With the free-agency frenzy set to get going in full force, speculation is sure to abound regarding the Bears’ top targets. But if landing a wide receiver is a priority, one player in particular hopes the Bears give him a serious look."Chicago would be one of the ideal spots for me,’’ Mike Sims-Walker said Monday morning. "With the offensive coordinator (Mike Martz) and Jay Cutler, the speedy receivers, the monster defense, and Matt Forte in the backfield, I think I can be the missing piece.
"They are close, one or two pieces away. Hopefully I can put them over the top."Sims-Walker spent the last three seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars. In 2010, he caught 43 passes for 562 yards and seven touchdowns in 14 games (13 starts). In ’09, he caught 63 passes for 869 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games (14 starts). He has had some injuries issues in the past but claims to be 100 percent now.The 6-foot-2-inch, 212-pound Sims-Walker would give the Bears a different dimension as a big receiver. And he doesn’t believe in the theory that big receivers are a bad fit in Martz’s scheme."I think any receiver, if he has the talent and the skill-set, can do whatever he wants,’’ he said. "There’s no such thing as a big or small receiver. Like Andre Johnson (Texans). He does it all. He would fit in any offense, no matter what. And I try to model myself after him.’’On Tuesday, the Bears can begin conversations with veteran free agents from all teams. However, no player can officially sign until Friday at 5 p.m. Central. Teams will not have a window to negotiate exclusively with their own free agents.Sims-Walker has an obvious tie to the Bears. He spent time alongside Bears offensive coordinator Mike Tice when Tice was Jacksonville’s assistant head coach/ tight ends. But Sims-Walker has another Chicago connection."I’m real cool with Matt Forte,’’ Sims-Walker said. "We trained together before the NFL Combine. We had the same agent (Adisa Bakari) at one time. We stayed together once during the offseason down in Davie, Fla. We’ve built a good relationship.’’Sims-Walker also has great respect for Cutler based on conversations his former Central Florida teammate and best friend, Dolphins receiver Brandon Marshall. Cutler and Marshall played together in Denver."Brandon had nothing but great things to say about Cutler,’’ Sims-Walker said. "Just watching (Cutler), you can tell he has that swagger. He’s not scared to make a mistake. He just takes chances and lets it rip.’’It remains unclear which direction the Bears are headed in free agency. Devin Hester lobbied for the Bears to pursue Santana Moss, who might re-sign with the Redskins. And Moss is on the Bears’ radar.The Bears have no interest in Plaxico Burress based on extensive research done on the veteran prior to Burress going to prison. Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens also are not on the Bears’ list.But it will be interesting to see if the Bears look into Steve Smith (via trade), Santonio Holmes, Sidney Rice, or Braylon Edwards. Rice was high on the list before the lockout.
"They are close, one or two pieces away. Hopefully I can put them over the top."Sims-Walker spent the last three seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars. In 2010, he caught 43 passes for 562 yards and seven touchdowns in 14 games (13 starts). In ’09, he caught 63 passes for 869 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games (14 starts). He has had some injuries issues in the past but claims to be 100 percent now.The 6-foot-2-inch, 212-pound Sims-Walker would give the Bears a different dimension as a big receiver. And he doesn’t believe in the theory that big receivers are a bad fit in Martz’s scheme."I think any receiver, if he has the talent and the skill-set, can do whatever he wants,’’ he said. "There’s no such thing as a big or small receiver. Like Andre Johnson (Texans). He does it all. He would fit in any offense, no matter what. And I try to model myself after him.’’On Tuesday, the Bears can begin conversations with veteran free agents from all teams. However, no player can officially sign until Friday at 5 p.m. Central. Teams will not have a window to negotiate exclusively with their own free agents.Sims-Walker has an obvious tie to the Bears. He spent time alongside Bears offensive coordinator Mike Tice when Tice was Jacksonville’s assistant head coach/ tight ends. But Sims-Walker has another Chicago connection."I’m real cool with Matt Forte,’’ Sims-Walker said. "We trained together before the NFL Combine. We had the same agent (Adisa Bakari) at one time. We stayed together once during the offseason down in Davie, Fla. We’ve built a good relationship.’’Sims-Walker also has great respect for Cutler based on conversations his former Central Florida teammate and best friend, Dolphins receiver Brandon Marshall. Cutler and Marshall played together in Denver."Brandon had nothing but great things to say about Cutler,’’ Sims-Walker said. "Just watching (Cutler), you can tell he has that swagger. He’s not scared to make a mistake. He just takes chances and lets it rip.’’It remains unclear which direction the Bears are headed in free agency. Devin Hester lobbied for the Bears to pursue Santana Moss, who might re-sign with the Redskins. And Moss is on the Bears’ radar.The Bears have no interest in Plaxico Burress based on extensive research done on the veteran prior to Burress going to prison. Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens also are not on the Bears’ list.But it will be interesting to see if the Bears look into Steve Smith (via trade), Santonio Holmes, Sidney Rice, or Braylon Edwards. Rice was high on the list before the lockout.
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