The Bears introduce free agent acquisitions Chester Taylor, Julius Peppers, and Brandon Manumleuna to the press AP Photo/Jim Prisching
Two teams got free agency off to a fast start, but the situations could not feel more different. The Detroit Lions made a couple of strong signings and pulled off a trade and feel like a team rebuilding. The Chicago Bears signed three big time free agents but feel like a front office in a panic to win right now, or be fired.
The Lions signed DE Kyle Vanden Bosh, and WR Nate Burleson. They also traded for DT Corey Williams. All three players will serve a crucial role on a team trying to return to respectability. They had specific needs, and were pretty smart about signing players that fit those needs.
Vanden Bosh and Williams represent the first moves in a rebuild effort of a pathetic defensive line. Since they also released DT Grady Jackson days after releasing DE Jared Devries, it seems very likely that the Lions will draft a DT with the 2nd overall pick in next month's draft and have three new starters on their d line.
In Burleson the Lions are hoping to have a legitimate number two guy to keep teams from double covering primary wide receiver Calvin Johnson. Looking at Nate’s stats suggest that this is the perfect role for him.
The Bears on the other hand seem a little desperate, and to be truthful seem to be the Washington Redskins of the North. 2010 marks the second year that this team will have no draft picks in the first two rounds of the NFL draft so facing a win now mandate, they were forced to spend big money to try to improve their roster.
Big contracts aside, since they will not matter in an uncapped 2010 NFL season, the Bears went out and signed DE Julius Peppers, RB Chester Taylor, and TE Brandon Manumleuna.
I am not arguing that these additions will not help the Bears; these are all pretty good players and should help the Bears improve over a disappointing 2009 season. I am arguing that this is not how championship caliber teams are built. There is one proven way to build winning organizations and that is through the draft. It seems it is a lesson lost on the front office staff of the Bears.
If the Bears do not win in 2010 it seems likely a good majority of their front office and coaching staff will be fired, so I have to question the logic of letting a staff on its final legs spend like this. Maybe it will work, but Daniel Snyder has tried all this before to no avail.
The Bears have added a star to their defense, a few offensive weapons for QB Jay Cutler and Offensive Coordinator Mike Martz to use. We cannot question the logic behind the individual moves themselves, but making moves like this on the first day of free agency suggests a team in a state of panic. Only time will tell how all this will work out.
Related Links:
• Detroit Lions news and notes
• Chicago Bears news and notes
• 2010 NFL Free Agents
• 2010 NFL team needs
• NFL Complete.com
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