The Top-10 Moves of the Chicago Bears Off-season

(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

But expecting him to be heatlhy is like expecting Rush Limbaugh to exercise. The Bears needed to move on—much like the Cubs did with Mark Prior a few years back.

It's time to see what Corey Graham and Craig Steltz can do at the free safety position. If one of them wants it badly enough, the job is his.

7. Signing Kevin Shaffer

The Bears needed a right tackle after the abrupt retirement of John Tait. They got a serviceable-to-good one in veteran Shaffer after the Browns cut him in March.

Now what looked like to be a shaky unit at best looks to be a team strength. When healthy, Pace is an upgrade over St. Clair. Shaffer is a safer bet that Tait, who had injury problems and got old quick in 2008.

And Frank Omilaye at least provides depth at guard. He may even replace third-year left guard Josh Beekman going into 2009.

8. Re-signing Kevin Jones

Running back Kevin Jones was basically invisible for most of 2008—running 34 times for 109 yards and leaving Matt Forte to carry the load. But after running 316 times as a rookie, Forte needs a breather in 2009.

That's where Jones comes in. A former 1000-yard-runner, Jones struggled with injuries last season. He chose to re-sign with Chicago even though he was not given much of a chance to play in '08.

Jones is going to want to prove himself this season. And a two-back system is basically a necessity in the current NFL if a team wants to win.

9. Drafting Juaquin Iglesias

Bears fans wanted to see a splashy acquisition at wide receiver—everyone from Anquan Boldin to Torry Holt was mentioned. But the Bears struck out—or decided not to play—in free agency and the trade market. So they did the next best thing:

They took the best wide receiver available with their second pick in the draft.

If you told fans this draft scenario a few months ago, they would have been happy. But a little thing called "The Cutler Trade" happened, and the Bears' second pick turned out to be in the third round.

No matter. In Iglesias, the Bears got a possible starter with first-round potential from a top college program. They stuck to the strategy of going wide receiver early in their draft, and may have struck gold with Iglesias.

10. Signing Frank Omilaye

Acquiring Omilaye gives the Bears the option of replacing Beekman. Whether or not they do this is likely up to who performs better in the preseason.

Beekman played so-so in his sophomore campaign of 2008. Omilaye has played in only 11 games in his NFL career.

Neither stands out as the definite starter right now, but Omilaye may have the edge based on his potential alone. Either way, signing Omilaye gives the Bears much-needed depth at the guard position and the offensive line as a whole.

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