Free agent RBs have eye on Bears
Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 2:30 am
Free agent RBs have eye on Bears
Kevin Jones? He'd love to play in Chicago.
Ron Dayne? Ditto.
It's an attractive destination for running backs in need of work in the wake of Benson's departure. The former No. 4 pick is on waivers and has until the close of business Thursday to clear.
It's unlikely Benson will be claimed, and two coaches in other cities were skeptical about a future for a back with so much baggage and so little production. This is Roger Goodell's league now, and bad citizens aren't wanted -- unless they're special performers.
''Kevin thinks Chicago would be a great opportunity for him,'' said Jones' agent, Mitch Frankel. ''The Bears have not expressed interest at this point.''
Jones, a former first-round pick by Detroit, is recovering from a torn ACL and plans to work out for teams at the end of the month. He has made visits to New England and Tennessee and is angling for a deal above the minimum salary. Chances of that happening with the Bears are not good.
Dayne also has visited the Titans but isn't in a particular hurry to make a move. The 30-year-old is coming off two modestly productive seasons in Houston.
''We thought about reaching out to the Bears after the first [Benson arrest],'' said Dayne's agent, Karim Lawrence. ''I left them a message [Tuesday]. We're kind of waiting it out right now, and we're not going to just jump at an opportunity. Chicago would be interesting because it's so close to Wisconsin.''
Former league MVP Shaun Alexander remains on the market, and Oakland is expected to part ways with Lamont Jordan at some point. The Bears also have P.J. Pope, whom they really liked in the summer of 2006, and undrafted rookie Matt Lawrence in the mix.
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