BY RICKY O'DONNELL
After the season they just had, the Bears need to make a lot of changes this offseason. The first two came today:
The Chicago Bears released wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad Monday, but reached a two-year extension with defensive end Alex Brown.
To Muhammad, I say good riddance. He didn't live up to the contract he signed after a career season in Carlina in 2004 from day one, whether it was complaining about Orton in 2005 or dropping numerous passes this season. The move does, however, leave the Bears with quite the hole at receiver. I campaigned on my website a few weeks ago for Chad Johnson, though that looks unlikely. It seems Moose's replacement could be Marty Booker, who the Dolphins recently cut. Jerry Angelo has a certain affinity Booker, and though he isn't particularly exciting, Booker can still be dependable.
The resigning of Brown comes as a clear sign that management is admitting the mistake they made last season by starting Mark Anderson over Brown. While Anderson is a very good situational pass rusher, he is weak against the run, something that hurt the Bears much of last season. Brown, who made a fuss at training camp last season that he wanted to be traded, was entering the final year of his contract. He'll likely start with Adewale Ogunleye at defensive end next season.
UPDATE: Also cut: Darwin Walker and Fred Miller. Does this mean Mike Brown and Brian Griese will still be Bears by the time training camp rolls around? What happens to Briggs and Berrian (Briggs is as good as gone, Berrian's return now becomes more vital), and will the Bears fork over enough dough to sign Al Faneca?
