The Bears have expressed the desire to add a field stretching WR.  Jason La Canfora of cbssports had a recent article of players that are rumored to be cap casualties.  One of them is the Oakland Raiders Darrius Heyward-Bey.  He ran a 4.2 at his combine and had respectable numbers in 2011.  

Watching some Oakland games, he did also run a lot of routes over the middle, so the slot could be a fit.  He is 6'2" 210lbs, so with Marshall, Jeffery, and DHB you would have some serious size to defend. 

He would be my first choice if he does in fact become available.

soupy75 wrote: I'd rather see Julian Edleman: likely cheaper, good special teams player, tough, versatile, can replace hester.

I do not watch a lot of Oakland games but from what I have seen I do not believe that 4.2 40 is DHB's game speed.

IRUSHTHROUGH wrote: Jago.  He was overdrafted no doubt.  Frankly, that has nothing to do with picking him up as a free agent though.  He certainly isn't a polished WR, but I think he would be just fine as our #3.  In 2011 he had good production overall (64 receptions, 975 yards, 4TD's in 15 games), it just wasn't in line with expectation of his draft status, which was a joke to begin with.

He isn't for everyone.  I think he makes an intriguing option and a good discussion.

+1

It's an interesting thought. The Bears do need a burner because JA seems to be more of a posession receiver then he is a go up top guy.

For the right price, he could be intriguing as the third receiver trying to really stretch the field as BM and JA run underneath.

One of my brothers is a Raiders fan and he says that DHB is frustrating , he will flash big time talent in one game then nothing for the next three.  My youngest brother is a Pats fan and he said that Edelman is a Welker or Amendola type quick not fast slot/returner type.

Bearsfan247 wrote: DHB has shown flashes of what he could do, but he's extremely inconsistent. A guy like that isn't even guaranteed to win a starting job.  He doesn't really need to be a starter.  It would appear that we have our starters in AJ and BM on the outside.  DHB would be the #3 for the purposes of this hypothetical discussion.  He comes in when we have 3 wide sets and helps stretch the field from the slot, or periodically gives Marshall or Jeffery breathers.

If I'm looking at bringing in a free-agent WR, then what about a guy like Mike Wallace? He can definately stretch the field, if that is what we are looking for anyways.  Wallace is going to be out way out of our price range considering Marshall's $9-$10M annual contract and using a 2nd rd pick on a WR a year prior. 

I'd be good with Edelman for sure, though.  IMO, we have enough possession WR's.  Emery stated that he specifically wants a field stretcher this offseason, hence the DHB thread mention on my part.

NFL Live (Hoge) offered up an interesting scenario for the Bears last night...what about adding Wes Welker? The guy dominates from the slot and Hoge said that he'd be the perfect fit for the "timing based" pass offense that Trestman is bringing with him. It's definately an interesting name. Maybe Welker wouldn't be my top choice due to his age, to be the guy working the slot. Danny Amendola is also an interesting name to fil that role. Not deep threats by any means, but sure-handed guys who create mismatches, get open in the short and intermediate routes and help the QB move the chains.  Welker, like Wallace, will be too expensive and is another possession guy.  Amendola, as mentioned above, is a walking injury and would be too risky for my liking unless he comes on the super cheap.

Just a thought. It all depends on Trestman and what he wants to do with the WR's and the offense.

soupy75 wrote: Yes, I agree Edelman doesn't stretch the field like Wallace would but I am not as concerned with that as I am in replacing Hester with a better receiver. This is also why I like Edelman more than welker. When welker was out with injury, Edelman stepped in for him and didn't miss a beat (slight exaggeration). Plus Edelman will play STs, is cheaper, is younger, and has fewer injuries. A burner can be gotten in the draft. I also would consider amendola for the same reasons.

IRUSHTHROUGH wrote:

The Bears have expressed the desire to add a field stretching WR.  Jason La Canfora of cbssports had a recent article of players that are rumored to be cap casualties.  One of them is the Oakland Raiders Darrius Heyward-Bey.  He ran a 4.2 at his combine and had respectable numbers in 2011.  

Watching some Oakland games, he did also run a lot of routes over the middle, so the slot could be a fit.  He is 6'2" 210lbs, so with Marshall, Jeffery, and DHB you would have some serious size to defend. 

He would be my first choice if he does in fact become available.

IRUSHTHROUGH wrote: Jago.  He was overdrafted no doubt.  Frankly, that has nothing to do with picking him up as a free agent though.  He certainly isn't a polished WR, but I think he would be just fine as our #3.  In 2011 he had good production overall (64 receptions, 975 yards, 4TD's in 15 games), it just wasn't in line with expectation of his draft status, which was a joke to begin with.

He isn't for everyone.  I think he makes an intriguing option and a good discussion.

Bearsfan247 wrote: 

If I'm looking at bringing in a free-agent WR, then what about a guy like Mike Wallace? He can definately stretch the field, if that is what we are looking for anyways.