jason

I don't think the Bears have multiple positions of need, because I still think the clamoring for a WR is unwarranted. The main reason the WRs weren't standouts was the absolute failure of the OL. The bad OL play resulted in Cutler being harassed, hurt, jumpy, and eventually injured. That created a situation where the full compliment of offensive plays wasn't in use. That meant many of the routes that would benefit the Bears' offensive talent couldn't be used. Grabbing a mid-tier FA WR won't do much to help any of the above. Doesn't matter how tall he is. Making sure Cutler stays upright and Martz can implement a full offensive plan does matter.

BEST Denver - MASSIVE draft. Nate Irving and Von Miller will probably start at LB in their first years. Rahim Moore and Quinton Carter will probably be starting together at safety not much longer afterwards. Orlando Franklin has the potential to start on the OL, and the Broncos also nabbed two potentially dangerous TE threats. Indianapolis - The rich get richer. This team wins because it understands the draft. Step 1: Identify your best player. Step 2: Maximize your best player's talents. How do you do that? OL, OL. Costanzo and Ijalan will give Peyton tons of time to throw to...it doesn't really matter (see: scrubs who caught tons of passes last year). Peyton Manning was sacked fewer than any other QB in the NFL last year, and the Colts still went back-to-back to upgrade protection. Oh yeah, Drake Nevis is an immediate starter at DT. Buffalo - They got half of a starting defense in this draft. Dareus will be a beast at DT, the combo of Aaron Williams and Da'Norris Searcy could end up starting, and Kelvin Sheppard will probably start day 1. Cincinnati - They got one of the most electrifying WRs to ever enter the draft (Green), a future stud at QB (Dalton), and an OG that will start for several years (Boling). Dontay Moch is just icing on the cake. New England - Just like the Colts, they know where the bread is buttered. Nate Solder will be a stud, and Cannon was a day 3 steal. Ras-I will be a starter and they prepared for the future with Mallett. They know how to draft. Period. WORST Carolina - I don't think the Cam Newton pick was smart for an organization that already had a young, promising QB. Add that to the other mediocre picks and it doesn't impress. Houston - I hate their draft. Three straight DBs? Did they get bizarro Matt Millen to help this year? Minnesota - HAHAHAHAHA. Ponder?! THEN A TIGHT END?! HAHAHAHA. Seattle - What the hell were they doing? Even Nick Saban thought they reached in Round 1. The only good selection they made was in round 2 when they grabbed Moffitt. Tennessee - Locker is a huge reach. I like their defensive additions, but they bombed on the QB pick (and got the wrong RB to spell Chris Johnson).

So, the draft is over. We know where everyone was selected. Without imaginary trades, what do you wish the Bears would have done with the players available when they picked? 1st - Gabe Carimi, OL, Wisconsin 2nd - Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State 3rd - Clint Boling, OL, UGA 5th - Quan Sturdivant, LB, UNC 6th - Greg McElroy, QB, Alabama

Highlighted the important part. For whatever reason (hint: Lovie and his defensive reputation) the Bears always seem to draft more defense...even when not needed nearly as much as offense. It's especially puzzling because 2008 yielded such riches with the first three picks (Williams, Forte, Bennett). Since day 3 picks are almost always projects of some sort, it looks like the Bears will have many of the same problems as last year (QB protection and run blocking, weak one-on-one DB play)

Thanks for the links. Bittersweet, they are. Clint Boling was there, but won't be when the Bears select again. He would have been a great Rd 3 pick. Instead of a project OLB/DB/S hybrid.

All the talk about depth has validity, but the reason this pick is questionable is that other positions have worse depth (compared to S).

Good point. It wasn't a reach...to the Bears. But to just about everyone else involved with the NFL draft, it was a reach. And since the Bears need other positions more, especially more than a project OLB/DB/S hybrid who probably will do no better than ST, it's a reach.

Isn't that the main problem we ALL have with the Bears' drafts? There's always the WTF pick. Why does JA and crew always have to be sooooo smart? Just pick the stud from the SEC school at the position of need, relatively close to the degree of need.

Glad that at least some people think he was worth a draft pick, but it sure does feel like a reach. Boling, OG, UGA would have fit like OJ's glove (the first time he put it on).

Do not like this pick. ESPN just shits on him in their analysis. He was projected as a guy who might not even get drafted. Horrible reach when there were two quality OG picks left and better talent at other positions of greater need. Once again JA proves that this board could probably draft better.

I hope Clint Boling slips that far. He would be a day-1 starter at OG. More of a technique guy, and that might not be Tice's guy, but he'd be an awesome addition.

I don't see how anyone can dislike this pick. Hell, if I like it, and I am pretty much against going anything other than OL in the first three rounds, then it's a good pick. The guy has a non-stop motor, incredible strength, and will be in the starting lineup before you can say "Tommie Harris' lazy ass can take a hike."

The Bears still need an OG. The Lions just created potentially the most dangerous defensive line in the NFL. Cutler got destroyed last year. I wanted John Moffitt. Too bad the Seahawks just got him. The OG hole is still there.

After reading the thread, I can't believe you're serious. The OL was the #1 and #2 need going into this draft. Carimi was great for where he was picked (because the Seahawks screwed up). PERFECT pick.

Not only is it a risky proposition because of the potential for Williams' failure, but the added risk with the rest of the OL is important to highlight. Williams may be the best OT AND OG on the team, and they want to move HIM to Center!!! If this is honestly a strategy the Bears plan on using, then there needs to be even more focus on the OL in the draft and during post-CBA agreement. Otherwise, there is the potential - and I can't believe I'm saying this - for the OL to get worse.

I heard he didn't go to a knee when proposing; he did it off his back foot.

Overall I don't hate it. But I do dislike it for two reasons: 1) I don't want the trade down. There will be an OT there. 2) I don't want a LB in the third. ESPECIALLY if there is a trade down. At that point the OL needs more attention. This is particularly true if they are honestly thinking about moving Williams to Center.

I think it's risky to lose either of them. Toub - He's dominated year after year after year. Dude is the best ST coach in the NFL. For as long as he's been here, the Bears have not only returned well on kickoffs and punts, but they have covered extrememly well. Martz - Has shown past brilliance, and was essentially hog-tied in his offense because of one of the worst OL in NFL history. Showed the ability to adjust when his offense wouldn't work and was directly responsible for a philosophy modifcation that changed the Bears' season. On top of that, do the Bears really need to change offensive schemes AGAIN? It would be nice for Cutler to get a chance with the same offense for more than one year. I'm pleased with the coaches on offense and special teams.

I approve.

I've seen several mention the hope that the Bears do not reach on draft day. This is especially true with the first round pick. Made me think of the following question: Would any of these guys be a reach? Tyron Smith Anthony Castonzo Nate Solder Mike Pouncey Gabe Carmini Derek Sherrod If the answer is yes, then it's a bit of surprise to me. But that's player evaluation for you. People disagree. If the answer is no, then there is no reason one of those guys shouldn't be available when the Bears pick. And the guy who they have rated the highest should be selected.

It doesn't surprise you because it's a move that would potentially piss off a lot of Bears' fans, and the drafting habits over the last several years have done just that. Unless there is a serious run on OTs, then we shouldn't hear those words.

Yes...this team is stacked with young, promising talent and there is a satisfactory backup at most positions.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

To me the schedule looks tough... ATL W - I watched them beat the Bears last time. They could do it again. But they don't have homefield. NO L - New Orleans is just a better team in my opinion. GB W - Home vs. GB, win. CAR W - Carolina sucks. DET W - This game scares me. I know it's Detroit, but this is a MNF game. The Bears are atrocious on MNF. MIN W - I don't think MIN will be nearly as good this year. TB L - Let down game because 1) London, 2) The Bears will be looking ahead to the bye PHI L - MNF vs. Philly, after London, this could be an ass whoopin DET W - Still Detroit, and in Chicago SD L - SD had the best offense and defense last year according to stats. Theire ST is horrible. But the new rules minimize the Bears' advantage OAK L - Long flight, rowdy crowd, improved team that can run with aggression. Lot of speed. KC L - Same formual as with Oakland, but they also have Bowe. DEN W - I see Cutler ripping their asses apart SEA W - I'm continually unimpressed by them, but I think Lynch could give the Bears' D problems. GB L - Away vs. GB, loss. MIN W - MIN will be out of the playoff hunt, and the Bears will be fighting to get in or improve position

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/bears/post...k-by-week-picks http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/break...6916046.graphic 10-6 and 9-7. I'm more inclined to agree with the latter.