Thread: Jeff Dickerson on the Bears Draft...........

Originally Posted by soulman

He tells us it's one of the biggest job interviews of your life."

One of? Unless you're planning on running for POTUS, it is THE biggest job interview of your life. But, like former President Bill Clinton, as long as Floyd didn't swallow the alcohol he should be ok.

ND's Floyd to Bears at No. 19 makes sense

January, 18, 2012 Jan 18
3:04
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By Michael C. Wright




ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper released his first mock draft on Wednesday, and it's not surprising -- considering Chicago's need at the position -- he's got the Chicago Bears using the 19th pick to select Notre Dame receiver Michael Floyd.

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Justin K. Aller/Getty ImagesNotre Dame's Michael Floyd is ranked by Mel Kiper Jr. as the second-best receiver in the NFL draft.



Less than stellar play at the position and the need to surround quarterback Jay Cutler with more weapons likely play into Kiper's thinking here, not to mention the unexpected time frame for the recovery of Johnny Knox, who suffered a broken vertebrae in a Dec. 18 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

Aside from Earl Bennett, there's not much for the Bears to work with in terms of receivers (and, no, Devin Hester hasn't yet developed into what the team expected). So Kiper's pick here makes a ton of sense. After all, the Bears haven't drafted a receiver in the first round since -- brace for it -- David Terrell in 2001. Over the past 10 drafts, the Bears have selected a total of 12 receivers (although Hester was originally drafted as a cornerback), but none in the last two drafts.

So clearly, it's time for the Bears to draft a receiver. The question is whether the club does it in the first round.

Floyd (6-foot-3, 224 pounds) fits the bill as the big target everyone seems to be clamoring for, and currently ranks No. 20 on Kiper's big board. Kiper also has the receiver listed as the second-best prospect at the position behind Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon (6-2, 215).

In the past, the Bears have said they're not necessarily looking for saints when it comes to questions about character. But it's important to remember this team is still reeling from the drug arrest of free-agent acquisition Sam Hurd. So it's worth questioning whether the Bears would take a shot on Floyd, who was arrested and charged with "operating while intoxicated" in March 2010, just 15 months after authorities in Minneapolis hit him with an underage drinking charge, which ultimately led to the team suspending him for spring 2011.

Durability has also been an issue with Floyd missing time in 2009 with a broken collarbone, and three games in 2008 because of a knee injury.

Here's what Scouts Inc. had to say about Floyd's big-play ability: "Is a mismatch for some DB's because of his size. Is not going to run by most cover corners in the NFL, but he has enough speed to challenge vertically, and he has the length/hand-eye coordination to come down with the jump ball. Not very elusive and will not make the first defender miss with any consistency. He does show good vision after the catch, and he's a physical runner that will break some attempted arm tackles by DBs." (If this is the scouting report on the 2nd best WR in the draft I'd say this draft class is weak on top wideout)

Here's Scouts Inc.'s take on Floyd's competitiveness: "Not afraid to go over the middle but clearly more comfortable working outside the hashes. Effort is adequate as a blocker. He leaves his feet a bit too frequently. Lacks great lower body strength and struggles to sustain at times but he typically is in good position and can use his long arms and solid upper body strength to shield the DB sufficiently. Will get lazy at times and try to pull in one-handed catch when he clearly should and can use both hands (see third quarter 2010 Sun Bowl vs. Miami)." (Like I've been saying. Biggest risk in the first round so it figures Kiper would have us being stupid enough to draft him just because he rates around at pick)

Despite the Bears having a vacancy at the general manager position, once the new hire is made, he'll surely be taking a look at Floyd along with other receivers such as Blackmon, Baylor's Kendall Wright (5-10, 190) and South Carolina's Alshon Jeffery (6-4, 232). (We already have guys the size of Wright so unless he's Steve Smith v2.0 he's probably not the guy for us plus it's doubtful he'll be around as late as we pick. Jeffery has Brandon Marshall size but I don't know all that much about him since we're getting inundated with stuff about Michael Floyd. We did pretty well drafting a different WR out of South Carolina some years back. Marcus Robinson.)

Yes, there's still plenty for the Bears to do internally regarding openings on the coaching staff and front office. But it's always fun to take a look ahead at some of the team's potential draft prospects.

Originally Posted by Papa Bear

One of? Unless you're planning on running for POTUS, it is THE biggest job interview of your life. But, like former President Bill Clinton, as long as Floyd didn't swallow the alcohol he should be ok.

GOOD POINT!

I just go so back and forth on this kid. I think he has so much potential that he could be one of those major regrets if he's there and we pass on him, but at the same time, I just get this feel that he's just saying what he knows his future employers want to hear and once he gets his first contract, he reverts back to a problem. Could this kid be another first round ego trip like Cedric Benson? Yea, I think he very well could. Then again, I think his talent is way better than Ced.

I'm glad I'm not making the call.

Originally Posted by Papa Bear

One of? Unless you're planning on running for POTUS, it is THE biggest job interview of your life. But, like former President Bill Clinton, as long as Floyd didn't swallow the alcohol he should be ok.

Or he doesn't get swallowed by a homely intern. lol

Originally Posted by Papa Bear

One of? Unless you're planning on running for POTUS, it is THE biggest job interview of your life. But, like former President Bill Clinton, as long as Floyd didn't swallow the alcohol he should be ok.

Do they allow you in AA meetings if you drink too much but don't swallow?

I've made it clear a number of times that I don't want Michael Floyd with the number one overall pick in the draft. I want a LT or a DE, someone who could be used immediately from Day One. Why can't these damn anal-ysts see that we can always go out after a WR in free agency?

Originally Posted by Dagan81

I've made it clear a number of times that I don't want Michael Floyd with the number one overall pick in the draft. I want a LT or a DE, someone who could be used immediately from Day One. Why can't these damn anal-ysts see that we can always go out after a WR in free agency?

Because it's pre-FA and all they can focus on is a teams major needs. In the case of the Bears that's fairly simple. We badly need a top notch WR but what they lose sight of is that we need him now and even some of the best guys ever drafted don't hit their stride until their 3rd year. Defenses in the NFL are a hell out a lot tougher than they are in college and if a guy can't get separation either with his speed or with quickness on his breaks and precision on his routes he's not gonna be a star.

If we sign a VJax or a Colston then that all changes and the mocks will have us doing something else. That's why anything that's done before FA is virtually useless except as a point of discussion and debate which is what we're doing.

Originally Posted by soulman

Because it's pre-FA and all they can focus on is a teams major needs. In the case of the Bears that's fairly simple. We badly need a top notch WR but what they lose sight of is that we need him now and even some of the best guys ever drafted don't hit their stride until their 3rd year. Defenses in the NFL are a hell out a lot tougher than they are in college and if a guy can't get separation either with his speed or with quickness on his breaks and precision on his routes he's not gonna be a star.

If we sign a VJax or a Colston then that all changes and the mocks will have us doing something else. That's why anything that's done before FA is virtually useless except as a point of discussion and debate which is what we're doing.

I was sort of being rhetorical with the question, soul. But still, I wish they would actually look at the bigger picture of things and give multiple scenarios.

God's honest truth is that until free agency is over, these mock drafts aren't going to be very accurate. If we get a WR and a DE in free agency, that will surely clear the pathway toward getting an offensive lineman in the first round, whether that be Adams or DeCastro. (This is provided, of course, that they fall to us first.)

Originally Posted by Dagan81

I was sort of being rhetorical with the question, soul. But still, I wish they would actually look at the bigger picture of things and give multiple scenarios. (Takes up too much time and room. They're just a snapshot right now. Some picks will hit some won't but I think the gurus all compete with one another for accuracy)

God's honest truth is that until free agency is over, these mock drafts aren't going to be very accurate. If we get a WR and a DE in free agency, that will surely clear the pathway toward getting an offensive lineman in the first round, whether that be Adams or DeCastro. (This is provided, of course, that they fall to us first.)

Adams maybe but DeCastro? Not a chance. The guy has a high first round grade on him and the only he reason he slides out of the first few picks is that he's an OG. Now if Tice could play him at LT then I would agree he'd beat out Webb.