Alaskan Grizzly

Interesting take. Perhaps you’re confusing the difference between having one and being one? That being said, the point is that Cohen does not have a unique skill set. How he uses them, and his newer found strength, in a different offense against other players that were mostly not on the team last year; remains to be seen.

From what I saw his 3 cone drill was from a pro day. Ill agree that Cohen could be a decent back. He was fun to watch last year and similar to Hunt, other teams will figure him out.

So what you’re saying about him is not only is he shortest of the players I listed, but he’s got better ‘short area quickness’? Better than other players who were faster in the cone drill and 40 yard dash? Before you answer that, do you see him more like a feature back similar to Kareem Hunt in KC or a gadget back like Darren Sproles?

Ok for the sake of argument, explain to me the differences. Especially in relation to how this offense will spotlight them or that. Stinger even said that Cohen ‘put on 10 lbs this winter’ and thus cannot be compared to a player like Gabriel because he’s not ‘close in strength’. Is strength a skill set or physical ability? And are not the measurables I provided an example of measured skills and abilities?

Meh...In just looking at some of the more 'newer' players to the team that could be used in similar situations (slot and/or catching out of backfield) he's middle of the road when comparing 'measurables'. Of the players to include Cohen, Miller, Cunningham, Gabriel and Fowler; Cohen only has the edge in height (or lack thereof). He being 5'6" at the shortest. Weight wise he's the second lightest at 179# where Gabriel measures at 165#. In the 40, Cohen was clocked at 4.42 where both Gabriel and Fowler beat him 4.40 and 4.35 respectively. On the cone drill (used to measure elusiveness and lateral movement) Cohen ran a 7.22 where three other players bested him; Miller, Gabriel and Fowler at 6.65, 6.84 and 7.06 respectively. Lastly, there has been talk about his 'huge hands' and although I wasn't able to find the measurements of all the players I was able to find his and Miller's. Cohen's hand size is 10 1/8" where Miller's are 10 5/8". HIs 'skill set' is not unique.

He has proven over the last few years that not only has he got the quickness but patience to wait for the block that he needs. Which is a key need in a zone blocking scheme. Agreed. He's proven the ability over the course of two years to constantly get at least 1,000 yards. And that was with a pretty vanilla offense. I have a suspicion that for all the razzle-dazzle, Cohen's value will start to wear thin. Especially with more players similar to his skill set on the roster and defenses getting familiar with his style of play. Howard is pretty unique in his abilities and keeps on chugging away despite the familarity.

Sure there may be some superficial undertones to what the players say, but I also sense some ’genuity’ to it too.

Yeah I think with the younger generation it’s important to grab their attention, if only briefly. This is effective and like you said ties in the history of the franchise. Which, if you listen to a lot of the players being brought in to the team will refer to the revered history that is the Bears. I’m sure many of them want to be a part of that no matter how long ago it was.

Saw this on Chicagobears.com. Nicely done Coach Nagy. http://m.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Nagy-sending-message-with-motivational-art/87a6d6e3-1632-44a8-ba6e-fa64a734852d

Don't the "experts" do that same thing with mock draft 2.0, 3.0 etc? I'm fairly confident that GM's (and their staffs) do the same thing, but behind closed doors. There was this cat who is an area scout for the Bears doing an interview with Lauren Screeden (believe his name was Sam Summervile) talking about his meeting(s) with 1st round pick Smith. During his talk he mentioned how excited they were in the war room that Smith was still available to them at 8 and how concerned they were he may not have been. What if he hadn't? More than likely they would have had to go with option 1a, or 1b. That by itself tells you how fluid this type thing is. Looking at Summerviles's history with the Bears, he's also scouted former players Khaseem Greene and Deon Bush (as well as Eddie Jackson, Cohen and Goldman) so he's not even been 100%. One thing I can say for Jason is that he's consistently been an Oline guy. He and I, and others, have gone back and forth on what the basis for a good team needs, especially through the draft. He is of the opinion that it is oline, I beg to differ. But he's always been pretty consistent with that. For anyone to be able to accurately predict how the top 5 QB candidates this year will do is crazy. Of them we have no real concrete way of knowing when they'll start. Even with Mayfield, they have a pretty capable player in Taylor signed on. But even if they were all to start on game one there's no way of predicting how well they'll do. What about injury or other intangibles that cannot be forecasted? I'm still of the opinion that Watson would have been the better pick than Trubisky. But Watson was slowed by injury after coming out the gates quickly whereas Trubisky was mired by an un-imaginative offense (or so we hope).

Yeah if Whites injuries were repeated that would be one thing. But he’s gone from shins to ankle/fibula to shoulder injuries. The kid is just having bad luck. I hope he makes it the whole year this year.

Smith hands down is (IMHO) the most exciting pick. Similar to Pix I’d have been ok with Edmunds too. But after hearing Smith in post-draft interviews I’m sold. My very close second liked choice would be the last pick Wims. I have this sneaky suspicion that either Robinson or White won’t be available (hopefully not at the same time) and that’s where Wims will come in. To do what he did last year in Georgia is pretty impressive. (thanks Ashkum for the insight).

Apparently all he did was after transfer from JuCo he led the Bulldogs in Rec, TDs and rec yards(?) last year. Despite, as you point out, not being the primary receiver. Nice!!! Thanks for the feedback.

Preach Brother Jason!! Although I’d argue that Fangio had the defense going in the right direction two years ago. Wasn’t it ranked top 10 that year? Considering the mess he inherited AND the change from 4-3, I’d say he’s done pretty dang good. And you’re right in that collectively our fellow posters are as good (if not better) MOST times at evaluating talent than many “experts”.

What do you know about him? I’ll do some reading up but curious why he was available so late.

RE: Javon Wins After the Smith pick this is my second favorite choice in the draft. On paper looks great.

Stinger, I’m glad you’re sure with the picks. And even from you I appreciate the explanation. But the fact remains the majority of his drafts have not panned out completely. To be fair none of his picks from last year have worked out...yet. Yes that includes Trubisky and Cohen. So far one player we know has made the measured progress ‘over three years’ and that’s Howard. And for the record I love the Smith pick just like I loved the Jackson pick last year. The reason I’m concerned with this oline pick is because I see some similarities to how well Grasu was graded out when he was drafted and he was a third round pick, not second. Yet two years later here we are, essentially drafting his replacement. And for what it’s worth, after the pick was made Mayock himself said there were concerns about his knees. But did admit that Daniels was ‘good in space’ which is key to a zone blocking scheme, but so was Grasu. The pick of Miller makes some sense considering Nagys potential style offense. But still we lack a SOLID big body WR. I’m hoping it’ll be either White or Robinson but looking at the last two years, I have reason to pause. For me the comfort comes from knowing we have people like Fangio, Hilstrant (sp?) and Ragone on the staff who add not only some consistency to our young team but some respectability in their fields of expertise. Not to say I don’t like Nagy, I actually am excited to see what he comes up with. You yourself said Pace’s draft grade from the first two years was C- and now suddenly you’re convinced he’s better and ‘learning on the fly’. Again I hesitate in saying he’s done exceptional.

Riddle me this; Pace does great with pick one getting a super neat kid in Smith. Then we open day two to find out Pace tried and failed in getting Ridley...a WR. So when he actually does get his pick he goes with a lower rated interior lineman while Sutton was available one pick later. Then after drafting ANOTHER center (after doing so with Grasu) he trades some draft capital to get back into the second round and get a lower rated WR. Sure this center is rated high on zone blocking but wasn’t Grasu highly rated too? In fact, here’s what Pace said at the time. Tell me if it sounds familiar: http://m.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Bears-pick-center-Hroniss-Grasu/be77d5e8-bd8b-4550-9f29-ec8b5d540a54

So what happens to Grasu? Another Pace pick.

Thanks. Admittedly I’m not as familiar with the 3-4 set still. Always think of the DE as the edge rusher but in a 3-4 they seem to be more an edge setter. I mean when you have a 330 lb DE like Hicks, you can’t expect too much speed rushing. Not every down anyhow.

I saw in some of the clips #7 was involved in a lot of the plays that Smith was highlighted. Better known as Lorenzo Carter. They seem to feed off one another pretty well. Anyhow, I saw some post-draft interviews yesterday with Smith and I gotta say, the kid is just an awesome kid. Plain and simple. Smart, articulate and appears to be pretty humble. Great character. He ticks off some notable Chicago LBs without blinking...as if he’s been a fan all his life. Tip of the hat to Pace on this one.

Agree with your analysis of his ability to call games. Don’t know that he’ll be to Romos level but he’s smart enough to dissect plays...without pressure. Good luck Jay.

How many edge rushers does one team need? Isn’t the role Floyd is slated for? If there are more needed, someone else suggested Lorenzo Carter (also from Georgia). Would be interesting to see a bunch of Georgia dogs out there eating up opposing offenses. I think a large part of the Bulldogs success was/is due to their defense (which is crazy considering Mel Tucker is their coordinator). Anyhow some have noticed the precipitous fall of Ohio States Landry which is intriguing. They think he may have a malingering injury that worries some. Would he be worth the shot? But then connor noted Will Hernandez is still available And he was a hot commodity right after Nelson so there is that... I went into this thinking the smart choice would be Olineman for round two (nod to Jason) and still do. But I can’t help notice Sutton and Chubb (the running back) still sitting there too. I’m always a fan of skill players.

I like this. Ridleys gone so would be nice. Although both Hernandez or Connor Williams (Texas) were ranked in the top 32. Any of these would be good pickups.

Ridley went to Atlanta . Means he and another Bama alum Julio Jones will be playing together. Watch out for ATL.