Thread: No. 1 receiver not top priority for Bears

Re-signing Kreutz, bolstering multiple spots on defense more important

David Haugh In the Wake of the News 7:10 p.m. CDT, July 7, 2011

My threshold for manufactured NFL nonsense during the 118-day lockout broke somewhere between hearing speculation over another Brett Favre comeback and seeing reports of Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett posting a picture of his pet alligator on Twitter.

I would rather watch Roger Goodell and DeMaurice Smith walk down another courthouse sidewalk or overanalyze attendance at those meaningless player-organized workouts again.

I know what you're thinking: Those mind-numbing, football-related summer exercises still beat watching Chicago baseball this year. And you would have a valid point.

So it came as welcome news Thursday in New York that the strongest sense of cautious optimism yet spread quickly around the league.

Perhaps more than at any point in the impasse, signs suggested a deal looks inevitable and it might behoove teams to brace themselves for the free-agency flurry to follow.

This is the way I would start if I were Jerry Angelo.

Contrary to the talk around Chicago, the Bears' No. 1 position concern isn't wide receiver. It's center. The longer the lockout has dragged on the truer that has become.

So the name at the top of Angelo's priority list should be a familiar one. The minute the league deems it permissible to start the clock on the 2011-12 calendar, Angelo needs to make Olin Kreutz a respectable, competitive offer to return for a 14th season.

The shortest offseason in NFL history is no time to break in a new center. The compressed nature of free agency puts a premium on the experience Kreutz lends, making carryover on the offensive line a more logical goal than reconstruction. With rookie first-round pick Gabe Carimi moving in at right tackle and J'Marcus Webb switching to the left side, the Bears can ill afford to have a novice telling novices what to do.

After locking Kreutz up, Angelo must turn his attention to the other side of the line. Start by bringing back defensive tackle Anthony Adams. Adams' presence would allow the Bears to develop promising second-round pick Stephen Paea at a more conservative rate. The Bears moved up to take Paea essentially to replace Tommie Harris — not Harris and Adams.

Once Angelo solidifies both sides of the line, he should address the safety position. Thank Danieal Manning for the memories, but both sides will benefit from parting company. Lovie Smith favorite Major Wright will start at safety alongside Chris Harris, but backups Craig Steltz and rookie Chris Conte hardly create a sense of stability. Find a veteran who's better than Josh Bullocks was and fits in the locker room and Cover-2 scheme (Quintin Mikell?).

Sorry, we're still not ready for the Bears to pursue wide receivers.

Remember, the Bears believe in their depth at the position — which would be a mistake to do with their linebackers, a higher priority. Let Pisa Tinoisamoa and his shaky knee leave quietly and make an effort to re-sign Nick Roach to start at strong-side linebacker. But don't overpay. Scan the salary-cap casualties for potential bargains who would love playing next to Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher.

After addressing center, defensive tackle, safety and linebacker, Angelo finally can gauge the wide receiver market.

First, I'd call the Panthers to see if they indeed would take a third-round pick for Steve Smith, as a report out of Charlotte suggested. If not, my free-agent wish list starts with Santonio Holmes, but the Jets seem intent on re-signing him.

Of the rest, Santana Moss represents the smallish, quick type of 1,000-yard receiver who thrives in Mike Martz's system, but the Bears would have to outbid somebody for Moss. Braylon Edwards offers a big, physical dimension the Bears lack and, despite occasional drops, might be at the point of his up-and-down career where he accepts the structure a coach like Lovie Smith provides. Sidney Rice sounds exciting, but I wonder how Rice will react to a big contract and recover from his 2010 hip injury. If James Jones and his inconsistent hands come affordably, the Bears would benefit from his athleticism and hurting the Packers.

Stay away from Plaxico Burress (too rusty) and Terrell Owens (too old, injured and annoying). But Angelo can't talk himself out of every veteran receiver. The Bears have a good group of complementary receivers, but they badly need a No. 1 target to help Jay Cutler take a step in the most important season of Cutler's career.

At that point of free agency, Angelo can call underappreciated 37-year-old punter Brad Maynard to see if he's ready for one more year of football.

By now, aren't we all?

DHaugh@Tribune.com

Twitter @DavidHaugh