T.O.? NO.

The Bears need a receiver. Terrell Owens, just released from Dallas, is a great one. Some in Bears nation are clamoring for Jerry Angelo to go out there and slap the orange and navy on Owens.

I don't see Angelo doing it. And I agree with him.

I know all the things there are to love about T.O. Even though last season was considered a down year, the man still went over 1,000 yards. Only once in the last nine seasons has Owens failed to go over the 1,000-yard mark, and he put up 763 in just seven games played that year ('05 with Philly). 

He is a beast. 

But signing him would be contrary to everything Jerry Angelo & Co. have proven to be about. They are not going to go out there and overpay for veterans in the tail end of their careers. The Bears have shown that their philosophy is to build through the draft, add depth through free agency (see offensive lineman Frank Omiygale, the Bears lone free agent signing thus far), and not panic even when it seems like the wheels are coming off.

Owens, while still formidable, is 35. How many more years can he play at the same caliber? He needs to go to a team built to win it all now. A team with a veteran QB who's already won and won't fall prey to T.O.'s power plays.

That ain't our beloved Bear.

Watch him go to New York and replace Plaxico. T.O. on Broadway. Let Eli Manning deal with him. Kyle Orton has enough to worry about next year without T.O.

Fixing a hole

Well Bears fans, we find ourselves with some significant holes to fill on the ol' roster before the start of the '09 campaign. Tackle. Receiver. Safety. How about a backup QB? Corner? Defensive line?

I do like the new guy we signed the first day of free agency, offensive lineman Frank Omiygale. He ain't sexy, but he has some upside. He is touted as versatile (tackle or guard), young (26), and meaty (6'4",  310 lbs.). All good. We just got bigger and younger on the offensive line. This is a good move.

Bears General Manager Jerry Angelo says Omiygale projects at guard. Tackle, on the other hand, is the bigger need right now. With only unproven newcomers Chris Williams (projected as starting left tackle) and ... ummm ...gulp ... Cody Balogh (projected as practice squad meat for Marinelli's guys) manning offensive tackle, the need for another starter quality player there should be apparent.

John St. Clair, last year's starting left tackle, is reportedly the Bears first choice. St. Clair was a trooper last year starting 16 games, but he looked bad in pass protection against top-tier talent. 

Whether or not St. Clair returns, and I hope he does, the Bears still need to add another starting quality tackle. You've got one guy in St. Clair who may or may not be on your roster who has even really played tackle in the NFL. And he didn't exactly light it up. 

So why so little interest in Kalif Barnes? Kawme Harris? You don't like Marvel Smith? I like Marvel Smith.

And why aren't we looking at Wide Receiver? Their are tackles out there. There are WRs out there. There are backup QBs and safeties out there. Don't pin all your hopes on the draft, Jerry Angelo! Bring in some guys through free agency. Get some competition going then make some cuts in pre-season. 

Give yourself the freedom to draft guys you like and not just have to reach for guys to plug the holes.