Do you think the Bears will draft the heir apparent to Brian Urlacher in 2012 to continue their tradition of great middle linebackers (it's an important position in the Cover-2 scheme, as you know), and if so who do you think is the best fit?
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Do you think the Bears will draft the heir apparent to Brian Urlacher in 2012 to continue their tradition of great middle linebackers (it's an important position in the Cover-2 scheme, as you know), and if so who do you think is the best fit?
Shayne Skov
Courtney Upshaw from Alabama perhaps.
Not sure. But I am sure they will draft another safety
It's way to early to even know who the canidates may be. While we have to look at replacing Urlacher eventually I don't see it being an imperative next draft. He's still performing at a pro-bowl level and shows no real signs of slowing down. A top flight CB may be a better pick.
When we draft for Urlacher's replacement everyone here should be aware of the unique skills he brings to the position and just how hard it will be to replace him. There will be quite a few posters touting run stuffing types when that is not what this defense needs from it's MLB. Look for guys with size, speed and range not 6'1" 250lb fireplugs. One UDFA who might fit the bill this year is Herzlich and I hope they try to sign him. Were it not for his illness he may well have been a top 20 pick this year.
This quote (not mine) is a post from another Bears web site...
Quote:
There's at least one MLB coming out next class that is destined to be the next Ray Lewis type, Lindy's already pegged him as the preseason defensive POY - I've seen him play and he is huge, fast, angry, and highly skilled: Vontaze Burfict (ASU junior). Dennis Erickson coached Ray-Ray and said Vontaze is ahead of Ray at this stage of their careers. Would love to see him in Chicago...
want.Quote:
Originally Posted by georgiajeff
Heard alot about him. Folks down here love and hate him. Kids got mad skills and no self controll. If he gets his head screwed on he;ll be a hall of fame NFL player. If not he'll be dead or in jail before his rookie contract expires.Quote:
Originally Posted by GeorgiaJeff
I'm a fan, but not even close to the top of my wishlist from that group of underclassmen. I'm VERY high on this group of Jr LBs. Disregard my UNC homerism for a second and take this as truth Kevin Reddick is going to climb up a ton of boards this year, count on it.Quote:
Originally Posted by GlobeOfFrogs
If Manti Te'o has another season like his RS Soph season, it will be extremely hard to overlook him.
I'll give a little love for the ASU boy Burfict, but I'm not a big fan of his after the retarded shit that cost the Devils constantly last season. Heck of an athlete, though.
If Nico Johnson can stay healthy, it will be very interesting to see how high he gets on boards if he comes out because he was a genuine blue-chipper coming out of HS.
I don't know that he fits what we ask of the MLB very well. He's more of a LOS beast than what we want, and just doesn't have the versatility in coverage skills for the middle of our defense.Quote:
Originally Posted by gammabears
A name to keep an eye on, Jerry Franklin. Was one of the best coverage LBs in CFB before this past season where they blitzed him at an unusually high rate. How he keeps below the radar as low as he has after his career is beyond me.
Then there's the obvious ones in Zach Brown (yes, another UNC kid) and Travis Lewis, both of whom I feel profile very well inside but currently play in systems that value their athleticism on the outside.
Oh, so he is just like Ray Lewis!Quote:
Originally Posted by GlobeOfFrogs
This was kind of my point. Is a guy like Ray Lewis, as opposed to a guy like Brian Urlacher really what we need in this defense? What makes the MLB so important in the Bears defense is not run plugging abilites but sideline to sideline play and the ability to drop into short center field coverage on passing plays. Will a Ray Lewis type be able to do those things?
Do we keep the defense we have and find the right guy for it or do we find a guy and adapt the defense around him?