This move by Jerry Angelo was intended to make the Bears better immediately and in the future.  It’s not like they traded for a soon-to-retire Brett Favre or for Joe Montana to the Chiefs in the twilight of his career.  They traded for a 26 year old Pro Bowl quarterback.  He’s going to be around for the foreseeable future.

But nevertheless,  let’s see what’s left on the Free Agent market:

Plaxico Burress – no way, not a chance.  Will either be suspended or in jail next season.  Next!

Torry Holt – has some history with Lovie Smith and might be able to cut moving expenses by sharing a moving truck with Orlando Pace.  Good possibility.

Marvin Harrison – probably has less left in tank than Holt.  Could Cutler rejuvenate him if Peyton Manning didn’t?  He’d still probably be the best wideout on the Bears even with no knees.

Amani Toomer – old vet might be able to mentor some of the youngsters and he’s the best dressed WR in football.

Mike Furrey and Shaun McDonald – Lions scraps are probably junk, but in the right system with the right QB, maybe it’s worth a sniff?

Hank Baskett – bring him to Chicago if for no other reason, because he’ll bring his main squeeze, Girl Next Door Kendra Wilkinson.  She might be as dumb as a bag of hammers, but that’s a nice looking bag of hammers.

Wouldn't she look better in a Bears uniform?

Bare Down Kendra!!!

Quarterback

Kyle Orton manned the most important position on the field admirably for the better part of the season, though he wasn’t quite the same after the ankle injury sustained Week 9 versus Detroit.  I think it’s important to keep everything in perspective.  A few years of Grossman may have blinded Bears fans as to what a real QB is supposed to be.  Other than not being Rex, did Orton really do that well?

The Bears offense ranked 21st in passing with 191.5 passing yards per game. Some of that may be attributed to the lack of WR’s, but we’ll get to that later.  Orton finished with 18 TD’s and 12 INT’s with a QB rating of 79.6.  Hardly mind-blowing numbers.  Does Orton deserve an extension?  I say no.  Let him play in a contract year with a sense of urgency and earn some new paper. (more…)