By Dan PompeiThese NFL free agents are pretty greedy, so some of these deals might not be slam dunks.
The Bears are pretty greedy, too. They want a pass rusher, a tight end, and a running back.
And we are greedy as well.
What about a safety?
It looks like Antrel Rolle will be a long shot, though the Bears were negotiating with him Thursday. Now he's visiting the Giants and being courted by the Dolphins. And the truth is, the Bears probably can't afford him if they are going to sign Julius Peppers.
They still could have hope for a safety of lesser pedigree. But there really isn't much available, especially seeing the Bears specifically need a free safety.
Photo: The Rams' O.J. Atogwe might be the Bears' best target at safety. (Jed Jacobsohn/Getty)
Kerry Rhodes has not been cut by the Jets and it's starting to look like he won't be. Darren Sharper probably is out of their price range. There has been some talk about Ryan Clark and Jermaine Phillips, but neither is really a fit for what the Bears need
The best option clearly is O.J. Atogwe of the Rams. He is a restricted free agent, and it was assumed the Rams would tender him at a level that would require any team that signs him to compensate the Rams with a high draft pick. But the Rams chose to tender him at the lowest possible level.
What this means is whoever signs Atogwe would not have to compensate the Rams. But the Rams have the right to match any offer. It would probably take a market-setting deal to get him out of St. Louis, and the Bears might not be able to afford such a deal given their other maneuverings.
It's starting to look like the Bears' best option for a free safety will come from the draft. Maybe they can sign a lower-tier free agent at the position, a backup from another team such as Matt Ware or Kevin Kaesviharn, and hope that between the draft pick and the free agent, one of them can step up.
Another option would be to sign a cornerback -- Leigh Bodden wouldn't be bad -- and move Charles Tillman to free safety.
Ultimately, though, it appears that the Bears are banking on having better safety play because they have more pass rush.
Former Bear Chris Harris became a better safety when he started playing with Peppers in Carolina. Maybe Peppers can have the same kind of impact on the Bears' safeties next year -- whoever they are.
Register with Chicago Tribune and receive Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks newsletters for free. 
When sports news breaks, be the first to know. (To get alerts on a mobile device, text CHISPORTS to 31286.). 
Kudos to the Bears for addressing their needs so aggressively. I agree that a top tier safety would be nice, however, we do have some young and promising prospects already on the roster who will only improve with experience. Further, I think Charles Tillman offers an intriguing possibility for the free safety position. Kudos to the Bears for a stellar start to free agency.
I like the idea of moving Tillman to safety, cause his strength is his toughness and smarts. I think Lito Shepard would be a good veteran corner to get, who is savy enough to play the cover 2 with Zach Bowman. Manning is still a good nickel or second safety.
Go out and sign Darren Sharper. Seriously, the Bears just dropped over 100 million (I know its the NFL and you can cut guys, but the contract values still add up to that or more.) and they're gonna stop with 8 million for Sharper?
Sign Sharper and put him at free or strong safety.
Put Tillman at the other safety slot.
Problem solved. Mission Accomplished. Back to base G.I. Joe.
Wise up Bears, you have the perfect safety on the roster all ready. Who you ask, Tillman that is who. He is not a real corner lost some speed but is perfect for free safety. He has the size and smarts and toughness to be a force back there. They need speed at the corners and that is what they need to go after in the draft. Granted no high draft choices but corners usually aren't found in first 2 rounds.
What the heck took so long to get this article out. People like Joe F and well, myself have been talking about this guy for the last two days. Yes go get Atogwe, glad to see the fans are once again ahead of the writers in chicago.
Not to mention it looks like the Bears are getting a good deal on Peppers 12 mil instead of 15-16. No more mid round draft picks wasted at safety, enough is enough, go get a guy who can actually play.
Whoa, whoa, whoa! Everyone is going hog wild. The Bears only signed a TE who formerly played for Martz. I will believe it when I see it - the signing of Peppers, Taylor and Atogwe. The front office is correct to improve their line. But I have yet to see them make moves to improve the O line and the secondary. Talk, talk, talk. I want to see effective action!
David-
I completely agree we should consider get someone back "if" we trade Olsen. I would be happy with Boldin or Marshall really (both could probably block better than Olsen!) but like you, I would have to lean towards Boldin just for the headcase Marshall appears to be. With that said you also have a risk with Boldin because of age and being more prone to injury. I think we all know that Cutler would love to have Marshall back with him.
For some reason though, I just don't see us getting either WR and just getting picks for Olsen if they really do trade him.
Agreed Jackson -I prefer, prioritize a safety over rb. Couldn't have said it better myself.
How about Boldin over Marshall? Marshall has a bigger upside but he's a headcase. If we're going to move Olsen, i don't want a draft pick, unless that pick can be packaged for a proven #1 WR.
Just heard on Waddle and Silvy --Boldin available for 3rd rd pick. Git'r'Done!
"It would probably take a market-setting deal to get him out of St. Louis"
What's the price range on Atogwe? Is it higher than Rolle?
And i have been surprised as well that we've been so quiet on the safety front (after Lovie's comments earlier in the week).
I agree that if signing Taylor prevents us from getting a safety, then I just don't understand it. Yes, Forte struggled last year, but he is a great fit for Martz's offense. He is fantastic at catching the ball out of the backfield. I'd much rather see us sign Atogwe and draft a speedy back in the 4th round to compliment Forte.
Also let me throw this out there...there has been a lot of talk about Olsen moving and the Bears really wanting Marshall, but don't have the pick to get him. The Broncos won't trade him for Olsen, but the Pats are said to be offering a 2nd rounder for him. How about trading Olsen for that #2 and then packaging that pick with E. Bennett to get Marshall. Broncos may bite on a #2, plus a quality young wideout to replace him with. Denver has to move Marshall, expecting him to play next year for his 2.5 million tender would be nothing but a headache for them!
What we need to do:
1. Sign Peppers - do not even let him leave Halas Hall today to entertain offers from other teams. Pass rushing DE, check.
2. Sign Atogwe - as Joe F. stated, make a $5-6 million offer, which the Rams are unlikely to match. Free safety who can play in the Crappy-2, check.
3. Trade Olsen to the Patriots for one of their 2nd-round draft picks. Olsen simply does not fit Martz's scheme - get what we can for him now.
4. Use the 2nd round pick obtained above and our 3rd round pick on a LG and a RT. Build the line to protect Cutler.
As much as I would love Atogwe,or any of these other names I do think if given a chance Steltz could do a good job back there. He came out of LSU in a zone heavy system which is what the Bears system is & he produced! He had 6 picks his last season there. He also played very well when he was put in the last 2 games. I remember a play one on one w/Adrian Petersen where Steltz was isolated outside w/Petersen on a play Favre saw was there & he put him there to take advantage of it. Well Favre did go there about 30 yards into the endzone & Steltz didn't even let him touch the ball. That was impressive & answered the question about his athleticism. I think w/a balls out pass rush Steltz can pick off a few for us.
Don't successful teams usually build the core of the team through the draft first and then use free agency to fill in the pieces and upgrade the skill positions?
Ah, the Bears, such mavericks to defy conventional wisdom like this.
Pompei as usual is about 2 days behind the rest of the world. We have been hammering the boards about this guy for days, and he is likely an even better fit than Rolle would be for our defense. A weird loophole in the RFA process would require the Rams to pay OJ 110% of his 2009 salary when tendering him at a compensation level (second round or better if signed away), and they also had to include the perks of his 2009 contract. Since he was franchised, he would get a guaranteed deal to the tune of $8.7-9 mil as a tender, which would absolutely mean he would be back in St. Louis in 2010. Add in that they had an agreement that they would not franchise him in 2010, and there you have it.
The Bears should pounce immediately on him, and set a deal for $5-6 mil a year, and see if they go for it. The Rams will likely not match the deal, as they have too many other needs, and are in the process of being sold, so their budget is not going to be huge until that is sorted out.
We wouldn't know for 7 days, but odds are the Rams would announce quickly that they aren't matching the deal.
Antrel Rolle or Darren Sharper would be the ICING ON THE CAKE ...... let us pray that we are able to get one or the OTHER!
Andy H is another one of those Bears' fans that doesn't know what he is talking about yet keeps spewing ignorance.
Peppers would be a huge upgrade and can make the Bears DEF better but we still need help at SAFETY. I like the idea of RB Chester Taylor, but if he makes it so we cant get a SAFETY...i wont like the signing.
Signing a quality safety with Peppers and HOPEFULLY healthy T.Harris, Urlacher, Pisa Tinoisamoa to go with solid A.Brown, L.Briggs, Tillman.....DEF looks much improved.
A.Boldin anyone? We offered a 2nd round pick and now can get him for a 3rd...NO BRAINER!
Just curious, what the heck did Afalava and Payne do to piss off Lovie/Angelo? They weren't spectacular at SS, but they showed flashes. Payne flew around and laid the lumber on people, Afalava is a good tackler and had some breakups. Both just seemed to need some time to learn the position.
Now we're looking at Manning there? I like Manning at Nickel. Competition is always good, but there's going to be 3 at SS that are still fairly new to the system/position/league. Seems to make more sense to have Al and Kevin get more reps... And bring back the Honey Bears.
Atogwe would be ideal for the Bears. I like him better than Rolle and he may cost less. Front load his deal and even put a poison pill provision that if he plays for the Rams its fully guaranteed. Atogwe hits like Chris Harris forces fumbles and has better ball skills.
Atogwe!
No way, just get Rolle or Atogwe. Our safeties are terrible