Five Remaining Free Agents Chicago Bears Should Target
Leon Washington – RB/KR
Dec 18, 2014; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Tennessee Titans running back
Leon Washington(29) carries the ball against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Ok, I know some people are going to look at this and think I’m crazy but hear me out. Even though Bears’ returner Marc Mariani did a serviceable job being thrown into the mix so quickly last year, I’m just not sold that he can be the guy to assist in the field position battle.
A major reason why the offense struggled last year was the poor field position that they seemed to constantly be in due to the lack of quality punt/kickoff returns.
Thanks to Marini the Bears were able to finish in the middle of the pack in kickoff returns (23.5 average), but were dead last in punt returning last year (5.2 average/return).
What could it hurt to bring in a proven return man like Washington as well as a veteran in the backfield with good hands? It wouldn’t and the current returners could learn a thing or two from him. Furthermore, behind Matt Forte there isn’t a lot of experience and Washington can bring more to the table than recent acquisition Daniel Thomas.
Next: How is this Guy Available?