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When a team only wins 5 games in a league that prides itself on parity, then there is a clear talent deficiency. If the Bears are ever going to compete with the Packers or even the Lions and Vikings, they need to make some changes to their roster. For the last few years the Bears have had one of the oldest and slowest defenses in the league. It didn’t help that their D-coordinator was running a scheme that was out-dated 5 years ago, but that is besides the point. The Bears need new blood on the roster, specifically on the defensive side of the ball. Here is my list of Bears free agents that I think they should let go.
Release:
OLB Lance Briggs – It was a good run for Briggs, but even he knows his time with the Bears is at an end. He said as much in his last appearance on the Lance Briggs show. Here is a link to his farewell speech. Briggs looked like a shell of his former self this year and I expect him to retire sometime in the offseason or maybe join Lovie Smith for a last hurrah in Tampa.
FS Chris Conte – Good riddance.
MLB D.J. Williams – Has missed 14 of 32 games in his two years with the Bears. Williams hasn’t been that great when healthy either (-9 grade) and at 32 years old isn’t getting any better. It’s time for the Bears to see what they have in former 2nd round pick Jon Bostic at MLB or perhaps draft a replacement early in this year’s draft.
TE Donte Rosario – The Bears released Rosario twice before the season started and he wasn’t picked up by another team either time. He is the epitome of a league average backup. Rosario is a decent run blocker but not overpowering and can catch the ball but isn’t going to do anything with it. Rosario won’t hurt the team if they bring him back, but he’s not going to help much either. I’d like to see the Bears either give Zach Miller a shot or bring in a younger player with some upside. If neither of those options plan out, Rosario will still probably be available.
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SS Danny McCray – It’s not McCray’s fault that he was forced to play 172 snaps by week 6 this season. He was signed to be a backup and special teams contributor but an early season injury to Chris Conte forced him into the lineup. It was pretty clear right away that McCray struggles in coverage. He’s basically a small linebacker; McCray is tough against the run and a decent tackler, but couldn’t grasp zone responsibilities and was a disaster in man coverage. McCray was basically Craig Steltz, but not as good on special teams. I am still bitter that Emery passed on affordable veteran safeties in free agency like Mike Adams (7th ranked safety by PFF), Patrick Chung (12th), or James Ihedigbo (14th) and undrafted rookie safeties with upside like Pierre Warren (2 INTs vs Bears) or Kenny Ladler for a limited player like McCray. They would have been better off just keeping Craig Steltz. Hopefully the new Bears GM won’t make the same mistake as Emery and will actually prioritize the safety position.
DE Trevor Scott – He was one of the stars of the 2014 preseason and forced his way on to the roster, but only got 23 snaps during the season. With DEs LaMarr Houston, Jared Allen, Willie Young, David Bass, and Cornelius Washington already on the roster that probably leaves only one roster opening at DE in 2015. I’m pretty sure that last DE spot will go to a rookie drafted this April or a free agent signing.
DE Austen Lane – See above.
WR Josh Morgan – The Bears had an opening at the 3rd receiver position this season and Morgan failed to step up and take it. Some will say he deserves another chance because Cutler didn’t give him any targets. I think Morgan didn’t get any targets because he couldn’t get open. The Bears have enough tall receivers who are a step or two slow and run sloppy routes. They need to diversify their receiver group this offseason and add some speedy types who run crisp routes. Morgan had a chance to live up to his potential this year but he didn’t do enough to earn another one.
K Jay Feely – Robbie Gould will be back next year.