Two New Free Agents Perfect for the Chicago Bears

As free agency nears in the NFL, teams continue cutting veterans to save money. On Wednesday, a handful more household names lost jobs, many of whom still have some good football left in them.

Two of those free agents would fill enormous needs on the Chicago Bears in 2009, and might come at a cheap enough cost to make the addition of their services something within the realms of Jerry Angelo's imagination.

First, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers released the man who's face should be on the side of their helmets: Derrick Brooks. No offense to Warren Sapp, or Warrick Dunn (also released today), or Mike Alstott, but Brooks was the Bucs for over a decade.

Last year, Brooks had 73 tackles. It was the first year he didn't have 100 tackles since 1995. Let me say that again, in case you missed it. Brooks has had more than 100 tackles every year from 1996-2007.

He's a Hall of Famer without question. He's also a Super Bowl Champion who's leadership and work ethic have never been questioned. Now, he's a free agent.

Brooks was reportedly surprised that he was released, along with Dunn and 29-year old linebacker Cato June (also a nice fit for the Bears). At 35-years old, he still wants to play but now needs a team to pay his bills.

Enter his former coach in Tampa, Lovie Smith. And his former GM in Tampa, Jerry Angelo. And another former position coach in Tampa, Rod Miranelli.

What the Bears defense needs in 2009, in the wake of the departure of Mike Brown, is leadership. What Brooks might not still be able to bring between the lines, he can bring above his shoulder pads.

He's one of the premier leaders of the last couple decades in the NFL, and if the Bears are going to make a strong push with an aging defense and an offense that leaves everything to be desired, might Brooks be an option to supplement Hunter Hillenmeyer on Brian Urlacher's flank?

Also released on Wednesday was a quiet wide receiver who's numbers have remained consistent for a number of years, despite changes of scenery, systems and quarterbacks.

Laveranues Coles was released by the Jets as they look to breath life into an offense that had as many AARP cards as they did clutch plays last year.

In 2008, Coles had 70 catchers for 850 yards and seven touchdowns. He's a professional receiver who has played in the wind and cold of New York and Washington, and has seen anything from Brett Favre to Patrick Ramsey at quarterback. Coming to Chicago, with Kyle Orton, wouldn't be a huge step down for Coles like it would be for someone like Marvin Harrison.

Coles is younger than Harrison at 31 until the end of December. He isn't a big receiver (5-11, 193), and has made a name for himself playing the type of receiver that one would imagine the Bears fancy Devin Hester to become.

He could not only step in and be a productive Number One receiver for a few years, but he could be a mentor to Hester and teach him how to play the position.