Text size: increase text sizedecrease text size

Bears say they'll miss Mike Brown

By Vaughn McClure | Tribune reporter
9:07 PM CST, February 14, 2009

Brian Urlacher saw no reason for him not to return. Danieal Manning couldn't fathom life without him.

Those were the sentiments previously expressed about Mike Brown, the veteran safety the Bears have decided to cut ties with despite Brown's productive if injury-riddled, nine-year career.

Tommie Harris echoed his teammates' feelings Saturday.

"Mike Brown is a special person, a special player, and a special friend," Harris said. "It's going to be different, seeing him leave, but I know he will be productive wherever he goes and with whatever he does. He will always be remembered in my book as one of the toughest guys to play this game."

The decision on Brown was not a shock as general manager Jerry Angelo had made it clear Brown was no longer in the team's plan. Angelo told the Tribune the Bears couldn't afford to bring Brown back considering what they wanted to accomplish in other areas, including the development of Danieal Manning.

Now the Bears move forward with plans to fill voids on both sides of the ball.

Starting right tackle John Tait is expected to retire, meaning the Bears must consider drafting a tackle and safety in April—not to mention a receiver, with Marty Booker released and Brandon Lloyd out of the mix.

The team wants to re-sign tackle John St. Clair before free agency starts Feb. 27. Expect the Bears to make a push soon with plans of inserting the unrestricted free agent into Tait's right tackle spot.

Chris Williams, last year's first-round pick, missed half of his rookie season following back surgery. But Williams is expected to start at left tackle.

Williams said he benefited from sitting on the sideline watching Tait.

"The way he prepared, the way he took care of his body," Williams said of Tait. "On the field, he was a real patient player. And he knew a lot about everybody we played against."To tell you the truth, Tait retiring took me by surprise. I felt like he could have played a while longer. But everybody knows their own body and their own situation."

It is highly unlikely the Bears will use their first pick (18th overall) on a tackle, although drafting one on the first day wouldn't be out of the question. NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock ranks Jason Smith (Baylor), Eugene Monroe (Virginia), Andre Smith (Alabama), Michael Oher (Mississippi) and Eben Britton (Arizona) as the top five tackles.

Mayock said the class of safeties, led by Alabama's Rashard Johnson, is weak. The Bears still have Manning and Craig Steltz as options, although Manning is likely to remain at nickel back so he can remain the primary kickoff returner.

vxmcclure@tribune.com

Related topic galleries: Mike Brown, Brian Urlacher, John St. Clair, NFL, Marty Booker, Tommie Harris, Jason Smith

Get the Tribune delivered at home and save 25% off the newsstand price.

Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune

BEARS ... BY THE NUMBERS

THE 2008 SEASON

• 2008 Bears results | Roster | Statistics
• NFL scoreboard, matchups | Standings
• Photo galleries: Your favorite Bears players
• Staff picks for 2008: Chicago Bears | NFL

BEARS HISTORY

• Past results: 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003
• Photo galleries: Walter Payton | George Halas
• Retired numbers | Hall of Famers | Bears fight song

FAN RESOURCES

• Ask the Bears writer, David Haugh
• Fan photos: Get your Bears on
• Message boards | Upickem Pro Football Challenge

Need Game Tickets?
Search by team or event name
  

Chicago Tribune on Digg

Digg
Bears fan shop

Bears through the years


All-time Bears scores and Tribune game stories from recent seasons.
2000s | 1990s | 1980s | 1970s | 1960s | 1950s
1940s | 1930s | 1920s