NFL GridIron Gab Daily Digest

After it appearing that he was the next big target the Steelers wanted to sign, a report now out says the Steelers are going to let safety Ryan Clark test the free agent market:

The Pittsburgh Steelers plan to let safety Ryan Clark to test the free agent market, according to an NFL source. That stance has come about as the team has been discussing a contract with Clark's representative. Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert has identified Clark as a core player the team wants to re-sign. At this point, though, there's nothing concrete to indicate that a deal is imminent as talks haven't progressed quickly. Talks haven't been cut off, but Clark is expected to reach unrestricted free agent status.

It wouldn’t be a shock to see Clark price himself out of the Steelers range based on the comments of his agent who said that his client was the best safety in the business. Then again, after seeing the lack of interest that could be out there for Clark, it would not be a surprise to see him come back to the Steelers for less money.

In a move that does not come as much of a shock considering how he played last season, a report from Pro Football Weekly states that the team is releasing offensive lineman Orlando Pace:

Pro Football Weekly has learned from league sources that the Bears terminated the contract late Monday of seven-time Pro Bowl OT Orlando Pace. The 13-year veteran's release has yet to be officially confirmed by the team. Pace had two years left on the three-year, $15 million deal he signed with the Bears before the 2009 season and was scheduled to make a base salary of $3.75 million in 2010 to go with a $250,000 workout bonus.

Pace, who has been contemplating retirement since mid-December, was replaced as the starting left tackle by former first-round draft pick Chris Williams with five games remaining this past season. Despite allowing only three sacks in 11 starts, it was clear he was nowhere near the dominant force he once was.

The Jets will officially kick off free agency on Friday with the release of running back Thomas Jones. The running back will not restructure his salary, so the team is going to say so long to the back who last season led the team with over 1400 yards rushing.

The New York Jets will release running back Thomas Jones this week, allowing the leader of the NFL’s top-ranked rushing offense to become a free agent. General Manager Mike Tannenbaum said Monday that the team told Jones it will cut ties with him when the league’s free agency period begins Friday.

“Thomas joined us three years ago and has been a productive, passionate leader both on and off the field who has served as a positive influence for our younger players,” Tannenbaum said in a statement. “We were fortunate to acquire Thomas and wish him the best.” Jones was due a $3.3 million roster bonus on top of a $2.8 million base salary this season and he and the Jets failed to reach a compromise on restructuring his contract; the team wanted him to take a pay cut.

Jones will for sure end up somewhere in 2010. Teams like the Chargers, Bucs, Browns or possibly even the Pats should take a long look at Jones and what he can do for their roster.

Okay, a quick review – here are the first 2 steps of my 3-step Chicago Bear pre-Draft player makeover:

1. Trade Lance Briggs for a 2010 1^st round draft pick.
2. Pass on Peppers, sign DE Aaron Kampman.

I was going to tell you move #3 should be signing the Vikings' Chester Taylor. I had a nice post written about how Taylor would be the perfect complement to (and potential replacement for) Matt Forte…and how he has significantly less wear-and-tear than any of the other 30-something-year-old RBs on the market (Tomlinson, Westbrook). And then a cold dose of reality slapped me upside the facial region.

Here's why I DON'T think the Bears should pursue Chester:

1. His asking price will be too high, and we have other more pressing needs to address (DE, S) before overspending for a backup RB.
2. If we keep Kevin Jones or AP (notice I did NOT mention Wolfe), we could address RB in the middle of the draft. Here are 3 names I like: Kendall Hunter of Okie State; Stafon Johnson of USC and Charles Scott of LSU.

So since I talked myself out of signing Taylor, I came up with 4 other subtle (and not-so-subtle) roster maneuvers that will help Mike Martz get the most out of his potential one-year coaching audition:

1. Trade Greg Olsen. G-Reg has been a stand-up guy, but he doesn't fit Martz's prototypical block first, catch second TE. Martz said it best himself when asked about Olsen – "To…say 'OK, he's a terrific receiver,' well then you may as well just put another wide receiver in there." Rumors surfaced over the weekend that the Bears could be interested in the Chargers' Brandon Manumaleuna, who was part of the Greatest Show on Turf. Signing him would give us 5 TEs on the roster. While I don't think we'd get a first rounder for Olsen (because every team in the league knows he's not a fit for the new offense), if we could swing a 2 or a 3 and a mid-rounder in return, I say ‘go for it.’ Some potential trade partners? How about the Browns, Dolphins or Bengals.
2. Leave the O-line alone. With Omiyale at guard, Schaeffer at right tackle and Williams on Cutler's blindside, the unit started to gel late in the year vs. the Vikes and Lions. Let's keep Frank focused on guard so he doesn't become the offense's equivalent of Daniel Manning – an athletic guy whose talent is wasted because he gets flip-flopped between positions. With Martz's penchant for calling on his QB to take 7-step drops, I like the steady presence of the veteran Schaeffer manning one side of the line and Frank the Tank eating up space in the middle. And if Mike Tice is as good an O-line coach as advertised, he should be able to get the most out of these big uglies.
3. Cut the umbilical cord attached to Garrett Wolfe. After 3 years, the Bears should finally realize what the rest of the free world already knows about the former 3^rd round pick – he's a small guy who doesn't have the durability to be a regular contributor. And the Bears could find a dude off the street to match what Wolfe contributes on special teams.
4. Do not sign an experienced WR like Torry Holt or TO. There's no use stunting one of our younger, more talented player's development by keeping him on the sideline (see Earl Bennett's 'redshirt' year in 2008). Let them jump right in and learn Martz’s complicated offense through a little on-the-job training. If one of the young guns doesn't look like he's 'getting it' after OTAs, mini-camps and training camp, then see if there's a deal or cut that could deliver a seasoned vet.

I can't wait till this Thursday at midnight when the free agent frenzy officially begins. We should have a lot to lament, criticize and perhaps even praise between then and the draft.