Completely agree, we take a tackleOriginally Posted by MPBears68
we have assume Webb is the starter and we just drafted for depth
With our Ol situation we need starters not depth/dev guys so it would be another wasted first rounder if we are serious about "win now"
I think that, for the most part, your guys' mocks are well-based in the reality of our situation and draft depth. The first two rounds in particular line up extremely well with our needs -- the first round with it's interior OL talent (of which we could have our pick of the litter much like DE last year) and the second with it's plethora of hugely talented LBs. I think we can easily get away with need based picks in those two and not sacrifice your board BAP whatsoever. Another plus for us is that I really like the CB talent pool this year all the way into the late teens of the position, and we are in desperate need of QUALITY young depth on the outside. There's certain upside in that second/third tier of TE and it has a few sleepers that could turn into mid-round creepers, but I'm not sure the impact any of those guys bring as rookies and I'm a MUCH bigger fan of grabbing Cook. After those positions, hell, even after the first two rounds, I think you look at BAP to close out while keeping a close eye on DT, WR (coughJoshBoycecough), OL and LB. It would be great to somehow acquire a third, but right now, I think we are set up very nicely to grab two high-impact guys at positions of need early.
Last edited by lklrlolnlilklsox; 01-27-2013 at 04:16 PM.
Good to hear, Sox, thanks. You know college football way better than I do, so when you get a chance please post who you see as realistic potential targets for us at LB, CB, and TE and where you think they could be had. I hadn't even heard of WR Boyce, for example, but what I've been able to read sounds intriguing as a de facto Knox replacement. Thanks and look forward to seeing what names you come up with.
Yeah good points sox, although I think if Larry Warford is there in the 2nd we double dip on IOL in rounds 1 and 2
Yeah with what we have and whats out there ... if Emery has TRADE UP skills (as he did with Alshon)
We can do better if we draft at least 2 OL that can gell together.
Lane Johnson and Barret Jones.
Theres no way in hell Webb ever sees LT again.
If he is at RG then thats ok.
Garza is back to where he was, RG also.
That leaves Lance Louis ... yet another RG back in the mix as yet another 7th round pick.
Man the LT ... and CENTER has been a pain in the ass since Kreutz left.
Levitre as the only legit F.A.
Just thought that in order to get help on OL ... Lance Louis could be moved to LG. He's been pretty versitle.
Since botth Webb and Garza could play RG if Lane Johnson and Barret Jones were drafted.
Carimi ... this is a question of being coached up at RT.
But if they all can be coached up ...
Lane Johnson
Lance Louis
Barret Jones
Webb
Carimi
The idea isnt to keep moving players to where needs need to be filled,
but to ADD players where needs need to be filled.
Thats a far out concept for Halas Hall when it comes to OFFENSIVE LINE.
Theres always the F.A. trip.
OR ... F.A. and draft.
Bears free agency preview: OT
January, 25, 2013
By Jeff Dickerson | ESPNChicago.com I
If he becomes available, would Jake Long be worth the risk for the Bears?
Above average NFL offensive tackles are hard to find, which is why teams will generally re-sign or tag those players to prevent losing them in free agency. But it can happen. The Chicago Bears were able to dramatically upgrade their offensive line prior to the 2004 and 2005 seasons when the club inked free agent tackles John Tait and Fred Miller.
With offensive tackle an obvious need for the Bears heading into 2013, here is a look at 10 of the top projected free agents at the position, in no particular order:
" Ryan Clady, Denver Broncos: Bears quarterback Jay Cutler chuckled when a reporter brought up Clady near the end of the regular season. Without question, Cutler would be thrilled if the Bears could find a way to sign his old Broncos teammate Clady, easily one of the best offensive tackles in the game. The 26-year-old, three-time Pro Bowl left tackle rejected a five-year, $50 million deal from the Broncos last summer that included a reported $28 million in guarantees. If the two parties can't reach an agreement this time around, Denver could always apply the franchise tag. But if Clady ever reaches the open market, the Bears, or any other NFL team in need of help at OT, would be foolish not to pursue to him, even though it will cost a ton of money.
" Sebastian Vollmer, New England Patriots: There wasn't a lot of buzz surrounding Vollmer coming out of the University of Houston in 2009, but that didn't stop the Patriots from selecting the 6-foot-8 tackle in the second round, despite the fact he wasn't even invited to the NFL Combine. Vollmer has steadily grown into one of the best right tackles in the game. However, Vollmer has dealt with back issues, which is always a concern when it comes to investing a sizeable amount of money into a player in free agency.
" Will Beatty, New York Giants: Beatty dealt with a couple of injuries his first few years in the league, but the former second-round pick is now considered a solid left tackle with experience playing on both the left and right side of the line. About to turn 28-years old in March, Beatty is sure to generate plenty of interest in free agency if he decides to leave the Giants.
" Branden Albert, Kansas City Chiefs: Albert has stated publicly he wants to stay in Kansas City, but a lot can happen whenever an NFL franchise goes through a regime change like the one taking place in the Chiefs organization. If Albert is available, the Bears should have all the necessary information to make an informed decision given the fact general manager Phil Emery spent three years in the Kansas City with Albert.
" Gosder Cherilus, Detroit Lions: Although he's been a polarizing figure over the years in Detroit, Cherilus started 71 games for the Lions, missing just five games in five years due to injuries. Detroit is reportedly considering letting Cherilus depart via free agency, and if that happens, he probably won't be out of work for very long.
" Sam Baker, Atlanta Falcons: Another tackle drafted in the first round in 2008 after the Bears selected Chris Williams at No. 14 overall (Albert, Cherilus), Baker lost his starting job in 2011 due to a bad back but rebounded nicely this year for the NFC runner-up Falcons. Baker's back problems are a concern, but he would probably still be viewed as an upgrade over what the Bears currently have on their roster.
" Andre Smith, Cincinnati Bengals: Smith got off to a rough start in the NFL due to a lengthy holdout, weight problems and a bad shirtless photo taken while he ran the 40-yard dash at his Pro Day, but the right tackle has settled down (with the exception of being arrested this month for carrying a loaded weapon in an airport) the last two years to become the player the Bengals envisioned they were getting with the No. 6 overall pick of the 2009 NFL draft. Smith is one of the better right tackles in the game and could get the franchise tag, all jokes aside.
" Phil Loadholt, Minnesota Vikings: Loadholt has started 63 of 64 regular season games for the Vikings since they grabbed him in the second round of the 2009 draft. A monster at 6-8, 347 pounds, Loadholt has improved as a pass protector while using his massive frame to open up holes for Adrian Peterson in the ground game. Peterson said publicly he plans to speak with the Vikings about re-signing Loadholt. That's a pretty impressive endorsement.
" Jake Long, Miami Dolphins: Long used to be considered the best left tackle in the league, but the reviews have not been very positive lately. Long's 2012 season ended in December due to a triceps injury. It's unclear what Miami intends to do with Long, who is probably expecting another lucrative contract. But is he worth it?
" Jermon Bushrod, New Orleans Saints: Maybe new Bears offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Aaron Kromer will push for the Bears to sign the 28-year-old left tackle. A two-time Pro Bowl selection, Bushrod suffered from occasional false-start issues, but he is still considered a quality tackle who spent the last several years protecting the blindside of Saints quarterback Drew Brees. An important job to say the least.
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________
Do we have the coin to walk with 2 OL STARTERS in the 2013 darft and one F.A. ?
MLB maybe but I don't see us taking a CB that high. The immediate need isn't that great. Right now I don't see a TE over an OLineman either. We have some guys who may do better with some coaching and FA could yield a prospect. TE isn't a very costly position to fill in FA.
I don't know about Cooper but if we don't find a LT in FA then a guy like Lane Johnson or another rookie LT prospect Kromer can develop may be our Plan B. I think with the Senior Bowl and the Combine Emery, Trestman and Kromer will have identified a half dozen guys or more they have an interest in and those guys will go on the board where Emery believes they should go.
Then we do FA and see what needs we can fill there. Following that and the last minute shifts in rank we know go on every year they'll make some final decisions and try to line up for the two or three they'd pick at #20 and then another two or three they'd use a second on. Emery is extremely detailed and I think he's gonna know full well who his targets are long before the draft begins.
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.
Didn't want to start a new thread about this so just thought I'd add it here.
I think Fisher will be long gone by the time we pick but Johnson may be a guy Kromer can develop if we don't find a LT in FA. I think a guy like Barret Jones fit here too and I guess you can't rule out Fluker either if we find that FA LT and Kromer thinks he can play Fluker at LG.
If Urlacher retires will McClellin move to LB??? It's not out of the question now that Tucker is running the defense or even if he decides to continue as a spot pass rush guy and moves him around. If you take that into consideration and Izzy isn't re-signed then a DE isn't out of the question either if there's a guy still on the board who's just too good to pass on.
'Pre-drafting': What Senior Bowl revealed about OL, prospects
January 25, 2013, 1:00 pm
Datone Jones recorded 19 tackles for loss last season with UCLA. (USA Today Sports Images)
JOHN "MOON" MULLIN
ArchiveFollow @CSNMoonMullin
Exactly what player, what position or even what side of the ball the Bears will address in the first two rounds of the 2013 draft (they don’t currently have a third-rounder) won’t truly be set until they send a card with a player’s name up to be read by Commissioner Roger Goodell beginning Thursday, April 25.
But several players have made impressions on veteran observers and if the draft breaks the Bears’ way, the possibilities at No. 20 of the first round becoming intriguing:
OT Eric Fisher, Central Michgan -- Fisher has wowed observers all week, coming in at 6-7, 305 pounds and performing well enough for NFL Network draft expert Mike Mayock to remark that Fisher reminded him of 49ers Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Staley, also from CMU, but “the more I see of him, I think he’s a better skill set than Staley was coming out of college.” Mayock would not be surprised to see Fisher go in the first 10 picks.
OT Lane Johnson, Oklahoma -- Fellow NFL Network analyst Charles Davis termed Johnson “a little more of a potential pick” but and projected that Johnson, like Fisher, could put on 20 more pounds of muscle and slip into the first round as well. Johnson has agility – a former quarterback – and was a Sooner teammate of current Bear OT Corey Brandon, and Johnson was a tight end as a sophomore when Brandon was a senior.
But the draft scenarios can and often do change based on what happens in free agency. If the Bears land a starter-grade OT, or if they decide they’re OK with Brandon, Gabe Carimi, Jonathan Scott and J’Marcus Webb as a group, the focus could be on guard, tight end or a best-available defensive player. The fate of Henry Melton also projects to affect Bears draft targets:
DE Alex Okafor, Texas -- If coaches decide that Shea McClellin’s future is not confined to hand-on-the-ground defensive end, the need will be for a pass rusher. And no team can have too many of those. Okafor impressed Mayock specifically with his work against Fisher, who’d handled Okafor early but the power-rushing ability netted Okafor 12.5 sacks in 2012.
DE Datone Jones, UCLA -- Jones had 19 tackles for loss last season and Davis alluded to Jones’ “suddenness” as well as his ability to work at different spots in sub-packages. Mayock added the variable of the juniors, who are not working in the bowl practices but who have first-round quality as pass rushers and outside linebackers.
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.
Bears possibly interested in Oklahoma lineman Lane Johnson
BY ADAM L. JAHNS ajahns@suntimes.com
Oklahoma 's Lane Johnson (69) at the line of scrimmage against Texas A&M during the Cotton Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Jan. 4, 2013, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
MOBILE, Ala. — Oklahoma offensive tackle Lane Johnson has a better appreciation for keeping quarterbacks upright than most linemen.
He used to play the position.
“I know how it is to get sacked and blindsided,” said Johnson, one of the top performers this week during practices for the Senior Bowl. “It’s no fun at all, so I’ve got a strong appreciation for it.”
Johnson is only one of several intriguing offensive tackle prospects participating in the Senior Bowl this week. But he’s also a player to watch in a solid year for offensive linemen overall. For teams such as the Bears, who will be moving to a more wide-open, versatile offense under new coach Marc Trestman, that’s great news.
It’s no secret that the Bears are looking at offensive linemen, whether it be in the draft or free agency. General manager Phil Emery has said several times that he needs to give quarterback Jay Cutler better protection.
Johnson has spoken to or interviewed with every team this week. Some mock drafts have the Bears selecting Johnson. “I’m just trying to show teams what kind of player I am and my character off the field,” Johnson said. “I’m just trying to be myself, man.”
Texas A&M tackle Luke Joeckel (6-6, 310 pounds), Alabama guard Chance Warmack (6-2, 322) and Central Michigan tackle Eric Fisher (6-7, 305) are widely considered the three best linemen in the draft. But for the Bears, who have the 20th overall pick, a fast-rising player such as Johnson (6-7, 302) could be there for the taking. Fisher and Johnson have generated plenty of buzz among scouts at the Senior Bowl practices.
What makes Johnson unique and intriguing to teams is that he has gone from quarterback in high school in Texas and at Kilgore junior college to tight end, then defensive end and finally offensive tackle at Oklahoma.
Johnson is naturally athletic and quick — he called himself a “gunslinger” in high school — but also feels like he has proved he has the strength required to contain pass rushers during one-on-one drills at the Senior Bowl.
“[Teams] ask me questions about how I made the transition,” said Johnson, who would like to weigh around 310-315 pounds for the NFL combine in February. “They ask me about my character and if I have any off-the-field issues. They’re trying to find out what kind of player they’re getting before they invest a bunch of money. I tell them I don’t have any skeletons in my closet. I’m an honest person.”
Johnson has plenty of experience operating in a spread offense coming out of Oklahoma. He started 11 games this past season at left tackle after starting 12 at right tackle last season. He doesn’t have a preference.
“The more you can do, the better you are,” he said.
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.
I'd be happy with Cooper, Warmack or Johnson in the 1st round. 1 of them will be available. Or with the best CB if he falls THAT FAR.
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