Thread: Dan Pompei's Bears Mailbag; Some Interesting Stuff Here.....

Dan Pompei's Bears mailbag


Would the Bears trade Matt Forte for an offensive lineman? Why haven't the Bears upgraded at cornerback? The Tribune's Bears columnist answers these readers' questions and more in his weekly mailbag.


Running back Matt Forte carries the ball during a drill at Bears training camp. (Brian Cassella, Chicago Tribune / August 11, 2011)

By Dan Pompei Tribune staff reporter August 18, 2011


What are the chances that the Bears trade Matt Forte for an offensive lineman? He wants a new contract. The Bears have the luxury of Marion Barber, Chester Taylor and Kahlil Bell. There has to be a team that needs a running back out there and would move on Forte. Kar, Phoenix

Interesting thought, Kar. I can't see it happening, though. Unlike Greg Olsen, Matt Forte fits into Mike Martz' scheme perfectly. He is not a player the Bears want to unload. They are counting on him for big things this year and beyond. And I don't know of any premium offensive linemen who are on the trade market at this point. It's getting late in camp to be making big deals like that.

With the impressive game played by both Marion Barber and Kahlil Bell, does Chester Taylor stand a chance of making the final roster? I felt he was a bad fit and did not produce up to his contract last year. Could the Bears trade him and get something back in return ? George Mckeown, Phoeniz

I don't think there would be much of a trade market for Taylor. If the Bears are done with him, they probably will have to cut him. But I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that Taylor is done yet. There still is a lot of preseason and camp left. He still may prove he belongs.

Love your Bears coverage, especially being transplanted in the Northwest away from my beloved Bears. What do you think are the chances of a line of, from left to right, Frank Omiyale, Chris Williams, Chris Spencer, Roberto Garza and Gabe Carimi? Seems to make sense to me. Josh Kirby, Portland, Ore.

I know Mike Tice is going to be hesitant to make sweeping changes, which you are suggesting. He wants to have one group and stick with it. But he may be forced to make some changes. Depending on how the starters perform against the Giants on Monday, next week would be a logical time to reshuffle if it's going to be done. If J'Marcus Webb does not step up, the Bears will have no choice but to play Omiyale at left tackle. And that is not an option they are uncomfortable with. And it seems as if it's only a matter of time before Spencer becomes a starter, either at guard or center. It might happen in days, it might happen in months, it might happen in a year. But I'll be very surprised if it does not happen.

With the seeming emergence of Kellen Davis as a blocking/receiving tight end, the signing of Brandon Manumaleuna last year looks even worse. Was this a case of poor self-scouting because Mike Martz wants his guys in his offense? Ryan, Columbus, Ohio

I think signing Manumaleuna was a case of the Bears giving Martz a player he wanted and really needed. The Bears did not have a big blocking tight end they could count on in the offseason of 2010. At that point, Davis was not where he is now. So the Bears had to sign someone. Martz liked Manumaleuna, a player he had drafted and coached in St. Louis. Manumaleuna didn't have a terrible season, but he wasn't the same player Martz knew with the Rams. He was older, heavier and more beat up. In hindsight, there probably were better options out there.

By the time when the next Ask Dan comes into print, I hope this will be a moot question. The Bears are a Charles Tillman injury away from total cornerback meltdown. Five of the top 10 free agents were cornerbacks, according to Hub Arkush. The Bears had enough cap room, and probably still do to sign any player they want. Why not get an upgrade at the cornerback position? John Christensen, Waterloo, Iowa

I know the Bears looked hard at available corners, but decided against making a move. They still could do something before the start of the regular season if they find a quality player who fits the scheme at the right price. As far as the current group of corners, they played pretty well last year. But I understand your concerns. The team is counting on the development of two young players -- Zack Bowman and Joshua Moore. Bowman is a talented corner who may emerge. And Moore, the second year man, is having a strong camp.

What has happened to the "great" CFL wide receiver the Bears signed in February, Andy Fantuz? With all of the WR talk going on, I am really surprised I have not heard a peep about Fantuz. Given that he's a big receiver at 6-4, I really thought he could be a viable option for some playing time in the 2012 season when the Bears signed him. Will he even be with the team at the beginning of the season? Andrew, Cedar Falls, Iowa

Barring a late push, Fantuz will be a long shot to make the team. He has not done much to distinguish himself in camp, whereas Dane Sanzenbacher, for instance, has. When the Bears acquired Roy Williams and Sam Hurd, Fantuz' opportunities and chances of making the team diminished. But aside from that, he really hasn't done enough to make anyone think he can help the team.

The use of microphones between the sideline and quarterback has been good for the game. Do you foresee a mike on defense also? Charlie Johnson, Sarasota, Fla.

There already is an earpiece in the helmet of one defensive player per team. The NFL began allowing defensive players to receive audio instructions from the sideline three years ago, which was only fair.

In light of the recent embarrassment concerning Soldier Field, do you think the Bears will spring for a new stadium any time soon? I just think it's a little ridiculous that the second-largest market in the NFL has the smallest stadium in the league. Also, a new stadium in the NFL almost always means a Super Bowl will be played there. I know Chicago is a cold-weather city (and I wouldn't want a roof put on the new place taking away our Bear weather), but if the Super Bowl in New Jersey goes well, Chicago has to be the next logical place for a cold weather Super Bowl, especially with a new stadium with a much larger seating capacity. Plus I believe the value of the franchise would increase significantly since the McCaskeys would finally own their own stadium. Michael Starkey, Oklahoma City

Not going to happen, Michael. The Bears' lease with Soldier Field runs for 12 more years. It has allowed them to be in the upper middle class of the NFL in terms of revenue. The Bears can live with that. The McCaskey family does not have enough incentive to shell out $1 billion or more out of their pockets for a new stadium. And no one is going to help them, given the financial issues our state and local governments are experiencing. The Bears tried to get out of the old Soldier Field for more than 20 years and couldn't get a new stadium built anywhere in the area. They had to settle for the renovated Soldier Field, and their commitment to the stadium is long term.

dpompei@tribune.com

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