Chicago Bears Trade For Gaines Adams

(Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Adam Schefter reports via Twitter that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have traded defensive end, Gaines Adams to the Chicago Bears for a undisclosed draftpick—believed to be a second rounder.

The 6'5", 260lb end has not developed at the rate scouts had once projected for the Clemson Tiger. Adams was drafted with the fourth overall pick in 2007 in front of Levi Brown, LeRon Landry and Adrian Peterson.

Adams will not be guaranteed a starting position on a Bears front which already boasts good players in Alex Brown and Adewale Ogunleye. Both starters are past the age of 30 and Adams projects as an extra pass rusher in the rotation.

Chicago still employs the Tampa Two defense, a defense Adams has spent his entire career in. Rod Marinelli failed as a head coach of the Detroit Lions but is still well regarded as a expert defensive line coach. The hope is that Marinelli will be able to get maximum effort out of a player known for his lackluster play.

The Tampa Two defense demands a high level pass rush from the front four. Gaines Adams is only 26 and has the measurables to dominate off the edge. In his third year, Adams has recorded 76 tackles, 12.5 sacks and has two interceptions. Bears management hope Adams will improve on those sack numbers for the remainder of the year.

The draft pick sent to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is expected to be a mid to low round second pick. The Buccaneers are expected to start a project rookie quarterback—Josh Freeman—by the end of the year and have many needs on both sides of the ball.

Left on the defensive line for the Bucs is Ryan Sims, Jimmy Wilkerson, and Chris Hovan, joining those three will be either fourth round pick, Kyle Moore or 2007 second round pick Tim Crowder.

For the Bears, fans must worry that a injured linebacker comes back healthy and a potent offense keeps its identity. The Bears are left without a first or a second round pick in 2010 after trading for Jay Cutler before the 2009 season.

Wide receiver was number one on many fans wish lists but that need much now wait for a developmental prospect to come along or a free agent to sign.

Michael Schottey is a Detroit Lions Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and the producer and host of The Average Joe Sports Show on 860AM KNUJ (New Ulm, MN). He is also an NFL Analyst and Senior Writer for DraftTek.com.

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