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Titans defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch could explore the free agent market this offseason, writes Dan Pompei.

Q: Now that the Bears have made key changes in the coaching department, what more needs to be done to ensure they get back to the playoffs?
— Evan, Franklin, Ind.

A: Contrary to popular opinion, I don’t think the Bears are far away from being a playoff team.

The whole key to the team is Jay Cutler. If Mike Martz can get Cutler playing anywhere near his potential, the Bears are going to be a playoff team. An outstanding quarterback can lift an entire team, and Cutler has the capacity to be outstanding.

But if Cutler is less than outstanding but still decent, the Bears still can be a playoff team if they can improve in their running game and their pass rush.

Q: Although I can admire his loyalty to his O-line how long will Ben Roethlisberger be able to take the pounding he receives from their inability to protect him?
— John, Lewistown, Penn.

A: The good news for Roethlisberger is he’s big and he’s mobile — so he can both take a sack and avoid one. But if any quarterback is hit enough, it’s eventually going to alter performance. It’s just human nature.

So if the Steelers can’t do anything to improve the personnel responsible for protecting Roethlisberger, they should probably look at some potential scheme tweaks or at least an emphasis on different play calls. It would not be wise to allow your franchise player to be sacked 50 times in two straight seasons.

Special feature Offseason priorities for NFL teams Are the Steelers too old? What do the Cowboys do with Roy Williams? Answers for all 32 teams NBCSports.com

A: I’m not sure I have a good answer for you Robert, other than to say it’s very, very difficult to get into the hall of fame.

Every year, there are very qualified candidates who don’t get in. There always are more than seven worthy candidates, in my opinion. It truly is an elite group. And down the road there could be hope for some of the players you mentioned, particularly Nobis, Van Note and Kenn. It doesn’t help any of them that they played mostly on bad teams.

Q: I was wondering what are the chances the Patriots will sign Donte Stallworth and Julius Peppers?
— Rick, Severn, Md.

A: I would think not very good.

Teams are going to be very cautious about Stallworth, given his history both off the field and on. He is not a difference maker, and when you have the kind of baggage Stallworth has, you need to be a difference maker if you want to stay in the league. He’ll latch on with someone, I know. But it’s buyer beware.

As for Peppers, he’s probably going to have a lot of teams interested in him. He’s probably going to be paid more than he could possibly be worth. To sign Peppers, the Patriots would either have to change their defensive scheme to a four man front or play Peppers at a new position.

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