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.
#2 Duff Diggler said . . .first
April 14, 2008
#3 Pissed Off said . . .So nobody thinks Flacco will be there in the second?
....and what of this Dixon talk I've been hearing in conjunction with the Bears, here and there?
April 14, 2008
#4 craig said . . .The Bears have serious interest in everyone.
April 14, 2008
#5 jeff said . . .1) Henne: Umm... No thanks.
2) Bears WRs: Yes, I am scared of them. And yes, we're probably the only ones.
3) Bennett: Eh... Wouldn't love it, but wouldn't hate it either. I guess it depends on who's around at that point. A WR could make sense here if there isn't a QB we love or a slipping first-round RB...
4) Day 2 Speedy Back: makes sense. If no one's there in rd2, rd3 would be the place to make this move.
5) Beekman: Bring him on. It can't be much worse than it was last year.
6) Day 2 Guard: Yes, of course. The more the merrier.April 14, 2008
#6 animal said . . .jerry angelo loves to pretend he loves everybody. but the last few years our picks were well-predicted weeks in advance. if flacco is there in the second, i think the bears take him. i am just scared that he'll win the job in camp and then we're looking at 5-11.
April 14, 2008
#7 jdawg said . . .I just dont like Henne and don't see him turning into a big time pro. I'd much rather see Flacco or Brohm's name called. And what the hell happened to Andre Woodson? Can one senior bowl really be that big of an indicator? This was the guy we were talking about in the first round early on, now we aren't even mentioning him with our second pick?
April 14, 2008
#8 BearDown said . . .Brohm is the only QB mentioned that could be ready to start. He's smart, he's a coach's son and he played for Petrino (who is an ass, but a great O coach).
I started tellling people that Woodson had delivery problems last year. That's the reason he's dropping. He doesn't have a hitch, he has a fucking sloooooow delivery. It almost looks like a replay when you see it live.
April 14, 2008
#9 jeff said . . .Tribune's site is reporting that the NFL schedule will be released tomorrow at 1PM.
April 14, 2008
#10 Max said . . .that is correct, sir. schedule 2 et. i'll write about it extensively wednesday morning.
April 14, 2008
#11 Megan said . . .Dixon could be an interestin second day pick. He's coming back from ACL surgery so that of course is an issue, but it might be worth the risk in the fourth or fifth.
I just finished reading an article about him in SI. He has his own website up. . .
Dennisdixon10.com
Shows his rehab and workouts. Although its probably a biased video considering its coming out of Oregon via the assistant coaches, it is still pretty interesting if ya have down time.
April 14, 2008
#12 DaBearsFan99 said . . .Hi guys. I miss you. I have been reading when I can. Hope you are all well. XXOO
April 14, 2008
#13 Duff Diggler said . . .Hey Max,
I just read that article also about Dennis Dixon, and I too wondered if he is worth the gamble in the late rounds, if he's available. What do you guys think?April 15, 2008
#14 Pissed Off said . . .BTW.... '08 schedule out today....
....I have been to over 200 Cubs games, but sadly, never had the opportunity to see a Bears game.....
.....come hell or high water, that cherry will be popped this year! I'm scheduled to get out of the military around October, so that'll be perfect! I hope to tailgate with some of you there!
April 15, 2008
#15 animal said . . .Wow theres a lot of differing opions on here and strong ones at that, like jdawg saying that Brohm is the only QB that could start. Thats a bold statement about a QB class where no one has played an NFL snap, preseason or otherwise.
I watched a four downs segment (I think thats what it was called) yesterday on sportscenter with McShay and Kiper. They were talking about QBs and Kiper thought Henne was the most underrated. He was I think #5 overall best QB on Kipers board but most underrated and I agree. He's a poised guy who has the intangibles including mental toughness. Coming back from that injury wasnt easy for him but it was his livlihood and if he wanted to play in the NFL he needed to get healthy and perform and show he was just as good. I think he's done that and I endorse him as the later rounds QB pick for the Bears if they take one. I also endorse Colt Brennan in the really late rounds if he's around and they dont grab Henne. I know your all thinking "Brennan, no way" but he looked really good and actually won the Capital One All Star QB challenge on ESPN a couple months ago which included Flacco, Henne and Ryan I dont like Flacco one bit but apparently the Bears do. Time will tell.
April 15, 2008
#16 animal said . . .Bears visit Zibs http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/huddleup/2008/04/notre-dames-zbi.html
April 15, 2008
#17 mikebdot said . . .Draft Zibs. I was start olsen, now I think my moniker should be draft Zibs. I love that guy.
Imagine this scenario. Ced Starts the year running soft, gets 38 yards on 20 carries in an opening day loss and Bob Sanders calls him the biggest pussy on the planet.
On Monday, Zibs and Kreutz take Ced out shooting at the gun range....
April 15, 2008
#18 mikebdot said . . .FYI, da site has the schedule posted.
April 15, 2008
#19 Pissed Off said . . .Well, so does everyone else, but I like da site. Don't want to give ESPN any more traffic...
April 15, 2008
#20 Pissed Off said . . .Absolutely love the schedule. I hate 3 pm starts. I love prime time games. What more could we ask for. Only the Vikes game on Nov 30th could be flexed off of NBC primetime if we're sucking which still means we are guaranteed 4 primetime games. This is awesome. I didnt think a team that was nationally thought of to be bad this year would be given that many prime time games. I love this schedule!!!
April 15, 2008
#21 Pissed Off said . . .Quick look again. We need to go 2-2 in September somehow, then win 2 if not 3 in October, we win 3 or 4 of 5 in November, and we'll win 2 or 3 in December which puts us anywhere between 9-7 and 12-4. Thats my prediction. 9-7 is low, 12-4 is high.
April 15, 2008
#22 Rancid said . . .All of which puts us in the NFC playoffs.
April 15, 2008
#23 Shady said . . .Schedule looks good, agree with all that the amount of primetime is a pleasant surprise.
Concerning Kevin Smith - I really like him and think we can wait until the 4th to take him. I think he can challenge CB right away. In their printed draft guide (realize this came out quite a while ago) Sporting News has this guy rated pretty well, as the 6th best back in the draft. I'm not sure what the knock is on him. He has good size, and performed great in college, no injuries, etc... For some reason nearly all of the seven round mocks I frequent don't have him going off the board until the mid to late 4th round. New Era (who jeff mentioned above) actually have us selecting him in the 4th. I haven't found a ton out there about him, but I literally have found nothing negative. Seems like a great pick if he's there for us to take.
April 15, 2008
#24 Max said . . .September
Sun. 7 @ Colts 7:15 PM
Sun. 14 @ Panthers 12:00 PM
Sun. 21 BUCCANEERS 12:00 PM
Sun. 28 EAGLES 7:15 PMOctober
Sun. 5 @ Lions 12:00 PM
Sun. 12 @ Falcons 12:00 PM
Sun. 19 VIKINGS 12:00 PMNovember
Sun. 2 LIONS 12:00 PM
Sun. 9 TITANS 12:00 PM
*Sun. 16 @ Packers 12:00 PM
*Sun. 23 @ Rams 12:00 PM
*Sun. 30 @ Vikings 7:15 PMDecember
*Sun. 7 JAGUARS 12:00 PM
Thu. 11 SAINTS 7:15 PM
Mon. 22 PACKERS 7:30 PM
*Sun. 28 @ Texans 12:00 PM8-8 sound about right? Maybe a little high considering the state of the offense.
2 Cubs vs. Mets tix for 4/22 1:20 cdt $20 bucks each. Lemme know.
April 15, 2008
#25 alexander said . . .Schedule looks good. . . I like that we have Zero 3 pm games. . . . just means im gonna be waking up early alot to watch em. Primetime is nice though
April 15, 2008
#26 JEREMY BROWN said . . .Notice how we have three road games in a row and then three home? Are there any other teams in the NFL with something similar?
If the Bears do reasonably well up to that point, three home games in a row late in the schedule could come in handy, especially if the weather becomes a factor.
April 15, 2008
#27 Shady said . . .I think the bears are going to be hurting this year. You guys aren't even in contention for the north. I mean with Rogers at the helm you guys will lose to the Packers worse than you have ever lost to them with Brett "gay" Favor at the helm. DABears eat DA Hawks crap. just watch us kill you folks in preseason. You better hope you get another shot at us in the playoffs. It will never happen again I am affraid. So go suck some polish sausage you Bears fan losers.
April 15, 2008
#28 said . . .Hey Jer,
Are you really talking shit about a PRESEASON game? hahaha fucking homo
I think it's the Seahawks that would want another shot. Remember what Hasslecrack said in the 2006 playoff game in Chicago?
"We want the ball, and we're gonna score."
What did he do? Throw a fucking pick 6.
Go blow your dad Jer.
April 15, 2008
#29 Mel Kiper III said . . .RD1-Otah (2nd best run blocker in the draft)
RD2-Henne (played against better compitition than Flacco, besides there is another QB in the NFL from Michigan that has had a pretty good career. I think his last name is Brady.)
RD3- Jamaal Charles (Yes he is from Texas, but with 4.3 speed.)
RD3-Marcus Monk (6'4, 215, 4.4 pretty good speed for someone that size and smart)
RD 4- Pat Simms (DT Auburn, 6'2 310, addding depth is vital)
RD 5- (Day 2)- Adam Kraus (OG Michigan)
RD 6- Lance Leggett (WR Miami)RD 7 and beyond I will leave up to Angelo. The man deserves the credit I mean he did bring us Devin Hester.
April 16, 2008
#30 craig said . . .Rd1
Jeffrey Otah-Best OL Available
Rd2
Joseph Flacco-He'll drop right into our laps after we give up our other
3rd round pick to move up
Rd3
Matt Forte-Deceptively quick RB who can get rough up the middle or go out wide for the catch
Rd4
Jordy Nelson-WR who gets no lovin because he's white and simply above average at everything, not great...kinda like a tom waddle
April 16, 2008
#31 Max said . . .Curious: if we wait until 3 or 4 to take a QB, who do you all like? I've seen Dixon mentioned quite a bite here. How do you all think he stacks up against other late-rounders? Brennan, Josh Johnson, etc?
April 16, 2008
#32 Rancid said . . .I think Dixon is the biggest risk but also have the most potential.
He played at a high level all year and was a Heisman contender until he torn his ACL. That injury makes him the big risk.
Brennan is consistent and a good leader, but his arm makes me a little nervous in terms of delivery motion and the transition to takin snaps under center, which he didnt do at Hawaii.
Josh Johnson is interesting, but the level of competition he faced at USD was not all that impressive. And i think i read something, maybe SI again, that some of his longer passes were fluttering and not as tight as needed.
Booty, I am not sure on. . . havent read much about him recently and in fact dont even know what round he is projected to be selected in.
Who else is going in the later rounds?
April 16, 2008
#33 Pissed Off said . . .If we wait until later, maybe Erik Ainge, Tenn. He's had a few injuries, but I think he's got a decent shot in the pros.
April 16, 2008
You all know my takes on the QB situation, see #14. As a late late rounder I like Brennan for reasons mentioned in #14. I forgot to mention that McShay has Booty as his most underrated QB in the draft. According to McShay he might be the 5th or so best QB available but could fall farther than that. Kiper thinks Henne is the most underrated and I agree, again see #14. These are the QBs I like, period: Ryan (of course), Henne, Brennan and mabye Booty.
April 16, 2008
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