According to my handy Bears Media Guide, here are the list of players with expiring contracts:

Brandon Ayanbadejo

Obagemi Ayanbadejo

Bernard Berrian

Lance Briggs

Ruben Brown

Rashied Davis

Antonio Garay

John Gilmore

Rex Grossman

Leon Joe

Dante Wesley

Brandon McGowan

I’m completely amazed that all the attention has gone to Rex and Lance and people have forgotten all about Bernard Berrian. He has consistently proved himself to be the number 1 receiver on this team, even though he lines up next to Mushin Muhammed. Moose may be the more seasoned veteran, but Bernard has become one of the prime deep threats in the league. It would be foolish to let him go. The Bears have the opportunity to let Briggs go and use Jamar Williams in his place and see how well he can hold up. There is no receiver on this roster who can come close to replacing Berrian’s ability. Devin Hester may have more blazing speed but has a long way to go to learn the offensive playbook and show the solid hands we have in Berrian.

I initially felt the Bears should make Briggs a priority, but if it comes down to money, which it always does, I’d rather have Berrian. I love Briggs, but the reality is that he doesn’t make many big, flashy plays. He has become a Pro Bowler because of his solid tackling skills combined with a defense designed to flush the ball towards the linebackers. When Briggs was picked up in the 3rd round of the 2003 draft with the 68th overall pick, he was not highly regarded. It was because he flourished in the Bears defense that he became so popular. Nothing says that Briggs can flourish in another defensive scheme or that another drafted linebacker couldn’t replace him. I worry that because Briggs does not make many flashy plays that he may become a bust in his next destination. Only time will tell if I’m right, but unless he ends up with a great opportunity to play in New England or San Diego, I think he might be exposed and asked to do too much.

I will expose myself a little more and make the argument for Rex Grossman’s return. The thought of Kyle Orton and Brian Griese battling for the starting job next year is troubling. Neither quarterback gives you the hope of making the playoffs that Grossman can. He may make bonehead plays but he also makes spectacular plays that propel his team to victory. Orton or Griese could get the Bears to 8 or 9 wins, but I think with Grossman at the healm they could reach 11 or 12 wins. He is a risk taker and exactly what the teams needs to get back at the top.

As for all the rest, hopefully the Ayanbadejo boys will give the Bears a discount for signing the brothers and giving Obagemi a chance after his early season troubles. Leon Joe has been nothing short of a bust and a big disappointment. Ruben Brown will have to decide if he wants to retire or let his arm heal for another go around for a run at a Super Bowl. I don’t think anyone will really notice if Rashied Davis leaves after a houdini act of playing a big role last year and disappearing this year. Antonio Garay doesn’t even deserve me finishing his sentence. John Gilmore is a good player and contributor but is odd man out at tight end where the Bears have a deep pool of talent. Dante Wesley is cornerback and that’s about all anyone knows about him. Brandon McGowan will likely disappear and become a die hard Bears fan trivia question and joke when referencing back to the secondary on 2007 team. He’ll represent for defense what Bobby Wade represents for inept offenses of previous years.

So it comes down to only a few names. Berrian, Grossman, and Ayanbadejo. Briggs would be a welcome sight back next year but I doubt the Bears will make the investment. Jamar Williams looks too good and the Bears have too many needs in other spots on the field. Whether Briggs plays on Sunday or if he allows Williams to put on another great audition for a starting spot could be the spotlight for their game against the Saints.

The lack of production at defensive tackle may account for part of the sudden calapse of the previously dominant Bears defense.  The giant holes in the safety position have been painful to watch, but they wouldn’t be so exposed if opposing offenses weren’t getting the opportunities to go deep. 

It’s no secret that part of Brian Urlacher’s success is his uncanny speed to move from sideline to sideline and make a great play.  What has also become well known is his inability to shed blockers when a free guard or tackle can come up and disrupt his running lane.  Having big, strong defensive tackles that require double teams are what make fast linebackers look so good.  It’s also the reason why the Bears linebackers have looked so bad this season.

The Bears are sitting on one of the most promising young defensive tackles in the game in Tommie Harris.  He can change the course of a game all by himself.  His injuries didn’t heal quite as promised and he ended up spending the entire season battling knee injuries.  Harris has managed to play in every game this season with a heavily braced knee and almost no practice time.  It has become a regular sight at Halas Hall to see Harris sitting out every practice of every week.  He’s been playing on Sunday and only Sunday and has still managed to produce 29 tackles and 7 sacks on the season.  It’s actually a little bit scary when you think about how much production this young man would have on two good knees.  Going into only his fourth season next year we may witness the development of a truly amazing talent.

The Bears made the off-season move to acquire veteran Darwin Walker from the Philadelphia Eagles, which I thought was genious at the time.  Unfortunately, with 17 tackles and 1 sack on the season he hasn’t quite lived up to expectations.  Seen walking around Halas Hall in a sling, his status for the final three games looks bleak.  His future with the team looks even worse.

I was pretty disappointed when the Bears let go one of my favorite players from last season, Ian Scott, who ironically went to the Eagles but hasn’t played.  We also let Alfonso Boone go to the Kansas City Chiefs and magically became a difference maker, but that isn’t saying much with the Chiefs defense.  The Bears left us to watch Anthony Adams and Antonio Garay, who have been about as productive as the water boy in making a difference in the game.  To make matters worse, both Adams and Garay have placed on the injured reserve and are done for the season. 

So let’s review, the Bears have a great player in Harris who is barely playing on one knee, Walker is walking around with a sling, and their two back-ups are on injured reserve.  Suddenly the Bears troubles on defense are making sense.  The Bears literally have no one left to put at the position.  Last Thursday the Bears were forced to play special teamer and back-up linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo to get players rest.  This is a sad state of affairs.

So who will the Bears lineup at defensive tackle on Sunday?  Today the Bears signed Jimmy Kennedy, who was the 12th overall draft pick by the St. Louis Rams in 2003 and was a bust.  He was released by the Denver Broncos in preseason and now finds himself in a position to get a lot of playing time.  No word if he is in game shape or has done anything with football up until Tuesday. 

On Monday the Bears upgraded Babatunde Oshinowo from the practice squad.  He will likely get the start along side Harris on Sunday since he is familiar with the system.  He only played in one game last year for the Cleveland Browns and recorded two tackles.  Behold your starting defensive tackle Bears fans. 

This is going to be ugly.  We face the greatest rushing duo in the league with absolutely do depth or skill at a position needed to stop the run.  I will be surprised if the Vikings attempt more than 15 passes on Sunday because it won’t be needed.