Bears’ Anthony Adams wants to stay, but he’ll have options
By Sean Jensen sjensen@suntimes.com July 5, 2011 11:14PM
CHICAGO, IL - CIRCA 2010: In this handout image provided by the NFL, Anthony Adams of the Chicago Bears poses for his 2010 NFL headshot circa 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by NFL via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Anthony Adams
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Updated: July 6, 2011 2:12AM
Three months ago, Anthony Adams expressed frustration with his uncertain future.
Adams, an unrestricted free agent, wanted to know his NFL home for 2011, and he hoped he wouldn’t have to relocate his family.
His mind-set hasn’t changed much since.
“I love it here, man. Hopefully I am back here,” Adams said Tuesday. “But we just have to see what happens. Maybe they’re thinking something else. I don’t know. You never really do know, and I don’t want to be naïve.”
An NFC personnel executive said he expected Adams to draw interest from several teams because of his consistency and willingness to play nose tackle, an unglamorous position.
Clubs are paying a premium for defensive tackles, and there will be a massive market for them when free agency begins. Adams might not be as well known as Aubrayo Franklin, Kris Jenkins or former Bears teammate Tommie Harris. But he has been durable and productive the last two seasons, playing in all 32 games and recording four sacks and two forced fumbles.
Earlier this offseason, Pro Bowl linebackers Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher lobbied for Adams’ return.
“Double A is huge for us,” Urlacher said. “He’s the guy who is there on time, practices every day and makes work fun for us.”
Asked about Urlacher’s praise, Adams said, “He’s the leader of the team, so just to hear that from him and Lance means a lot.
“We had something good going, so there’s no sense in breaking that up because we all know how hard it is to get to the Super Bowl.”
This offseason is completely out of whack because of the lockout. But Adams has been plenty busy, staying in shape, working toward a master’s degree and awaiting the arrival of his third child.
“I try to make it as normal as possible,” Adams said. “Right now, it’s kind of like crunch time. I think something needs to be done if they want to have a season.”
But Adams isn’t constantly contacting Robbie Gould, the Bears’ NFL Players Association representative, or anyone else for updates on the labor negotiations.
“I don’t think there’s really anything they can tell me. It’s basically speculation,” Adams said. “So unless they tell me, ‘Let’s get back to work,’ I don’t want to hear anything.”
For his part, Adams weighs 310 pounds, which, he said, is his ideal playing weight.
More immediately, though, Adams is anxious about something else.
“My baby is due any day,” he said, “and I got a lot of stuff going on.”
