Chicago Bears: Analyzing Amobi Okoye and the Moves of the Accelerated Offseason

There has been a world wind of moves throughout the NFL. It has been exciting and a decent payback for the strife the owners and Players Association caused us during the NFL Lockout.

The Bears were almost as busy as every one else, though not quite as celebrated as say the Philadelphia Eagles with all of their big name signings. So far, the Bears have attempted to address issues of depth and weakness on the roster.

Let's not just look at the additions, but let's also look at the Bears who walked away or were sent packing. I have categorized each player involved in this offseason's transactions. This is an assessment of the Bears' moves in this accelerated offseason.

Category: Doesn't Matter One Way or the Other

These moves will have little to no impact on the Bears' season.  These players did not make their mark with the Bears or they are expendable.  I offer a poster child.

Tommie Harris, Released

Some fans might say that Tommie should be reserved for a forthcoming category, but I have him here. Harris battled injuries every year since 2005, then he began to have issues with the coaching staff.

He was a talented, but oft-injured, overpaid player. His departure won't have an impact as the Bears have mentally been playing without him for a while now anyway.

Pisa Tiniasamoa, FA (Unlikely To Return)

If Pisa were healthy, his stay in Chicago could have been more eventful. He is coming off yet another injury.

The Bears are said to be monitoring him for consideration but as it stands, he may retire and should have a career in the announcer's booth.

He was fairly entertaining on Waddle and Silvy during the week after the games.

Rod Wilson, FA (Unlikely to Return)

Wilson never made an impact for the Bears. To be fair, the Bears only had one LB spot where a young player might have had a chance to break in. That was on the strong side, but the Bears clearly preferred a veteran in that spot.

This is why Pisa, Hunter Hillenmeyer and even Nick Roach were ahead of the young guys. Maybe he can catch on elsewhere.

Nathan Enderle: (Drafted and Signed QB)

The Bears are committed to Jay Cutler and just re-signed Caleb Hanie. It is hard for me to see a scenario where Enderle can make an impact. He probably makes the team as a third QB, as the Bears offensive line is still suspect, so they can't afford to go with just two on the roster.

Category: Good Riddance

This category is designated for the players who most Bears fans are happy to see go.  Their performance has been subpar lately or in some cases their entire Bears career.  An example is pictured.

Josh Bullocks, FA (Unlikely To Return)

Bullocks was a bewildering signing to begin with. He was never overly effective when he was with the Saints. He tallied six interceptions in New Orleans in four years and none as a Bear in two years.

The Bears should be glad to allow the rookie Chris Conte an opportunity to back up Major Wright at FS.

Todd Collins, FA (Should Retire)

Todd Collins probably caused more profanity-laced tirades on a Sunday afternoon than anyone in Chicago. He clearly shouldn't have been begged to join the Bears roster last offseason.

His days as a viable backup are over. His performance in 2010 was among the worse I've ever seen in over 30 years of watching football.

Category: Thanks for Your Service, but It's Time To Move on

This is designated for players who have spent a significant amount of time in a Bears uniform, but their productive stay is over.  With mixed emotions, we bid them farewell.  A past member of that group is shown here.

Desmond Clark FA (Not Likely To Return)

Clark has been steady and productive while with the Bears, but the Mike Martz system doesn't need a long in the tooth pass-catching TE.

That factor leaves Clark looking for a new team or possibly hanging up the cleats. He is 34 years old and has played 13 years in the NFL.

Rashied Davis FA (Signed With The Lions)

A great story, and it's good for him that he has signed with another club. Though he was steady as a third and fourth receiver, the Bears can easily absorb his loss and quite possibly upgrade the entire receiving corps.

Brad Maynard FA (Won't Return)

The Bears have moved on without Brad Maynard. Along with Lance Briggs, Maynard has probably been the most consistent Bear over the last eight seasons. Maynard will turn 38 in February, so it was time to move on and get younger.

Category: Satisfied and Understood

These moves made sense for the team to make.  Some are precipitated by opportunity, the others by declining player skill or mismatched skill-set for the Bears' current system.  In some cases, the Bears had to add or re-sign a player as a safe but unspectacular move.

Here is the product of one of these types of moves from the past.

Nick Roach, FA (Resigned)

This was the safe way out, and it's understandable. It's a short offseason, so the Bears wanted someone at strongside LB who knows their system, hence the Roach resigning.

I would have liked to see an upgrade at this position, but the Bears did not make a move in that direction.

Garrett Wolfe, FA (Not Likely To Return)

I was always a big Garrett Wolfe fan. I had hopes of him being a Darren Sproles type of change of pace for the Bears. He actually made some plays when given the opportunity and was effective on special teams.

He always seemed to be a bit of an underdog during his tenure. He only had 83 touches in his four-year Bears career, so I'd like to him get a shot elsewhere.

That said, the Bears have four capable RB on the roster, and Wolfe is the odd man out.

Greg Olsen (Traded to Panthers)

Though Olsen had the dropsies from time to time, he was among the top 10 pass-catching TE in the league.

That said, the Bears offense is not geared around pass-catching TE. The Martz system places a value on TE who are big, thick blocking types first and receivers second, if at all.

The Bears received a third-round pick for Olsen, and that was a rare great get for Angelo's trading record.

Kahlil Bell (Re-signed)

The Bears love Bell. His re-signing coupled with other backfield transactions could spell the end for one Bears RB, but Bell was solid in limited duty, and I see why they brought him back.

Edwin Williams (Re-signed)

With Kreutz exiting, the Bears need youth and depth at the center position.  Big Ed should supply both.

Category: Beware

This group of moves are the most likely to end up biting the Bears in their butt.  Here is another of those painful reminders.

Olin Kreutz FA (Not Returning)

Kreutz has been a bit overrated over the last four seasons. He has had problems with the snap with nearly every QB the Bears have had under center, and he has been outplayed on occasion by top-level defensive tackles.

Still, the way the negotiations broke down were shameful and disrespectful. This has not sat well with current Bears, and needless to say will filter out to other NFL players. Jerry Angelo is quickly making himself appear as a shady negotiator, and that is dangerous for the franchise.

Kreutz was a captain and major locker room influence, and that shouldn't go unnoticed, especially when the offensive line is so young. Roberto Garza now becomes the elder statesmen on the line.

Devin Aromashodu (Signed with Vikings)

I always liked Aromashodu, and apparently so did Jay Cutler. The fact that the Bears let him walk away (to a division rival no less) is a little concerning.

This could come back and bite them.

Marion Barber (Signed)

Barber is a beast, a Madden-like player with his hard-nosed style. That is exactly what makes me wary of this pickup. If he's healthy, he represents a great complement to Matt Forte.  

Signing Barber could mean the end of Chester Taylor's short Bears career.

If that is the case and Barber gets hurt, the Bears are left with Forte and Kahlil Bell as the only RB.

Danieal Manning (Signed with Texans)

The Bears will miss Manning's explosiveness in the return game as well as his pressure as a blitzer from the nickel package. I have a feeling he is going to be part of a good, young defense in Houston.

Category: Good

While not acquisitions of Hall of Fame talents or uncoverings of diamonds in the rough, these pickups still undoubtedly bolster the team.

Here, I'll get some flack for this image.

Anthony Adams (Re-signed)

I love AA's effort, personality and playmaking ability. He isn't spectacular, but he is solid.

Corey Graham (Re-signed)

Special teams standouts can be underrated. Graham was very good for the Bears last year, and he offers depth at cornerback.

Caleb Hanie (Re-signed)

The Bears are one Jay Cutler concussion from seeing a lot of Caleb Hanie. I liked him since his Colorado State days, and have been more impressed with the flashes I've seen in the NFL.

Don't be surprised if Cutler struggles. We may see Hanie without a Cutler concussion.

Brian Iwuh (Re-signed)

Another special teams performer brought back to solidify the one constant the Bears have delivered for as long as I can remember: good-to-great special teams play.

Adam Podlesh (Signed)

Podlesh's signing meant Maynard wasn't returning. Podlesh is younger and has a stronger leg, but may not be as accurate in placement as Maynard.

Still, a power-legged punter can be key for a defensive-driven team like the Bears, who obviously live and die with field position.

Matt Spaeth (Signed)

This is what Martz wants at TE. Coupled with the equally enormous Kellen Davis at TE, the Bears effectively extend their offensive line with these guys.

It's always good when a coaching staff can get their players in place. It maximizes success and removes excuses.

Roy Williams (Signed)

Williams could fall in several categories, depending on who you talk to. I have him here. While I'm not sold on the fact that he'll duplicate his one great season in Detroit, I understand the move.

He is in a familiar system in a contract year, as the Bears only inked him for one season. He has to perform or else, and the same can be said for the coaching staff and management. Again, maximizing performance and removing excuses.

Vernon Gholston (Signed)

Gholston was once thought to be a stud DE prospect. Well, three years and zero sacks later, Gholston is as close to the bust tag as possible.

Enter Rod Marinelli and his proven work with defensive linemen. If Marinelli can work his magic with Gholston, then the Bears look like geniuses. If not, it's just a one-year deal and you still have Israel Idonije, who will start opposite of Julius Peppers anyway.

Sam Hurd (Signed)

Hurd was brought in to ease the loss of Danieal Manning on special teams. I don't think he'll get a real shot at contributing as a WR. He currently has to sit behind Williams, Earl Bennett, Johnny Knox and Devin Hester on the depth chart.

I would love to see Hester back on special teams exclusively though.

Chris Spencer (Signed)

Spencer will have big shoes to fill in the eyes of his teammates, but he's an upgrade from Kreutz at this point.

Spencer is younger and much more mobile than Kreutz. If he can build some chemistry with Cutler, it'll strengthen the entire offense.

Stephen Paea (Signed Draft Pick)

Crazy strong rookie DT. I love his mental makeup and approach. He also fits into the size profile Lovie likes for his interior linemen.

Chris Conte (Signed Draft Pick)

Conte is a smart and athletic safety. I think he adds good depth at the position, as Major Wright showed some durability issues in his rookie season.

Dane Sanzenbacher (Undrafted Rookie Free Agent)

I really like this guy. Although the Wes Welker comparisons may be a bit farfetched, I believe he will make this team, especially if Hester is moved to special teams only. Potentially, a WR corps of Williams, Bennett, Knox, Sanzenbacher and Hurd isn't too bad.

Category: Great

These are additions that produce long-term starters, possibly Pro Bowl seasons and mainstays in the history of the franchise.  Here is the most recent addition to that group.

Amobi Okoye (Signed)

I have a great feeling about this one.  I think this could potentially be one of the better signings in this NFL offseason.

Okoye is a young, athletic DT who perfectly fits the mold of a Lovie Smith interior lineman. Before this season is done, I wouldn't be surprised to see Paea and Okoye side by side in the middle of the defensive line.

Gabe Carimi (Signed Draft Pick)

The Bears addressed their biggest need in the first round of the draft. They did it with a big, strong and tough offensive tackle from the school that breeds offensive linemen like Miami, Florida breeds tight ends.

Wisconsin has a great track record for offensive linemen, and watching Carimi against Northwestern and Illinois gives me no reason to believe he'll be different.

He could start for the Bears for 10 years.

Category: Still Up in the Air

These situations are still unresolved, though the condensed training camp and preseason should answer these questions.

Loose Ends

Chester Taylor

Will the Bears really carry four RB? I don't think so, as he seems like the only option to be left out.

Strongside LB

The Bears should still explore strengthening this position as Roach is just adequate.

Offensive Line Depth

The Bears could still use help on the offensive line. As of right now, it would be LT Gabe Carimi, LG Chris Williams, C Chris Spencer, RG Roberto Garza and RT JaMarcus Webb. It's a young line, and veteran depth would still be nice.