Bears add Pace for Cutler protection

[MiamiCanes1]

Bears agreed to terms with LT Orlando Pace.

A busy day at Bears headquarters, as they now have added protection for their new franchise quarterback. Pace is expected to receive a two- or three-year contract and will be slated to start at left tackle. Chris Williams will move to right tackle with newly signed Kevin Shaffer acting as injury insurance on a much-improved offensive line.



http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2009...t_orlando.html

[new bob]

if pace can stay remotely healthy this is a good signing....


I wonder if Holt comes in for a visit now....a 2nd round reciever would help as well, although talent wise i think the corps is full of 2-4th round recievers anyway

[alisaboowala]

Yeah I'm happy with the Pace signing, along with the added depth the oline should be fine.

Holt would be a fantastic signing as well, but I might just be getting a little greedy here.

[wvette609]

What's the signing bonus?

[martytighe]

Originally Posted by wvette609

What's the signing bonus?

Orlando Pace should shore up Chicago Bears at tackle
Future Hall of Famer agrees to three-year deal
By Vaughn McClure | Tribune reporter
April 3, 2009


Lost in the hysteria of the Jay Cutler trade Thursday was the Bears' acquisition of another player with Pro Bowl credentials.

Veteran left tackle Orlando Pace, who the Rams released last month after 12 seasons in St. Louis, agreed to a three-year, $15 million contract with the Bears. He will be paid $6.1 million for the 2009 season, according to a league source.

Pace, a seven-time Pro Bowler, is expected to start at left tackle next season and allow Chris Williams, last year's first-round pick, to shift to right tackle.

"Orlando looks at this as a tremendous opportunity, to continue his career with such a historic franchise," agent Kennard McGuire said. "He just feels like this is the perfect situation for him."



Pace, 33, had a history with Bears coach Lovie Smith dating back to Smith's days at the Rams' defensive coordinator. Although Pace encountered some injury woes during the last few years, the Bears figured the future Hall of Famer could help keep Cutler off the ground.

"We really feel that it gives us a very good offensive line now," Bears general manager Jerry Angelo said. "We've had some real good success with veteran players.

"He expressed to us on his visit that he wants to play and continue to play. And he feels his health is probably as good as it has been in a while."

Adding Pace, tackle Kevin Shaffer, and guard/tackle Frank Omiyale is likely to alter the draft plans for a team once starving for offensive line help. The Bears surrendered their first-round pick (No. 18 overall) to Denver in the Cutler deal.

Wide receiver is now the top priority, and the Bears could land a solid prospect in the second round (49th overall). Players such as Penn State's Derrick Williams, Ohio State's Brian Robiske, Georgia's Mohamed Massaquoi and Florida's Louis Murphy could be available. Kenny Britt from Rutgers, who had a private workout with the Bears, could fall into the second round, too.

A few veteran receivers remain on the open market, including ex-Ram Torry Holt. It would not be a shock if the Bears got involved, considering McGuire also represents Holt.

The Bears also gave up a third-round pick to Denver but have a compensatory third-round selection they got when they lost wide receiver Bernard Berrian last season. They could use the pick on an offensive tackle, defensive end or, perhaps, cornerback.

vxmcclure@tribune.com