Booker Catches On With Bears Again

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Mar 6, 2008 3:08PM

Bears quarterbacks Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton can be forgiven if they have a extra pint tonight -- or some fruity cocktail in Orton's case, since he's on his honeymoon in Hawaii -- because the Bears finally got them some help at wide receiver.

Following three weeks of his lobbying, former Bears wideout Marty Booker overcame initial indifference from Jerry Angelo and re-signed with his former team on Wednesday.

By signing a two-year deal with the Bears, Booker helps add some depth to a receiver corps depleted by the release of Mushin Muhammed and loss of Bernard Berrian in free agency.

Booker first joined the Bears as a third round draft pick in 1999, setting a team record in 2001 with 100 catches and in '02 became the only wideout to have back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons. On the eve of the 2004 season, the Bears shipped Booker to Miami in return for Adewale Ogunleye.

But Booker's 32 years old now. Given the current state of receivers on the Bears roster, his presence will certainly help. But probably not enough to prolong the Grossman era beyond next season.

Image via ChicagoBears.com