Pro scout Wilson expected to leave Bears for Rams job

**short faced bear** · 02-22-2012, 10:05 PM

Pro scout Wilson expected to leave Bears for Rams job
By Dan Pompei, Tribune reporter

6:30 p.m. CST, February 22, 2012
INDIANAPOLIS -- Another office at Halas Hall should be vacant soon as pro scout Dennard Wilson is expected to join the Rams as a defensive assistant coach, NFL sources said.

Wilson’s anticipated departure would leave the Bears thin in pro scouts leading up to free agency, as assistant director of pro personnel Kevin Turks and pro scout James Kirkland are the only men at Halas Hall who have been committed to studying NFL personnel.

Former director of player personnel Tim Ruskell had spearheaded the pro scouting department, and he has not been replaced. Former general manager Jerry Angelo also spent a good deal of time on the pro side.

New general manager Phil Emery was the college scouting director for the Chiefs, and devoted the large majority of his time to the draft prior to joining the Bears. Emery believes scouting is scouting at any level, however.

It is likely Emery will lean on the Bears coaches, as well as Turks and Kirkland, to help him through his first free agent period.

This week, the Bears’ focus will be on college prospects at the scouting combine held at Lucas Oil Stadium. But the groundwork for free agent moves is being laid by teams and agents in Indianapolis.

Wilson was well-respected at Halas Hall for his work ethic, intelligence and keen eye.

He made it known, however, that he would like to get into coaching and out of scouting. Before joining the Bears, he served as a football intern at the University of Maryland, his alma mater. Previously, he was an assistant coach at DeMatha Catholic High School, in Hyattsville, Md., for three years.

Wilson was a safety for the Redskins for three years, which helped him hook up with the Rams. One of his coaches in Washington is current Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.

Pro scout Wilson expected to leave Bears for Rams job - chicagotribune.com

**Henry Burris** · 02-23-2012, 05:35 AM

I bet Cutler talking into somebody's ear may have a little more weight right now, anyway, and if they're listening to coaches and whatnot, i don't see them ignoring him.

**Papa Bear** · 02-23-2012, 07:56 AM

Just as players are forced to turn in their playbook when they leave, does he have to leave his notebook? Also, I may be missing something, but it seems like college scouting would be a lot more difficult than pro scouting. I'm assuming they're similar where you need to watch a lot of game tape, but in college scouting you're looking at complete unknowns in regards to pro level potential. But, with the pros, it seems like you should know what you're getting in most cases. I guess things like age, system, further potential, etc. all play a factor, but still seems like it would generally be easier. Am I way off on this?

**soulman** · 02-23-2012, 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by Papa Bear

Just as players are forced to turn in their playbook when they leave, does he have to leave his notebook? Also, I may be missing something, but it seems like college scouting would be a lot more difficult than pro scouting. I'm assuming they're similar where you need to watch a lot of game tape, but in college scouting you're looking at complete unknowns in regards to pro level potential. But, with the pros, it seems like you should know what you're getting in most cases. I guess things like age, system, further potential, etc. all play a factor, but still seems like it would generally be easier. Am I way off on this?

I think you're spot on. Most NFL pros are an open book by the time they reach FA and because of the former arrangements some of these guy are now 6 and 7 years pro. What they are is what they are and you know exactly what you're getting just like we did with Pep. This is all the more reason why signing RWill was so stupid. Why would they expect that leopard to change his spots? In both instances we got exactly what we should have expected.

We still don't know exactly who will and who won't end up in FA but most of these guys are well known and have been scouted pretty well. Emery has been around the game long enough to not be completely oblivious. Certainly Lovie, Tice and Marinelli have a pretty good handle on who fits and who doesn't and Cliff Stein can run the numbers on their affordability.

I think the main thing here is to have a game plan all worked out long before FA starts and then to have a backup plan so we don't end up like we did last year if something falls through. If MWill becomes a FA and we want another top pass rusher it won't take much to make that decision and outline a deal that we can offer him. There are others we should be able to do much the same with. We just need to hit these guys early and sell them on this team becoming a SB with their contributions. Guys want $$$ but some also want a ring and we need to sell that.