I'll simply ask a question to stir something of a debate...
What would you do with the 18th pick in this year's draft?
#2 big ten speed said . . .Maclin!
January 26, 2009
#3 craig said . . .Take Alex Mack, from Cal.
He's been called the best center prospect since BRUCE MATTHEWS. Kreutz is losing it, but even if you'd rather keep the old Hawaiian at C or shift Beekman over, Mack would probably be a good guard too.
He's decorated and experienced (3x all-Pac 10), much more of a sure thing than DE Michael Johnson (whose production never lived up to the hype), one year wonder Maybin, or the speedy WRs Maclin and Heyward-Bey, who are rated highly because of their 40 times.Mack would give the shaky Bears running game a shot in the arm (or leg, as it were)- imagine how well Forte would do if he got legitimate holes.
If any of the stud tackles, especially Oher, falls, the Bears should grab him to get a stud bookend to complement Chris Williams, since St. Clair and Tait are aging. Everyone needs tackles, but I don't know if Britton or Beatty are worth the reach in R1.There will be DBs aplenty in R2 and even R3, because this year's corner class is stacked. More complete WRs than Maclin and DHB will be available in R2 and R3- Britt, Nicks, Robiskie, Gibson. There are decent DE prospects in Kruger and Barwin in R2.
Otherwise:
Local (NIU) product DE Larry English would be welcome. But 18 seems a little high for him- perhaps they could trade down.January 26, 2009
#4 Mike said . . .Draft a QB!
Just kidding ;)
January 26, 2009
#5 CA BEAR FAN said . . .Not Mack. Why would you take a center in the first? They will always be available later. We should go with Maualuga. He could come in immediately at WLB and provide an immediate boost int he level of play while preparing to slid inside and take Urlacher's spot when he steps down.
January 26, 2009
#6 Mike said . . .I would go for a Oline Guard or a Linebacker
January 26, 2009
#7 JWilson said . . .Again, interior linemen can always be had later in the draft. There are more good interior linemen then there are any other position, and taking one in the first and even sometimes in the second is foolishness. Look at the sheer number of late-round starters in the interior line all around the league for proof.
January 26, 2009
#8 big ten speed said . . .Trade it for Boldin. Or trade down, take Patrick Chung, SS, Oregon and Juaquin Iglesias, WR, OU.
January 26, 2009
#9 jdawg said . . .You can always find LBs in later rounds (Jason Phillips of TCU, say), because like Centers, they usually aren't the most important parts of your team. Plus Maualuga's gone by 18.
I agree that you don't normally take Centers in R1; there will be decent prospects available later. But Mack isn't just "a center"; he's an elite interior OL prospect, one of the best in a while (perhaps since Matthews if you). You use R1 picks on sure things, and Mack's body of work makes him a sure thing.
Nick Mangold's worked out pretty well for NYJ, and Mack's probably better.
January 26, 2009
#10 Pankster in Da Carolina's said . . .I agree #7 -- trade it for Boldin.
January 26, 2009
#11 Z said . . .Trade It for a Playmaker!!!
January 26, 2009
#12 Z said . . .I am bored so here is a mock draft database in hopes of sparking a little discussion or maybe even controversy.
http://www.walterfootball.com/draftdata.php
and the Bulls are truly awful
Is Ulacher FTW right? Is Olsen that fast that would work? If that huge guy can catch at all those 3 would give us the blocking and 3 good sets of hands right off the bat.January 26, 2009
#13 Urlacher FTW said . . .And it sounds like most people's choice for the pick almost everyone else is saying that position will be available later. Maybe this is a good year to trade it for a proven playmaker or more picks.
I wonder what the average draft round the starters at each position in the league works out to? Like starting RB's are found on average later than starting DE's and if that formula would save us on busts and help us get more late round starters? I wonder if any of our resident stat crunchers (led by mikeb of course) are that bored to take a stab at that one?
January 26, 2009
#14 Kenneth said . . .If that's all it would take to get Boldin hells yah trade it and get the best true FS with the second round pick.
January 26, 2009
#15 Phil from SATX said . . .Strictly Best Player Available. Doesn't really matter what position he's at, we should just get the guy who's going to be the biggest impact guy available.
Seriously, this team is pretty solid overall, and there aren't any glaring holes that we should try to fill--plus, filling holes at 18 can be iffy. We should instead just try to get someone who is going to be a Pro Bowler for years to come.
As for specific players...Maclin and Maualuga are gone by 18, and I don't Heyward-Bey is worth it. Mack is the kind of smart pick that could prove useful, and as someone else mentioned you can put him at guard if you don't want to move Kreutz--although that starts to make guard crowded, especially if you want to move Tait inside.
OT is deep this draft, I'd support drafting one of them. Tricky PR/ego handling with Williams, but having 2 good OTs would be worth it. Safeties are unfortunately weak this year, so no real help there. DEs aren't particularly impressive there. So, BPA for me, please.
January 26, 2009
#16 big rob said . . .Big 10 Speed, I like your thinking - that was a well-written post. I personally am a fan of getting the concensus best person at his position in that year's draft. Brandon Albert was one of those guys last year that I think we could have swung on and clearly improved our team this past year. I also don't mind the concept of overpaying (overpicking) a guy that's a for sure winner, even if his position doesn't usually warrant it.
Next to QB, WR is the riskiest thing out there to pick with a high pick.
I say pick the best guard/center in the draft with your pick, even if most say he was drafted too high. Interior lineman is to me the most important draft need. I'll take a tackle as well, although by our pick we'll be at about the 4th-5th best tackle in the draft. I want the best center/guard instead.
January 26, 2009
#17 Z said . . .Trade for Boldin... What a difference a stud receiver would make... There is no arguing that he is a stud!!
or
Trade down to the Second and that Victor "Macho" Harris out of VT... He is a shit down corner that is always around the ball... Figure out some place else for Vash or get rid of him all together...
January 26, 2009
#18 The Ghost of Halas said . . .And the last thing we need is a player who's motor or passion or drive is being questioned. This is not the team or coaching staff to overcome something like that. One dumb incident mistake and they seem to get it and understand what an opportunity they are getting (Marcus Harrison), sure, but we need high motor guys. No quit guys.
And if someone turns out to be a solid contributer it is almost impossible to say that they were drafted too high with all the high pick busts that are out there.
January 26, 2009
#19 Anonymous said . . .I'd take the first round pick,
roll it up into a little ball,
and shove it into my rectum,
sneak it across the U.S. border,
and release it in Mexico.First round draft picks are nearly worthless. Since Ditka was canned:
1993: Curtis Conway
1994: John Thierry
1995: Rashaan Salaam (yippee)
1996: Walt Harris
1997: None (John Allred in 2nd Round)
1998: Curtis Enis
1999: Cade McNown
2000: Brian Urlacher (worked out pretty well)
2001: David Terrell
2002: Marc Columbo
2003: Michael Haynes and Rex Grossman
2004: Tommie Harris (work in progress, seemingly)
2005: Cedric Benson
2006: None (Danieal Manning and Devin Hester in 2nd Round)
2007: Greg Olsen
2008: Our beloved Chris WilliamsFour Pro Bowlers, and only Brian Urlacher, and Tommie Harris were selected more than twice.
I do not care who is picked in the first round of the draft. Free Agency and trading is the direction this team must head!
January 26, 2009
#20 John said . . .Give the pick away. the bears are a joke of a team that doesnt deserve to pick in the draft. The pack and the vikes will battle for the division title for the next decade.
January 26, 2009
#21 Max said . . .Give the pick away. the bears are a joke of a team that doesnt deserve to pick in the draft. The pack and the vikes will battle for the division title for the next decade. Ha Ha, forgot the name but the bears still suck.
January 26, 2009
#22 do said . . .1. Trade for Boldin
2. Rey Maualaga if hes there
3. Trade for Boldin
4. Trade for more picks in second and third rounds
5. Trade for Boldin
6. O-Line...
7. Trade for Boldin
8. NO WIDE RECEIVER!!!!!!!!
9. Trade for BoldinJanuary 27, 2009
#23 do said . . .ok, what is the biggest need on this bears team? If anyone were to say anything other than WR that would be foolish. I know that this will never happen but what I would like to do is trade this years number 1 and 3 and next years 1 and O-Gun for the cheifs 1 this year and a 2 or 3 next year. and draft the best WR prospect since Fitz in MICHAEL CRABTREE. I think that both teams would do this since the Cheifs need a DE bad plus they would get a few future picks and we all know how much Scott Pioli doesnt care for top 5 draft picks.
We get the best player in the draft that just so happens to play the position that we need most.
Very unlikely but I would love to see this happen.
January 27, 2009
#24 Rancid said . . .ok, what is the biggest need on this bears team? If anyone were to say anything other than WR that would be foolish. I know that this will never happen but what I would like to do is trade this years number 1 and 3 and next years 1 and O-Gun for the cheifs 1 this year and a 2 or 3 next year. and draft the best WR prospect since Fitz in MICHAEL CRABTREE. I think that both teams would do this since the Cheifs need a DE bad plus they would get a few future picks and we all know how much Scott Pioli doesnt care for top 5 draft picks.
We get the best player in the draft that just so happens to play the position that we need most.
Very unlikely but I would love to see this happen.
January 27, 2009
#25 Perfontaine said . . .It's tough to tell this far away from the draft but at this point it appears to me that the only people in our need positions at 18 will be William Moore, Max Unger, Alex Mack, Michael Johnson, or a WR. I'm against picking a WR (I prefer trade or FA) , I think Johnson is overrated, I fear that William Moore won't ever return to form (he's listed as a Sr. Bowl disappointment so far) and I think that one or the other of Unger or Mack will be there for our second pick. So . . . Trade the damn pick, get a WR for it.
January 27, 2009
#26 Shady said . . .Bundle the pick. J.A. is a genius in the 6th round. We trade the 1st round pic for about 13 6th round pics and build a team!!
1. Boldin
2. Impact WR who can play TODAYJanuary 27, 2009
#27 CSauce said . . .I like what we did in 2006: trade down for 2 in the 2nd round (D. Manning and D. Hester.)
We could use some major help in the secondary and at WR this year... not to mention 2006 was the Super Bowl trip.
I could also see Angelo going for a RB on day one to back up double deuce.
I have to agree with the best player available choice, the Bears have so many needs that it would be hard to miss on that 1st rounder.
January 27, 2009
#28 Ron Rivera is the Hispanic Ghandi! said . . .We need a wideout. Not another Earl Bennet, Mushin Muhammad, Bernard Berrian, Justin Gage, Brandon Lloyd, Rashied Davis, Mark Bradley, or Bobby Wade - a bunch of receivers who do one or two things well, but are incapable of beating an NFL corner with any consistency. Whether through trade or the draft, we're simply not going to take the step up to a big-time team without a receiver who can flat-out take over a game.
There's a problem - you're not finding that guy in this year's draft at #18. This means we either a) get a mid-round steal like Terrell Owens (3rd round) or Brandon Marshall (4th round) - not going to happen; b) stay put and pick up a kid like Jeremy Maclin - who I think is just another Ted Ginn Jr.; c) trade up to get Crabtree - also not goint to happen (remember who our GM is?); d) find a way to get Boldin before the Giants get their sticky green hands on him (http://www.realgmfootball.com/src_wiretap_archives/10690/20090125/could_giants_replace_burress_with_boldin/).
If history is any indication, we'll either take a lineman or trade down for more picks. So here's another question: Do you draft for needs and depth or for stud playmakers? I'd go playmakers every time. Just look at the two teams playing next Sunday.
January 27, 2009
#29 Dr J said . . .Things are about to change coaching-wise in NFC North. We're about a year away. I predict that Brad Childress will be fired next year and replaced by Chuckie Gruden. Either Bill Cowher or Mike Shanahan will take over in Green Bay a season from now. Lovie does alright in the land of the one-eyed. But he'll be toast soon against hall of famers like Shanny or Cowher. And Chuckie's not a bad coach, either.
January 27, 2009
#30 Z said . . .I still think we need a QB so I would try to add a player and trade up to get a QB or WR
January 27, 2009
#31 DMP said . . .That site is constantly adding more drafts and updated ones. Its like 138 now. How many more days will I will be obsessing about this?
January 27, 2009
#32 BearDown1982 said . . .Safety...Taylor Mays - USC
or...Trade for BoldinJanuary 27, 2009
#33 Albert in Tucson said . . .Macho Harris is a SHIT down corner! Anyone else notice that? High comedy.
Anyways, I'm torn on this pick. I see the Bears with immediate needs in the following order:
1. WR
2. Safety
3. OLine (not getting any younger)
4. Defensive EndProblem is that receivers are notorious for being busts in the first round. Maclin may be worth the risk at 18 if he is around, but he is certainly not a sure thing...and only played two years of college ball.
Not sure there would be any safeties worth getting at 18.
Right now, I'd say trade down if you can. Also, I wouldn't mind if the Bears used Vasher as trade bait as well to get an extra pick or two if possible.
I still think trading for Boldin is a pipe dream... but wouldn't mind if the Bears proved me wrong for a change!
January 27, 2009
#34 do said . . .With the Bears track record in the first round I am inclined to trade it for a proven commodity.
January 27, 2009
#35 Albert in Tucson said . . .The thing I would love to see is us trade our 1 this year for the cheifs 2 this year and 1 next year. maybe we throw in a 2 next year to get it done.
We would pick like 34th overall and there is always someone that falls and we could take a chance on a player like harvin or tyson jackson (i dont really like either but at 34 they could be a good value) or take a player like alex mack, max unger or patrick chung.
Plus we would end up with a high draft pick next year because surely the cheifs will be awful again. with a top 5 pick next year we could get the player most of us want in taylor mays.
January 27, 2009
#36 big rob said . . .With the Bears track record in the first round I am inclined to trade it for a proven commodity.
January 27, 2009
#37 Rancid said . . .Bear Down...
How many Hokie games did you watch this year.... I watched ALL of them... Every time he takes the field no matter who they play he is the BEST player on the field.... He plays CB/WR and can return kicks and punts..... don't just look at his 40 time and judge him on that....
Don't be silly....
January 27, 2009
#38 KentuckyBearsFan said . . .big rob - I don't think Bear Down was bashing your guy, just your typing - you wrote "shit down" instead of "shut down" in your original post. Funny stuff.
January 27, 2009
#39 big rob said . . .So I googled "bears dropped passes."
Top hits were (you guessed it) about Rashied Davis.Either trade for Boldin or improve the O-line so Neckbeard has ALL DAY to throw to our numerous catching tightends.
I think Olson was used less last year since he's a clueless blocker (not his strength anyway) even though he's a fantastic receiver. Makes sense considering our O-line clearly had their hands full all year. Party explains why our dumbass O.C. limited throws to one of our strengths on offense.If the O-line had not overachieved last year, this team would have won only half as many games.
January 27, 2009
#40 BearDown1982 said . . .whhhoooooppppssss..... my bad... that is really funny now that I go back and look at it....
my bad Beardown.....
January 27, 2009
#41 Z said . . .Big Rob...no problem. I'm sure I've had similiar typos in my posts in the past, that's for sure!
January 27, 2009
#42 CSauce said . . .Most of the people that seem like they might realistically be there sound like a bit of a reach. Add that to not having a lot of confidence in our brain trust's ability to belt those first round picks out of the park and I am getting more and more skeptical.
Is there anyone that if they fell unexpectedly that far down to us that anyone thinks is that good of a talent that we would absolutely have to take them? Call it your best case lucky scenario. After all, this is the time to dream before reality sets in. I have seen Rey Maualuga drop as far as 16 on one draft and Jeremy Maclin and Percy Harvin go to us on several. Shit I even saw Stafford and Sanchez drop to us on some hack's board. Mostly DE, WR or O-line and an occasional CB or LB.
January 27, 2009
#43 TheDoc said . . .Anyone have any good info on guys like Jeremy Maclin or Percy Harvin? Everything I know about them is from watching them play and hearsay.
January 27, 2009
#44 Urlacher FTW said . . .Trade Back. Get a 2nd and pick up some depth. I like taking Nate Davis and some line help. Safety and pass rush after that. WR's are just as likely to be bust as hits early in the draft.
January 27, 2009
#45 Urlacher FTW said . . .Csauce - IMO Harvin is a big risk; he is that kind of scat back/WR that only works in college. He is 5'10"and only 175 lbs. I can't imagine him holding up very well at all when even corners outweigh him by 20 lbs. He is essentially a track star with a football uniform on, great athelete unknown intangibles, and strength concerns. Maclin to me is the better actual WR by far, he is a much bigger body at 6'1" and 200lbs, has as much speed as Harvey and looks more polished. But he hasn't played more than one season, so he may be average and had one great season. He is much more like an Anquan Boldin type of receiver who can get YAC. I guess he may be worth the risk, him or Bey I would like to see, Bey will most likely be there at 18 and is just as fast as Maclin but stands 6'3" and 212.
Z - you never know with the draft thing, depends on what the teams really think they need. Look how long Brady Quinn stayed on the board, noone predicted that. I don't think there is a startable QB in this draft, though I guess whoever gets Detroit can't help but turn that team around.
I really don't like the best athelete pick unless it's glaring ie.. Greg Olsen. So I say pick the best athelete that fits your most pressing needs.
January 27, 2009
#46 DTB said . . .As far as positions that are more or less likely to be draft busts, I think it's silly. I think a lot more skill positions are needs, therefore they are drafted in the 1st round more and inherintly have more chances to be busts. Any given draft is going to have "busts" look at the '96 draft
Eddie Kenninson was drafted before Marvin Harrison and 2 rounds before Terrell Owens,
John Mobley and Kevin Hardy were picked before Ray Lewis
or in 97 when
Tommy Knight and Mike Booker were picked before Darren Sharper and Ronde Barber
I mean hind-sight is 20/20.January 27, 2009
#47 Urlacher FTW said . . .I would personally like to see JA make a bold move for once. To be perfectly honest, we all sit here and speculate as to where our Bears need the most help. In all reality we were 60 minutes from the playoffs. That was with the lack of talent at certain positions of what we now concider need. I want to see JA do something that makes us a better football team as opposed to strengthening one particular group. He did that when Hester was drafted. Did we need a CB/KR just after drafting D.Manning? No, but he pulled the trigger and struck gold. I want football players that will continue to mold the identity of this team. If we are looking to be a speed based offense draft a WR. If we are a power offense then draft OL. If we want to stop the pass then draft a FS of DE. I want JA to find direction and purpose. What is the Bears identity as we speak?
January 27, 2009
#48 BearDown1982 said . . .I completely agree DTB, and sadly I don't think the Bears know who they are.
January 27, 2009
#49 do said . . .For the record...Maclin played two complete seasons, not one, and they were both great. 2007 - 80 receptions for 1055 yards. 2008 - 102 receptions for 1260 yards. And yes UrlacherFTW, he was a YAC king while at Mizzou, but did catch some deep balls..although, keep in mind that deep routes weren't a specialty in Mizzou's offense.
Still wish I knew more about the Maryland and UNC receivers...any ACC fans in the house with the scoop?January 27, 2009
#50 CSauce said . . .honestly I would not mind seeing Malcolm Jenkins run a slow 40 (4.45 or 4.5) because if he does this then he will have to become a FS and he will probably fall to us at 18. Guy is a heck of an athlete and if he would have come out last year he woulda went top 10. Why not take him and have a guy at FS that can cover someone? Just a thought though.
What do you guys think about that?
January 27, 2009
#51 CSauce said . . .Wow - just read up a bit on Darrius Heyward-Bey. Could be a beast, but I think he might be a reach at #18, unless he has a monster combine.
Just found this on Fox Sports:
"Wake Forest CB Alphonso Smith"
"His size (5-8 7/8) isn't ideal, and he dropped a certain pick-six in the Senior Bowl, but just about everything else has been going well for the former Wake Forest corner. He's fast, tough and has elite ball skills (21 career interceptions). He may not go in the first round, but the buzz is that he'll be a starter somewhere during his rookie season."
Sounds like Lovie's kind of CB.
January 27, 2009
#52 Z said . . .Wow - just read up a bit on Darrius Heyward-Bey. Could be a beast, but I think he might be a reach at #18, unless he has a monster combine.
Just found this on Fox Sports:
"Wake Forest CB Alphonso Smith"
"His size (5-8 7/8) isn't ideal, and he dropped a certain pick-six in the Senior Bowl, but just about everything else has been going well for the former Wake Forest corner. He's fast, tough and has elite ball skills (21 career interceptions). He may not go in the first round, but the buzz is that he'll be a starter somewhere during his rookie season."
Sounds like Lovie's kind of CB. If he's around in the 2nd, I'd go for it.
January 27, 2009
#53 Urlacher FTW said . . .Yeah that makes sense that teams look at skill positions as shiny objects and get enamored and can sell themselves on taking bigger risks on them thinking there will be bigger rewards hence more busts. Still its just math and if this % of 1st Rd WR's bust and this % of 2nd Rd WR's end up starters maybe its best if its not a sure thing to hold off a round most of the time. If everyone is finding great RB's in Rd 2 and 3 (like we did) as opposed to the #4 overall pick, maybe the better overall philosophy is to trade down in those circumstances or for a proven commodity if the WR's are a higher percentage of busts than most other positions. I don't know the numbers, just belting out random thoughts and seeing if anything sticks. I know we have a lot of high picks that do not turn out.
DTB that makes a lot of sense. Instead of just putting band aids here and there, find an identity and make that your strength so you can impose the will of that strength on your opponent and put them at a disadvantage. I thought our identity was that our defense and ST would bitch slap you so hard all game that it was basically like you were going against three phases of Offense all day long.
Still can't convince myself that Arizona's O will beat out Pittsburgh's D
January 27, 2009
#54 Hurricanes Becoming Bears said . . .Yah Z I suppose looking at the past numbers may mean something but I just personally feel like you have to forget all that and take your best shot at filling your greatest need without worrying about some stigma on a position in the first round.
do - I'd be fine with a true FS, one of our biggest needs imho.
Csauce - I dunno about a CB who's 5'8. Just kinda makes me think, eww. If we could steal him late and let him prove himself on ST, maybe. I think we'll be okay at corner, unless they move Peanut to FS, then we'd need some shoring up. I'm hopefull that Bowman can turn out our Nickel and Vasher can return to form.
January 27, 2009
#55 shonbear said . . .I think every bodies a little down on this draft class and I don't understand why. Yeah a few positions are pretty weak but some positions are so loaded that a player rating a lot higher than 18 could fall to us. And I don't see a lot of glaring needs in the roster. The inability to score on the big play and the inability to stop the pass both have several ways to be fixed. I believe the biggest need is wide receiver. Crabtree if hes there obviously, but if Maclin falls to 18 it would be a catastrophe for J.A. not to take him. This kid has over 2500 all purpose yards in both of his 2 years at Mizzou. Hes tallied over 1000 yards receiving each year and 22 receiving t.d.s and that aint the only way he finds the endzone. Maclin is the playmaker we need, hes Hester fast and actually knows how to play receiver. Think Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce with the greatest show on turf. Two undersized speedy receivers with a versatile and effective back. If Maclin is there he has to be the guy. And for everyone who says wide receivers are big chances in the first round, well the Bears have only picked 2 wide outs in the first 2 rounds in the past ten years, meanwhile the cardinals drafted 3 probowlers in the first 2 rounds in a 2 year span so it goes both ways just as much as any other position. Now Darrius Heyward-Bey might seem like a reach at this point but I believe after the combine hes going to fall right into place around the 18th pick. Hes just as fast as Maclin, an inch and a half taller and ten pounds heavier. He was severely under used at Maryland but did run a pro-style offense with them. He may be raw but look him up on Youtube and see his highlights. The guy is a freak and I think he will be a difference maker next year for somebody. I don't like Harvin, I don't know where he would play and he would probably get hurt in camp. Don't want him. After the wide out spot I think they need to address D.E. We did not get a lot of production last year, Andersons up in the air and O-Guns gone after next year. Obviously if Orakpo is there we take him, I would even be happy with Everette Brown, both could end up starting before the 09 season is over. After that it seems to drop off to players who need to develop. However. I think Michael Johnson is going to be a stud in the league at some point and if everybody else is gone we should take a chance on him. He will take awhile to become an every down end but he could come in next year on passing downs and cause alot of havoc. The guys a physical specimen and with Marinelli on board I think he could be special. I think Maybin is undersized for our system, even though Lovie likes them small. And if these guys are gone then hopefully one of the top tackles are left, I would be happy with Andre Smith, Eugene Monroe, Jason Smith, Micheal Oher. Obviously at least 2 if not all four will be gone but if ones left and my other guys are gone, I'd be happy, but I do think we can find a right tackle in the second round. I don't think any of the guards or centers are worth an 18, not that duke robinson or max unger or alex mack wouldnt be an upgrade, I think we have time left with who we have to develop a later round prospect. I was high on Taylor Mays but hes out, I liked William Moore from Mizzou as well but hes fallen way off. I haven't really looked at the corner backs because I think the defensive passing game is more easy to solve with pressure or help over the top but I guess the top corner would be next in line. So I say the top three wideouts, then the top three defensive ends, then the top four tackles, then the top secondary player. If the Bears get ANY of those 10 guys at 18, it would drastically and immediately improve an area of concern for the Bears and put us back in contention. Of course I reserve the right to change everything at any point this off season. 1 month to the combine, 3 to the draft, is it bad that the Super Bowls this weekend and all I care about is the draft?
BEARDOWN!!!January 27, 2009
#56 Rancid said . . .Hurricanes, whew that was a tough read, but I think it's a stretch to compare Forte (though I love Forte), Hester, (a possible Macklin) and Orton to the greatest show on turph guys:
Holt
Bruceeither vs Hester???
Macklin is an unknown, he looks great on hilights, but who knows, those college players against him are slow, but he'll be shocked when he sees that in the NFL he can't out run anybody anymore.
Warner vs Orton???
Faulk vs Forte???and especially don't forget the difference in Offensive Coordinators
Martz vs Turner
Still Macklin I think would fit in our team nicely, but I say go for Boldin.
January 27, 2009
#57 Al In WI said . . .Urlacher - we cut Bowman to make room for Buenning.
January 28, 2009
#58 Rancid said . . .If Maclin is there then take him. If not look at Sanchez even if that means trading up for him. So some odd reason is Stafford somehow starts to drop, make a play of him. It's time to try and fix the qb situation, not place another band aide on it or another cheap option.
I realize this isn't what WILL happen but it is what SHOULD happen.January 28, 2009
#59 JWilson said . . .Odd, I could have sworn we cut Bowman, now I see him on Da Site as being on IR. Strange.
January 28, 2009
#60 animal said . . .Bowman got injured and was put on IR, which opened up a roster spot. He'll be back next season and I bet he makes an impact.
January 28, 2009
#61 animal said . . .Beanie Wells or Knowshon Moreno.
January 28, 2009
#62 animal said . . .Kiper says
18 Chicago Tyson Jackson DE LSU
19 Tampa Bay Josh Freeman QB Kansas St.
20 Detroit (from Dallas) Rey Maualuga LB USC
21 Philadelphia Chris "Beanie" Wells RB Ohio St.
22 Minnesota Hakeem Nicks WR North Carolina
23 New England Brian Cushing LB USC
24 Atlanta Larry English DE/OLB No. Illinois
25 Miami Darrius Heyward-Bey WR Maryland
26 Baltimore D.J. Moore CB Vanderbilt
27 Indianapolis Peria Jerry DT Mississippi
28 Philadelphia (from Carolina) Michael Oher OT Mississippi
29 New York Giants James Laurinaitis LB Ohio St.
30 Tennessee Michael Johnson DE Georgia Tech
31 Arizona LeSean McCoy RB Pittsburgh
32 Pittsburgh Alex MackJanuary 28, 2009
#63 Urlacher FTW said . . .Not interested in a big, slow DE.
However, I am interested in a lot of guys he thinks will be available.
Maualuga or Cushing at LB
Wells or McCoy the RBs
Hey-Bey the WR
Oher the tackle
January 28, 2009
#64 mikebdot said . . .Al - There isn't a starting Qb in this draft. Sanchez would have trouble beating out Orlovsky or Thigpen much less KO.
If that accurate SOB from OU woulda came out, maybe we make a move but neither of the 2 out would be first rounders in most drafts just that this one is real slim on em'.
January 28, 2009
#65 Rancid said . . .I've concluded that "best player available" is a stupid draft strategy, at least, for this particular team. When you have coaches that are in place for multiple seasons with certain schemes they refuse to let go of, you have to pick the "best player available for your schemes". This is obviously not the same as "best player available". Is that a caveat in the mantra that should be understood? Or do you hope that your coaches have enough of a brain to actually modify the scheme to use the talent that has been drafted? God forbid a scheme designed for specific players...
January 28, 2009
#66 Urlacher FTW said . . .Not that anyone cares but I figured out the Bowman thing. We cut him to make room for Buenning, then no one wanted him so he cleared wavers, then we signed him to the practice squad, then later we elevated him back to the roster. That's a lot to put up with as a rookie.
January 28, 2009
#67 Rancid said . . .yah then he comes in makes a clutch INT while playing hurt and then is lost to IR : (
January 28, 2009
#68 Albert In Tucson said . . .I liked what little we saw of him. I hope he sticks
January 28, 2009
#69 KJ said . . .Rookie signing this year is going to be UGLY. Teams are already cutting front office personnel due to economic downturn. Did you see where Andy Pettite turned down the Yankees offer of $10,000,000 guaranteed? NOW that reality has set in (an the economy continues to slide) he just signed with them for $5.5 million, guaranteed. Of course, his clueless agent will claim victory because Pettite can make anouther $6.5m in incentives. Let's see, make $10m guaranteed, or take a chance on $12m? DUH! Nice negotiating, moron. Agents, notably Scott BorASS and Drew RosenMOUTH, do not understand the word "recession". It's going to be extremely messy. I see MANY first rounders not in camp for a while and the Bears can't afford that nonsense. Trade the #1.
January 28, 2009
#70 do said . . .I would trade up for B.J. Raji, defensive tackle, from Boston College. I watched him abuse very good linemen all season. Once, he pushed an O-tackle back and drove him into a running back, just as he was getting the ball. Effectively destroying both players on the down. It was a sight. I wish I could remember the game, as I'm sure there's YouTube available on it.
January 28, 2009
#71 Da Bearz said . . .KJ- what are we going to do with all of these DT? Harris, Harrison, Adams, DustyD, Izzy. I dont think the 5-2 d will work in the nfl. We should not draft a dt in this draft unless it is in round 4 or 5 because our front office could pull a gem out, thats what they do best. but for SURE do not TRADE UP to get a dt. I dont doubt that the kid will be good, however dt is probably the spot where we are strongest besides TE.
Albert- I completely agree with you especially since there is no one at 18 that warrants that pick for us, unless someone falls down the draft board or Maclin is there. (I'm not saying that I like Maclin its just that we need a WR and he is the 2nd best in the draft and COULD end up being good) I would be more tempted to take an interior lineman with the 18 pick because you would not have to pay them as much money as you would if you took a QB, RB or WR.
And just a question why are so many people down on Kyle Orton? I think this guy is pretty good and will be great in this league. Look at what he has done in really only 2 seasons as a starter. Led the team to the playoffs once and missed the playoffs by one game the other (he didnt play one game this season and we very well coulda beat the titans had he been under center). Not to mention that Kyle really has not had many weapons. I think we give him at least this year before we even start THINKING about signing another QB that could start or drafting one in the first 3 rounds (unless someone falls to you). This job should be KOs and there really should be no competition, he should be an untouchable man this offseason.
January 28, 2009
#72 Rancid said . . .GET A #1 RECEIVER. Please Please Please. This will allow all of the pieces to come together. Add in a OL and we complete the running threat, Forte with wholes in the line, Holy S. Orton has a long ball arm , he never has time to set up. The d line will be better and with one more safety we should be in the hunt.
January 28, 2009
Larry Mayer bashes the idea of trading our #1 for Braylon Edwards in his column on DaSite. So there's probably no chance it will happen .
January 29, 2009
Here at DaBearsBlog, you are free to kill us or the Bears as you so wish. You are not free, however, to be an asshole. So if you spew racism or ill-meaning foul language (cursing about football is just fine) or anything of that ilk, your comments ain't gonna last long, jerk.