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Inside The Draft; The Bears Needs and Prospects to Meet Them.........
Inside the NFL Draft: Bears team needs
WR is still a glaring need in Chicago. National Football Post
March 06, 2012 Share
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The Chicago Bears and new GM Phil Emery will use the 2012 NFL Draft to fills holes on both sides of the ball and to address needs at key positions. With QB Jay Cutler still in search of a No.1 threat outside of the numbers and a vacant spot opposite Julius Peppers along the D-Line, let’s check out the Bears draft priorities and the prospects that fit in Chicago.
CHICAGO BEARS
2011 RECORD: 8-8
FIRST ROUND DRAFT POSITION: NO.19
TOP PRIORITY: WR
ICONNotre Dame's Michael Floyd.
Michael Floyd WR, Notre Dame: Didn't seem quite as dynamic as a receiver when he bulked up in 2010. However, has looked sudden, explosive and showcased the ability to separate quickly and create after the catch as a senior. Is one of the draft's top receiving prospects.
Mohamed Sanu WR, Rutgers: Physically reminds us some of Hakeem Nicks. Isn't as NFL ready, but can go get the football, breakdown and separate on all levels of the field. Looks like a future NFL starter who might need some time, but the talent is most definitely there.
SECONDARY PRIORITY: DE
Whitney Mercilus DE, Illinois: Physically he looks the part and has the skill to simply man handle college lineman at times. However, he's a raw kid who is stiff in the hips and doesn't have a great feel for the game when asked to find the football. He's got some upside, but his tightness and overall lack of natural feel for the game are two very big concerns that will keep him from being the type of pass rusher his freaky skill set says he could.
Cam Johnson DE, Virginia: A solid college defensive end who has never been much of a sack artist but there are some tools there. Showcases some fluidity in his drop and in coverage and has the ability to mature into a more sudden pass rusher. Will get looks in both a 34 and 43 front.
MID TIER PRIORITY: OT, CB
Nate Potter OT, Boise State: Potter is a poor man's version of former Boston College LT Anthony Castonzo, as he has the talent to earn a starting job in more of a zone scheme, but is going to need a year or two before he's ready physically to mature into the player he's capable of becoming.
Zebrie Sanders OT, Florida State: A natural athlete who can bend and is athletic. However, struggles with power and makes too many lineman look like good pass rushers toward the edge because of it. Needs to get stronger to have a chance.
Trumaine Johnson CB, Montana: A talented kid who physically/athletic reminds me a lot of Jimmy Smith (Baltimore Ravens). Now, he's not as experienced as a pressman as Smith was, but has the same type of upside and can be a similar player if he commits himself fully to the game at the next.
Donnie Fletcher CB, Boston College: Possesses good size, ball skills and has a natural feel in coverage. Gets a bit leggy, but can sink his hips and get out of his breaks. Looks like an ideal cover two type corner at the next level with some man-to-man upside.
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I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. 
Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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I think they did a good job of analyzing the Bears needs but some of their choices for prospects suck.
I think Floyd has gained some ground since the Combine. His speed was better than expected and we know he can catch a football over the middle. The real issue here is are his character issue behind him. I think anyone with 3 drinking arrest in two years including a DUI may have a problem. Something that one of the scouts had to say about him still concerns me. He said Floyd made light of his arrests and blew them off as a lack of maturity that he's now past but that seems false. If he had matured as he feels he has and tells everyone then he would have accepted more responsibility for those arrests instead of downplaying them. Not my words but the opinion of an NFL scout who said they would not have him on their draft board.
Sanu I'm real lukewarm about. I like guys out of Rutgers because they generally are pretty good ballplayers but to me Sanu has no chance of ever becoming a #1 yet some have a late first round grade on him. I wouldn't take him there and I probably still wouldn't take Floyd at #19. I just don't like drafting a first round WR unless he's a top 10 guy. But after FA my opinion may change.
Mercilus will be a project as a starter but if he can pass rush with consistency he'll probably contribute in the rotation his rookie year. What bothers me about him is I see the defensive equivalent of J'Marcus Webb. All kinds of physical skills but as far as football knowledge he's dumber than a fence post. He should have stayed at Illinois for another year and if we draft him we're his senior year.
If we were to sign MWill maybe Cam Johnson would be a good pick but if not we don't have 3 years for him to learn to pass rush. There are better candidates than him. I think a guy like Jared Crick would be a better pick here or maybe Curry. Sox has a line on a guy who rates a little lower but I don't remember who.
Potter yes Sander no. Listen to his critique. " Makes too many lineman look like good pass rushers toward the edge". Didn't we just get rid of a guy who'd make the Statue of Liberty look like a good pass rusher? Why do we want to draft another one. Foolish choice.
Don't know these CB's well enough to judge. So no comment.
Last edited by soulman; 03-06-2012 at 11:45 PM.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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Junior Member
to call our need at OT a "mid tier priority" really is a huge understatement, it's still a greater concern than WR imo, and not comparable to our lack of depth at CB as this article suggests... I hope we make a serious run at VJax, coz getting that #1 WR is the only way to make sure we dont reach for one in the 1st round (even Floyd would be a gamble and he will be gone before we pick). that way we could get a DE (really not sure about mercilus, but he might be the bears choice I'm afraid, hope that works out...) in the first, take a Tackle or WR in the second (highest rated guy available) and depending on that pick select T/WR and CB in the 3rd...
there is some hope Carimi could be a decent LT in his second year (and after his first full offseason) if Tice is finally ready to give up on Webb... Move Webb to RT and select a Tackle in the 2nd or 3rd to compete with him
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Nate Potter out of BSU may be a decent guy to look at around the 3rd round or so. He's not a really big guy and his scouting report would indicate he hasn't got the frame to fill out much more. One thing I do like about BSU OT's is that they come out of that program as experienced pass blockers. Ryan Clady is a good example and he's probably be the Bears LT and we wouldn't be having this discussion if we hadn't let Denver leap frog us for him. That's the year we should have traded down buy Angelo always hated giving up picks.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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I am going to say it and I might be wrong, but Whitney Mercilus scares me more than any player in this draft.
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High Fives / Like - 1 BEAR DOWN!, 0 Dislikes
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Right up there with Michael Floyd. There are some risky picks in the first round. There always are. It will take a year or two before a team will know exactly what they've got in Mercilus. I don't think he's ready to become a full time NFL starter yet. I think he would have benefited by staying at Illinois for another year so in effect he's serving his senior year with whoever drafts him. My concern about him is he's more a one trick pony than an accomplished all around player. He's not the smartest or most instinctive guy on the field but he's got massive physical skills if he can be coached.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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Originally Posted by
soulman 
Right up there with Michael Floyd. There are some risky picks in the first round. There always are. It will take a year or two before a team will know exactly what they've got in Mercilus. I don't think he's ready to become a full time NFL starter yet. I think he would have benefited by staying at Illinois for another year so in effect he's serving his senior year with whoever drafts him. My concern about him is he's more a one trick pony than an accomplished all around player. He's not the smartest or most instinctive guy on the field but he's got massive physical skills if he can be coached.
If they are there when we pick, I agree that both Floyd and Mercilus are classic Boom or Bust guys. They both have equal chances to make us look foolish as future stars if we pass them by or absolute busts if we select them.
The Greatest form of revenge is MASSIVE success.
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Flloyd would be a godsend...i dont understand how he would be available but if he is then its a no brainer (or package that extra 3rd to move in front of potential teams that would take him)
As far as the characher issues i see most of the ND guys and i dont think he would be a problem the drinking arrests dosent mean he was doing something most college athletes are all doing...it just means he got caught
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Originally Posted by
Grizzblue Flloyd would be a godsend...i dont understand how he would be available but if he is then its a no brainer (or package that extra 3rd to move in front of potential teams that would take him)
As far as the characher issues i see most of the ND guys and i dont think he would be a problem the drinking arrests dosent mean he was doing something most college athletes are all doing...it just means he got caught
Well if Floyd improved his draft position anywhere near as much as the NFP rankings then he'll be gone long before we pick and that extra 3rd won't even get is near him. Some think he may have moved himself into the top 10 after his showing at the Combine.
As for his character issues I do agree that many student athletes drink and smoke weed. But this kid had three alcohol related arrests in two years. If he was in Colorado he'd be going to mandatory alcohol awareness classes and a stern warning from a judge that one more and he either goes into rehab or the county jail. If the kid has an alcohol problem he should probably play for the Vikings, LOL.
Something one of the scouts said about him also causes concern. It was that in his Combine interviews he seemed to minimize his drinking issues rather than accept full accountability for them. Denial isn't a river in Egypt and it's an almost sure sign of problems just beneath the surface. He may be OK for a year or two but if he does have a drinking problem that he hasn't dealt with I can guarantee you it will come up again and in the NFL that gets you suspended for more than just spring practice. ND caved on him and let him off lightly.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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Originally Posted by
soulman Nate Potter out of BSU may be a decent guy to look at around the 3rd round or so. He's not a really big guy and his scouting report would indicate he hasn't got the frame to fill out much more. One thing I do like about BSU OT's is that they come out of that program as experienced pass blockers. Ryan Clady is a good example and he's probably be the Bears LT and we wouldn't be having this discussion if we hadn't let Denver leap frog us for him. That's the year we should have traded down buy Angelo always hated giving up picks.
I really like him in terms of a value pick in the 3rd round. Even if he's not a Tice type LT prospect maybe Emery can stretch his thinking a bit. Smart, feet, good hands, just needs some strength and adjust from the zone concept.
And yeah Soul I still am sore about not getting Clady lol.
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