After loss to Raiders, Bears sign Collins

Now all they need is a new left tackle ... and a safety ... and a pass rusher not named Julius Peppers ... and, well, you get the idea.

Days after signing Matt Guitierrez as insurance behind franchise QB Jay Cutler, the Bears decided to go with someone much more proven than either Guitierrez or the banged-up Caleb Hanie. Veteran Todd Collins signed today, and the 38-year-old received significantly more than the minimum the Bears tried to get him to take last week. Reports are that Collins got a six-figure signing bonus, and if he makes the team, he'll earn in excess of $1 million.

It's understandable that the Bears would find an addition to be suddenly necessary, considering the way rookie Dan LaFevour looked in Saturday's 32-17 loss to Oakland. Shaky is an understatement. Whatever Collins lacks in, ya know, talent, he'll at least partially make up for in smarts and the ability to avoid the big mistake in the heat of the moment. If Culter goes down, the Bears are still in trouble, but with Collins on board, the ship should sink more slowly.

Quarterback looked to be the least of the Bears' concerns Saturday night. Tackle Chris Williams looked like someone who should be cut rather than the team's offensive lineman with the brightest future. He was torched by Kamerion Wimbley, who finished with four sacks. Weaknesses were either exposed or highlighted at safety, receiver, the defensive line and even long snapper during the game.

I remain firmly in the camp that big deals should never be made about what happens during the NFL preseason, unless an important player gets hurt. But the Bears' play Saturday, against the lowly Raiders, was enough to make Bears fans feel awfully uncomfortable. I'm trying my best to remain optimistic, but the Bears sure have a lot of questions that need to be answered, quickly, if they have any chance of competing with Green Bay and Minnesota in the NFC North.