dawhizz

Bad pick that is too reminiscent of the JA tenure. Spending three straight third round picks on a safety doesn't make much sense to me. I guess we're going to have the best special teams in the world, but let's upgrade the units that are supposed to be scoring and keeping other teams from scoring. I have a hard time believing Brandon Hardin will make more plays next year than Brandon Thompson would.

Personally, I'm hoping for Massie as a swing tackle or Brandon Thompson.

Wouldn't it be intersting if they ended up taking Dennard in the 3rd after taking Jeffery? I wouldn't rule it out - his skill set fits well with cover 2 and I've heard him compared to Javier Arenas, who the Chiefs took when Emery was there.

Love it. Huge drop off at WR after Jeffery and Randle, and they move up to make sure they get the guy the prefer.

I'd be fine with Hill. I'll also say that while I wasn't wild about Jonathan Martin in the first, I'd have no problem with him in the second.

I'm jumping in late here, but why is everyone acting like this is a college LB that was projected to LB in the NFL, that we are converting to DE? You realize he played DE in college, right? The reason he's being considered as a 3-4 LB is because 1) he's fast, 2) he's fluid, and 3) he showed an ability to drop back into coverage while he was in college. Those are all qualities I don't mind having in a DE. Now, maybe he works out and maybe he doesn't, but a projection to OLB in a 3-4 doesn't mean that much to me here when he played DE in college, especially if he's not undersized (he's comparable to Mercilus and Ingram).

I consider no news good news.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/footb...0,6270139.story So, I'm thinking: Floyd Mercilus Coples Then who? Probably at least one DT (Brockers probably). Other DEs probably, but would it be: Ingram? McClellin? OT? I wonder if guys like DeCastro or Kuechly might be on their board (I would assume not, since they are unlikely to be available). Maybe Kirkpatrick? Guess we'll find out in a couple days . . .

This is a bit of blend of what I want to happen and what I think will happen, based on my review of Emery's drafts with the Chiefs and Falcons: 1) Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina - I think he'll slide and I think we'll take him. Makes a ton of sense here where one NC lineman with motor concerns can learn from another. 2) Jeff Allen, OT, Illinois - The Bears' comfort with LT turns out to be a bit of a smokescreen. Allen has been moving up and is known as one of the best pass protectors in the draft, just what this team needs. Plus, Emery has a history with Illinois linemen (drafted Jon Asamoah). 3) Brian Quick, WR, Appalachain State - Emery loves big WRs (see Jonathan Baldwin) and isn't afraid to get them from small schools (Laurant Robinson from Illinois State, Quinton Lawrence from McNeese State). If Quick lasts this long, you draft him and tell him to watch everything Brandon Marshall does. 4) Mike Daniels, DT, Iowa - Emery tends to get his DL from big schools, and the Bears need a rotational pass-rushing DT with Paea likely to step in at Anthony Adams' run-stopping DT role. 5) Chris Rainey, RB/WR/KR, Florida - A huge curveball, I know, but Emery was with the Chiefs when they drafted McCluster even with Charles and Jones on the roster, and I can see him envisioning a similar player in Rainey. I wouldn't take him, but I can see Emery doing it. 6) Brandon Hardin, S, Oregon State - A player the Bears have brought in for a visit and they need another body at safety. 7) Danny Trevathan, LB, Kentucky - Even with the addition of Geno Hayes, the Bears need depth at LB. Emery seems to like LBs with big college production (Curtis Lofton, Michael Boley, Stephan Nicholas) and Trevathan led the SEC in tackles the last two years.

1) Alshon Jeffrey, WR, South Carolina - I don't hate him as a player, but I think the worst thing that can happen to him is for him to be a first round pick. 2) Mitchell Schwartz, OT, Cal - A college left tackle that can't stay there - if the Bears draft a tackle, he'd better be able to compete at LT. 3) Markelle Martin, S, Oklahoma State - Another 3rd round safety, except this one has worse ball skills than either of the ones we have.

IMO, a safety or CB would be much more likely to get lost in the shuffle than a top flight WR (unless you think you can get Barron in the 1st, which I doubt).

I certainly appreciate everything that Hester has done for this team - he's been the only aspect of this team I am consistently excited about. However, given the league changes that minimize the impacts of a returner, the Bears' apparent dissatisfaction with him as a WR (evidenced by the additions of Thomas and Weems, their focus on top WR prospects, and that he had his lowest receptions since his rookie year last year), and the fact that his contract is up in 2013, would you consider trading Hester if the right deal came along? I'm not sure what that would be (3rd round pick maybe?), I just look at the way last season andthis offseason has unfolded, and wonder how expendable he is.

I agree, but I'm actually thinking the more likely move is in the 2nd round. Say they go DL in the 1st (most indications are that's where they're leaning). They've obviously done their homework on the top WRs like Jeffrey, Hill, Randle, and Wright. I can envision a strategy where they take whatever DL they like in the first, then sit back in the 2nd until one of those guys is still on the board at around the 5-10 spot in the 2nd round (seems a safe bet someone will slide to around that area), then the Bears jump up to get him.

He's one of the guys that was discussed coming back to the Bears if the Lance Briggs trade with the Redskins had ever been consummated, if I remember right.

Also, according to Peter King, the Bears are bringing LB Donta Hightower in tomorrow.

I would be pretty stoked if we took a DL/OL in the first and managed to get Randle, Hill, or Jeffrey in the second, even if it took a trade up.

Here's the original article: http://www.draftinsider.net/blog/?p=6265

This article notes that the Bears had a private workout with Oklahoma OT Donald Stephenson. http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/bears/post..._medium=twitter

This. That's where you have your coach and GM meet with them, have your minions comb though his history, and make a judgment call.

More than in other years, I'm struggling to figure out where the Bears will go this draft. So I decided to take a look at the roster to figure out where I see holes, and this is what I came up with: QBs - Jay Cutler, Jason Cambell, Josh McCown, Nathan Enderle -No worries here RBs - Matt Forte, Michael Bush, Kalil Bell, Armando Allen -No worries here either FB - Tyler Clutts -Did a good job last year. WRs - Brandon Marshall, Earl Bennett, Devin Hester, Devin Thomas, Eric Weems, Dane Sanzenbacher, Max Komar (Knox) -There's no true need here, but Komar and Sanzenbacher are expendable and Weems doesn't figure to get much time at WR. I just keep asking myself "Is Bennett a #2 on a good offense?" If the answer is "no", maybe you take a look at a guy who can be. TEs - Kellen Davis, Matt Spaeth, Kyle Adams, Andre Smith -I hope to see the Bears give Davis a chance before taking a TE high, but I can certainly see a mid-late round pick here for depth. OGs - Chris Williams, Edwin Williams, Lance Louis It's so hard with the multiple spots the linemen have and could play (CWill at LT, Louis at RT, Williams at C, Spencer at G, Garza at G, etc.) it's tempting to just have an "OL" section. There's some young guys on the team who haven't seen much action (Ricky Henry, Mansfield Wrotto, Reggie Stephens) but I do think this is a position where the Bears could really upgrade now and for the future. OTs - J'Marcus Webb, Gabe Carimi, Levi Horn Again, there's room to mix and match here (Louis at RT, Carimi to LT). Everyone wants a new LT except the Bears seemingly, though maybe they do target on of the 1st round LTs. Even so, a swing tackle who could be a good version of what Omiyale was is needed. Cs - Roberto Garza, Chris Spencer Instead of drafting a G, the Bears could try to get a true C and push Garza & Spencer to compete for a guard spot. So hard to figure the OL out. DTs - Henry Melton, Stephen Paea, Matt Toeiona, Jordan Miller As much as the Bears like to rotate on the DL, they need another body here. I'd like to see a bigger guy who can play the Anthony Adams role, since they can always rotate Idonije inside if needed. DEs - Julius Pepper, Israel Idonije, Corey Wootton, Chauncey Davis, Thaddeus Gibson There's a lot of big guys here that the Bears could probably use a smaller, pass-rushing DE, although truthfully this isn't a bad group. OLBs - Lance Briggs, Nick Roach, Blake Costanzo, JT Thomas, Jabarra Williams A young LB to push Roach and provide would be nice, but Thomas will be coming off a redshirt year and Williams has the speed to contribute in this defense. MLB - Brian Urlacher, Dom DiCicco All depends on how long you think Urlacher can hold up. CBs - Charles Tillman, Tim Jennings, Kelvin Hayden, DJ Moore, Jonathan Wilhite, Donovan Warren The Bears roll five deep with veterans with starting experience. I was sure this would be a target in the draft, but after adding Hayden and Wilhite, I'm not so sure. Ss - Chris Conte, Major Wright, Craig Steltz, Winston Venable/Anthony Walters I actually like the Conte/Wright combination if they can stay healthy and Steltz is OK as a 3rd safety. This seems like a position ripe for a post-draft veteran add like Atogwe or Melvin Bullitt, though I could see a late pick here for depth. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- So, with that perspective, here's where I go in the draft: **Trade down a couple spots and pick up an extra 4th** 1) Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor - I'd love Floyd, but he'll be gone. I'd love a good LT, but I don't like the OTs with 1st round grades in this draft. Truthfully, I'd even take Jeffrey or Hill here - I've come to the conclusion that it's time to really take this offense to the next level and a top-flight WR to pair with Marshall is the way to do it. 2) Amini Silotolu, OG/OT, Midwestern State - Big, powerful offensive lineman to plug in at the weakest spot on the line (maybe at LG and move CWill to LT? at RT and move Carimi?). Played LT in college and some think he might be able to stick there in the NFL. 3) Sean Spence, LB, Miami - Great fit in the Bears defense to push Roach or provide depth. 4a) Brett Roy, DE, Nevada - Pass-rushing DE who gives high effort and could even play inside on passing downs. 4b) Nate Potter, OT, Boise State - Potential swing tackle with enough experience and technique to compete at LT. 5) Akiem Hicks, DT, Regina (Saskatchewan) - At 6'4" 320, he can be the new Anthony Adams, only with some pass rush ability. Plus he and Idonije can trade Canadian football stories. 6) Rhett Ellison, TE, USC - Ellison can do a bit of everything (including special teams) and can even pitch in at FB if needed. 7) Sean Catthouse, S, Cal - Big safety to serve at the #4 safety and play special teams. I will change my mind on all of this tomorrow.

Also from TFY: - On Tuesday we reported the Chicago Bears may consider Shea McLellin of Boise State in the first round. At some point in the draft the franchise will select an undersized speed rusher to play defensive end. Another player they are very high on would be Tim Fugger of Vanderbilt, who will be making an official visit to the team’s facilities.

Caught this on the TFY Draft Insiders blog: We’ve been told there’s a very real chance the Chicago Bears use their first round selection on Kendall Wright as they are looking for a receiver that can line up in the slot. We hear worry about Johnny Knox ever returning to prior form after his back injury late last season also factors into this . The team also has an interest in Shea McClellin of Boise State, whom they would use at defensive end. http://www.draftinsider.net/blog/?p=6238

Not too surprising, since there's only 3 that are locks for the roster (Conte, Wright, Steltz). I wouldn't think they would spend a high pick on a safety, since I think Wright/Conte can be a good duo, but a veteran or 4th/5th round pick wouldn't be out of the question.

I'm pretty impressed by these signings. I saw Hayden signed for the minimum and I doubt Wilhite signed for much more, if at all. But both guys have starting experience, so they aren't just scrubs.

Wonder what this does to their draft strategy. Tillman, Hayden, Jennings, and Moore are a solid 4, but there's not much after that, unless I'm forgetting someone. I'd still like to see a mid-round pick on a CB.