The Bears coaching staff and front office are desperate. The players know it, the fans know it and more importantly free agents and their agents know it. If the Bears don’t make the playoffs in 2010, ownership will likely clean house. Adding Julius Peppers, Chester Taylor and Brandon Manumaleuna on the first night of free agency may make a difference, but there is no guarantee. Either way, with no first- or second-round draft picks it was a necessary risk.

Peppers was the big fish this offseason. Simply put, he’s an athletic freak, a 6-7, 290-pound defensive end who runs a 4.5 40 and played basketball at North Carolina. He has the ability to completely dominate the game, more than any other defensive player. There is a legitimate concern, however, that Peppers takes too many plays off. As Bear fans know, this is what’s killed them the past three years. Getting stops on first and second down and giving up a touchdown on third. Still, getting the best overall player available is always a good thing.

Taylor was a terrific signing for two reasons. He won’t dominate games, but he provides a very real alternative to Matt Forte. Taylor is also a terrific receiving and blocking back, which will fit in well in Mike Martz’s offense. This was also a great signing because it really hurt the Vikings, a big Chicago rival. Even though he didn’t highlight that offense, Taylor did a lot of little things, which made the Vikings so potent. It remains to be seen how they’ll perform without him.

The Bears cannot rest on their laurels after landing their two main free agent targets. They still need a free safety and a guard before they can talk about competing with the Packers or the Vikings. Still, for Bear fans, these early moves show that the front office is serious about winning and winning now.

-- TOMMY ALTER
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