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Bears searching for vertical receiving threat
A replacement for Knox/Hester.
LINK to the article Bears searching for vertical receiving threat
With no reliable options for deep complement to Marshall and Jeffery, they're trolling for mid-round pick
January 24, 2013|By Brad Biggs, Tribune reporter
MOBILE, Ala. — During a season in which Brandon Marshall set multiple franchise receiving records, the Bears' passing game was missing two key components.
Beyond a tight end to occupy the middle third of the field, a serious need for Marc Trestman's new coaching staff, the Bears could use a wide receiver who can be a vertical threat. Johnny Knox went out in December 2011 with a spinal cord injury and hasn't been replaced.
Devin Hester hasn't come close to filling the void.
That missing vertical element — Knox averaged 19.6 yards per reception in 2011 — made it easier for defenses to contain Marshall and rookie Alshon Jeffery and limited the offense's explosiveness. This isn't a top priority but it's something the Bears likely will address and they know they cannot count on Knox, who can be retained for this season if the Bears choose because his contract rolls over after he spent the entire 2012 season on the reserve/physically unable to perform list. The Bears could elect to evaluate him in the offseason and then take him to training camp to see if he can make the team.
But the offense cannot bank on anything from Knox and there will be options in the draft. The idea is to find a budget bargain who can get on top of safeties and force them to turn and run. That would give quarterback Jay Cutler chances to take shots down the field.
When Trestman was the Raiders' offensive coordinator, Jerry Porter filled that role with Tim Brown and Jerry Rice primary targets. A vertical threat opens up throwing lanes for intermediate routes like the deep dig and deep curl. It would create more opportunities for Marshall, Jeffery and a tight end, if the Bears had one.
Texas wide receiver Marquise Goodwin is the fastest wide receiver here for the Senior Bowl and says he plans to smoke the competition at the NFL scouting combine. How fast does he predict he will be in the 40?
"Faster than everybody else," Goodwin said. "Thank you very much."
Goodwin, an Olympic long jumper and a four-time All-American in track and field, has been timed at 10.24 seconds in the 100-yard dash. He has met with the Bears and projects as a mid-round pick unless someone, and it just takes one team, falls in love with his speed. He's a little like Raiders wide receiver Jacoby Ford, a track star at Clemson, who starred here in 2010 before becoming a fourth-round pick. But one scout said he liked Goodwin's natural football skills better after he caught 26 passes for 340 yards and three touchdowns as a senior for the Longhorns.
"Teams are asking me the typical questions," Goodwin said. "Am I going to be a footballplayer or am I going to run track? I'm 100 percent football."
Oregon State wide receiver Markus Wheaton has turned heads this week with his speed, quickness and catching ability but he could be a second-round pick and be gone before the Bears are ready to supplement the position. Louisiana Tech's Quinton Patton also is making a push up draft boards and likely will be a high pick.
"I hope I run a 4.45," said Patton, who is more than fast enough to fill the Bears' needs. "I can do it all even if I am not playing slot or outside. Special teams, I can do that. Literally anything."
bmbiggs@tribune.com
Twitter @BradBiggs
Last edited by JustAnotherBearsFan99; 01-25-2013 at 08:26 AM.
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I've been harping on this for while. We really need a speedy (slot) WR to replace Knox. Ideally, a guy who could return kicks too. JK won't be back in all likelihood. Hester sucks as a WR and his KR abilities are waning too. Keep EITHER Hester OR Weems but not both. It's stupid to waste 2 WR roster spots on guys who are STers only for all practical purposes. I'd keep Weems > Hester because he's cheaper and plays coverage on ST as well, not just returns.
Marshall - Jeffery - Bennett - Draft Pick - Anderson/Tolliver - Weems
There's your 6 wideouts for next year.
Ive been reading about Stedman Bailey and Markus Wheaton and they sound pretty ideal. Burners with hands and some route skills (will we have a WR coach who can actually DEVELOP players?). I'm sure there's others. But they (prob) may not last till the 4th. All the more reason to consider trading down in 1 to net a 3rd round pick, if the right opportunity presents itself. We ought to be able to draft a good prospect in the 3rd I would think.
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Whomever they decide on, I'd like for them to get a guy with good hands, and not just a fast guy with hands of stone. If the guy can't catch a football, then what good is he? In the past we've had too many of these fast but useless WR's.
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Originally Posted by
JustAnotherBearsFan99 
Whomever they decide on, I'd like for them to get a guy with good hands, and not just a fast guy with hands of stone. If the guy can't catch a football, then what good is he? In the past we've had too many of these fast but useless WR's.
Absolutely. We need a speedster with good hands who doesn't freakin' fall down all the time like Hester and Knox did routinely. And a WR coach who can develop raw talent too.
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Originally Posted by
MPBears68 Absolutely. We need a speedster with good hands who doesn't freakin' fall down all the time like Hester and Knox did routinely. And a WR coach who can develop raw talent too.
These were my instincts when I started into this thread. Speed alone isn't enough. Up here, Rob Bagg for Saskatchewan has 4.31 speed, yet he has never translated that into a dominating year. He's had decent years when the injury bug didn't bite, but nothing outstanding. Slower WRs who get open reliably have consistently turned in better production. I'd prefer good speed with excellent hands and football IQ over a guy who's just super fast.
Oh ya, and a willingness to go up and fight for the ball.
Last edited by billatter; 01-25-2013 at 02:40 PM.
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Originally Posted by
MPBears68 I've been harping on this for while. We really need a speedy (slot) WR to replace Knox. Ideally, a guy who could return kicks too. JK won't be back in all likelihood. Hester sucks as a WR and his KR abilities are waning too. Keep EITHER Hester OR Weems but not both. It's stupid to waste 2 WR roster spots on guys who are STers only for all practical purposes. I'd keep Weems > Hester because he's cheaper and plays coverage on ST as well, not just returns.
Marshall - Jeffery - Bennett - Draft Pick - Anderson/Tolliver - Weems
There's your 6 wideouts for next year.
Ive been reading about Stedman Bailey and Markus Wheaton and they sound pretty ideal. Burners with hands and some route skills (will we have a WR coach who can actually DEVELOP players?). I'm sure there's others. But they (prob) may not last till the 4th. All the more reason to consider trading down in 1 to net a 3rd round pick, if the right opportunity presents itself. We ought to be able to draft a good prospect in the 3rd I would think.
I really like this kid too MP. Great production & speed. 25 TDs! This is what http://walterfootball.com/draft2013WR.php says about him.
Stedman Bailey*, WR, West Virginia
Height: 5-10. Weight: 193.
Projected 40 Time: 4.40.
Projected Round (2013): 2-3.
1/12/13: Bailey was a dominant force in this season. He was one of the most productive receivers in the nation and torched defenses with speed. Bailey made 114 receptions for 1,622 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2012. He had 13 catches for 303 yards and five touchdowns against Baylor.
8/17/12: Bailey was a big-play receiver for the Mountaineers and their potent passing attack last season. He caught 72 passes for 1,279 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Bailey is very fast and has enough size to be a speedy slot receiver in the NFL. He hauled in 24 passes for 317 yards and four touchdowns as a freshman in 2010.
Former teammate Keith Tandy told Walterfootball.com that Bailey is an excellent route runner who has great hands. If everybody stays healthy, the junior should have a huge year. He has one of the best quarterbacks in college football to work with in Geno Smith.
Last edited by BearJim; 01-25-2013 at 03:03 PM.
Go Bears!
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Originally Posted by
billatter These were my instincts when I started into this thread. Speed alone isn't enough. Up here, Rob Bagg for Saskatchewan has 4.31 speed, yet he has never translated that into a dominating year. He's had decent years when the injury bug didn't bite, but nothing outstanding. Slower WRs who get open reliably have consistently turned in better production. I'd prefer good speed with excellent hands and football IQ over a guy who's just super fast.
Oh ya, and a willingness to go up and fight for the ball.
Welcome aboard Billater.
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Originally Posted by
MPBears68 Ive been reading about Stedman Bailey and Markus Wheaton and they sound pretty ideal. Burners with hands and some route skills (will we have a WR coach who can actually DEVELOP players?). I'm sure there's others. But they (prob) may not last till the 4th. All the more reason to consider trading down in 1 to net a 3rd round pick, if the right opportunity presents itself. We ought to be able to draft a good prospect in the 3rd I would think.
Wheaton is my favorite WR in this class. He does everything so well and has speed to burn. I would love to have him, but there's no way I spend the second (and possibly trade up) needed to secure him in our situation. Tavarres King is my favorite for us in the mid rounds and don't sleep on Corey Fuller.
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Weems over Hester saves us about a mil and change of cap space but I don't know if I'd make that trade off. Weems was supposed to be a good return guy AND a good gunner but his return game left a lot to be desired. This kid Joe Anderson may be able to beat out Weems but not Hester.
One thing for sure though is that neither Hester or Knox can be counted on as a vertical threat. Hester just doesn't have the consistency and I don't think that plays to his strengths as receiver anyway. I think that IF you use Hester in the offense you find ways to get him the ball in the middle of the field with some room to run then let him make a little magic out of it. But for the most part keep him on returns and hope you can pick up a TD or two and same great field position from him.
I sure hope Knox can make it back. He's really the ideal combination KR/WR if you want a guy who's a dual threat and can get open deep. In fact about all he could ever do was get open deep. We missed him this past year and I'm pulling hard for him to return. We could use him if he's still the Knox of old. If he's not gonna make it back then I agree we need a deep ball guy but I'll leave that up to you draftniks. I can look at guys for the first couple of rounds but beyond that I'm pretty clueless.
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 Weems over Hester saves us about a mil and change of cap space but I don't know if I'd make that trade off. Weems was supposed to be a good return guy AND a good gunner but his return game left a lot to be desired. This kid Joe Anderson may be able to beat out Weems but not Hester.
One thing for sure though is that neither Hester or Knox can be counted on as a vertical threat. Hester just doesn't have the consistency and I don't think that plays to his strengths as receiver anyway. I think that IF you use Hester in the offense you find ways to get him the ball in the middle of the field with some room to run then let him make a little magic out of it. But for the most part keep him on returns and hope you can pick up a TD or two and same great field position from him.
I sure hope Knox can make it back. He's really the ideal combination KR/WR if you want a guy who's a dual threat and can get open deep. In fact about all he could ever do was get open deep. We missed him this past year and I'm pulling hard for him to return. We could use him if he's still the Knox of old. If he's not gonna make it back then I agree we need a deep ball guy but I'll leave that up to you draftniks. I can look at guys for the first couple of rounds but beyond that I'm pretty clueless.
The last "Knox report" I read (from about a month ago) said that he still walks with a limp and is far from playing football. He rehabs at HH regularly, but it sounds to me like it will be a miracle for him to ever play football again. Miracles do happen. But even if he were able to try to come back to the NFL, I doubt he'd make it. Or be anything like his former self.
It stinks though. I feel very sorry for him. I was at the game when he got injured. It was a sickening injury. A dline guy hit him trucking full speed. Like a bug getting hit by a windshield.
Last edited by JustAnotherBearsFan99; 01-25-2013 at 03:58 PM.
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