Disgruntled Porter Wants Out of Oakland

From ESPN.com Insider's NFL Rumor Central:

"Just 17 months after signing a five-year contract that could net him as much as $15 million, Jerry Porter is demanding a trade, the Contra Costa Times reports. The 28-year-old has already fallen out with new coach Art Shell. The two exchanged heated words during a get-to-know-you meeting soon after the Raiders hired Shell to replace Norv Turner on Feb. 13. The confrontation ended with Shell booting Porter out of his office."

"There's guys every year that might not want to be on a team," Shell said Wednesday, "but, hey, part of this business is you play with who you've got."

Good morning, Mr. Angelo, this is your wakeup call. It has come to our attention that one of the top receivers in the game wants to be traded, and it just so happens that you could really use some help offensively. If our records are accurate, Thomas Jones wants out and you have a pool of talented young wide receivers that Oakland could pick from. Why not try this, offer the Raiders Jones, Bernard Berrian, and a 4th round pick in next year's draft.

That would be an offer that Oakland could not refuse. I know that I previously said the Bears should go after Ashley Lelie, but that was until I woke up today and read that Jerry Porter is on the market. The stats don't lie. Last year Porter caught 76 passes for 942 yards and 5 touchdowns, and that was with the awful Kerry Collins under center, so imagine what he could do with Grossman throwing to him. And, trust me, it won't get any better for Porter with Aaron "INT" Brooks taking over QB duties. Not only would his addition to the Bears give them a Randy Moss-like big play threat, allowing the offense to stretch the field, but it would also take some of the pressure off Muhammad by moving him into the 2nd WR slot. Having Mark Bradley, who is having a great training camp, as the 3rd WR would make the offense a strength instead of a weakness.

This is a no-brainer. In fact, if Angelo is so worried about Briggs leaving the team next year, include him in this trade. I would ask for Derrick Burgess, a DE who was drafted as a LB, and kicker Sebastian Janikowski in return. Last year, Burgess registered 16 sacks, and Janikowski led Oakland with 90 points. Players like Porter do not become available very often, especially in the NFL. Angelo needs to take a page out of the Mighty Ducks' book and pounce on the opportunity the way Anaheim did when Chris Pronger wanted out of Edmonton. Do whatever you have to, Angelo, because Porter's addition would, in my opinion, automatically catapult the Bears into the Super Bowl.

So to recap, the Bears send Thomas Jones, Bernard Berrian, Lance Briggs, and a 4th round pick to Oakland for Jerry Porter, Derrick Burgess, and Sebastian Janikowski.

What do you think? Will Angelo be able to pull it off or will he stick with the players he's got? The power went out last night and I didn't get much sleep, so I'm going back to bed.

Update: After reading the comments you guys left, which by the way I appreciate, I thought more about my trade proposal. Originally I envisioned Jones and LaMont Jordan as a thunder-lightning combination, similar to Dunn and Duckett in Atlanta. That said, I went back and looked at Oakland's roster and realized they are pathetic on defense, something which the Bears have in abundance. So I'm changing the trade to this: Bernard Berrian, Chris Harris, Ian Scott and a 4th round draft pick for Porter, Burgess, and Janikowski.

I agree with "anonymous" that the Bears should try to hold on to Briggs, because he is, after all, a potential superstar and I think Jones would be just as unhappy with the RB situation in Oakland as he is with the Bears. If the Bears and Briggs can't come to an agreement during the season, then the team might have to evaluate trade options at the deadline, so they don't lose him without getting anything in return. Let's hope it doesn't come to that. Rookie Danieal Manning looks like he will take Harris' spot and Dusty Dvoracek, another rookie, appears primed to win the DT spot over Ian Scott, reuniting him with his former collegiate teammate, Tommie Harris. This makes both Chris Harris and Scott expendable.

Even though Thomas Jones was not included in this trade, I still think he should be moved, but to a team, Denver or San Francisco perhaps, that needs a proven starting running back. Maybe the Bears could still coax the Broncos into trading Lelie, giving Chicago the best receiving corps in the league with Porter, Lelie, and Muhammad. However, Denver is looking for a tight end, so including Desmond Clark in the deal might be necessary to get something done. That shouldn't be a problem because Angelo signed two free agent rookies, Tim Day, who I thought was a steal and would of won the starting job from Clark anyway, and Cooper Wallace. On the other hand, the 49ers could offer Tony Parrish. It would be his second stint in Chicago.

Ok, I'm done with this topic. It's probably wishful thinking but the Bears are so close to becoming an elite team, that I hope Angelo will consider making another major move. Will he? Or will he play it safe? Let me know...