Bears May Have an Interest in Aaron Maybin
Bears may have interest in waived Bills LB Maybin
Former 1st-round pick could be moved to defensive end
http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/...5-15193505.jpg Bears cornerback Zack Bowman (35) was injured on this play in Saturday's game. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/Tribune photo)
By Vaughn McClure and Brad Biggs, Tribune reporters August 16, 2011
The Bears could be in the market for yet another reclamation project.
According to multiple sources, the team has had discussions about Aaron Maybin, who was waived by the Bills on Monday. All indications are the 11th pick of the 2009 draft wants to play for defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli.
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- The Bears and 30 other teams have until 3 p.m. Tuesday to consider placing a claim for Maybin. His contract for the next three years is affordable. He's owed $757,500 this season and $3.36 million through 2013. The question is whether anyone believes he'll produce if he's moved to defensive end from outside linebacker, where he lacked instincts.
The Bears could use another body at defensive end. Promising second-year player Corey Wootton suffered meniscus damage in his right knee Saturday. He is scheduled to have arthroscopic surgery Tuesday and is expected to be out four weeks.
Mario Addison, an undrafted free agent out of Troy, has impressed coaches and earned second-team reps Monday. The Bears also have seen some good things from former Jet Vernon Gholston. They want to see more.
Like Gholston, the 23-year-old Maybin has yet to register an NFL sack (27 games) despite entering the league with great expectations out of Penn State. If the Bears take a chance on him, they'd want him to bulk up immediately. He reported to Bills camp at 228 pounds.
The waiver system is currently based on last year's standings, meaning the Bears select 29th in the event they're involved and multiple teams place a claim for him. As late as they are in the process, if the Bears are interested it might make more sense for them to see if he clears waivers to then negotiate a short-term contract like they did with Gholston.
Heady stuff: Cornerback Zack Bowman said he didn't suffer a concussion when he laid a big hit on Bills receiver Paul Hubbard, but he was held out of Monday's practice and that is what the team classified his injury as.
"I don't know what it was," Bowman said. "I'll tell you this, it was bang-bang. I just laid on the ground for a second, got stable. Everything checked out good. So I should be ready to go."
Bowman admitted he was "out of it" for about 15 seconds. He may be out of practice a few days. Wide receiver Earl Bennett also sat out after an awkward landing on his head trying to catch a pass, but it was announced he did not have a concussion.
Extra points: Special teams coordinator Dave Toub said the Bears checked with the NFL office before the exhibition opener about kicking off from the 30-yard line, and they were given the green light. … Wide receiver Kris Adams, an undrafted free agent from UTEP, followed up a solid game with a good practice. … Wide receiver Sam Hurd spent some time in practice running with the starters and made a nice leaping catch over the middle.
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Copyright © 2011, Chicago Tribune
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