Looks like the Bears signed St. Clair's replacement

Tackle Kevin Shaffer to sign with Chicago Bears
Offensive tackle ready to take over for St. Clair
By Vaughn McClure | Tribune reporter
March 26, 2009
Offensive tackle Kevin Shaffer spent the last few days picking the brains of anyone he knew who had ties to the Bears.

He began with right guard Roberto Garza, Shaffer's former teammate in Atlanta. Then Shaffer, who was cut by Cleveland on March 12, called former Browns teammate Lennie Friedman, who had a brief stint with the Bears in 2005.

"I talked to a lot of people, and from everybody I talked to, I didn't hear one negative thing about Chicago and the Bears," Shaffer said. "Then I prayed about it. … I just got to the point that it was time to go make a deal with Chicago."

Shaffer agreed to terms on a three-year, $8 million contract. He is guaranteed $2 million and is scheduled to make $2.75 million for the 2009 season. That's a tad above the $2.65 million he was scheduled to earn as a base salary with the Browns for '09. He was due a $1 million roster bonus before being released.

Shaffer drove from Cleveland to Chicago on Wednesday night with the intention of signing Thursday morning. The Bears lured him with plans to address their lack of depth at tackle.

Ironically, Shaffer's right tackle spot in Cleveland is occupied by former Bear John St. Clair, whom the Bears wanted to re-sign after John Tait retired.

When St. Clair bolted, the Bears immediately moved new acquisition Frank Omiyale from backup guard to first-team right tackle for mini-camp, with Chris Williams at left tackle.

In steps the 6-foot-5-inch, 315-pound Shaffer, 29, who started for three seasons with the Browns before becoming a salary-cap casualty. The fact that he started 47 of 48 games, 31 at right tackle and 16 at left, indicates he is prepared to assume a starting role.

"But I know I have to go in there and compete," Shaffer said. "They don't know me at all. It's fair for me to have to come in and show what I can do. I just hope to win the job."

The Bears still could target a tackle in the draft, but adding Shaffer might make the position second priority to wide receiver or even cornerback. Omiyale, who used to be Shaffer's backup in Atlanta, would prefer to stay at tackle. But Shaffer's play might dictate Omiyale's role.

If Shaffer is as aggressive as he is touted to be, the training-camp battles should be intriguing.

Meanwhile, the Bears have privately expressed some sort of interest in Jay Cutler, according to a Yahoo! Sports report. Coming into the week, 10 teams apparently expressed interest in Cutler, with the Jets leading the group. Cutler's agent, Bus Cook, has not responded to messages from the Tribune.

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Ironic, that the Browns saw St Clair as a superior player and cut Shaffer to make room for St Clair. The Bears only offered 1.5 million a season to St Clair, yet give the guy the Browns saw as inferior more. I don't want to get carried away lamenting the loss of a mediocre player, but unless they get a stud tackle in the draft, there is a good chance they took a step backwards here.

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Go Cubs!!!!

Correct me if I'm wrong... but wasn't Shaffer cut due to costs?

Compared to his previous contract, I think the Browns will save money by dumping him and picking up JSC's contract.



I like the move. The Bears signed a proven starter who is younger and hasn't struggled with injuries. Like the article mentioned, I still think they need to address the line, but this gives them the option to go WR or some other need with the first overall.

Sure they could go WR. But if they do, there is a far greater chance that the pick will turn into a bust. With the lack of depth at tackle and the fact that Chris Williams is an unproven player and the fact he is coming off back surgery....I believe another tackle is where they go with #1.

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Go Cubs!!!!

Jut another garbage move for jerry.

My first reaction is oh crap they are not going to draft a lineman in the first round.

Thats where Championships are built. The offensive and Defensive lines have to be strong or nothing else matters. You can't get great quarterback play, from a guy thats being thrown to the ground every other play. Nor will a receiver do much, if the QB has no time to throw the ball. The running game can't do much either, behind a line that doesn't open up holes for him. The Bears line last year was average at best. They very much need to upgrade.

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Go Cubs!!!!

If they select an OL in the first round some will bitch that they did not get a WR.

If they select a WR in the first round some will bitch that they did not get an OL.

Just reality.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

Hakeem Nicks with number 18, book it.

There is plenty of talent along the lines in this draft. You can get a starting right tackle on a regular basis outside of the first round. It is the left tackles that are a bitch to acquire if you don't have a high pick.

If they get a tackle with one of the first three picks I will be happy. I have a feeling it is going to be Loadholt in the second round. He may very well be able to start by opening day.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

I would be thrilled if we come away with Nicks and Loadholt. I hope you are right good dolphin.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

They should still add one offensive lineman, regardless of position in the 1st 3 rounds. It's probably not going to be in Round 1 anymore though, but Angelo should add another solid prospect to the mix - at worse, we're adding depth to a line that will probably need it, and, at best, hopefully another possible starter to the mix.

I like Nicks a lot too.

I like Jamon Meredith and Duke Robinson better than Loadholt but if Oher is available at 18 I'd want him over anybody.

I want no part of Brian Robiskie or Heyward Bey.