Search is on for another tight end
March 13, 2008
BY BRAD BIGGS
The Bears began exploring possibilities to replace third tight end John Gilmore, entertaining Aaron Walker on Wednesday at Halas Hall.
Walker is considered a solid blocker but less of a threat in the passing game than Gilmore, who rarely was sent into the pattern in anything but goal-line situations. The question with Walker, who turns 28 on Friday, is how his left shoulder has recovered from November surgery to repair a torn labrum while with the St. Louis Rams.
A fifth-round pick out of Florida by San Francisco in 2003, Walker caught two passes last season, and his career high is 10 for 115 yards in 2004 with the 49ers. At 6-6, 270 pounds, he's bigger than Gilmore, who signed a three-year, $3 million deal with Tampa Bay. The Bears have pass-catching tight ends in Desmond Clark and Greg Olsen but need a blocker for short-yardage and occasional two-tight-end sets.
Another option is Bennie Joppru, a former second-round pick by Houston. He was on the Bears' practice squad in 2006 when Seattle signed him away.
LINK
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/footb...bsep13.article