The Bears have made signing Orlando Pace a priority and intend to leave him at left tackle if he joins the team, according to an NFL source.
Pace, who played 12 seasons with the St. Louis Rams before becoming a salary-cap casualty last month, visited Halas Hall on Monday. Agent Kennard McGuire said Pace "had a very good and productive" visit.
McGuire declined to discuss specifics in relation to a contract offer. Pace reportedly has an offer from Baltimore.
If Pace signs, the Bears probably would start him at left tackle and shift Chris Williams to the right side. Pace was selected to seven Pro Bowls at left tackle and is destined to be a Hall of Famer. He likely would have been the Rams' starting left tackle for the 2009 season had they not opted to save $6 million in cap space.Williams, the Bears' first-round pick last season, did not start a game his rookie year after back surgery. He was slated to take over at left tackle even before John St. Clair left via free agency to sign with Cleveland.
Williams is versatile enough to play either tackle spot, which is why the Bears would be willing to move him to the right side.
The Bears have already signed veteran Kevin Shaffer, and he could compete to start at right tackle regardless. Adding the 33-year-old Pace would push newly acquired Frank Omiyale back into the mix at guard.
Pace had some injury issues the last several years, but the Bears don't appear concerned. Drafting a tackle is in the plans regardless.
The Bears also entertained veteran cornerback Ken Lucas on Monday, but there is only lukewarm interest in him.
Pace, who played 12 seasons with the St. Louis Rams before becoming a salary-cap casualty last month, visited Halas Hall on Monday. Agent Kennard McGuire said Pace "had a very good and productive" visit.
McGuire declined to discuss specifics in relation to a contract offer. Pace reportedly has an offer from Baltimore.
If Pace signs, the Bears probably would start him at left tackle and shift Chris Williams to the right side. Pace was selected to seven Pro Bowls at left tackle and is destined to be a Hall of Famer. He likely would have been the Rams' starting left tackle for the 2009 season had they not opted to save $6 million in cap space.Williams, the Bears' first-round pick last season, did not start a game his rookie year after back surgery. He was slated to take over at left tackle even before John St. Clair left via free agency to sign with Cleveland.
Williams is versatile enough to play either tackle spot, which is why the Bears would be willing to move him to the right side.
The Bears have already signed veteran Kevin Shaffer, and he could compete to start at right tackle regardless. Adding the 33-year-old Pace would push newly acquired Frank Omiyale back into the mix at guard.
Pace had some injury issues the last several years, but the Bears don't appear concerned. Drafting a tackle is in the plans regardless.
The Bears also entertained veteran cornerback Ken Lucas on Monday, but there is only lukewarm interest in him.
