By Brad Biggs
INDIANAPOLIS -- Lovie Smith has seen enough change at the safety position.
He's ready to put an end to it. The Bears coach said the team needs to "invest" more in the position heading into free agency and the draft. From the sounds of things at his news conference Friday morning at the NFL scouting combine, it's one of the top priorities.
"We need to improve our safety position, period," Smith said. "Haven't been pleased with the production we've gotten. I think we had one interception from the safety position. That was one of the reasons why I feel like our takeaways were down this year. We need to bring in or just get more competition and just improvement in general."
INDIANAPOLIS -- Lovie Smith has seen enough change at the safety position.
He's ready to put an end to it. The Bears coach said the team needs to "invest" more in the position heading into free agency and the draft. From the sounds of things at his news conference Friday morning at the NFL scouting combine, it's one of the top priorities.
"We need to improve our safety position, period," Smith said. "Haven't been pleased with the production we've gotten. I think we had one interception from the safety position. That was one of the reasons why I feel like our takeaways were down this year. We need to bring in or just get more competition and just improvement in general."
It's expected that the Bears will target Antrel Rolle, who figures to
be released by the Arizona Cardinals. The converted cornerback is due
to earn $12 million this year. The Cardinals want Rolle back, but are
not going to pay him more than fellow safety Adrian Wilson, and know
there is a risk in letting him go.
The turnover at the position has been incredible during Smith's six seasons. It used to be the quarterback carousel was the ride that made you dizzy. Now, it's the safety carousel. The Bears have changed starting free safeties 21 times and starting strong safeties 20 times. That is 41 moves in 96 regular-season games, or one move every 2.3 games.
General manager Jerry Angelo traditionally hasn't put a lot into the position. He let Tony Parrish leave via free agency after 2001 and he went on to be a Pro Bowl performer in San Francisco.
The Bears have drafted one safety in each of the last five drafts. Chris Harris is a productive starter in Carolina. Danieal Manning has failed in multiple opportunities at the position. Kevin Payne isn't viewed as a starter at this point. Al Afalava and Craig Steltz, the last two drafted safeties, didn't show a lot last season.
The question is, do the Bears need to do more than just continue to throw late-round picks at the problem?
"When you look to improve it, you look at all areas," Smith said. "We do have some draft picks. Hopefully, maybe we will be able to use one a little bit earlier. But right now there is free agency and there are some possibilities there also. Keeping all of our options open."
Included in those options, like Smith said, is investing more in the position. That could mean a hefty contract for Rolle. The Bears could also consider Kerry Rhodes if he is let go by the New York Jets. Beyond that, it might be back to the draft.
The turnover at the position has been incredible during Smith's six seasons. It used to be the quarterback carousel was the ride that made you dizzy. Now, it's the safety carousel. The Bears have changed starting free safeties 21 times and starting strong safeties 20 times. That is 41 moves in 96 regular-season games, or one move every 2.3 games.
General manager Jerry Angelo traditionally hasn't put a lot into the position. He let Tony Parrish leave via free agency after 2001 and he went on to be a Pro Bowl performer in San Francisco.
The Bears have drafted one safety in each of the last five drafts. Chris Harris is a productive starter in Carolina. Danieal Manning has failed in multiple opportunities at the position. Kevin Payne isn't viewed as a starter at this point. Al Afalava and Craig Steltz, the last two drafted safeties, didn't show a lot last season.
The question is, do the Bears need to do more than just continue to throw late-round picks at the problem?
"When you look to improve it, you look at all areas," Smith said. "We do have some draft picks. Hopefully, maybe we will be able to use one a little bit earlier. But right now there is free agency and there are some possibilities there also. Keeping all of our options open."
Included in those options, like Smith said, is investing more in the position. That could mean a hefty contract for Rolle. The Bears could also consider Kerry Rhodes if he is let go by the New York Jets. Beyond that, it might be back to the draft.
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Duh.... Lovie has just NOW figured how badly they've screwed-up at Safety?? --- Not too nimble in the "thinking" department, is he? --- Why not four years ago?
This article merely illustrates the Bears' bumbling at the Safety position.
This can become a 22-part continuing series for each position on the Bears.
The series can be extended if we take into account the "coaching buffoonery".
Don'tcha just love the "entertainment value" the Bears provide? --- "Buffoonery For Dummies", or "How NOT To Run A Franchise".
Nick Collins please, probably alot more affordable for mccheapskis and hurt the pack
Lovie just doesn't get it. Every year he talks about creating more competition at safety so he brings in a bunch of under average players to compete with each other to see if a couple of them can stand out. Then they get on the field during a real NFL game and get burned. Competition is always good to ensure that good players don't get complacent, but you need good players that are capable of keeping up with opposing NFL offenses. Under average players are not going to become come good just because they compete with other under average players.
Why do we need a safety, Mr. Brown?
Because Lovie blows smoke and comes to games unprepared, your absense was felt.
There are many indicators that show that Lovie never had a grip as a head coach. Peter-principle. He took a good team and turned it into "softness".
Since 2006, no playoffs, not prepared excuse after every lose, no strategy changes in 6 seasons, never raised his voice, and now comes forward to tell us we had hole there last year?
Lovie green turns to black.
@TJ agreeing.
All the coaches in the league blow smoke; and Lovie does it better than the other coaches.
The only thing he does better than blowing smoke, is playing 'dead' on the sidelines.
@Steve34
One of the reasons that Sharper probably wasn't mentioned was due to the fact that, in a January inverview, Sharper himself stated that he did not really want to play in a 4-3 defense again. He feels that the 3-4 better fits his skillset and allows him to get the turnovers that come from his speed. He said that he did not wish to go back to Minnesota or any other team that runs a 4-3 as it stifled his abilities.
Just a thought.
Um....Biggs.....How can you not mention free agent, pro-bowler, and Super Bowl Champ Darren Sharper?
I thought Afalava and Steltz both showed promise. Sharper, though 34, showed he still probably has 2 good years left. The perfect player while the young safeties continue to develop.
hey brad, just stirring the pot with the chris harris comment.
let's quit beating that dead horse...cause it's dead.
let's remain hopeful that lovie's not just blowing smoke once again!
GO BEARS!!!!!
If the Bears make a move for Rolle and can add a hopefully healthy Aaron Kampman they will be right back in the playoff hunt. If Lovie and Angelo want to save their jobs adding Rolle and Kampman will give our defense a major upgrade at positions that are lagging. I loved Wale but at 34 he is just not consistent enough against the pass anymore. Peppers is good but is pretty inconsistent also.
I am so glad that I have a stalker now. I feel better. Chris Harris is better than anything we have on our roster. I love this team and hate seeing quality players traded away for nothing. Harris is not GREAT, but he is definitly an upgrade to what we have now. How many times has Daniel Manning been burned??? I was alluding to the fact that we only got a 6th round draft pick for Harris and a 2nd round draft pick for Thomas Jones. Management needs to figure something out and fast.....but that is easier said then done.
Thanks for stalking me douche......
GO BEARS!!
Well Lovie said Omiyale will be penciled in at either right tackle or left guard depending on what happens in the offseason. So it looks like they want to address one spot on the line and will take either the best guard or the best tackle available with the third pick. Unless someone gets cut from another team they really like. With Safety it looks like they will look FA first and if they don't get the guy they want, they will address the need asap in the draft.
I still don't seee the reason they let Chris Harris go in favor of Kevin Payne??? Harris went to the Pro Bowl and is a stud. Oh wait we still have Angelo and Lovie that is why Harris only got traded for a 6th round draft pick!
GO BEARS!