Bears Need to Bring Back Alex Brown
They say you can’t go home again, but the Bears have a chance to let Alex Brown come home again. The former Saint was released today and is looking for work. With some weak spots at the defensive end position and Corey Wootton rehabbing from a preseason knee injury, the Bears would be stupid not to bring Brown in for a look-see.
Brown was unceremoniously let go last offseason in a cost cutting move much to the chagrin of many Bears fans. AB was a fan favorite and most salivated at the chance to see Brown play opposite big 2010 free agent acquisition Julius Peppers. Last season, Izzy Idonije did a fine job anchoring the other defensive end position, but you have to wonder how Alex Brown could have done while Peppers was drawing double teams.
The last time we saw Brown at Halas Hall, they didn’t exactly have the red carpet out for him. The Bears could right that wrong and help solidify the defensive end position all while bringing back a solid contributor who has proven that he can produce in this defensive scheme.
Based on my early preview for the Bears final 53-man roster, they likely be keeping four defensive ends – Peppers, Idonije, Corey Wootton and a choice between undrafted rookie Marcus Addison or Tim Ruskell second year man Nick Reed. Please raise your hand if you don’t think that Alex Brown is a better fit than one of those last two. Thought so.
Brad Biggs points out that the Panthers will be interested in Brown as well, since Carolina head coach Ron Rivera had a strong relationship with Brown from his days at Bears DC. Lovie Smith gave his usual “we like our players” quote when asked about the possibility of bringing back Brown.
If the Bears put Brown in a rotation with Peppers, Izzy and Wootton, it could keep everyone more fresh and bolster the pass rush substantially. Considering they just pissed away $250k to give Vernon Gholston a look, what do they have to lose?