With apologizes to Mr. Mike Hass, the way I see it the Chicago Bears have eight logical pass catchers arriving in Bourbonnais to compete for playing time.
1. Marty Booker must establish himself as the team's go-to guy on big third down conversions and - more than that - he must catch the ball. He must also establish the role vacated by Moose of keeping Devin Hester on the right page of the playbook. More than anything else, Book has unenviable task of replacing Thomas Jones' voice in the huddle. Someone must hold the offense accountable. Someone must urge the quarterback to "make a play." In my mind, that falls to Book. Welcome back, buddy.
2. Devin Hester needs to run straight, run fast and turn at the right time. When he turns and the ball is close to him, he should use his hands to catch the ball and then continue running until he can "read" the name of a football team under his feet. Ron Turner should not use him on end arounds. He should not throw screens to him. Because Devin Hester running go routes pulls a safety into deep coverage which means...
3. Greg Olsen should never be covered by a man who can cover him. Olsen is big and fast with tremendous hands is going to face mismatches all season long do to Hester's speed. This goes as much for RT and it does for GO but there should never be a game this season that the ball is not thrown G-Reg's way 7 to 10 times and I'll be disappointed if he doesn't lead our pass catchers in touchdown grabs.
4. Mark Bradley & Earl Bennett need to become reliable, every-game weapons. Bradley has shown flashes of brilliance over his first couple seasons but has had difficulty removing the leash and exiting Lovie's doghouse for some unreported season. Earl the Squirrel has got to climb the receiver tree quickly and work his way into the starting lineup by midseason. If he does, this passing game should be clicking by late October, early November. The Giants proved in 2007 that all you need to do is figure it out before they stop playing the games.
5. Desmond Clark & Rash Davis have become Rex Grossman's most reliability receivers in big spots during his tenure as the starting quarterback. Neither is going to set the world on fire with their numbers but both must stay on the field. For Davis, he must also continue to be a massive presence on special teams.
6. Brandon Lloyd is the wildcard. Back when he was playing for Ronny's brother Norv, there were some who thought Lloyd was the brink of stardom as he seemed to make at least one bona fide circus catch every week. Lloyd needs to fight through camp to make this roster and make ten big catches this season. That's it. If he can become the Jabar Gaffney of this receiving corps, we'll be in pretty good shape.
Can Craig Steltz start at strong safety?
Steltz is a tackler, something the third tier of this defense sincerely lacked in 2007. Lined up next to Mike Brown, the LSU star would be able to fill the role left empty by Adam Archuleta last season. The comparisons heard round the world yesterday: Doug Plank and Gary Fencik.
Who is playing left guard?
Chris Williams, Olin Kreutz, Roberto Garza and John Tait seem pretty secure in their jobs. That leaves a gaping hole at the left guard slot. Is Josh Beekman a possibility? Will Terry Metcalf be given a shot? Might the signing of Alan Faneca have made this a non-issue? Someone has to line up and block.
Where does Earl Bennett fit in?
The Bears have a lot of wide receivers. Devin Hester will run straight. Marty Booker, Brandon Lloyd, Rash Davis and Mark Bradley will all compete for playing time. Bennett has an opportunity very few rookie receivers will have this season: to step on the field as the bona fide number one.
Forte a three-down back?
If you listened to Jerry Angelo's press conference after drafting Forte, he must have called him a "three-down back" ten times. In other words...Jerry fully expects Matt Forte to be the starting running back in 2008, relegating Cedric Benson back to his 2006 role and hopefully success. There won't be a more interesting player to watch this summer than our new tailback.
Who emerges next to Tommie Harris?
Matty T? Dusty D? Marcus Harrison? Israel Idonije? Someone has to start next to the all-world defensive tackle. The question is who.
Rex Grossman v. Kyle Orton
If the draft confirmed anything, it confirmed the Chicago Bears have a deep irrational faith in Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton. Their camp battle - while thoroughly unexciting - should dictate everything about 2008.
ADDENDUM:
The Bears signed their rookie free agents today and Mel Kiper loves Caleb Hanie from Colorado State (a quarterback). Kiper believes he'll carry the clipboard this season but has a chance to be the future starter. If Hanie is carrying the clipboard this season, we all know he has a chance to start by week nine.
A year ago, everybody and their mother was pronouncing the Cleveland Browns the winner of the 2007 NFL Draft. It took nine months for us to realize that not only had the New York Giants won the draft but they’d had one of the great drafts of the modern era. Some idiot named Doc Sports even gave them a C+.
So I won’t attempt to evaluate the talent we’ve taken in the first three rounds of the draft. Instead I’ll look at the approach, the ideology behind each of the selections and try to find some subtext.
CHRIS WILLIAMS, Vanderbilt
Williams must get this contract done immediately and begin participating in the program. He must start at left tackle on opening day or this draft will have been a bust. If he performs well, we’ve just gotten better at left and right tackle, as John Tait will slide back to his natural side.
MATT FORTE, Tulane
Two points:
1. The Bears believe they can win and win now. The not-selecting a quarterback means they have no interest in rebuilding.
2. Something’s gotta give at the position. Look for Adrian Peterson to play a predominantly special teams-oriented role and Hungry Like the Wolfe to become the full-time third down back as Cedric Benson returns to the change-of-pace.
EARL BENNETT, Vanderbilt
Mel Kiper compared him to Hines Ward. (If he’s half the player, we just stole him.) Hands, Hands, Hands. That’s what you read when you research the EB. The Bears have now added Brandon Lloyd, Marty Booker and EB – three guys who don’t drop the football.
MARCUS HARRISON, Arkansas
Best player on the draft board situation, I assume.
It is very late so here are my quick thoughts about the first day of the draft:
1. I think we landed the tackle we wanted. And that's a good thing.
2. I hope this Forte character turns into a great running back.
What else do you want me to say? I didn't like the drafting of Devin Hester, remember?
AS FOR TOMORROW...
1. Guard
2. Safety
3. Wide Receiver
4. Quarterback
I'll be here live tomorrow after most of the picks throughout the day.
Today we're giving out a nice little prize: a weekly column all summer long. "How do I win such an honor, Jeff?" you ask nearly wetting yourself at your computer. Here's how the game works:
1. This column will stay up for the duration of the week. You use the comments sections to predict the POSITION and PLAYER the Bears will select with each of their picks in the upcoming draft. I will compile the picks and put them on the main page Friday night.
2. Your predictions must be made in CAPS. The conversation and debate will go on as it regularly does but I'm looking at everything in CAPS as predictions. ONE PREDICTION PER PERSON. ALSO! ALSO! ALSO! Please email your picks to dabears@dabearsblog.com before Friday with the subject heading "Draft Picks." This will ensure you are who we think you are.
3. Each pick is designated a certain number of points. You get half those points for getting the position right and the other half for getting the player. The most points you can earn is 440.
Round One (14th overall) is worth 10 pts.
Round Two (44th overall) is worth 20 pts.
Round Three (70th overall) is worth 30 pts.
Round Three (90th overall) is worth 40 pts.
Round Four (110th overall) is worth 50 pts.
Round Five (142nd overall) is worth 60 pts.
Round Six (175th overall) is worth 70 pts.
Round Seven (222nd overall) is worth 80 pts.
Round Seven (243rd overall) is worth 80 pts.
4. The weekly column will be the first week in June run right through the end of training camp. You'll get a chance to weigh-in on the quarterback derby and whatever else you might find interesting. We'll work out the details. If you're not a regular here and you've just come to the website, don't worry about it. We're an open forum and you're welcome to win this thing.
THREE-BIT ADDENDUM - 4/24
1. Jay Mariotti wants the Bears to draft Rashard Mendenhall. As the thing gets closer, so do I.
2. Unofficial draft party will be held at Josie Woods for those of you in the NYC area this weekend.
3. Might not be around the computer Friday or Saturday so I'll leave it you guys to keep the conversation moving. I'll be on here all day Sunday to cover rounds 3-7 and provide as much info as possible on the guys we take there. Will announce the winner of the contest on Monday morning.
I woke up this morning to Mike Mulligan's doomsday report in the Sun-Times regarding Brian Urlacher's contract demands and then Brad Biggs' follow-up in the online blog. One phrase keeps entering through my eyeballs, slipping down through my esophagus and tearing my heart into little shreds (forgive also my lack of how biology works): "His agents have also dropped the idea that he be allowed to explore a trade."
I don't care if it's true. I don't care if it's a negotiating ploy. All I know is that Brian Urlacher needs to be on every radio station in America - from WTEX in Dallas to WGAY in San Francisco - denying it before I've taken my post-coffee morning dump. I want to hear him call Mike Mulligan a liar. I want to hear him lie through his teeth about how much he loves the city of Chicago and the fans, how much he wants to spend the rest of his career in the navy and burnt, how much the organization means to him. I want this because I've looked around Soldier Field on a Sunday and there isn't a fanbase in the National Football League that celebrates and defends one of their own the way we defend Brian Urlacher. When he's called the most overrated player in the league, we stage a revolution that would make Jean Valjean jealous. When his personal life is attacked by Jay Mariotti, we say "at least he ain't fighting dogs."
Brian Urlacher owes us this. Football players don't need to be heroes but Brian Urlacher is getting pretty damn close. He's the shining star of an era quickly turning into darkness. He's what we hang our wool knit hat on after a long Sunday afternoon. He's our canon in a suburban park. And if he forces himself out of Chicago, it's Walter O'Malley moving the Dodgers. It's Wade Boggs riding a horse in pinstripes as Red Sox nation vomits in their collective toilets.
Be our guy. And we'll hang you shirt up on the stadium wall and make sure nobody ever wears it again. And Urlacher's Chicken & Biscuits will knock KFC out of the Chicagoland area. And we'll flock like we're following Moses to the promised land to see you enshrined. But don't you dare hold this fanbase emotionally hostage. Be our guy, goddamnit. How could you not?
ADDENDUM: mikebdot - always on top of things - dropped this link below. Urlacher refers to the Sun-Times report as a gossip column. I don't know why I stopped ignoring this paper but I'm about to start again.
Not surprised the Chicago media has the Bears getting walloped in 2008. But Rosenbloom at least made me laugh with his predictions. The point is there to be made: with an unsure quarterback, no running back, no number one receiver and 3/5 of an offensive line - really - how good must the defense be? What most of these reporters forget is just how bad the quarterbacking will be in this division. The Bears will be in the postseason.
Devin Hester is mulling a five-year deal from the Bears, according to PFT. Take a look at that link as it breaks down nicely the labor disaster that is approaching for the NFL. Here's hoping this deal gets done before the season starts.
Mel Kiper is still the most solid predictor of draft picks around and the Sun-Times has his most recent on their site. He has us going (1) Chris Williams (2) Brian Brohm (3) Kevin Smith (3) Jerome Simpson (4) Stan Keglar. You know what? It makes sense. Best line, "Kiper believes the Bears are on their way back to contention this season and sees the club filling its holes through the draft."
Congratulations to Steve McNair on a terrific career. McNair and Eddie George made those Jeff Fisher Titans clubs of the 90s some of the toughest around and their bodies took the brunt of it. I always wished Kevin Dyson would have gotten that extra yard and three great football men would have realized the dream of a world championship. I guess Fisher will have to wait until he replaces Lovie Smith in a few years.
I'll do as Lovie asks and break down the 2008 Chicago Bears schedule in four quarters.
Season prediction: 10-6
Sun. 7 @ Colts
Sun. 14 @ Panthers
Sun. 21 BUCCANEERS
Sun. 28 EAGLES
Sun. 5 @ Lions
Sun. 12 @ Falcons
Sun. 19 VIKINGS
Sun. 2 LIONS
Sun. 9 TITANS
Sun. 16 @ Packers
Sun. 23 @ Rams
Sun. 30 @ Vikings
Sun. 7 JAGUARS
Thu. 11 SAINTS
Mon. 22 PACKERS
Sun. 28 @ Texans
Three reasons:
(1) I'll be in Charlotte to see the Bears play the Panthers. If you're going to be in that area, let me know.
(2) Warm-weather Jaguars, dome Saints and Packers come to Soldier Field in December. If the Bears keep themselves in the division hunt, they could win it with their schedule.
(3) They play a lot of crap teams.
Sun. 7 @ Colts
Sun. 14 @ Panthers
Sun. 21 BUCCANEERS
Sun. 28 EAGLES
Sun. 5 @ Lions
Sun. 12 @ Falcons
Sun. 19 VIKINGS
Sun. 2 LIONS
Sun. 9 TITANS
Sun. 16 @ Packers
Sun. 23 @ Rams
Sun. 30 @ Vikings
Sun. 7 JAGUARS
Thu. 11 SAINTS
Mon. 22 PACKERS
Sun. 28 @ Texans
Three reasons:
(1) I'll be in Charlotte to see the Bears play the Panthers. If you're going to be in that area, let me know.
(2) Warm-weather Jaguars, dome Saints and Packers come to Soldier Field in December. If the Bears keep themselves in the division hunt, they could win it with their schedule.
(3) They play a lot of crap teams.
Mike Florio and the boys over at ProFootballTalk.com have quickly become big-time players in the NFL media game and they've broken down (quite fairly) the Bears draft situation in a couple weeks. It went up late last night and there's some interesting stuff to chew over (I've put that stuff in bold).
CHICAGO BEARS 2008 DRAFT NEEDS
By Mike Florio
Here’s a look at the perceived draft needs of the Chicago Bears, with heavy input from Matt Miller and David Gardner of NewEraScouting.com.
Offensive tackle: The Bears struggled on offense last year due in large part to poor line play. Left tackle John Tait is better suited to the right side. Tait might very well end up there, given Fred Miller’s release after a dreadful 2007 season. Ideally, the Bears will find a game-ready left tackle in the draft. Typically, such left tackle are available only in round one.
Depth is also an issue; like the Broncos, the Bears have only two tackles on the entire roster.
By the time the Bears pick, Michigan’s Jake Long and Boise State’s Ryan Clady will be long gone. Chris Williams of Vanderbilt and Jeff Otah of Pitt will be the best options, even if No. 14 (the dreaded Darrelle Revis slot) is technically too high for either of them.
Quarterback: The Bears historically have been unsettled at the quarterback position. A couple of years ago, it looked like things might change. But Rex Grossman has regressed, and is at most a short-term answer. Ditto for Kyle Orton.
Beyond those two, the Bears have no one. Though it’s unlikely that they’ll use a first-round pick on a quarterback, it might be wise to pull the trigger in round two, if Chad Henne of Michigan is still lurking on the board.
Receiver: The Bears had one of the worst receiving corps in the league last season, and they let their best player at the position leave via free agency. Speedster Bernard Berrian (who has never even had a 1,000-yard season) will be playing with division rival Minnesota next season.
So who do the Bears have? Free-agent acquisitions Marty Booker (who was actually the Bears’ third-round pick in 1999) and Brandon Lloyd (who hasn’t been a reliable no. 2 since he left San Francisco) are stop-gaps at best, and Rashied Davis, Mark Bradley, Mike Haas are journeymen.
The only people scared of these guys are Bears fans.
Devin Hester remains an intriguing option, but unless and until he can run something other than a “go” route he’ll be nothing more than a gimmick.
The Bears are believed to be interested in Earl Bennett, who would be a great value with their second-pick. The Vandy product is an excellent route-runner, and he isn’t afraid to make tough catches over the middle.
Running back: The Bears had three running backs last season who shared the majority of the carries – Cedric Benson, Adrian Peterson, and Garrett Wolfe. Each averaged less than four yards per carry.
Some of that can be attributed to the offensive line struggles, but most of it is the lack of talent among the tailback. Benson has been a complete bust since being taken with the fourth pick in the 2005 draft. Because of Benson, the Bears are unlikely to invest another top pick in a running back. Look for them to add a speedy back like Allen Patrick (Oklahoma) or Yvenson Bernard (Oregon St.) early in day two.
Guard: Last season’s starting left guard, Ruben Brown, was released. Backup Terrence Metcalf struggled mightily in the starting lineup. The Bears appear to be comfortable in giving the job to Josh Beekman, but he only played in one game last season. The Bears still need an infusion of youth here; the line went from a group of savvy veterans in 2006 to a group in the twilight of its career in 2007. The Bears will look early in day two for a future starter at guard, where they could select mauler Kerry Brown of Appalachian St.
NOTES: A couple interesting names I hadn't considered and a rarely competent piece by a national writer. The more days goes by the more it seems a lot of this draft is going to come down to that second-round selection, especially if it goes the way of quarterback. Earl Bennett played solidly at Vandy but projecting receivers to the NFL is tough. Everyone seems to mention Henne when discussing the Bears - the same thing happened with Benson. When Jerry likes a player, he must send out a mass email.
ALSO RAN:
Sun-Times reporting the Bears have serious interest in Kevin Smith at running back.
I'm not concerned with what player the Chicago Bears select in the second round but more with what position they'll select. We'll operate under the assumption that the boys at Halas Hall will take an offensive tackle in the first round and - if they don't - will certainly select one here. If they do select one of the tackles, where do they go with the 44th overall selection in the 2008 NFL Draft?
Four options:
Can Never Have Too Many Good Ones
Should the Bears dip their wicks back into the linemen well, I'd have no problem with it. This is the team's most pressing need and taking a pair of them shows that the lights are on in Jerry Angelo's sometimes dark and depressing head. I'd love to see Boston College's Gosder Cherilus fall to this point or USC's Sam Baker still be on the board here.
Be Nice To Have a Great One Some Day
The second tier of quarterbacks in this draft are Brian Brohm, Chad Henne and Joe Flacco (though I believe Matt Ryan is also a second tier quarterback masquerading as a first tier one). Oddly enough, there are people who believe all three could be available at 44 and some who believe NONE will be available at 44. Brohm does nothing for me. I like Henne's arm and guts but seriously question his ability to stay healthy. Flacco's arm is the best in this draft class but his lack of mobility and top-flight competition in college makes him something of a project (which means the Bears would be putting this pick in the bank to earn interest). I'd look elsewhere.
I Hear There Are Ones That Play Hard
I'm going to assume McFadden, Mendenhall and Stewart are sure-thing first round picks. Ray Rice, Chris Johnson and Kevin Smith are reaches at 44. That leaves Arkansas' Felix Jones - a player the Bears should move up from this slot to get if its possible. Jones is an every down horse of a tailback who ran brilliantly in the best defensive conference in the country. He's tough, too. Something we'll never accuse #32 of being. If Jones is gone (and the Razorback Jerry Jones will certainly consider him) I think we'll look at runners with one of our two thirds.
I Like Ones Not Named Adam Archuleta
And I love ones named Tom Zbikowski. Da Coach said it best, "Some teams are Zbikowskis." This position is rather thin, if you're not planning to convert one of the many corners to the deep spot. Mr. Z is a mid-round type talent but don't you just want him? Doesn't that name just belong on the back of a navy and burnt jersey? I mean the kid's from Arlington Heights for Christ sake.
If the season started today, John St. Clair and Terry Metcalf would be starting on the offensive line for the Chicago Bears. Read: the Bears are drafting a bunch of offensive linemen. The way I see - after surveying the vast landscape of mock drafts and talent evaluations - there are three possible guys sitting there at #14. (I don't see Ryan Clady falling to the Bears, nor do I see them taking a running back in the first round.)
JEFF OTAH - OT - PITTSBURGH
See Combine Video.
Read the Combine Player Profile.
What's he really like? Read this in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
My thoughts: Otah is said to be a tremendous run-blocking tackle and maybe a bit weak in protection. He's still a raw, having not played a ton of football, but he'd step in immediately to the Bears starting lineup. This would slide John Tait back to his natural right side and leave only the hole at guard to fill.
BRANDEN ALBERT - OG - VIRGINIA
See Combine Video.
Read the Combine Player Profile.
What's he really like? Take a look at this Washington Post article.
My thoughts: He's simply flying up draft boards and some have him going to Kansas City at #5 and others to New England at #7. He's a project, however, a solid guard who'll take time if the goal is to transition him to left tackle. The Bears could start him at guard this season but the 14th pick seems something of a reach for a guard.
CHRIS WILLIAMS - OT - VANDERBILT
See Combine Video.
Read the Combine Player Profile.
What's he really like? He aced the Wonderlic test, according to Dan Pompei.
My thoughts: Williams seems a bit the opposite of Otah: stronger in protection than plowing holes for the run-game. Since the Bears get off the bus running the football, this might make him an unsure fit.
Right now, I like Jeff Otah and hope he's sitting there at 14. Any links or information you guys can provide will be helpful. I'll let this discussion go for a few days since I do believe we'll be seeing one of these guys in a Bears uniform next season.
DaBearsBlog would like to formally congratulate Chicago playwright Tracy Letts for winning the first ever Pulitzer Prize for a play which premiered in Chicago - August: Osage County. If any of you get a chance to see this play, I promise you one of the most entertaining nights of your life.
Sorry for the absence of reporting by yours truly but there's just been nothing to talk about, especially with the NFL delaying the release of the schedule a few weeks. Here are some quick thoughts for issues to maybe stir up a bit of debate and conversation.
Terry Bannon reports on the Bears meeting Rashard Mendenhall in the Tribune (and it is most likely just a formality) but the closer we get to the draft, the more I think the Bears will have a serious decision to make with the fourteenth overall pick. I'd still take an offensive tackle there and looking running back later but Mendenhall has star potential. Next week I'll do some real research on Chris Williams, Jeff Otah, Mendenhall and the other guys in-play with the 14th pick and we can start really debating the talent available.
David Haugh thinks the Bears should give Brian Urlacher a contract extension. In other "no shit" news, rape is bad.
Drew Rosenhaus will arrive at Halas Hall today to begin working on the new deal for Tommie Harris. Let me say this: I have no damn clue how much he's going to make. With Tommy Kelly, David Garrard and Calvin Pace - three mediocre players - making billions, this is a solid opportunity for Tommie to take minority ownership in the organization.
For those of you not in the Chicago area, the Bears third (and most important) preseason game has been announced as a nationally televised game. August 21st at 8:00 pm ET on FOX in what will inevitably be dubbed TamperBowl against the San Francisco 49ers. Considering the Bears might not have chosen their starting quarterback by then, the game is a must-see.
Barack Obama gets off the bus running for office. Lovie style. Here are the highlights from Dan Pompei's interview with Mr. Smith:
CEDRIC BENSON IS FAT
"You look at some of those things and change your body up," he said. "You maybe play at a lighter weight. You do some things differently."
I've heard all the knocks on Benson and invented a dozen or so myself but I've never heard this one. Does Cedric Benson do anything right?
SCREWING UP A GOOD THING
According to the piece, Devin Hester will see his role on special teams decline in favor of being what Lovie refers to as a "three-down receiver." Let me make a sports comparison here. New York Yankees fans know that Mariano Rivera is widely considered the best "athlete" on the ballclub and you hear all the time that he could play any position on the field. But he's the closer because he just happens to be the best closer in the history of the sport. They don't teach him left field and work him into the lineup. Devin Hester is the greatest kick returner in the history of the sport. He's singlehandedly won a dozen games on his own and kept us in a Super Bowl. Don't screw it up.
ISRAEL MOVING INSIDE
"There are a few players on our roster who I feel haven't gotten a great opportunity to play," Smith said. "One of them is Israel Idonije. … We're thinking about letting him play more tackle. He can be a 275-pound guy or a 300-pound player with [low] body fat. So we need to get him involved a little bit more."
I think the Bears have built a nice roster of young defensive tackles to play behind the somehow-now-veteran Tommie Harris. It'll be very interesting to see Dusty D, Matty T, Danny B and the Wailing Wall (get it? Israel!) battle for playing time.
With news today that the Chicago Bears have signed Brandon MCGowan to a one-year tender, the Bears have once again turned the spotlight on their bright and shiny hole at the safety position. I quote Vaughn McClure directly:
"As it stands now, the Bears are likely to return all their safeties from last season, with Mike Brown and Kevin Payne returning from injuries and Danieal Manning, Adam Archuleta and McGowan still in the fold."
We tend to be hard on this team's offensive issues and with good reason but we ignore the safety position at our own peril. Bad safeties lead to long plays in the running game. They lead to making shitty tight ends look like Mike Ditka. They mean that at on any single play from any place on the field, the opponent can score then and there. One play. That's all it takes.
And signing Brandon McGowan to a one-year tender ain't changing anything.