June 3, 2008

Mission accomplished: The Bears filled a glaring need on the offensive line with the selection of Chris Williams with their first pick in the 2008 draft. It was a move that solidified two positions, with Williams expected to start at left tackle, and veteran John Tait, the starting OLT in ’07, shifting to right tackle — a particularly shaky position last season.The selection of Matt Forté in the second round creates badly needed competition for the beleaguered Cedric Benson at running back. On the contract front, the team surprisingly managed to re-sign free-agent OLB Lance Briggs, in addition to giving three high-character core players — DE Alex Brown, TE Desmond Clark and PK Robbie Gould — well-deserved new deals. 

Unfinished business: The Bears remain embroiled in a contract stalemate with star MLB Brian Urlacher and also appear far from agreeing to new contracts for two other key players, DT Tommie Harris and WR-RS Devin Hester. It remains to be seen who will prevail in the expected wide-open competition for the starting QB job between Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton, and the team’s suspect WR corps has been further weakened by Mark Bradley’s recent surgery on his right knee.