The Chicago Bears seem to be trying to get worse rather than better and in the improving NFC North that is the wrong direction to be moving.

Bears falling further behind NFC North foes

by Adam Schein

I love the fact that Lance Briggs is back in Chicago. He's a Pro Bowl caliber linebacker, a fantastic tackler and playmaker built for Lovie Smith's system. Briggs is the perfect wingman for Brian Urlacher.

And as President, Founder, CEO, and often sole member of the Rex Grossman fan club, I was happy to see the much maligned quarterback re-sign in the Windy City for another year. The free-agent market was very thin at quarterback. Grossman still has talent and upside. He does have a conference championship on his resume. He knows Ron Turner's offense and couldn't leave town on the low note that was 2007. Grossman's return is good for the team and the player.

But here we are two weeks into the off-season, and I'm scratching my head on Chicago's decision making. The team is getting worse, specifically at the receiver position. Key areas of need haven't been addressed, like safety, offensive line, and, yes, Cedric Benson at running back. Potentially perfect fits in free agency weren't pursued. These questions and areas of weakness loom large as the teams in the division get stronger.

And I'm writing this while defending Grossman!

Everyone likes to blame Grossman for everything in Chicago. But you cannot ignore the enormous holes on this team.

The Bears will miss Bernard Berrian's ability to stretch the field. (Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images)

I understand Bernard Berrian got gobs of guaranteed money to join the rival Vikings. He had 16 million guaranteed reasons to defect. But Berrian told us last week that he would've re-upped with the Bears if the guaranteed money would've been remotely close. Even in a season where Berrian admits he dropped more passes than he should've, the wideout hauled in 71 passes and amassed just under 1,000 receiving yards. And he has an excellent rapport with Grossman, especially on the deep ball.

And it is gut-wrenching for Bears fans to think of Berrian catching the all the passes Troy Williamson dropped through the years.

And it is even worse to think of Brandon Lloyd replacing him.

Brandon Lloyd? You have to be kidding me!

He was a total bust in Washington after Joe Gibbs and Vinny Cerrato foolishly gave the Niners third- and fourth-round picks as well as millions of Dan Snyder's cash to Lloyd.

How did Lloyd respond? He caught two total passes last year! And this performance followed an underwhelming 23 catches in 2006. It was highway robbery. I don't care that he played for Turner in college. This is a terrible move.

I know Marty Booker has always been a favorite of general manager Jerry Angelo. But does Booker represent an upgrade over Muhsin Muhammad? I don't think so. It's a wash, at best.

And where's the push for a defensive tackle to replace the underachieving Darwin Walker?

Can Chicago possibly back on Mike Brown and Adam Archuleta at safety? Shouldn't Eugene Wilson be on the radar?

And let's be honest here — the Bears need to be in the running back business.

Michael Turner would've looked great in a Chicago uniform, but he signed with the Falcons.

Cedric Benson has been a total bust, with opposing players like Shaun Philips and Luis Castillo openly questioning his toughness. Benson's disappointing 2007 came to a bitter and dramatic end when he fractured his ankle and was placed on injured reserve in late November. You can't bank on him for anything in 2008.

Chicago never should've traded Thomas Jones. Thus, Angelo must consider a carry-the-mail back in the first round of the draft. Jonathan Stewart from Oregon or Illinois' own Rashard Mendenhall, two physical and speedy backs that should be big-time players, have to be on the radar. Mendenhall would be perfect.

Investigating Shaun Alexander is also a worthy option.

But while thinking running back, Chicago also needs to also replenish its offensive line and could be in the tackle business in the first round.

This is what happens when you have major problems on offense.

Could Grossman actually represent stability?

Scary.

It's seems like the 2006 Super Bowl run was ages ago. Minnesota is vastly improved with Berrian and Madieu Williams. Green Bay, even sans Favre, is rock solid. And hey, let's give Matt Millen some credit for picking up cornerbacks Leigh Bodden and Brian Kelly.

Unless the Bears suddenly join the off-season party, 2008 already has the makings of another frustrating season.