jason

I'd love if the Bears managed to snag Johnson, but I would hate to see them spend an early pick on him. If he's there with the second of the two third rounders, grab him. Otherwise, there are more pressing needs. Oh, also, I'd hate that draft. Aside from the good start in the first, it doesn't work out anywhere near the way I'd like it to.

DING DING DING! We have a winner. Go to NFL.com, look at the reviews of the games. Benson gets hit in the backfield continuously. When he doesn't, he actually made some decent plays. As for the Mike Williams pass, regardless of whether or not someone thought the Bears should draft a WR (which they should have...still a need on this team to this day), drafting a RB at #4 was DEFINITELY a bad choice, especially when they already had TJ. It's the same this year. You draft for need and talent, but you should not throw out the need portion of the equation. Mendenhall in the first would be a mistake.

You're right. Because a player's off-field activities (Pacman), and character (Chad Johnson), and complete dedication (Benson) have nothing to do with on-field production or how teammates relate to them.

Agreed...we don't really know. What we do know, however, are the following two rules that are nearly undeniable. 1) A good OL will make a RB look better than he actually is. 2) A bad OL will make a RB look worse than he actually is.. Very rarely does a good RB make a bad OL look good (Barry Sanders).

That draft is one of the worst ones I have seen. It's absolutely ridiculous. First of all, the Flacco pick in the second is sandwiched between two RBs who will probably be just as good as Mendenhall. And those guys are considered great value picks at that point by that website. Waiting to get an OT until the third round is stupid. Waiting until the third to grab John friggin Greco is beyond retarded. Also, pay attention to the fact that he's considered one of the biggest reaches ever at that point by that website. This draft would suck. Anyone who likes this draft either didn't watch the Bears play last year, or doesn't really understand why the Bears had a poor offense.

As opposed to drafting a first round RB who is destined to become a bust behind a line that looked absolutely horrible last year? Doesn't matter what kind of slick tires you get if the engine that drives the tires is a piece of crap.

I'd be moderately pleased with this draft. I don't like the 2nd or 3rd draft picks that much, but can see how others might have them graded there or higher. I would have preferred OG Chilo Rachal in the second (A beast, tons of upside, younger than most, and has a head on his shoulders), and WR Mario Manningham in the 3rd. Of course, that would have changed the entire complexion of your draft...but it would have been much better in my eyes.

Correction. I have mentioned that several times. I would LOVE a draft that went OL, OL as long as the guys weren't horrible reaches or Jerry Angelo hunches.

To be honest, I could give a shit less how a guy has fun during his off time. It's only when that action starts to interfere with how he performs on the field or in the locker room that I have a problem. Did his partying get him rocked against the Rams? Did his drinking break his collarbone? Did his faux homosexual act cause the coaching staff to give Kurt Warner more snaps? If he were producing before hand, it wouldn't be as big of a deal. But since he wasn't living up to expectations, this will snowball (no pun intended).

Yep...crazy. I have seen Mendenhall play several times, and I just don't understand how anyone thinks he's a top ten back, and a can't lose prospect. He's good, and will be an average pro at best, but if the Bears pass up on an OL prospect for him, then I think it's a horrible decision (especially since the Bears have 3 RBs). You feel we'll regret passing him, but I'm nearly positive that if the Bears select him, we'll have deja vu in about two years in pre-draft discussions.

I would be pretty happy with this draft. Addressing two OL positions in the first three rounds is great. Also adding a stud WR in the second would be nice.

Very good point. Having two running backs who want to be "the man", and both having something to prove (CB and a rook both have something to prove), there is almost a guarantee that the Bears lose in the situation. If Benson wins out, the rookie is shelved and the first round selection is a waste. IF the rookie wins out, the Benson is a bust. I'm probably the biggest Benson hater on this board since I've been against him from the draft; however, I know that drafting another RB is not the answer. Fixing the OL is the answer.

And Brian Baldinger sinks below John Madden and PFFFFFFFT on the football knowledge meter. What a dumbass.

This video is near proof that the Bears need to draft OL in the first round, and maybe several others. When Cedric Benson is given a chance to build up steam, he's shown glimpses of dominating running. He's shown a little wiggle, a good deal of power, and an ability to see the whole/cutback lane. The Bears simply have to draft OL first, and all this Mendenhall talk is just plain crazy.

Yeah...I don't see that option. Where exactly can you turn HTML on and off?

If the Bears draft Mendenhall in the first this year, look for us to be looking for OL help again next year, and questioning whether or not he was a good selection. It will be the exact same discussion. Maybe the Bears will shore up the OL this year, and pick a good one up in FA after the year, and we'll actually be able to evaluate the RB, QB, WR fairly...and then go into next year's draft with a clearer picture.

I disagree with the entire line of "would have" reasoning. If Mike Williams were drafted by the Bears, he very well could have become a very good WR. At the time, he would have automatically become the best WR on the team, as well as the #1 endzone threat. If Cedric Benson were drafted by the Seahawks and Alexander was shipped out in a trade, you don't think he would have done well behind that beast of a line? You don't think his career would have been completely different at this point? Situations make players. Situations change their point of view, their attitude, everything. When players go to a situation that fits them better, they react better, they try harder, they work more, they feel like they can achieve more. I'm convinced that Emmitt Smith would have been merely average if not put behind the best OL ever, and if Barry Sanders had been put behind the Dallas OL he would have nearly 25K, and be considered the best ever without a doubt. Situations. Get two guys like Mike Williams and Cedric Benson, and all it takes is one or two years in a not-so-perfect situation, and you have a recipe for a bust.

I told you guys before the Bears drafted Benson that it was a bad idea. I'm telling you, again, that drafting a RB at 14 is a mistake unless it's McFadden (which ain't gonna happen). Read the signature below...

*cough* Cedric Benson *cough* The Bears let go of TJ, and got stuck with Benson. You're right. Look that we're that got us. Now the Bears let go two offensive linemen who sucked, but were good enough to keep the other guys on the bench. If we get stuck with them, the season is lost already. Disagree all you want, but you'd be wrong. Hell, Mendenhall could be a reach! Unless the Bears can guarantee that the RB is going to be a stud, then they absolutely have to put more emphasis on OL. Otherwise, the Bears end up with a RB, whoever it may be, getting stuffed behind the OL that sucks. And if the Bears have Mendenhall rated that high, and that talented, then I question their evaluation process. Nobody is saying the Bears should reach, but there are a handful of guys that are possibly going to be available as OL prospects when the Bears pick in the first, and if any of them are there, they have just as much potential as OLinemen as someone like Mendenhall has at RB. The only way the Bears should go RB in the first is if by some miracle Darren McFadden is there. Otherwise, RB is one of the easier positions in the NFL to fill, especially if you have the right OL, and the Bears should shoot for someone with upside like Ray Rice in subsequent rounds.

Barring any Free Agent moves or trades that haven't happened, I will not be happy with any mock draft that has the Bears ignoring the OT position until the 4th round.

I'll be Benson then. I'm not going to be putting in nearly the effort, and my posts won't be nearly as substantial as nfo's, but I still think I should be a starter.

OL - Clady OL - Baker OL - Schuening QB - Brennan With those guys, I figure two out of three pan out. And then even CedBen could run behind that OL.

Is Turner still the OC? If yes, then disregard the article. Olsen will continue to be mismanaged. Rookie or not, you are a moron as an OC if you have a goal-line fade called to just about anyone other than the massive, young, rookie, TE with strength, height, great hands, and the physical tools that make him too much for nearly any single DB in the league.

Exactly. I have made this same point before. When a player a person likes gets drafted by another team, the "he did well there, so he would have done well here" argument is null and void. It's the same if a player does well or poorly. And once they are drafted, all bets are off. I believe some players have ended up busts, and have never recovered, because they were drafted on a team that was a horrible fit for them. I also believe some players have turned into superstars on their present team, in their present situation, but otherwise would have sat on the bench for years if put in another situation. IF any of the top OT are there, the Bears absolutely must draft them. Otherwise, Mendenhall=Benson.

I'm with nfo on this one. This mock would suck rancid goat ass. Starting with a RB then a WR is HORRIBLE. Not to mention the fact that I don't really like the rest of it either.