By Fred Mitchell, Chicago Tribune
February 15, 2006

Antwaan Randle El said Tuesday he hopes to make his free-agent decision within the next six weeks. The Bears appear to be in the forefront for the services of the electrifying Pittsburgh Steelers kick returner/wide receiver.

"Certainly my family members want me to come here and play here. Also my friends and those who are involved in marketing and that sort of thing," Randle El said.

The Thornton High School/Indiana University product was in Chicago to visit his CSMG Sports agent, Fletcher Smith, who also represents Donovan McNabb, Randy Johnson and Dwyane Wade.

"I have to make sure I make the decision based on the important things," he said. "If God leads me here to Chicago, I certainly prefer that situation for my family if it is the best situation for me coming in and playing. If this is a team that needs a receiver or a punt returner or what have you … those are the things that are most important."

The signing period for unrestricted veteran free agents begins March 3 and ends July 22 for those who received a June 1 tender from their original team. Randle El does not want his situation to extend beyond next month.

If the Bears have serious intentions of landing him, they will have to show him more than the money.

"The money is not the biggest factor," Randle El said. "Of course there's a business side to it. But you have to make sure what is best for your family. You have to make sure you don't go to a team that doesn't have a clue about using a guy like myself. You want to go to a team that understands that I want to be a punt returner and I want to be a starting receiver.

"I would rather know before March ends," he said. "I want to get the playbook. I want to know my team's offense so there is no problem when it comes to the season starting. And I want my family to be settled and situated before the season hits."

Randle El, who became the first wide receiver to throw a touchdown pass in a Super Bowl, also wants to make sure the Bears, or any other team pursuing him, appreciate the nuances of his game as a special teams standout.

"Some teams undervalue [special teams play] a little bit," he said. "They have to understand that the hidden yardage and field position factor into every game. If you have got a guy who can break it open, it becomes a big factor and it is very important."

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Let's all take a moment to get to know the real Antwaan. Excerpts from an interview on NFL.com:

Favorite TV show?
Martin

Favorite movie?
The Five Heartbeats

Favorite movie villain?
Scarface and anything played by Robert De Niro.

When Kordell Stewart came into the league, he got a cool nickname, Slash. How about you?
Not yet, that's something you have to earn. Although some people do call me the Creator.

Who is the better Slash, Kordell Stewart or the former Guns N' Roses guitarist?
Are you kidding? It's Kordell.

Favorite musical performer?
I used to be a big fan of OutKast, but I don't listen to rap that much anymore.

Favorite superhero?
He-Man. I also liked the Thundercats.

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By the Power of Greyskull, stay in Pittsburgh, dammit!
Randle El, HO!