Free Agent News

by Adam T on Jan 16, 2008 9:42 AM CST in News

Keeping track of some free agent pickups the Bears may have their eye on or at least have had their names linked to.

On Tuesday, Barber's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said he's open to dealing with the Cowboys but also understands several teams could be interested as well.

"I'm sure I'll see the Cowboys at the Senior Bowl and the combine, and we have plenty of time to talk about this," Rosenhaus said.

Really the question is is MB II worth a first or a second to you? If he is bring him in and offer him a big time deal. If you get him, you are ready to roll, if the Cowboys decide to match at least you set their cap space back a little.

ALAN FANECA

Faneca becomes an unrestricted free agent Feb. 29, and while the Steelers plan to talk to his agent before then, even director of football operations Kevin Colbert noted Monday that "the price most likely has gone up."

Still, Roethlisberger made his pitch to management that they try to keep his All-Pro guard, who has been a linchpin of the offensive line for a decade.

"I don't know what's going to happen," Roethlisberger said yesterday. "That's hard for me, there could be an outlying story, something here or there I don't know about. But they do know how I feel about it. They know how valuable he is."

Some think he is aging, some think he will be a big pickup, but sources have said that the Bears are definitely interested in at least talking to him. The also have first day drafted linebacker Michael Okwo.

DHANI JONES

The Bengals have made the same contract offer to linebackers Landon Johnson and Dhani Jones, both of whom are eligible for unrestricted free agency beginning Feb. 29.

Terms were not available.

...

Jones, a free agent signed in September by the Bengals, is an eight-year veteran who will turn 30 on Feb. 22.

Jones name has not been linked to the Bears anywhere I have seen other than on WCG. He is probably the least likely of these three the Bears would look at. Management sounds pretty confident in Jamar Williams to take over at the Will linebacker should Lance Briggs find his fortune elsewhere.

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Comments

I believe Faneca will be a bad move...

...that is perfectly Bears-like. It will be reminiscent of Muhammed. He won't be quite as good the first year, but he'll be a big improvement of what they have. Plus, the team will be winning, so no one will care. The second year he won't be as good, and we'll all start to grumble. By the third year (and it will probably take a 4-5 year deal), we'll be trying to figure out how the cap hits work and how best to cut him.

by tyger1147 on Jan 16, 2008 11:35 AM CST reply actions

That depends

If in three yeas a broken down Faneca is our best Olineman, then we will be pissed. But if the Bears can draft and develop some good young guys, he can be the veteran leader and some of his shortcomings can be over looked. Yes it would be an expensive weakest link but still useful.

by Chad @ Windy City Gridiron on Jan 16, 2008 11:52 AM CST up reply actions

AND

he's only one year older than Steve Hutchinson and no one is complaining about him.

by Chad @ Windy City Gridiron on Jan 16, 2008 11:54 AM CST up reply actions

Apples and Oranges, much?

This doesn't make sense as any sort of analogy. 'Splain yo' self!

by tyger1147 on Jan 16, 2008 1:35 PM CST up reply actions

Not apples and oranges

Those guys are two of the best guards in the nfl. Both are around the same age. Hutch got a huge free agent contract that as of yet no one is worried about. Faneca is almost the same age so I expect them to perform similarly.

by Chad @ Windy City Gridiron on Jan 16, 2008 2:56 PM CST up reply actions

Re-read what I wrote...

...to better know what I'm talking about. Better yet, not to strain you, I'll sum it up for ya: nah, takes up too much time and you won't get it anyway. Let's just say, if Faneca was being signed at the age of 28, like Hutch, it'd be different. I'm sorry you don't understand stuff like "age" and such.

by tyger1147 on Jan 16, 2008 3:04 PM CST up reply actions

you're a jackass

When they boo you, you know they mean you. George Halas

by allhailmark on Jan 17, 2008 8:06 PM CST up reply actions

Dhani Jones

I was the one that mentioned that the Bears should take a look at him. I only based it on the fact that I like him as a player and feel the he cannot replace Lance Briggs but is a quality linebacker in this league who can help to fill that void.

by Chad @ Windy City Gridiron on Jan 16, 2008 12:48 PM CST reply actions