Rick Gosselin is the best football writer in the country. He wrote the following on Monday:
The defensive board in this draft is subpar and the line board is a cut below that. The quality runs thin. This is one of the smaller, slower boards I've ever researched. I'm not sure I've ever seen so many 6-2, 4.80 pass rushers in a single draft.
So the NFL has been scouting a little harder, digging a little deeper this winter and spring trying to manufacture some defensive linemen worth drafting in 2009. One of the beneficiaries could be Henry Melton of Texas. He's a late-comer at the position, which is why he wasn't invited to the NFL scouting combine.
Melton was recruited by Texas as a running back and spent his first two seasons there, rushing for 10 touchdowns as a freshman and six more as a sophomore. But the Longhorns moved him to defensive end his junior season in 2007 and Melton spent most of that fall on special teams. But he moved into the starting lineup as a senior in 2008 and contributed 29 tackles to the nation's third-ranked run defense. He also collected four sacks on his way to honorable mention All-Big 12 acclaim.
Melton is one of the few ends on this draft board with both size (6-3, 272) and speed (4.65 40). Because of his inexperience at the position, the NFL thinks he has a tremendous upside. The Grapevine product is rising on this draft board by the day.
#2 Wayne said . . .Wish we woulda picked Rashad Johnson with the 1st 3rd rounder then this guy with this pick. I really wanted him and am really glad that we got him.
April 26, 2009
#3 Wayne said . . .First!
April 26, 2009
#4 wheresolsen? said . . .Damn! Anyway, glad to get some info on this guy. Speed on the outside will be a good thing and if anyone can coach a work in progress on the line it's our new Dline coach. Clearly he has some athleticism to move from O to D. I also absolutely love Gilbert. We are getting to the QB this year!
April 26, 2009
#5 Who's Laughing Now said . . .Melton seems like a HUGE reach.
April 26, 2009
#6 Wayne said . . .I'm so glad we got our d-ends in the draft. I mean it's not like we had any other pressing needs. We didn't need safety at all. So we could definitely reach for an improvement at DE. This is so new for Jerry. Who knew he liked to draft DEs?
April 26, 2009
#7 big ten speed said . . .Another Vandy player to the Bears.
April 26, 2009
#8 DTB said . . .Eh, by the 4th round, you really have to start looking for high upside picks, and Melton is one of those. If he doesn't pan out, whatever. Plus the Bears devote a lot of focus to ST, and he'll be able to help out there.
April 26, 2009
#9 Wayne said . . .Take notice. Remember Atogwe from STL?
April 26, 2009
#10 Max said . . .Don't know who Knox is but he ran a 4.28 40. Talk about stretching the field for Jay. If just one of our WR picks pan out I will take back all my previous reservations about the Cutler trade.
April 26, 2009
#11 zmac said . . .Cool. A possible mid round gem... EXCEPT WE TOOK A LINEMAN WITH OUR FIRST PICK!
I am all for takign chances, but we need a safety and we still have yet to take one. Give me a break already. Take Melton or take Gilbert. One of the other, not both... not when there is such a great need for safety
April 26, 2009
#12 BDG said . . .Max: Your are absoultely right. Rashad Johnson was still on the board when we made our first pick. Should had pulled the trigger on him. We dont need both Melton and Gilbert. This looks to be another "safe" draft class. The only pick I really like this year is DJ Moore. Iglesias isnt good, Knox is just another Hester. I hope we grab a BIG receiver later. We have too many short receivers.
April 26, 2009
#13 BearsTransplant said . . .Here's to hoping Johnny Knoxville pans out. LOVE his speed. Probably needs time to develop though.
I like almost all the picks except Melton. I like his upside but think we reached there. Like I said before atleast maybe he can double as our short yardage back.haha
DTB I almost wish I didn't read that. Atogwe would be the ideal guy for us to get for S. He's young and a stud. That would be too good to be true.
April 26, 2009
#14 Max said . . .Mr. Johnny Knox:
April 26, 2009
#15 DTB said . . .Duke Robinson, Chris Clemons or Jamon Meredith
April 26, 2009
#16 Ditka Forever said . . .We still have money to spend and remember what JA claimed earlier in the week. There is always an aftermarket.
April 26, 2009
#17 Max said . . .Look, I'm not a big fan of his first day results in years past, but this year, we got Jay Cutler. JA does an excellent job finding needles in the haystack that is day 2. I understand that we have needs at safety. Could it be that maybe, just maybe, JA and his people (who have been prepping for this for MONTHS) have a slightly better idea of how to gauge NFL talent than we do? Perhaps they feel that with 9 picks today that they can get the same caliber safety in say the 6th, that's available in the 3rd. Just playing devil's advocate here.
April 26, 2009
#18 Max said . . .wow... another pick that is not a safety
April 26, 2009
#19 O-Line wins games said . . .Did we need another linebacker more than we needed a safety?
April 26, 2009
#20 O-Line wins games said . . .Alright, another special teams linebacker, who can only really play weak side due to his height.
So, hopefully in 2 years he can back up Jamar Williams while he is still backing up Briggs.
April 26, 2009
#21 Max said . . .With Robinson still on the board... how old is Garza again?
April 26, 2009
#22 Who's Laughing Now? said . . .He is eligible for social security in a couple years
April 26, 2009
#23 big ten speed said . . .What fool said we needed a safety in this draft? Everybody knew going into the draft that our biggest needs were linebacker, cornerback and of course d-line. Needs at safety? Who has needs at safety?
April 26, 2009
#24 O-Line wins games said . . .CB: Tillman, Vasher, Graham, McBride, Moore, (Hamilton) - Good depth!
This must mean that Bowman is definitely getting converted to FS, which is probably why Chicago hasn't taken any safeties yet. Better hope he's better than Bullocks, who is awful.
Who's the odd man out on the DL now besides Toeaina? Anderson? Izzy? Dvoracek? Gilbert seems like another under tackle; does this mean Marcus Harrison will play more NT?
April 26, 2009
#25 O-Line wins games said . . .It would be ok if we actually drafted a strong side LB to replace Hunter and Roach, but do we really need another will LB?
Now, we don't pick till #190 and we could have gotten a weak side LB to play special teams in the 7th.
April 26, 2009
#26 Max said . . .Panthers get Duke.
April 26, 2009
#27 O-Line wins games said . . .Balls. I am not happy with this draft. Iglesias is fine. Gilbert is ok i guess, but the rest of it has been a waste in my opinion.
Sure they could be moving Bowman to FS, but is he going to be ready to start by the beginning of the season after not having played there?
What is the harm in taking Clemons at somepoint?
April 26, 2009
#28 Max said . . .Yeah, that's about right... Jerry passed on Otah for Chris Williams and Carolina took him. We pass on Duke and Carolina gets another monster offensive lineman.
April 26, 2009
#29 BDG said . . .There goes Clemons
April 26, 2009
#30 O-Line wins games said . . .#16 I'm glad someone is looking at this with some logic. The Bears have drafted a couple decent S's late in the past so maybe they have someone in mind. If not maybe they know something we don't about who will/is available or the fact that Steltz hasn't played nearly enough to be judged yet or maybe Glenn Earl is healthy and his old coach Hoke knows what he has in him or Bowman has shown them something on tape or in the past to believe he will be as good as some of the options we had.. There are so many things that come into play to just write off this draft as a bust because we haven't taken a S in the 1st 4 rounds. I could have done with out 2 DE's but I'm glad we got alot of depth and potential. And who knows about Freeman, he played all 3 spots at Ohio St.
April 26, 2009
#31 Max said . . .29- Steltz, Earl, and Payne are all SS.
Bullocks and Bowman are FS.
So there is a concern at FS with Bowman who has been injured a lot in college and the pros, and with Bullocks who just plain sucks!
April 26, 2009
#32 Rancid said . . .That is fair, I shouldn't call this draft a bust, but this is not draft where I sit here and go,
"Wow, they made some good moves that I liked and addressed needs that were/are fairly obvious"
Angelo has found gems in the mid to late rounds (Graham, Beekman). He has also found some epic busts of late (Bazuin and Okwo). He reached for Melton, he reached for Knox. He trys out thinking himself and it is frustrating to me.
He hasn't proved to me, or to alot of Bear fans, that he does know what he is doing all the time when it comes to the draft. Maybe these picks will turn out great. Maybe they won't. Until then, I am going to base my opinions off what I have seen and feel as opposed to placing my faith in a man who has not earned it.
April 26, 2009
#33 Ditka Forever said . . .It really hasn't been that interesting. I'm not excited, but I'm not pissed either.
April 26, 2009
#34 Max said . . .Um...WOW
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXDSPbZ_OUw&feature=related
sorry if this is a re-postApril 26, 2009
#35 BDG said . . .Damn Bear Pascoe was taken by the 49ers. I think the means all of my predictions were dead wrong. Good work max
April 26, 2009
#36 BDG said . . .Melton and Johnny Knoxville do seem like reaches but there seems to have been a lot of interest in them leading up to the draft according to Kiper about Knoxville and I've seen quite a bit about Melton. Melton seems like a bigger reach that early but who knows. We certainly need some pass rushers now and for the future. Knoxville was a 5th rounder. It's kinda hard to call anyone in the 5th a reach although it was early 5th.
I'm just hoping we grab a S with one of our late picks and I hope some S's become available when the cuts happen.April 26, 2009
#37 Max said . . .Maybe they will sign about (5) undrafted FA S's and let them battle it out. Who knows.
April 26, 2009
#38 BDG said . . .Ok we are coming up again, who is Angelo gonna take?
Safety C.J. Spillman?
An offensive lineman?
A quarterback?
I aint even gonna try and guess anymore
April 26, 2009
#39 Max said . . .we got our S
April 26, 2009
#40 BDG said . . .Dont know him, but his name is Afalava, so I like him
April 26, 2009
#41 GP said . . .I've heard of him and seen a vicious hit he had and got a cheap call against him. I think he's more SS type but played both
check the hit out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOpswkyrS0UApril 26, 2009
#42 BDG said . . .Why is everyone so down on this draft? Personally, I love that we're drafting for the DL. I've been a Bear fan for 25 years now. Because of all the shitty QBs I've seen play for us, and seeing what happens when we play against a good QB (Dan Marino vs the 85 Bears legendary D, for example), I agree with Jerry Angelo - the game is all about the QB.
On the flip side, stopping the QB comes down to the pass rush. Anemic pass rush + good secondary = disaster. Tillman and Vasher aren't bad...we just suck at getting to the QB and they have to cover for too long. Great pass rush, bad secondary? Good results. The 85 Bears won with a brutal pass rush and shaky secondary - ok, maybe not a bad secondary, but nowhere near the level of the line. The Giants beat the most prolific offense in NFL history in the Super Bowl by having a DL rotation full of pass rushers that beat the spirit out of the best QB in the NFL.
The modern NFL game is about the pass, and stopping the pass. Jay Cutler will give us the former. I'm hoping that Marinelli + a motivated set of D-linemen will give us the latter.
April 26, 2009
#43 Max said . . .We should get the WR that he hit too, great concentration haha
April 26, 2009
#44 BDG said . . .Good hit by Afalava, but you'll note he didn't wrap up.
Seriously though, I am glad we finally drafted a safety and this guy seems like the Chicago type. Mean and hard working. Although his weaknesses seem to be speed and deep coverage, but at least we brought someone in.
April 26, 2009
#45 Max said . . .Yeah I'll be happy if he makes the team and we'll go from there
April 26, 2009
#46 BDG said . . .Plus I would totally rock a jersey that said "Afalava"
April 26, 2009
#47 CalvinJames said . . .Yeah that would make a sweet jersey lol
April 26, 2009
#48 Wayne said . . .GP - you are right about a pass rush being a very important part of pass coverage, but how many DE's do you need? Only 2 can play at a time, and genreelly only 3 play in a game correct? This isn't hockey where you do a complete line change a couple times a period. If Marinelli is such a great D-line coach, why don't we see what he can do with the talent we already have? Anderson, Alex Brown and Oguleye have all had great moments in the past, maybe they just need to be coached up. Now we have 5, 6 if you count some Idinije.
April 26, 2009
#49 Shady said . . .Max, the reason we took two DL is because we can't get to the QB. We blitzed more than any other team last year because our front four couldn't do it by themselves. Our problems in the secondary start with the fact that the QB's had all day took pick it apart. We have safeties internally and picked up one in free agency. With Marinelli coaching our line it was time to give him some fresh horses. We will miss Brown, no doubt. But we have missed him for three seasons anyway. We need to pressure the QB for this cover 2 thing to work. I think these guys possess the skill to accomplish that. As for our wideouts, one possession one speedster. Not bad if you ask me. I hear you about the safety issue but with a better pass rush it will make the job of that safety a lot easier and Payne or Steltz or Bullocks will do fine if that happens. We did pick up a safety by the way but in the late rounds. I think this is a great draft for us considering what we lost in the Cutler trade. ps. Gilbert is a beast!
April 26, 2009
#50 Shady said . . .Wow BDG you totally sound like Lovie Smith there (#44).
I agree most with GP at #41.
And Rod Marinelli must be happy about getting to work with 2 lineman with outstanding measurables. If hot Rod can help these guys reach their full potential, the Bears would have just had a FANTASTIC draft... Of course we'll have to wait and see.
Nicknames at this point?
Jarron Gilbert aka "Sea monster"
Juaquin Iglesias aka "Mr. Sprinkles"
Henry "Tuna" Melton? haha
April 26, 2009
#51 Max said . . .#11 - I'd be fine with "Just another Hester" ...
Calvin, Ogunleye and Anderson are set to become free agents after this year. If the Bears don't have depth at the position, it gives the player more leverage in contract negotiations. And you can read what Wayne wrote.
April 26, 2009
#52 Johnny Knox said . . .Iglesias is totally sprinkles and "Tuna" Melton is catchy.
You are right Wayne, we couldn't get to the QB to save our lives, but it was still an overkill. Get one, I am totally happy with it, two in the matter of three picks is a bit ridiculous.
And these in house safeties you refer to are either unproven or just bad.
Bullucks looked miserable and Saints fans were happy to see him go. Glenn Earl hasn't played in two years. Steltz didn't look like he could tackle when he was in the game, Manning is an absolute mess back there, and Bowman is trying to make the transfer from corner to safety and has injury issues.
Depth was needed at safety and there were quality players available at #68 and #99. Not to mention that Melton and Knox were reaches at the spots we took them at.
I know we need more of a pass rush, but that doesn't mean we should accept futility at other positions either.
April 26, 2009
#53 CalvinJames said . . .Aka Jackass
April 26, 2009
#54 BDG said . . .Anyway to trade Agunleye and/or Anderson for a solid WR?
April 26, 2009
#55 Wayne said . . .no Louisiana-Lafayette products yet? What the hell is going on?haha. Probably get that Chery dude from there with one of our last 2 picks to make this draft official. Although he is a WR not a S like we usually take from there
April 26, 2009
#56 Murph said . . .Overkill? Seriously? Any safety is going to look bad with no rush. Any NFL WR can get open with the time we gave them last year. Brown was best when he reacted to the ball with the QB under pressure from our front 4. The same can be said of Brian. Imagine if a team had to double up on one of our DEs. Imagine the havoc Briggs and Brian could cause. I guarantee you that with a better up front push all of your issues with this draft will lessen. If we get into their backfield regularly mistakes will happen. That is when a safety is at their best. Finish the play before the receivers even get into their routes. A good pass rush will make any secondary look stellar.
April 26, 2009
#57 Murph said . . .I though thats one position we didnt need, tight end?
April 26, 2009
#58 Nitty Gritty said . . .ESPN said the pick was a TE but he is a guard over 300lbs and lil over 6'2
April 26, 2009
#59 BDG said . . .I guess I would describe my feelings about the draft in this way:
Hopefully pessimistic. Or maybe doubting with faith. Or maybe, ah fuck it, I'm just confused. Like some have said, if Rod can help our young athletic unproven D linemen, our defense will be much improved. With Cutler, the new linemen, Olsen, Hester (year 2ish), and Forte, our offense will be much improved, now world beaters, but better than our 2006 offense. Special teams are great. We'll be battling it out for the north and a great chance for the playoffs.
I say just bring back Mike Brown for one more year.
April 26, 2009
#60 Nitty Gritty said . . .Right on Wayne.
This Lance Louis kid looks intriguing. He's a converted OG/OT converted from TE. He was one of the top 10 TE's in the nation coming out of high school. He's over 300 lbs now but still ran a 3.76. That's borderline amazing. Maybe he can develop into a guard version of Jason Peters from Buaffalo who was an undrafted FA that became a pro bowler. I know it's wishful thinking but hey in the 7th round might be a steal. There's a chance he could be our blocking TE on obvious running downs too since he can catch the ball and fools some teams here and there.. A very big John Gilmore? That would be nice even. I like it.April 26, 2009
#61 BDG said . . .Obviously I meant NOT world beaters.
By the way, Sprinkles is an outstanding nickname. I love it.
April 26, 2009
#62 BDG said . . .Our last pick Derek Kinder certainly looks physical and decent if he can return to health.
Hopefully he can spend a year on the PS getting healthy and look like this player again. A nice way to finish the draft with a pick with some upside
check him out on you tube he was very talented from what I can tellApril 26, 2009
#63 BearsTransplant said . . .Good draft, not Great but good. Now on to the FA's and hopefully some new ones being cut.
April 26, 2009
#64 Peoria Matt said . . .So PFT is running a story saying that the Bears DID, in fact try to get Boldin. The Cardinals said they wanted a 2 plus a player, and the Bears said they pretty much offered that, so chalk it up to the joke of an organization called the Cardinals. Thanks for trying Jerry.
BDG: 4.76. 3.76 wouldn't be possible. Lance Louis is still one of the fastest 300-pounder I've ever heard of... except for maybe Jerome Bettis. He could definetely be that blocking TE we've been looking for, as Kellen Davis seems slightly better as a pass-catcher than a blocker.
April 26, 2009
#65 Max said . . .BDG...Abilene Christian is the new Lousiana-Lafayette....
And to finish off the draft, a guy who could be a player if healthy.
Aaahhhh....
April 26, 2009
#66 big ten speed said . . .I hear you Wayne, you make some nice arguments.
I just feel that the draft is there for you to bring in players who hold more talent than those on your current roster.
I believe that our defensive line is pretty good, it was just the Lovie/Babich's scheme that did not get the most from them. I think that Alex Brown was a beast. And while Wale seems to have peaked and Tommie had a down year, the trio of Harrison, Adams, and Idonije provides some decent depth. Throw in a healthy Dusty and I think we could be ok. Shoot adding one lineman, such as Gilbert or a project like Melton is a good call.
But when you look at the quality of playes in the free safety position, it is a little scary. I think that Gilbert would have been fine if we had taken a safety with the next pick or two. Instead we waited until the 6th round to select Afalava.
I think it was an overkill. Thats just me
April 26, 2009
#67 Windy City Packer Fan said . . ."Sprinkles" Iglesias? Very nice.
Da Site says that Louis will be used as a TE. 300 lbs is huge even for a blocking TE, but it would be funny to see him used in goal line packages like The Fridge was.
April 27, 2009
#68 Ditka Forever said . . .I was kind of chuckling at your draft picks until Angelo wised up and took D.J. Moore. That will work out well.
Not to stir the pot in Bear nation...but a failed attempt at Anquan Boldin? That should give you guys (and ladies) something to talk about for the next few months...then into the late fall when you realize that as long as Ron Turner is coaching the offense, you might as well have J.J. from Good Times instead of Jay Cutler behind center.
April 27, 2009
#69 Peoria Matt said . . .When does Tommie Harris' grace period end? He tore his hammy in 2006. Maybe we need to consider that he'll never be the same player again. You can never have too many good DL. At the very minimum, everybody wants them and they're great for trading. Plus they are sooooo injury prone; unlike OL who spend half the time crashing ahead (runs) and the other half backpeddling (passes), DL are constantly slamming themselves full-speed ahead. Tommie, Dusty and the rest aren't exceptions, they're the rule.
April 27, 2009
#70 Duff Diggler said . . .Ditka Forever, I think that day has arrived in regards to Tommie. There was a reason he was available at that draft spot and now Jerry is bringing in players for backup.
April 27, 2009
#71 BDG said . . .I'm very happy with this draft. SOOO much potential. Filled some holes.... Wouldn't have minded a safety higher, but lets give our guys a chance. this afalava kid actually looks pretty damn good. to me, he looks alot more like brownie than some of the others we compared to him. The professor likes our style....
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft09/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=4102721
April 27, 2009
#72 BDG said . . .lol yea 3.76 would be REAL amazing yeah a 4.76 and a 4.81 or something like that at his pro day. FLYING for a fat man
April 27, 2009
#73 Sarcastiholic said . . .How about lining Louis up at FB with Melton behind him in short yardage lol. That would be a brutal combo coming at you.
I'm happy with this draft. I think it looks good on paper. We could never fill all of our needs in (1) off season so it is a hell of a start what they have accomplished so far this off season.
I'm hoping someone gets freed up now with some of the S's coming in. One possibility is Michael Huff out in Oakland. Not sure how any trade scenario's would be worked out with us being short handed already for next year, but I'm sure they will look into anyone that is made available.
As far as Anquan Boldin I don't know if you heard but I guess Jeff Fischer tried to get a hold of Rod Graves about trading for him and Graves basically blew him off. I think it was all a ploy by Arizona to try and say they were attempting to trade him but never really intended too.April 27, 2009
#74 BDG said . . .Since our draft picks are our draft picks now and there is no going back, I guess there's no use complaining that the draft didn't come out like I thought it would. I will be especially interested to see how the D shakes out with the new additions.
Also looking forward to see what the new WRs can show in camp. It could be fun watching Knox and Hester tearing down the sidelines while the Packers scratch their heads trying to figure out their new defense.
And I'm still rooting for Aquaman as the nickname for Jarron Gilbert.
April 27, 2009
#75 Sarcastiholic said . . .Just as long as he doesn't become Dick Jarron Gilbert I'll call him anything.
April 27, 2009
#76 Max said . . .Ouch.
April 27, 2009
#77 Who's Laughing Now said . . .Aquaman and Sprinkles... a killer 1-2 combo
April 27, 2009
#78 Duff Diggler said . . .Can somebody explain to me ... I've never heard of Merill Johnson, S, Alabama, but si.com has him rated 3.9, which some players taken in the first round weren't that high. And he apparently wasn't drafted? Anybody know what that's about? Is it an error by si?
April 27, 2009
#79 Duff Diggler said . . .Nicknames, DD style:
Jarron "Gills" Gilbert
Juaquin "heter-ique" Iglesias
Henry "not in your hands" Melton
D.J. "More Picks" Moore
"Johnny Knox-ville"-too obvious to go with anything not related to Jackass...
Marcus "The Demon" Freeman
Al Afalava- "alfalfa," "dahli lava," or just "Benny" (he keeps it hot!!!!) must see this youtube vid to understand: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZA1NoOOoaNw
Lance Louis- "Lancelot" or "Lancelou"
Derek "be kind" Kinder- as in "be kind, rewind" that TD highlight!!!
April 27, 2009
#80 BDG said . . .I guess i gotta explain to Inglesias nick name.
Every body know Enrique Inglesias? ...that gay ass singer?
Ok... We have the straight (hetero) version..... get it???
April 27, 2009
#81 DTB said . . .Merril Johnson was a tiny LB at Auburn that would have to learn the S position in the nfl. Big project which is why he didn't get drafted
April 27, 2009
#82 T.C. said . . .Does Clayton know something we don't?
SEE CAPS
Their picks were consistent and fit needs. Defensive ends Jarron Gilbert and Henry Melton have run the 40-yard dash in 4.8 seconds and will work with defensive line coach Rod Marinelli on the Bears' pass rush. SAFETY D.J. Moore had received a higher grade than his third-round selection. The Bears added wide receiver Juaquin Iglesias, who was rated in the round he was selected. Most of the Cowboys' picks were rated two or three rounds lower than their selections.
April 27, 2009
#83 O-Line wins games said . . .I know this is an undrafted free agent signing, but Eric Peterman also signed with us today. Not big news for many, but I went to high school with him. He's a player who leaves it all out on the field. He carried us to the state title game my senior year as a qb and was awesome at northwestern. He is a great guy, too. Small signing but if he finds a way to make the team, i'll def. be getting a Peterman jersey for Christmas
April 27, 2009
#84 Max said . . .81- I think Clayton just kind of shit out that analysis on a whim... Melton ran a 4.64 and 4.66 at his pro day not 4.8
Moore is obviously a CB and was selected in the 4th not 3rd.
82- Is he a good gunner? Can he play special teams? Hopefully he impresses at the rookie camp... I'm rooting for him, I've heard he is underrated.
April 27, 2009
#85 BDG said . . .Fuck Christmas man. Week 1 Id be getting that jersey. Eric is the man.
Cant believe we signed him, thats flipping awesome
April 27, 2009
#86 BDG said . . .Peterman sounds like a good signing. Hopefully he will get a shot to compete.
April 27, 2009
#87 Max said . . .Some of our other undrafted FA's
Bears
OL Dennis Conley (Hampton)
WR Eric Peterman (Northwestern)
S Dahana Deletson (UConn)
FB Will Taufoou (Cal)
LB Mike Rivera (Kansas)
RB Tyrell Fenroy (UL-Lafayette)
DT Steve Ostrowski (UW-Whitewater)
I knew we would end up with a Louisiana- Lafayette guy.lol He is actually very good RB, but small and I don't see a spot for himApril 27, 2009
#88 BDG said . . .BDG where are you findin these at? Ive been looking everywhere
April 27, 2009
#89 BDG said . . .McKie might have his hands full holding off this kid.FB Will Taufoou (Cal) He looks like the perfect type of FB for our offense. Good Versatility.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uEh8JoB7oQ&feature=relatedApril 27, 2009
#90 Duff Diggler said . . .www.nepatriotsdraft.com/2009/04/2009-undrafted-free-agent-signings-list.html - 176k - 3
Damn patriots bro. Of course they are on top of it. There is a complete list hereApril 27, 2009
#91 O-Line wins games said . . .Kiper just said Bears got the steal of the draft with Gilbert....
Sssshhhh........
April 27, 2009
#92 Phantom One said . . .I really hope we put Knox in the slot from day 1 and not bullshit around with him like we did to Bennett. Let him learn the slot and play strictly in the slot in year 1, so he has a chance to be on the field and contribute.
April 27, 2009
#93 O-Line wins games said . . .I love that we have 3 DE's going into their FA year with young blood to push them. That was an oversight by most of us. In the grand scheme of things, JA assured that he would not be leveraged @ the negotiating table by the likes of Odewaleye (Drew Rosenhaus client) and Mark Anderson...
Marinelli will make us all believers.
Wayne -
You are right - no pressure on the QB means someone will get open. These moves make our whole D better.
I like this draft. Now it is time for Cliff Stien to get them signed. Tick tock.
April 27, 2009
#94 Duff Diggler said . . .BDG- Nice find on the undrafted guys.
April 27, 2009
#95 O-Line wins games said . . .no love on the benny lava link?
....*sigh*...........................
April 27, 2009
#96 BDG said . . .Forget the swimming pool, check this out...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAqc85MT_-0
April 27, 2009
#97 BDG said . . .Man did you guys watch the draftguys clip on Knoxville?
I went from not knowing this kid to thinking he may be this years Eddie Royal. This kid looks amazing. I agree the slot from day one cut Rashied tomarrow.
Watch this if you haven't
http://draftguys.com/index.php/articles/dgtv_1/johnny_knox_-_wr_-_abilene_christian/
He will have us drinking in Margarita-ville as soon as he can get on the field.April 27, 2009
#98 Grizzly Bear said . . .WOW good clip O-line that kid just doesn't look like he could possibly be that strong
April 27, 2009
#99 BDG said . . .It's nice to hear that Angelo attempted another shocker today. Bolden would have looked nice in a Bears jersey, but I'm okay with the move's we made.
April 27, 2009
#100 enderwiggin said . . .I'm like pretty much all of the undrafted FA's too. Especially FB Will Taufoou (Cal)- I was hoping for him, Fiametta or Quin Johnson to have some competition for McKie who I think has been given the job the last few years with out truly earning it. At least get someone ready to replace him soon. I hope he works out.
I also like LB Mike Rivera (Kansas) & S Dahana Deletson (UConn). I think they both can truly compete for a spot. Dahana is 6' 210lbs and ran a 4.47. That would be excellent size speed ratio for a S. Rivera just sounds very complete all around. Maybe a Hillenmeyer type.
They all will have to bust their asses to make the team but they should provide some great competition for the drafted guys and anyone on the roster bubble.
I have to say I'm very excited. We still have the second wave of FA's to go, and who knows what that could bring now they have drafted and can re-evaluate were we're at. God it's a good time to be a BEARS fan.April 27, 2009
#101 BDG said . . .Awesome vid on Knox.. hes like a tom waddle with springs
April 27, 2009
#102 Albert in Tucson said . . .(2) more to add to the UFA signings and that's it for me tonight
OL Johan Asiata, UNLV
LB Kevin Malast, Rutgers
April 27, 2009
#103 Max said . . ."Sprinkles"???? No way! HAS to be
Joaquin "Don't call me Julio" Iglesias.
Better yet, let's hope it turns out to be "Wide open with soft hands". Nice call on this pick, Feff.April 27, 2009
#104 Max said . . .... So when does camp start?
April 27, 2009
#105 Wayne said . . .... oh yeah, not soon enough
April 27, 2009
#106 JWilson said . . .Just putting this out there, Jerry Angelo offered our 2nd round pick and others to the Cards for Boldin but they didn't accept. Wow! What a different day it would have been.
April 27, 2009
#107 BDG said . . .Iglesias is a great pick! If he's not catching everything, he's down the field blocking. He plays big in big time games. Most importantly he converts 3rd downs. He was Sam Bradford's go to guy. I'd even bet that Sam's completion % goes down this season. After a few games we'll be calling him Mr. 3rd Down, or something. Great pick!
April 27, 2009
#108 Urlacher FTW said . . .Updated undrafted free agent signings
Bears
OL Dennis Conley (Hampton)
WR Eric Peterman (Northwestern)
S Dahana Deletson (UConn)
FB Will Taufoou (Cal)
LB Mike Rivera (Kansas)
LB Kevin Malast (Rutgers)
OG Johan Asiata (UNLV)
RB Tyrell Fenroy (UL-Lafayette)
DT Steve Ostrowski (UW-Whitewater)
TE Vernon Sims (Northern Illinois)April 27, 2009
#109 BDG said . . .Yah I think they got great value in Iglesias, the rest we'll have to see. I guess after cooling off, it ended up being a good choice to trade back, I really only question 2 picks, the 5'9 corner; we already have this guy on the roster in McBride, and the LB, we really need more linebackers... holy crap. The first one of those could have been to grab Duke Robinson who was on the board a long time and would have been a great value pick at that point.
Oh, I guess I am dense but why is Sprinkles a good nick for Iglesias.. I don't get it.
April 27, 2009
#110 BDG said . . .Becuase JA wanted to get a WR " with sprinkles, not a vanilla cone" That's what he was looking for at 49 supposedly.
I like the LB pick. With Url and Briggs getting up there in years we needed to get a young guy in here.Plus young LB's are usually a core ST player. I agree Duke was great value though for where he went.
Speaking of LB's I wonder if the Bears will look into Leroy Hill of the Seahawks. They rescinded his Franchise tag making him unrestriced. It's not a necessity by any means but if you could put him with Briggs and Urlacher it would be nasty. Plus he can rush the passer some. He got busted for weed so he has that against him but it would be worth looking into with the cap space we have. He is a 26yr old strong side LB too so he wouldn't have to switch positions. The production he's had has been great too 11 pd's 13.5 sacks and 6 ff's in 4 years in the league hell yea.If I were JA i would be checking him out ASAP. Certainly an HUGE upgrade over Hunter, Roach, or yet to be seen Jamar Williams.April 27, 2009
#111 Anonymous said . . .I like these cames:
Jarron "I'm here to kill the QB" Gilbert
Juaquin "I WILL catch the ball" Iglesias
Henry "I will make you look good for drafting me early" Melton
D.J. "I will remind you of the early Vasher years" Moore
Johnny "I'm this years version of Eddie Royal" Knox
Marcus "I will start off as a great special teamer" Freeman
Al"I know of another good somoan Safety that hits hard" Afalava
Lance"I'm a fucking beast for a blocking TE" Louis
Derek"I was your last pick so all I could possibly do is impress, expectations are pretty low" Kinder
These sound like the nicknames I want till they can earn real ones haha
April 27, 2009
#112 Ditka Forever said . . .Jarron "Splash" Gilbert
Juaquin "Rico Suave" Iglesias
Henry "Tuna" Melton
D.J. "007" Moore
Johnny "ville" Knox
Marcus "not Josh" Freeman
Al "Smith" Afalava
Lance "Hefty, Hefty, Hefty" Louis
Derek "who" Kinder
April 27, 2009
#113 Sharp Convection MicrowaveJoymmellold said . . .To all the naysayers who complained about Gilbert: CNN/SI threw their hat in the ring as well, calling him the steal of the draft. Maybe we'll finally get some pressure on the QB
April 27, 2009
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