Backup Quarterback Options:
ESPN Chicago’s Mike Wright takes a look at some of the players that the Chicago Bears may consider signing or drafting during the offseason.
Chicago has had a number of unreliable options at the backup quarterback position. To make matters worse, Jay Cutler has gone down with injuries in each of the last two seasons, forcing Chicago to play Todd Collins, Caleb Hanie and Josh McCown.
Wright mentions that David Garrard, Kyle Orton and Jason Campbell could all be possibilities for the Bears.
“Unlike Orton and Campbell, Garrard likely won’t be expensive, and he won’t enter a new situation looking to win the starting job. Besides that, Tice is familiar with Garrard from their time spent together with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Wright suggests.
On top of that, Garrard is available to be signed right now but Chicago would have to wait until March 13th to sign either Orton or Campbell. Garrard, 34, is able to make plays outside of the pocket but lacks Cutler’s arm strength. The plan isn’t for him to play anyways but just to give them a shot to win a game if something happens to Cutler.
ESPNChicago.com’s Jeff Dickerson mentions that Giants WR Mario Manningham could be a decent free agent acquisition for the Bears.
“While it’s unlikely he would solve all the Bears’ issues at receiver, Manningham would certainly upgrade a group that failed to have a single member crack 40 catches or 750 yards last year,” writes Dickerson.
Manningham, 25, made the play the play of the Super Bowl last night which has helped his free agent stock more than anything else he’s done this season. His role was decreased in favor of Victor Cruz who wound up being one of the years breakout performers.
Chicago needs a legitimate #1 receiver and Manningham isn’t going to be that player. Adding depth to the position is a great idea but not if it’s going to cost them added premium because of his big catch in the Super Bowl. I’d still expect Chicago consider drafting a receiver in the early round of the draft but this years group of free agents is really deep at receiver so anything’s possible depending on how the market plays out.
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id say either Jackson, steve johnson, or colston…i like em all but vincent jackson needs to be the target…maybe pick up that linebacker from alabama with #1 pick?
I agree with Tyler that we really need to go after Jackson..I’m not completely sold on Colston, and think he is just a product of his environment..Jackson plus a first round pick at WR would really open the field up for Bennett and Knox (if he can play). The biggest problem the last few years has been that we don’t have a WR that needs to be doubled often. I think Jackson would solve that problem and open it up for the others..Sadly, we don’t have as much money as you think, and with needing to lock up some of our 14 Free agents this year, we might be a little strapped when it comes to outside free agents..We still need to shore up the line, which could be done during the draft, and I see us needing another CB..Tillman is fine, but Jennings is a nickle at best…
You make a great point about Jackson. I agree that he’s a better fit than Colston. Jackson draws double teams and has the ability to stretch the field which opens up the intermediate passing game for Cutler. Not a lot of talent in this years group of o-line free agents, not that there ever is, so the drafting some help is logical. The cornerback market is deep this year and the Bears could grab someone at a decent price depending on how things play out. Safety needs to be upgraded as well and there’s also some decent players in the market there as well.
Vincent Jackson-#1 receiver |
or Dwayne Bowe-#1 receiver | Marques Colston-#2 receiver | Mario Manningham-#3 receiver | Robert Meachem-#3 receiver | Reggie Wayne-#3 receiver | Would love to see Jackson & Colston and have Da Bears draft another WR with the 19th pick. Bears are one of the few teams that have a QB that receivers know can stretch the field as well as the $ to get them to the city.