He sure looks like a lineman

The Bears signed 29-year-old offensive tackle Kevin Shaffer to a three-year deal today. Shaffer was not retained by his former team, the Cleveland Browns, who instead opted to sign former Bears OT John St. Clair. 

Funny world, ain't it?

The 6-5, 315 pound Shaffer is a seven-year veteran, drafted out of Tulsa by the Atlanta Falcons in the seventh round of the 2002 draft. He started 39 games for Atlanta before signing with the Browns in 2006. He started 47 out of 48 games for the Browns over the last three seasons, playing left tackle in 2006 and right tackle in 2007 and 2008.

Terms of the his deal with the Bears were not disclosed. 

Shaffer is expected to compete for the starting right tackle spot, and should give the Bears some flexibility in the NFL Draft, now just one month away. One also wonders if we'll see newly signed offensive lineman Frank Omiyale moved back to guard after sliding over to tackle during the Bears minicamp last week.

 

While not exactly reeling in the marquee names (unless hell freezes over and Jay Cutler is under center for the Bear in 2009), nobody can accuse Jerry Angelo of not being active in free agency. 

Is this a signal that the Bears may go for a wide receiver in the first round of the draft?