Chicago Bears Free Agency: 10 Free Agents the Bears Should Target in 2011

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The Bears made it all the way to the NFC Championship Game in 2010 even with the worst offensive line in the league and the offense learning a new and complex system.  

The Bears made immediate upgrades via the draft in grabbing offensive tackle Gabe Carimi to help shore up the blocking unit, and defensive tackle and bench-presser extraordinaire Stephen Paea to replace the departed and deflated Tommie Harris.  

Make no mistake about it, the Bears should first focus on re-signing their own men.  Specifically Anthony Adams, Olin Kreutz, Danieal Manning and even Pisa Tinoisamoa.  In some cases better options will be available, but with the shortened preseason, the Bears should prioritize re-signing their own talented free agents instead of delving into players who will be slow to contribute due to having less time before the season to learn the system and its nuances.

But the Bears will still have holes to fill.  

The Matadors of the Midway will need more than the drafting of Gabe Carimi and the re-signing of Olin Kreutz to become even an average offensive line.  The guard position is a mess, with wash-out former first-round tackle Chris Williams poorly manning the left guard spot and the ever-reliable Roberto Garza aging quickly.

The Bears also need a feature wide receiver to take the pressure off of Johnny Knox, Earl Bennett and Devin Hester.  All three could be significantly more dangerous with a true No. 1 receiver on the field to draw opposing defense's attention.

And while Tim Jennings performed admirably filling in at the top corner spot, the need for an upgrade in a division that boast Greg Jennings and Calvin Johnson was apparent.  

Today we'll look at the top 10 free agents that Jerry Angelo should be targeting if and when free agency begins.

Braylon Edwards: Wide Receiver

Braylon Edwards highlights with the Jets

The Jets won't be able to re-sign both Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards, and possibly won't be able to re-sign either one. 

Edwards is a big dynamic and exciting receiver who demands attention from opposing defenses.  He's had his problems with drops, but last season seemed to focus on improving that flaw with great success.  And his after-the-catch running ability leaves nothing to be desired and he he has reasonable speed.

The main problem, though, may be his inconsistent route running, which could cause problems in Mike Martz timing-based offense.    

Davin Joseph: Guard

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Adding this road-grating offensive guard to the line would make Matt Forte very happy.  

His 2010 season was cut short by a broken bone in his foot, but he should be ready to go once the owners and players come to an agreement.

His pass blocking is average, but that would be an immediate upgrade in Chicago.  And his run blocking is superb.  Forte had to work hard last year rushing for a career-high 4.5 yards per carry.  

The signing of Davin Joseph, combined with the drafting of Gabe Carimi, would give Forte holes you could drive a truck through. 

Lyle Sendlein: Center

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The Bears need to re-sign Olin Kreutz, but signing Lyle Sendlein could be a better move for the future.  

Sendlein is arguably the best center in free agency now that Ryan Kalil has been franchised by the Panthers.  And at 27 years old, he has a lot more years left in him that the 34-year-old veteran Kreutz.

The Bears have been searching for Olin's heir-apparent to no avail, and Sendlein would fit that bill to a tee.

Ike Taylor: Cornerback

At 31, Ike Taylor would not be a long term solution for the Bears at corner.

But team president Ted Phillips has come out on the record that the he wants to do whatever it takes for the team to win right now.

Ike Taylor could be one of those pieces that would get the Bears over the top.  

Taylor is in possession of excellent speed, great zone coverage skills, a willingness to tackle in run defense and some pretty damned good ball-hawking skills.  These are all abilities the Bears and Lovie Smith covet in a corner, making him perhaps the best fit in free agency for the Bears.

Terrell Owens: Wide Receiver

I know, I know.  TO is a loud-mouthed diva whole is far past his prime.

But he still commands respect from defenses, and he still puts up very good numbers.  And the Bears don't put up with shenanigans, so TO would have a far shorter leash and a lot of veteran leadership around him to keep him in check.

And he fits that win-now scenario.  Terrell Owens runs some of the best routes in the game, is a monster after the catch and would open up a lot of opportunities for the Bears other receivers just by virtue of being on the field.  

And he may come a lot cheaper than most of the other talented free agent receiving options leaving more money on the books for other needs.  Owens may be the best option in terms of cost/value ratio for the Bears.

Add up cost, scheme and ability and Owens may make more short term sense than any other receiver on the market. 

James Anderson: Linebacker

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Anderson is probably the best strongside linebacker in free agency.  

He can rush the passer, is consistent in the running game and can cover in zone.  Last year he recorded 130 tackles, five passes defended, 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and an interception.  

With Pisa Tinoisamoa's injury history and the fact that the Bears have only two linebackers currently under contract (Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs), the Bears would do well to take a peak at Anderson, who is just 27. 

Santonio Holmes: Wide Receiver

At 5'11", Holmes would not provide the big strong receiver that Bears fans are begging for.  But the 27-year-old provides the best long term solution to the Bears wide receiver issues.  

Make no bones about it, Holmes is the best wide receiver in free agency.

He has great speed, incredible hands and runs fantastic routes.  All of these things endear him to the Martz offense and mean he would make a truly great target for quarterback Jay Cutler for years to come.

The biggest problem is that he has publicly said he would give a discount to his current team in free agency.  Could the Bears, Mike Martz and Jay Cutler persuade him to jump ship and join the Bears?

Justin Blalock: Guard

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As a long term solution, Blalock fits exactly what the Bears need at the line.  

While not spectacular at any specific aspect of his blocking game, Blalock is solid at every facet.  He is a good run blocker and a good pass blocker and he can pull well.

The Bears really need to end the Chris Williams experiment, and Blalock would be the perfect replacement for the disappointing first round pick at left guard.

Atlanta will probably not be able to re-sign both of their guards with both Harvey Dahl and Blalock hitting the market, and my bet is that the Falcons focus on Dahl, leaving Blalock available for Jerry Angelo to steal away.

Sidney Rice: Wide Receiver

Sidney Rice provides the best of all worlds for the Bears.  He's large (6'4") and would give them that over-the-middle and in-traffic threat they have so sorely missed.

Additionally he has good speed, runs great routes and has great hands.

And at 25, he's young enough to provide a decade of highlights with quarterback Jay Cutler.

It also wouldn't hurt to take a big-time receiver away from a rival in a division filled with top-shelf receiving talent.  Bonus!

Nnamdi Asomugha

Last season, the Bears went out and grabbed the best player in free agency when they signed Julius Peppers.  Will the Bears do it again?

Nnamdi Asomugha is the best player in free agency this year.

Many speculate that his shutdown-corner talents would be wasted in the Bears cover two scheme.  But truth be told, the Bears play cover two only about a third of the time.

Asomugha isn't just a man-cover corner, either.  He is fantastic in zone and plays the run.  

But the biggest argument for the Bears running out and making a play on arguably the best corner in the league?  Calvin Johnson, Greg Jennings, Percy Harvin, Donald Driver, Nate Burleson, Matthew Stafford...and most importantly, Aaron Rodgers.

The Bears need to be able to nullify these great players.  Nnamdi Asomugha would do just that.

So, what do you think?  Tell us below who you thought should have been on this list and what you think of the players who are listed here.