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Pouncey could be good draft fit for Bears
Pouncey could be good draft fit for Bears
Brother of Steelers' Pro Bowl center would help at guard and eventually center
By Vaughn McClure, Tribune Reporter 8:25 p.m. CDT, March 30, 2011
Maybe Mike Tice had a hint of humor in his tone when he huddled with top offensive line prospect Mike Pouncey at Florida's Pro Day, but the Bears line coach's parting words gave Pouncey every indication he aced the interview.
"Coach Tice told me he'd see me at training camp,'' Pouncey said with a laugh. "Well, we'll see what happens.''
Pouncey, if available, would be a viable option for the Bears with the 29th overall pick April 28 in the NFL draft. The 6-foot-5-inch, 303-pounder is capable of starting at guard initially then eventually filling 33-year-old Olin Kreutz's shoes at center. And Pouncey has bloodlines in his favor, being the twin brother of Steelers Pro Bowl rookie center Maurkice Pouncey.
Mike Pouncey firmly believes he will have an immediate impact.
"We know his history,'' Bears coach Lovie Smith said.
Pouncey, who started 41 games at Florida and has been lauded for his footwork and work ethic, would seem like a safe bet to enhance a still-suspect offensive line. That's why Smith and Tice had a private meeting with him at the NFL scouting combine. That's why Tice dissected plays on a blackboard with Pouncey after Florida's Pro Day.
"I think he was very impressed with my football smarts,'' Pouncey.
Good thing, because Tice has 37 protection schemes to absorb.
"We just had an exceptional time together." Pouncey said. "I felt like we had a special bond, and that's something I'm looking forward to on draft day.''
But here's a catch: the ultra-competitive Pouncey has vowed to be selected higher than his brother, who the Steelers picked 18th in 2010.
"If I'm there at 29, I'll never hear the end of it from my brother,'' Pouncey said. "I'm shooting for 18 or higher. So, yeah, I guess the Bears would have to trade up.''
Of course, Pouncey was joking about the latter because there is no telling how the draft will unfold. Teams usually prioritize tackles, so players such as USC's Tyron Smith, Boston College's Anthony Castonzo and Wisconsin's Gabe Carimi might push Pouncey down the draft board. Then again, there is something to be said about Pouncey's versatility.
"I want to accomplish all the stuff my brother has so if that means going to the Pro Bowl playing guard my first year, then I'm perfectly fine with it,'' said Pouncey, who initially declared himself a center. "I can play any position on the line.''
Even tackle?
"Most definitely, he said. "It doesn't matter where they put me.''
Whatever position he plays, he wouldn't mind being in the Chicago-area for the start of training camp, as Tice suggested.
"I felt like I did everything I could to impress them at the combine and at Pro Day,'' Pouncey said of the Bears. "It would be a great place to play. But if it doesn't work out, I'll just have to live with it.''
vxmcclure@tribune.com
Last edited by dabears54; 03-31-2011 at 03:22 PM.
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really doubt pouncey lasts until 29th, but if he is taken means another team didn't take a OT that needed oline help
Maybe Mike Tice had a hint of humor in his tone when he huddled with top offensive line prospect
Mike Pouncey at Florida's Pro Day, but the
Bears line coach's parting words gave Pouncey every indication he aced the interview.
"Coach Tice told me he'd see me at training camp,'' Pouncey said with a laugh. "Well, we'll see what happens.''
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I dont think we value G or C enough to use a first rounder. If he does get drafted we know Kreutz is a gonner and we can use that cap slot on maybe one of the OT available in FA whenever that happens
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I'd put Pouncey third on my list behind Carimi and Liuget. If they're gone and he's still there I'd take him in front of Sherrod or any other OT. If that's the way it falls we can start him at LG and move Williams back to LT if he can hold the fort out there. I don't value the OG position that high either but at that point to me he rates ahead of any other Olineman or Dlineman on the board.
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Originally Posted by
motownbear 
I dont think we value G or C enough to use a first rounder. If he does get drafted we know Kreutz is a gonner and we can use that cap slot on maybe one of the OT available in FA whenever that happens
think we can address Guard in F/A alot better than draft... ther are 4-5 very good guard optiosn that would seriously upgrade the Guard position over any guard coming out of college.. not the same at OT
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Originally Posted by
dabears54 think we can address Guard in F/A alot better than draft... ther are 4-5 very good guard optiosn that would seriously upgrade the Guard position over any guard coming out of college.. not the same at OT
If we don't get a starting LT and move Williams we'll need two OG's though and both will need to start. If it's a choice between Pouncey and Sherrod who do you take?
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Originally Posted by
soulman If we don't get a starting LT and move Williams we'll need two OG's though and both will need to start. If it's a choice between Pouncey and Sherrod who do you take?
pouncey and move him to center and get an OT and G in F/A
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High Fives / Like - 1 BEAR DOWN!, 0 Dislikes
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Originally Posted by
dabears54 pouncey and move him to center and get an OT and G in F/A
That works for me. If anyone is wringing their hands over not getting an OT in the first round they should think this over. We got both John Tait and Blake Brockermeyer before him in FA and both were very serviceable LT's for us though neither was a franchise type guy.
There's no reason this approach won't work. Bring in Pouncey as a OG/C if he's the best option on the board and then get another OG and an OT in FA. Start Pouncey at OG on whichever side (I'm assuming LG) and sign a guy who actually plays the position to start opposite that in FA. Now draft another OT later in the draft and sign a guy who may be able to convert to LT if he's been playing RT.
Open up the competition for the OT spots and let the best two play LT and RT. The loser becomes a swing man or maybe backs at OG.
I can't find anything all that wrong with that plan. It beats the hell out of making another mistake by reaching for a guy at #29 just because someone thinks he can play LT in the NFL.
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Originally Posted by
dabears54 pouncey and move him to center and get an OT and G in F/A
that to me would be the best case scenario of rebuilding the oline. It will create a fantastic foundation to solidify it not just for next season but for the future. We would be one year away from actually having one of the best olines in football if they concentrate on it again the following year
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You may be right. There's a key pick we need to make this year and he could be it. He's more of a sure thing at OG/C than some of the OT's are at LT.
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