We have all had a few days to digest the Bears loss to the Packers. This is not going to be an article about Jay Cutler, I have been very clear in my support for him. What this is going to be is a list of things the Bears absolutely need to do this off season. They are not really in any order, just things I think need to be addressed.
DRAFT AN OFFENSIVE LINEMEN IN THE FIRST ROUND- The Bears finally have a first round draft pick again this year. There should be absolutely no discussion on how that pick should be used. The O line played better as they year went on but the bottom line is Jay Cutler still got sacked more then any other QB in the NFL. O line is a position that teams usually can not address through free agency because once teams draft a good O linemen, they do whatever they can to hold on to them. The Bears front office draft history does not really inspire confidence that they can find a quality offensive linemen but they still have no other choice than to draft one in the first round
SIGN VINCENT JACKSON- The Bears refusal to go after a number 1 wide receiver for so long is nothing but frustrating. With so many wide receivers changing teams lately the fact that Johnny Knox is still this teams number 1 WR is a joke. Don’t get me wrong, I like Knox quite a bit, but the bottom line is he is a number 2 wide receiver. He breaks off routes way to early leading to many interceptions, and he is not a go up and get it guy. Vincent Jackson is the definition of a number 1 WR. He is big, he is quick, and he is tough. He can beat guys down field or go across the middle. Behavior is an issue with him but he is worth the risk, and you can just structure his contract to include penalties for poor behavior.
SIGN NNAMDI ASOMUGHA- If the Bears are going to continue with the cover 2 scheme, its about time they upgrade the secondary. Depending on who you ask Asomugha is one of the 2 best cover corners in the league. Teaming him up with Peanut Tillman would form one of the best Cornerback tandems in the league. If there was one thing that we learned from the Green Bay game, it was that a team with good wide receivers is going to pick on Tim Jennings. The first 2 touchdown drives from the Packers were due to Jennings getting burned and harassed by the Packers receivers. We saw from this past off season that the Bears are willing to spend money, and the Bears need to make a splash by signing the best available player in free agency 2 years in a row.
DO NOT GIVE EXTENSIONS TO LOVIE SMITH OR JERRY ANGELO- Despite what I perceive to be an extremely terrible job in the Packers game, Lovie Smith had a great season. He took a team that no body predicated to make the playoffs and took them within a couple minutes of playing in the Super Bowl. Which is why I firmly believe he should keep his job. But last time Lovie’s team made a deep playoff run, it was followed by 3 years of futility. Let the man prove he can make the playoffs 2 years in a row. And let the man prove that he wont wet the bed in a big playoff game. Waiting until after the season makes even more sense when considering that the upcoming season might no even happen due to labor uncertainty. As far as Jerry Angelo goes, I would say even if the Bears make the playoffs again, there is no way he should be extended. He himself admitted earlier this season in a press conference that “This is not a very talented team.” His early round draft choices have almost been unanimous failures and the gaping holes that this team has had for the last few years are all still there. How long have we been saying the Bears need a stud Wide Receiver and help on the Offensive Line? Its time for Jerry to go
GET JAY CUTLER AN EXPERIENCED QB COACH- I don’t know anything about Shane Day really. I could pass him on the street everyday and never know it. He is not the guy that should be in charge of coaching a high profile Quarterback like Jay Cutler. I agree that this is something minor and should be the last thing addressed on this list, however I really feel like Cutler could benefit from a strong QB coach.
Did I forget something? Let me know in the comments!
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