6 Missing Pieces Who Could Get the Chicago Bears over the Hump in 2012

The Bears playoff hopes for this season may be just about gone, but they are not that far away from contention, and with better health and a couple of improvements, this is a championship caliber team in 2012.

Actually, if Jay Cutler had remained healthy, this team would be heading for a wild card berth.

Yet even with a healthy Cutler, this is a very imperfect team in need of some additional pieces in the offseason if they want to contend with the likes of the Green Bay Packers. 

Meanwhile, I will not get into the whole Lovie Smith and Jerry Angelo thing, though it is tempting to say that we need a new GM. That is a different article for another day.

So let's see what positions are in need of upgrade and I will even try to identify some possible players and avenues (free agency, trade, the draft) the team can take to obtain these missing pieces.

A Better Backup QB

What they need:

A replacement for Caleb Hanie, who isn't expected back as a free agent after this season. They need someone who can play—probably a veteran who can at least game manage well enough to keep the Bears in games when Jay Cutler is hurt. 

How can they get it?

They can get it through trade, though trades are relatively rare as compared with the other major sports. Most likely, it will come as a free-agent signing. 

Who might be available?

It's too early to tell who might get released but Kyle Orton will be available and while he may not cause excitement, he knows the team and some of its players and was more than willing to play here when he heard that Cutler got hurt. And the Bears tried to claim him. He likely won't have any team clamoring for him to be a starter so a backup role should suit him just fine.

Other names to consider: Chad Henne, Chris Redman, Derek Anderson, Shaun Hill, David Garrard.

By the way, Rex Grossman will be an unrestricted free agent too. Then again, no, I don't think so.

Wide Receiver Upgrade

What they need:

A true, No. 1 wideout would be ideal for this team, but even if the Bears cannot obtain a top receiver, they need to add pieces to give Jay Cutler something to work with in 2012. Roy Williams will be a free agent and I can't see him returning.

How can they get it?

The draft is certainly one way to grab an elite WR if they pick one in the first round. After round one, the Bears can get someone they can work with, but not likely a guy that can come right in and help the Bears contend in 2012. Trades are not as likely and free agency plus the draft may be the best combination for Jerry Angelo and the Bears.

Who might be available?

The guy I might be interested in who could be available when the Bears draft in Round 1 is Notre Dame's Michael Floyd.

If they go the free agency route, Wes Welker would be great but I doubt the Patriots let him walk. Reggie Wayne is another option. Vincent Jackson is a free agent and the Chargers have been reluctant to give him a long-term deal so there may be some animosity that forces him to leave.

DeSean Jackson could be lured away with a big offer and Robert Meachem is a luxury to the Saints so they could let him go.

Other names to consider: Brandon Lloyd, Marques Colston, Dwayne Bowe.

Offensive Line Upgrade

What they need:

The Bears need a left tackle to protect Cutler's blind spot. They seem to still like J'Marcus Webb, who has the athleticism but not the production. Personally, I don't see much improvement from Webb as the season has progressed. They could also use a center and move Roberto Garza back to guard. They need help on the offensive line wherever they can get, in reality.  

How can they get it?

Again, free agency and the draft appear to the best route, with free agency being the most viable.  

Who might be available?

Demetrius Bell of Buffalo is someone I would go after hard if I was Angelo. He is capable of pass protection and he is even better in blocking for the running game. With the Bills having a lot of work to do, he could slip through the cracks.

If they can't move Garza back to guard, Carl Nicks could be attractive to the Bears. The Saints already paid Jahri Evans, so they may be hard-pressed to offer big money to another guard.

As for the draft, the top three tackles will be gone when the Bears pick—Matt Kalil, Jonathan Martin and Riley Reiff—leaving Zebrie Sanders and Levy Adcock, who project to be right tackles in the NFL, and the Bears are set there if Gabe Carimi is healthy.

A Healthy Jay Cutler and Matt Forte

What they need:

This one the Bears really have very little control over, but it's something that was missing in 2011. If Cutler had not broken his thumb, I truly believe they make the playoffs again.

How can they get it?

Well, truthfully, I don't know how to prevent injuries like the ones suffered by both Cutler and Forte. But my point here is if this hadn't happened, the Bears would have made the playoffs and we wouldn't even be writing this article.  

Who might be available?

N/A 

Better Pass Rush

What they need:

A pass-rusher to complement Julius Peppers and free him up to get even more sacks.  

How can they get it?

They could look at free agents, but the draft may be a good place to start. 

Who might be available?

Unless the Bears continue to cling to the notion that Isreal Idonije is the answer, which I do not buy, they could go out and sign Robert Mathis of the Colts. With Mathis being angry at a lack of an extension, and the Colts possibly rebuilding with Andrew Luck (unless Peyton Manning comes back and starts at QB), they could let him go.  

Would the Bears pony up two huge signing bonuses (considering the ones already paid to Peppers) for two DEs? Unlikely but possible.

Meanwhile, signing Cliff Avril would weaken a division opponent (Detroit Lions) and greatly improve the Bears pass rush.

But more likely, they will draft a DE, such as Andre Branch of Clemson or Whitney Mercilus of Illinois in the first round, or a player like Brandon Jenkins of Florida State in the second round.  

A New Offensive Coordinator

I am torn on this. On one hand, a new OC would mean yet another new start for Cutler, who has gone through a new OC almost every year (or every other year). In fact, I believe Cutler has publicly said he would like Mike Martz to return.

However, I do not think that Martz is the right play caller for this offense. He is slow to adapt his play calling to the personnel on the Bears team. He is stubborn and seems to make the same mistake year after year.

For one, he knew last year that Cutler was getting killed and yet had to go through almost the same thing again this year before adjusting his offense.

For another, his style requires a strong offensive line and good receivers and the Bears have neither.

I feel they need a guy who will run a west coast offense. A coordinator who will take advantage of the skills that Cutler offers, such as his mobility and athleticism, would be perfect for Chicago.

Maybe Mike Tice could be named the OC, and he could use the same terminology, lessening the impact on Cutler and the offense.