picks because of the signings of Peppers, Brandon Manumaleuna and Chester Taylor.
One thing I keep reading is that free agent Corey Graham is a standout on special teams but wants an opportunity to play cornerback as a starter. So why not give him the chance so as to keep him serving the Bears in both capacities?
— Jack Gallagher, Chicago
The Bears have given Graham an opportunity to play corner in the past, and there is a reason the opportunity was taken away. He practices at the position all the time. Just because a player has contract leverage is not a reason to let him dictate where he will play. Coaches have to do what’s best for the team. This is a very similar situation to when Brendon Ayanbadejo was a free agent in 2008. Ayanbadejo was an even better special teams player for the Bears, and he wanted playing time on defense. The Bears couldn’t promise that, and he subsequently signed with the Ravens. Graham has been an important part of the Bears and they don’t want to see him go. But remember this: special teams players are easy to replace. The Bears got over Ayanbadejo’s departure. Last year they let Tim Shaw walk and still played outstanding special teams. If Graham goes, it’s likely they’ll keep rolling under Dave Toub.
