Thread: Angelo open-minded on Chris Williams' positio

Watch for Cole to pop up on Bears' radar

In the midst of the NFL Combine and a potential lockout, the Chicago Bears' pending dip into free agency -- once there's a new CBA -- hasn't received much attention.

So keep an eye out for Philadelphia Eagles guard/center Nick Cole in the future as a potential target in the team's efforts to revamp its porous offensive line. NFL sources say the Eagles have decided not to tender Cole a contract, and will let him test the market in free agency.

So once Cole starts searching for a new team, the Bears could be one of the teams that end up pursuing him.

Bears coach Lovie Smith discussed the offensive line at the Combine as one of the team's position groups in need of improvement.

"It's one of the areas we would like to improve, yes," Smith said. "That was an area where we looked to improve during the course of the season and I felt like we did. We had a lot of different combinations that we used. [Offensive line coach] Mike [Tice] at least got the guys in a position that gave us the best chance to win. We're evaluating our offensive line like we're evaluating other positions."

A five-year veteran, Cole (6-0, 339 pounds) is just 26 and has played in 77 games with 29 regular-season starts, including 23 over the last two seasons. In addition, Cole has shown tremendous versatility. In the past two seasons, including the playoffs, Cole has logged 16 starts at right guard, six at left guard and three more at center.

In addition, Cole plays special teams and lined up at times for the Eagles at fullback and tight end during short-yardage situations.

Given the uncertainty along the Bears offensive line -- veteran Olin Kreutz is an unrestricted free agent, and the team is still trying to determine whether Chris Williams is a better fit at tackle or guard -- headed into the 2011 season, the club might look to bring in a young, experienced player who won't break the bank such as Cole to compete with other players on the roster such as Edwin Williams and Lance Louis.

With Cole still under contract, though, league rules prohibit teams from contacting him until the start of free agency, which won't begin until there's a new CBA in place.

So we're just letting you know that Cole could easily wind up on Chicago's radar as a potential low-cost, low-risk acquisition in free agency.

"I'm presuming you're going to ask particularly about the offensive line, I know that has been a hot issue," Bears general manager Jerry Angelo said last week at the Combine. "We aren't going to know how that's going to shape up until we get through free agency and we get through the draft. We're going to take our time. We're going to take advantage of that time."

BTW if want an over-view and good write up's on the top 25 at all positions NFP has a really good site for it:

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/...ml&position=og

Originally Posted by Dagan81

What about the G from Tampa Bay...Davin Joseph? He was the best OL the Bucs had this last season.

lot of choices for guard actually:


INTERIOR LINEMEN:
Carl Nicks (NO) – Both Jahri Evans and Nicks made it to the Pro Bowl this year, but it was Nicks who had the better season. The Saints run game was best when backs ran it up the middle and over left tackle, both partially attributed to Nicks’ success. The organization also just recently made Jahri Evans the league’s highest paid guard so it’ll be interesting to see if New Orleans also has the highest offer on the table for Nicks if he becomes an unrestricted free agent. They also have Bushrod and Jonathan Goodwin becoming free agents, so if they re-sign Nicks, it almost definitely will mean letting go of Bushrod at left tackle.

Davin Joseph (TB) – Davin Joseph was playing terrific football for the Buccaneers before he fractured his foot in November, sending him to the IR. He’s an excellent run blocker and a good pass blocker, who will one of the top guards if the Buccaneers allow him to reach free agency. Don’t expect them to just let their best offensive linemen go without a fight though.

Harvey Dahl (ATL) – Ask opposing players who have faced Harvey Dahl and they’ll tell you that the right guard brings some extra nasty with him every week. He and Clabo combine to form a physical, dominant right side for the Atlanta Falcons, which allows the offense to control the line of scrimmage. Expect both to re-sign in Atlanta.

. Other Notable Free Agents:
Alan Faneca (ARZ)
Deuce Lutui (ARZ)
Lyle Sendlein (ARZ)
Justin Blalock (ATL)
Chris Chester (BAL)
Marshal Yanda (BAL)
Olin Kreutz (CHI)
Evan Mathis (CIN)
Kyle Cook (CIN)
Nate Livings (CIN)
Kyle Kosier (DAL)
Jason Spitz (GB)
Kasey Studdard (HOU)
Mike Brisiel (HOU)
Kyle DeVan (IND)
Mike Pollak (IND)
Rudy Niswanger (KC)
Casey Wiegmann (KC)
Richie Incognito (MIA)
Nate Garner (MIA)
Jonathan Goodwin (NO)
Kevin Boothe (NYG)
Samson Satele (OAK)
Reggie Wells (PHI)
Scott Mruczkowski (SD)
David Baas (SF)
Chris Spencer (SEA)
Leroy Harris (TEN)
Will Montgomery (WAS)

Give me Yanda over all these FA O-linemen. Judging by where people are ranking him now, he is quite possible the most underrated OL in the entire league, IMHO. We're talkig about a guy who has been dominant at OG and showed the ability to bounce outside in a pinch and excel at it.

Originally Posted by Dagan81

I know it's been speculated that Carl Nicks might receive the franchise tag for the Saints. Which of those interior linemen do you see as a possibility, DB?

nicks, Yanda, joseph or dahl would work for me...and the franchise tag had to be used by last week so nicks didn't get it and depending on the new CBA will be a F/A..

Originally Posted by dabears54

nicks, Yanda, joseph or dahl would work for me...and the franchise tag had to be used by last week so nicks didn't get it and depending on the new CBA will be a F/A..

but if their solution is Coles it looks like business as usual with JA going after another Omyale