Bears Re-Sign Fred Miller

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Sep 11, 2008 2:37PM

With the injury to first-round draft pick Chris Williams's back during training camp, the Bears were left with only a rookie seventh-round pick backing up their two starting tackles. To say the team needed a little help in the depth department was an understatement, so after weeks of discussions the team re-signed Fred Miller this week.

The Bears cut their former starting tackle after the 2007 season, in large part because of the $4.5 million he would have been due and the sub-par season he had. He claimed on Wednesday it was due to injury. After meetings with Baltimore and Tampa Bay, he realized he still had the passion to play but only wanted to do so in Chicago.

Miller's one-year contract will pay him about $781,000, which is the prorated amount of the veteran minimum. To make room for Miller on the roster, the Bears waived Kirk Barton, the rookie seventh-rounder. The team's offense will fail or succeed in good deal based on how well the line opens holes for Matt Forte and how well it provides Kyle Orton pass protection. While we're still concerned with the overall health and age of the Bears O-Line, we feel a little better with a veteran like Miller on the bench.