Look at this draft

[Guest TerraTor]

http://www.footballsfuture.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=213157

 

Love every pick, tho id take Brennan in the 7th, haha

 

Round 1

 

1-1 Miami Dolphins: QB - Matt Ryan - Boston College

1-2 St. Louis Rams: DE43 - Chris Long - Virginia

1-3 Atlanta Falcons: NT43 - Glenn Dorsey - LSU

1-4 Oakland Raiders: LT - Jake Long - Michigan

1-5 Kansas City Chiefs: LT - Ryan Clady - Boise St.

1-6 New York Jets: OLB34 - Vernon Gholston - Ohio St.

1-7 New England Patriots: CB - Leodis McKelvin - Troy

1-8 Baltimore Ravens: RB - Darren McFadden - Arkansas

1-9 Cincinatti Bengals: NT43 - Sedrick Ellis - USC

1-10 New Orleans Saints: CB - Mike Jenkins - S. Florida

1-11 Buffalo Bills: WR - Malcolm Kelly - Oklahoma

1-12 Denver Broncos: LT - Chris Williams - Vanderbilt

1-13 Carolina Panthers: LT - Jeff Otah - Pittsburgh

1-14 Chicago Bears: RB - Rashard Mendenhall - Illinois

1-15 Detroit Lions: RB - Jonathan Stewart - Oregon

1-16 Arizona Cardinals: CB - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie - Tennessee St.

1-17 Minnesota Vikings: DE43 - Derrick Harvey - Florida

1-18 Houston Texans: CB - Aqib Talib - Kansas

1-19 Philadelphia Eagles: WR - Limas Sweed - Texas

1-20 Tampa Bay Buccaneers: WR - DeSean Jackson - Califronia

1-21 Washington Redskins: NT43 - Kentwan Balmer - N. Carolina

1-22 Dallas Cowboys: WR - James Hardy - Indiana

1-23 Pittsburgh Steelers: G - Branden Albert - Virginia

1-24 Tennessee Titans: DE43 - Phillip Merling - Clemson

1-25 Seattle Seahawks: TE - Fred Davis - USC

1-26 Jacksonville Jaguars: DE43 - Calais Campbell - The U

1-27 San Diego Chargers: FS - Kenny Phillips - The U

1-28 Dallas Cowboys: LT - Gosder Cherilus - Boston College

1-29 San Francisco 49ers: WR - Mario Manningham - Michigan

1-30 Green Bay Packers: CB - Brandon Flowers - Virginia Tech

1-31 New York Giants: OLB43 - Keith Rivers - USC

 

Round 2

 

2-32 Miami Dolphins: LT - Sam Baker - USC

2-33 St. Louis Rams: LT - Anthony Collins - Kansas

2-34 Oakland Raiders: WR - Devin Thomas - Michigan St.

2-35 Kansas City Chiefs: CB - Reggie Smith - Oklahoma

2-36 New York Jets: CB - Tracy Porter - Indiana

2-37 Atlanta Falcons: QB - Joe Flacco - Deleware

2-38 Baltimore Ravens: QB - Brian Brohm - Lousiville

2-39 San Francisco 49ers: TE - Dustin Keller - Purdue

2-40 New Orleans Saints: WR - Early Doucet - LSU

2-41 Buffalo Bills: CB - Patrick Lee - Auburn

2-42 Denver Broncos: DE43 - Quentin Groves - Auburn

2-43 Carolina Panthers: DE43 - Lawrence Jackson - USC

2-44 Chicago Bears: WR - Andre Caldwell - Florida

2-45 Detroit Lions: ILB - Dan Connor - Penn St.

2-46 Cincinatti Bengals: DE43 - Clifford Avril - Purdue

2-47 Minnesota Vikings: CB - Antoine Cason - Arizona

2-48 Atlanta Falcons: LT - Duane Brown - Virginia Tech

2-49 Philadelphia Eagles: RT - Carl Nicks - Nebraska

2-50 Arizona Cardinals: RB - Felix Jones - Arkansas

2-51 Washington Redskins: FS - Dejuan Morgan - N. Carolina St.

2-52 Tampa Bay Buccaneers: RB - Jamaal Charles - Texas

2-53 Pittsburgh Steelers: WR - Lavelle Hawkins - Califronia

2-54 Tennessee Titans: WR - Eddie Royal - Virginia Tech

2-55 Seattle Seahawks: NT43 - Trevor Laws - Notre Dame

2-56 Green Bay Packers: RB - Ray Rice - Rutgurs

2-57 Miami Dolphins: C - Mike Pollak - Arizona St.

2-58 Jacksonville Jaguars: WR - Earl Bennett - Vanderbilt

2-59 Indanapolis Colts: OLB43 - Erin Henderson - Maryland

2-60 Green Bay Packers: TE - John Carlson - Notre Dame

2-61 Dallas Cowboys: CB - Chevis Jackson - LSU

2-62 New England Patriots: OLB34 - Darrell Robertson - Georgia Tech

2-63 New York Giants: CB - Charles Godfrey - Iowa

 

Round 3

 

3-64 Miami Dolphins: CB - Justin King - Penn St.

3-65 St. Louis Rams: WR - Donnie Avery - Houston

3-66 Kansas City Chiefs: WR - Jordy Nelson - Kansas St.

3-67 Carolina Panthers: RB - Chris Johnson - E. Carolina

3-68 Atlanta Falcons: ILB - Curtis Lofton - Oklahoma

3-69 New England Patriots: ILB - Jerod Mayo - Tennessee

3-70 San Francisco 49ers: FS - Thomas DeCoud - Califronia

3-71 Jacksonville Jaguars: NT43 - Pat Sims - Auburn

3-72 Buffalo Bills: TE - Jermichael Finley - Texas

3-73 Minnesota Vikings: WR - Adarius Bowman - Oklahoma St.

3-74 Carolina Panthers: FS - Marcus Griffin - Texas

3-75 Chicago Bears: LT - Tony Hills - Texas

3-76 Detroit Lions: CB - Jack Williams - Kent

3-77 Cincinatti Bengals: CB - Terrell Thomas - USC

3-78 New Orleans Saints: OLB43 - Geno Hayes - FSU

3-79 Houston Texans: RB - Mike Hart - Michigan

3-80 Philadelphia Eagles: ILB - Philip Wheeler - Georgia Tech

3-81 Arizona Cardinals: NT43 - Marcus Harrison - Arkansas

3-82 Minnesota Vikings: QB - Chad Henne - Michigan

3-83 Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DE43 - Jason Jones - Eastern Michigan

3-84 Washington Redskins: WR - Harry Douglas - Lousiville

3-85 Tennessee Titans: CB - Trae Williams - S. Florida

3-86 Seattle Seahawks: LT - John Greco - Toledo

3-87 Detroit Lions: DE43 - Christopher Ellis - Virginia Tech

3-88 Pittsburgh Steelers: LT - Kirk Barton - Ohio St.

3-89 Jacksonville Jaguars: UT - Letroy Guion - FSU

3-90 Chicago Bears: G - Chilo Rachal - USC

3-91 Green Bay Packers: FS - Tyrell Johnson - Arkansas St.

3-92 Dallas Cowboys: NT34 - Red Bryant - Texas A&M

3-93 Indanapolis Colts: TE - Martellus Bennett - Texas A&M

3-94 New England Patriots: RB - Matt Forte - Tulane

3-95 New York Giants: FS - DJ Wolfe - Oklahoma

 

Round 4

 

4-96 Miami Dolphins: WR - Keenan Burton - kentucky

4-97 St. Louis Rams: RT - Heath Benedict - NewBerry

4-98 New York Jets: WR - Jerome Simpson - Coastal Carolina

4-99 Atlanta Falcons: UT - Dre Moore - Maryland

4-100 Oakland Raiders: NT43 - DeMario Pressley - N. Carolina St.

4-101 Kansas City Chiefs: G - Roy Schuening - Oregon St.

4-102 Baltimore Ravens: WR - Paul Hubbard - Wisconsin

4-103 San Francisco 49ers: OLB34 - Bruce Davis - UCLA

4-104 Denver Broncos: SS - Thomas Zbikowski - Notre Dame

4-105 Carolina Panthers: QB - Andre Woodson - kentucky

4-106 Chicago Bears: DE43 - Jeremy Thompson - Wake Forest

4-107 Detroit Lions: NT43 - Andre Fluellen - FSU

4-108 Cincinatti Bengals: OLB43 - Jordon Dizon - Colorado

4-109 New York Jets: RB - Kevin Smith - Central Florida

4-110 Buffalo Bills: DE43 - Johnny Dingle - W. Virginia

4-111 Philadelphia Eagles: FS - Simeon Castille - Alabama

4-112 Arizona Cardinals: DE43 - Wallace Gilberry - Alabama

4-113 Minnesota Vikings: TE - Brad Cottam - Tennessee

4-114 Houston Texans: LT - Tyler Polumbus - Colorado

4-115 Denver Broncos: WR - Dorien Bryant - Purdue

4-116 Tampa Bay Buccaneers: CB - Tyvon Branch - Connecticut

4-117 Seattle Seahawks: WR - D.J. Hall - Alabama

4-118 Cleveland Browns: CB - DeJuan Tribble - Boston College

4-119 Pittsburgh Steelers: C - Steven Justice - Wake Forest

4-120 Tennessee Titans: RB - Steve Slaton - W. Virginia

4-121 Jacksonville Jaguars: QB - John David Booty - USC

4-122 Dallas Cowboys: FS - Jamie Silva - Boston College

4-123 Indanapolis Colts: WR - Josh Morgan - Virginia Tech

4-124 Green Bay Packers: DE43 - Titus Brown - Miss. St.

4-125 New England Patriots: CB - Terrence Wheatley - Colorado

4-126 New York Giants: SS - Wesley Woodyard - kentucky

 

Round 5

 

5-127 Kansas City Chiefs: RB - Tashard Choice - Georgia Tech

5-128 St. Louis Rams: ILB - Ben Moffitt - S. Florida

5-129 Atlanta Falcons: CB - Dwight Lowery - San Jose St.

5-130 Denver Broncos: NT43 - Frank Okam - Texas

5-131 Kansas City Chiefs: TE - Martin Rucker - Missouri

5-132 Carolina Panthers: WR - Dexter Jackson - Appliachian St.

5-133 San Francisco 49ers: G - Michael McGlynn - Pittsburgh

5-134 Chicago Bears: NT43 - Athyba Rubin - Iowa St.

5-135 Buffalo Bills: ILB - Spencer Larsen - Arizona

5-136 Detroit Lions: OLB43 - Xavier Adibi - Virginia Tech

5-137 Cincinatti Bengals: ILB - Beau Bell - Nevada Las Vegas

5-138 New Orleans Saints: FS - Craig Steltz - LSU

5-139 Jacksonville Jaguars: RT - Barry Richardson - Clemson

5-140 Denver Broncos: OLB43 - Shawn Crable - Michigan

5-141 Arizona Cardinals: FS - Jonathan Hefney - Tennessee

5-142 Minnesota Vikings: DE43 - Tommy Blake - TCU

5-143 Houston Texans: DE43 - Christopher Harrington - Texas A&M

5-144 Philadelphia Eagles: CB - Jonathan Wilhite - Auburn

5-145 Tampa Bay Buccaneers: OLB43 - Ali Highsmith - LSU

5-146 Washington Redskins: DE43 - Kendall Langford - Hampton

5-147 Cleveland Browns: ILB - Tavares Gooden - The U

5-148 Pittsburgh Steelers: CB - Justin Tryon - Arizona St.

5-149 Tennessee Titans: FS - Jamar Adams - Michigan

5-150 Seattle Seahawks: UT - Carlton Powell Jr - Virginia Tech

5-151 Jacksonville Jaguars: RB - Justin Forsett - Califronia

5-152 San Diego Chargers: TE - Jacob Tamme - kentucky

5-153 Indanapolis Colts: RB - Chauncey Washington - USC

5-154 Green Bay Packers: WR - Marcus Smith - New Mexico

5-155 Dallas Cowboys: RB - Thomas Brown - Georgia

5-156 New England Patriots: C - John Sullivan - Notre Dame

5-157 New York Giants: WR - Adrian Arrington - Michigan

 

Round 6

 

6-158 Dallas Cowboys: G - Eric Young - Tennessee

6-159 St. Louis Rams: OLB43 - Robert James - Arizona St.

6-160 Oakland Raiders: DE43 - Jameel McClain - Syracuse

6-161 Kansas City Chiefs: DE43 - Chase Ortiz - TCU

6-162 New York Jets: FS - Joshua Barrett - Arizona St.

6-163 Atlanta Falcons: RT - Brandon Keith - Nothern Iowa

6-164 Baltimore Ravens: CB - Orlando Scandrick - Boise St.

6-165 San Francisco 49ers: ILB - Jo-Lonn Dunbar - Boston College

6-166 Chicago Bears: QB - Josh Johnson - San Diego

6-167 Detroit Lions: LT - King Dunlap - Auburn

6-168 Cincinatti Bengals: TE - Kellen Davis - Michigan St.

6-169 New Orleans Saints: TE - Gary Barnidge - Lousiville

6-170 Buffalo Bills: OLB43 - Marcus Howard - Georgia

6-171 St. Louis Rams: G - Drew Radovich - USC

6-172 Carolina Panthers: UT - Lionel Dotson - Arizona

6-173 Philadelphia Eagles: SS - DJ Parker - Virginia Tech

6-174 Houston Texans: SS - Quintin Demps - UTEP

6-175 Philadelphia Eagles: OLB43 - Ezra Butler - Nevada

6-176 Arizona Cardinals: OLB43 - Alvin Bowen - Iowa St.

6-177 Washington Redskins: CB - Jack Ikegwuonu - Wisconsin

6-178 Kansas City Chiefs: FB - Owen Schmitt - W. Virginia

6-179 Pittsburgh Steelers: RB - Cory Boyd - S. Carolina

6-180 Tennessee Titans: G - Chad Rinehart - Nothern Iowa

6-181 Cleveland Browns: RB - Allen Patrick - Oklahoma

6-182 Philadelphia Eagles: WR - William Franklin - Missouri

6-183 San Diego Chargers: WR - Steve Johnson - kentucky

6-184 Minnesota Vikings: OLB43 - Bryan Kehl - BYU

6-185 New York Giants: LT - Corey Clark - Texas A&M

6-186 Miami Dolphins: TE - Craig Stevens - Califronia

6-187 Indanapolis Colts: DE43 - Curtis Johnson - Clarke-Atlanta

6-188 New England Patriots: WR - Davone Bess - Hawaii

6-189 New York Giants: DE43 - Kenny Iwebema - Iowa

 

Round 7

 

7-190 Miami Dolphins: FS - Dennis Keyes - UCLA

7-191 St. Louis Rams: RB - Rafael Little - kentucky

7-192 Kansas City Chiefs: ILB - Jonathan Goff - Vanderbilt

7-193 New York Jets: RT - Franklin Dunbar - Mid. Tenn. St.

7-194 Atlanta Falcons: WR - Darius Reynaud - W. Virginia

7-195 Oakland Raiders: UT - Nicholas Hayden - Wisconsin

7-196 San Francisco 49ers: CB - Zackary Bowman - Nebraska

7-197 Baltimore Ravens: LT - Breno Giacomini - Lousiville

7-198 Detroit Lions: UT - James McClinton - Kansas

7-199 Cincinatti Bengals: WR - Ryan Grice-Mullen - Hawaii

7-200 New Orleans Saints: C - Cody Wallace - Texas A&M

7-201 Buffalo Bills: RB - Anthony Alridge - Houston

7-202 Denver Broncos: ILB - Vincent Hall - Virginia Tech

7-203 Carolina Panthers: CB - Darnell Terrell - Missouri

7-204 Chicago Bears: TE - Joe Jon Finley - Oklahoma

7-205 Houston Texans: FS - Dominique Barber - Minnesota

7-206 Buffalo Bills: LT - Geoff Schwartz - Oregon

7-207 Arizona Cardinals: UT - Derek Lokey - Texas

7-208 Minnesota Vikings: DE43 - Joe Clermond - Pittsburgh

7-209 Tampa Bay Buccaneers: QB - Colt Brennan - Hawaii

7-210 Washington Redskins: TE - Darrell Strong - Pittsburgh

7-211 Tennessee Titans: DE43 - Jeremy Geathers - Nevada Las Vegas

7-212 Philadelphia Eagles: RB - Dantrell Savage - Oklahoma St.

7-213 Cleveland Browns: CB - Jonathan Zenon - LSU

7-214 Atlanta Falcons: G - Robert Felton - Arkansas

7-215 Jacksonville Jaguars: OLB43 - Larry Grant - Ohio St.

7-216 San Diego Chargers: LT - Demetrius Bell - Northwestern St.

7-217 Dallas Cowboys: WR - Mark Bradford - Stanford

7-218 Indanapolis Colts: G - Oniel Cousins - UTEP

7-219 Green Bay Packers: OLB43 - Gary Guyton - Georgia Tech

7-220 New England Patriots: LT - James Blair - Western Michigan

7-221 Kansas City Chiefs: CB - Glenn Sharpe - The U

[SoxFan1]

I'd rather take Demps in the 6th and Brennan in the 7th than Johnson and Finley. At the same time, if we could snag Andre Woodsen in the 4th round, I'd do that too.

[Mongo3451]

If that is the way the OT position plays out, I'll be depressed. It is a very likely scenario though. All in all, I have to agree with you given the options.

[DaBearSox]

Joe Jon?

[azbearsfan]

Terrible draft.

 

If that draft happens, next year we are talking about why our quarterbacks suck, our receivers are bad, and why Mendenhall is a bust cause he gets hits in the backfield. Then you will be complaining that we didn't overpay for mediocre free agent linemen.

 

We need to draft at least two olinemen in the first three rounds to build our line.

[nfoligno]

I have seen more and more showing KC taking Clady. His stock has moved up that much, and Long is simply not expected to drop to them. Nearly every draft has Denver taking OT, and many now have them grabbing Williams. Carolina has need on OL, but I do not see them taking Otah. His stock is falling after a very poor combine. W/ the footwork he showed, I think few view him as a LT now, and see him as a RT/OG, which has dropped his stock. So I am not too worried about Otah being gone, but am very worried Williams will be gone, and have said as much for weeks.

 

This is my worry too. The bears are looking hard at Clady, who seems to be rising and not falling. I like Williams, but he too looks gone.

 

If Williams is gone, right now, I think my favorite choice would be to trade down. Otah or Albert would look great in a bear uniform if we drop down some to get them, while picking up an extra pick in the process.

[Guest TerraTor]

Terrible draft.

 

If that draft happens, next year we are talking about why our quarterbacks suck, our receivers are bad, and why Mendenhall is a bust cause he gets hits in the backfield. Then you will be complaining that we didn't overpay for mediocre free agent linemen.

 

We need to draft at least two olinemen in the first three rounds to build our line.

 

When we had the well above average line (not to mention TJ) which one did we draft? 1. Kruetz.

 

The rest were low price FA who we plugged in, even Tait didnt cost that much considering his deal was front loaded i believe, This team has no freakin talent outside of Olsen (and Clark). You tell me who the hell your 1st round OT is gonna protect??????????? So grossman has more time to throw a pick over the great Brandon LLoyd or Mark Bradley's heads? COME ON

[nfoligno]

Tait was actually quite expensive. Much of his deal was front loaded, but there was still plenty left and overall, it was among our biggest handed out ever. We no longer have LT2's cap threat, but I recall looking at what our OL hits the cap for this year, and Tait is still pretty darn expensive.

 

Yes, we added FAs to upgrade the OL before, but I think it also worth noting just how short lived those players were. You can get old OL like Brown and Miller w/o spending an arm and leg, but they are very short term fixes. The only long term OL we have that we are not trying to upgrade is Kreutz, who happens to also be the only one we drafted.

 

You can say we should add younger OL in FA, and I have no problem w/ that, but that is going to cost, and cost big going off the recent deals handed out.

 

I was all for adding Faneca, but that ship has sailed. So has many other OL upgrades I was looking at in FA. Whether we like that or not, it is what we have to work w/. At the point, I am not sure we can still expect to upgrade our OL through FA, and as others have said, w/o upgrading the OL, it likely doesn't matter what skill position player you draft, as they will look like garbage. I am not saying we are set at RB, QB or WR. But if you do not have an OL that can block, and Mendenhal is hit behind the LOS every time, he will quickly look like a bust.

 

If this draft were not considered so solid at OT, I might be fine w/ taking a RB or a position player, but this draft is considered excellent at OT. Grab Clady or Williams to play LT, move Tait to RT, and you have significantly upgraded the OL. In doing this, yes, even Benson might look good.

[jason]

I'm with nfo on this one. This mock would suck rancid goat ass.

 

Starting with a RB then a WR is HORRIBLE. Not to mention the fact that I don't really like the rest of it either.

[xvflutop]

i think the choice of mendenhall is good option is all first round tackle prospects are off the board. there is no use spending the 14th pick on 2nd round talent.. thats also saying there are no trade suitors either. at least no good trade suitors

[madlithuanian]

Agreed. However, I'll be personally disappointed if we don't take Mendenhall at that slot. I htink he will be a premier back in the league...and I think we'll regret not pulling the trigger on him if available.

 

i think the choice of mendenhall is good option is all first round tackle prospects are off the board. there is no use spending the 14th pick on 2nd round talent.. thats also saying there are no trade suitors either. at least no good trade suitors

[nfoligno]

You know what sucks too?

 

Lets say we pass on Mendenhal and take Williams to upgrade the OL. Say Mendy is drafted by AZ. Well, in AZ they have QB questions, but I would take either of their two. They have the best WR tandem in the NFL (or one of top 2/3). They have been working to upgrade their OL, and has a coaching staff which has a background on the OL. Point is, if he goes to AZ, there is a good chance he can shine.

 

Does that mean he would shine just the same in Chicago though. Especially after watching our activity/inactivity in FA, I simply do not think any RB is going to come in and light it up. But if Mendy goes to AZ and does well, many will say, "I told you so" regardless.

 

I like much of what I have seen w/ Mendy, but also believe our offense is so weak right now that he would be wasted. What happens when he comes to Chicago and averages about 3 ypc? What happens to a players confidence when they look like a bust after the first year? Further, if we do not draft OT this year, in a year rich w/ OT, who is to say we will have a stout OL in 2009?

 

That is my biggest issue in drafting Mendy. Until the OL is fixed, we will not see an upgrade in the run game, regardless who is toting to rock. And further, if we do not upgrade the OL in a draft considered more rich at OT than in recent memory, who is to say we will have as good of an opportunity to upgrade the OL after this year. How long might it be before we can put a good OL in front of Mendy? By the time we do, we may also have to replace Tait and Kreutz.

 

More and more, I believe OL has to be our top pick. Clady would be awesome, but likely out of reach. Williams would be a damn good pick, and probably our best option to upgrade two positions (LT and RT w/ Tait moving over). After that, I REALLY like Albert, whether he plays OG or OT. Cherilius looks like he could be a stud OT, but is more likely a pure RT. While neither he, nor Albert, would allow us to move Tait, they would at the same time provide a significant boost to our OL play.

[nfoligno]

I would have been fine drafting RB and WR if we did more in FA to upgrade the OL. If we grabbed Faneca and maybe Bell, that would have dramatically upgraded our OL. While I might even then still like the idea of OT, I would be far more open to drafting a RB. Yea, I know your feelings on RBs in the draft, but if we first upgraded the OL, I think we could then afford to look at skill position players.

 

But we did nothing in FA on the OL, and while FA is not over, I see little out there today that would constitute an upgrade. I do not care what RB or WR or QB we draft. If we do not upgrade the OL, I do not think it will matter.

 

I am now to the point that, if Clady and Williams are off the board, I would rather reach for Otah or Albert. Either may be considered a slight reach, but if they develop into the players many believe they can become, who cares?

 

I still remember some years ago when Indy drafted Freeney. I remember a time when I wanted him w/ our late 1st round pick, and was told he would be a reach there. His stock rose, and he was then considered a solid pick for us, if he fell, but then Indy takes in close to 20 spots in front of us. Everyone was shocked. Dungy simply said, regardless what others thought of him, Indy viewed him as a stud pass rusher that would be not there in the next round, and Indy didn't want to risk the chance of trading down an missing him.

 

Today, who remembers that Freeney was a reach, much less a huge reach?

[jason]

You know what sucks too?

 

Lets say we pass on Mendenhal and take Williams to upgrade the OL. Say Mendy is drafted by AZ. Well, in AZ they have QB questions, but I would take either of their two. They have the best WR tandem in the NFL (or one of top 2/3). They have been working to upgrade their OL, and has a coaching staff which has a background on the OL. Point is, if he goes to AZ, there is a good chance he can shine.

 

Does that mean he would shine just the same in Chicago though. Especially after watching our activity/inactivity in FA, I simply do not think any RB is going to come in and light it up. But if Mendy goes to AZ and does well, many will say, "I told you so" regardless.

 

I like much of what I have seen w/ Mendy, but also believe our offense is so weak right now that he would be wasted. What happens when he comes to Chicago and averages about 3 ypc? What happens to a players confidence when they look like a bust after the first year? Further, if we do not draft OT this year, in a year rich w/ OT, who is to say we will have a stout OL in 2009?

 

That is my biggest issue in drafting Mendy. Until the OL is fixed, we will not see an upgrade in the run game, regardless who is toting to rock. And further, if we do not upgrade the OL in a draft considered more rich at OT than in recent memory, who is to say we will have as good of an opportunity to upgrade the OL after this year. How long might it be before we can put a good OL in front of Mendy? By the time we do, we may also have to replace Tait and Kreutz.

 

More and more, I believe OL has to be our top pick. Clady would be awesome, but likely out of reach. Williams would be a damn good pick, and probably our best option to upgrade two positions (LT and RT w/ Tait moving over). After that, I REALLY like Albert, whether he plays OG or OT. Cherilius looks like he could be a stud OT, but is more likely a pure RT. While neither he, nor Albert, would allow us to move Tait, they would at the same time provide a significant boost to our OL play.

 

Exactly.

 

I have made this same point before. When a player a person likes gets drafted by another team, the "he did well there, so he would have done well here" argument is null and void. It's the same if a player does well or poorly. And once they are drafted, all bets are off. I believe some players have ended up busts, and have never recovered, because they were drafted on a team that was a horrible fit for them. I also believe some players have turned into superstars on their present team, in their present situation, but otherwise would have sat on the bench for years if put in another situation.

 

IF any of the top OT are there, the Bears absolutely must draft them. Otherwise, Mendenhall=Benson.

[madlithuanian]

I really disagree. A good back is a good back. He makes everyone better. He gives the QB some blocking and pressure release. He can make an OK line better, and he can help WR's by having D's focus on him. Now, I'm not saying Mendenhall is a guarantee that he's all that. I'm just saying, a good RB does that.

 

I figure no matter what we do, we won't really see the fruits of that until next season when we hopefully have a true QB under center and more holes filled. I still think we will obtain some OL in FA when cuts happen. I think it'll help us this season. I also think having Clark in there, and another year under Olsen will help ,atters as well with blocking. I really don't think it'll be jailbreak 24-7 agasint the line.

 

...and even if we draft OL, how long until does it get good? There is no sense waiting...strike while the iron is hot.

 

Anyone worth his mettle will handle a disappointing season. Heck, Walter didn't really get heated up intil late into his first season. It's how this kid handles that duirng and after. If he's still doing the smart things, trying hard, and still not getting anywhere...then we all know the line's at fault. And it will be addressed. If we go his direction and select him, it's not just for this season, it's more many seasons to come. If he's so weak a character that a little adversity turns him into Benson jr, then he's just another bust. He has no greater or less chance of being so than any other guy at any other position I feel.

 

The OL won't be fixed regardless...I don't think that we should wait until Christmas when the back we need is ready to be had.

 

And don't get me wrong, if we take Williams, I'm good with it. I just don't want us lowering our standards to take OL when the best position available is there. I don't want to reach. We have too many holes. Takes the BPA that we need. And we have a lot! RB, QB, WR, OL, S....I just don't want to see DT, DE, LB, TE, FB or CB taken in the first! ...but as you well know by know, I have a soft spot in my heart for Mendenhall. So, I'd like him most barring the unusual.

 

You know what sucks too?

 

Lets say we pass on Mendenhal and take Williams to upgrade the OL. Say Mendy is drafted by AZ. Well, in AZ they have QB questions, but I would take either of their two. They have the best WR tandem in the NFL (or one of top 2/3). They have been working to upgrade their OL, and has a coaching staff which has a background on the OL. Point is, if he goes to AZ, there is a good chance he can shine.

 

Does that mean he would shine just the same in Chicago though. Especially after watching our activity/inactivity in FA, I simply do not think any RB is going to come in and light it up. But if Mendy goes to AZ and does well, many will say, "I told you so" regardless.

 

I like much of what I have seen w/ Mendy, but also believe our offense is so weak right now that he would be wasted. What happens when he comes to Chicago and averages about 3 ypc? What happens to a players confidence when they look like a bust after the first year? Further, if we do not draft OT this year, in a year rich w/ OT, who is to say we will have a stout OL in 2009?

 

That is my biggest issue in drafting Mendy. Until the OL is fixed, we will not see an upgrade in the run game, regardless who is toting to rock. And further, if we do not upgrade the OL in a draft considered more rich at OT than in recent memory, who is to say we will have as good of an opportunity to upgrade the OL after this year. How long might it be before we can put a good OL in front of Mendy? By the time we do, we may also have to replace Tait and Kreutz.

 

More and more, I believe OL has to be our top pick. Clady would be awesome, but likely out of reach. Williams would be a damn good pick, and probably our best option to upgrade two positions (LT and RT w/ Tait moving over). After that, I REALLY like Albert, whether he plays OG or OT. Cherilius looks like he could be a stud OT, but is more likely a pure RT. While neither he, nor Albert, would allow us to move Tait, they would at the same time provide a significant boost to our OL play.

[madlithuanian]

I'm more than OK with us drafting a top OL!

 

I just don't want us to reach for one. If all the top tier OL's are gone, and Mendenhall is there...I want him taken. And I still think he's worth considering even if some of the top OL's are there.

 

A bad or suspect OL does not make a Benson. Benson had a pretty darn good OL for a season or so...and he still had poor training habits a questionable heart, fumbling issues, injury issues, etc... There's no gurantee that your desired OL won't = Benson as well...

 

I do agree that some situations can dictate a players' worth. I also think many rise above...and those are they guys that are worthy.

 

 

 

Exactly.

 

I have made this same point before. When a player a person likes gets drafted by another team, the "he did well there, so he would have done well here" argument is null and void. It's the same if a player does well or poorly. And once they are drafted, all bets are off. I believe some players have ended up busts, and have never recovered, because they were drafted on a team that was a horrible fit for them. I also believe some players have turned into superstars on their present team, in their present situation, but otherwise would have sat on the bench for years if put in another situation.

 

IF any of the top OT are there, the Bears absolutely must draft them. Otherwise, Mendenhall=Benson.

[Mongo3451]

I like much of what I have seen w/ Mendy, but also believe our offense is so weak right now that he would be wasted. What happens when he comes to Chicago and averages about 3 ypc? What happens to a players confidence when they look like a bust after the first year? Further, if we do not draft OT this year, in a year rich w/ OT, who is to say we will have a stout OL in 2009?

You have to start somewhere.

That is my biggest issue in drafting Mendy. Until the OL is fixed, we will not see an upgrade in the run game, regardless who is toting to rock. And further, if we do not upgrade the OL in a draft considered more rich at OT than in recent memory, who is to say we will have as good of an opportunity to upgrade the OL after this year. How long might it be before we can put a good OL in front of Mendy? By the time we do, we may also have to replace Tait and Kreutz.

From day one of this off-season this has been my mantra! Fix the OL first. Nothing will ever be good about our O untill this happens. We really needed to pony up and get a good G or T in FA. Hasn't happened yet. I'm really hoping Rueben Brown proves he can get healthy for one more season and a cap cut will happen on an OT somewhere.

More and more, I believe OL has to be our top pick. Clady would be awesome, but likely out of reach. Williams would be a damn good pick, and probably our best option to upgrade two positions (LT and RT w/ Tait moving over). After that, I REALLY like Albert, whether he plays OG or OT. Cherilius looks like he could be a stud OT, but is more likely a pure RT. While neither he, nor Albert, would allow us to move Tait, they would at the same time provide a significant boost to our OL play.

OL needs to be our top pick, but if it shakes out that we miss out on the top 3, I don't think Otah is worth our pick. In that case, I hope we get to trade down. I wouldn't even be against trading up to ensure we get Clady or Williams. But, you know JA is not going to do that. The way these mocks are turning out, my concern is that we are not going to get maximized value on needs vs talent available. Two weeks ago it looked like we were OK to get a good LT. Now, BPA may be Mendenhall with no blockers.

[AZ54]

Starting to sound like we need to trade up in this draft to secure the player we need. I'm ok with that to get a Franchise LT as long as the price isn't too high. It's a cornerstone that that makes the rest of the Oline pieces easier to find. Now if JA and company feel the Cherilus or Albert can develop into a consistent Pro Bowl player at their position then sit tight and draft one of them.

[Guest TerraTor]

Starting to sound like we need to trade up in this draft to secure the player we need. I'm ok with that to get a Franchise LT as long as the price isn't too high. It's a cornerstone that that makes the rest of the Oline pieces easier to find. Now if JA and company feel the Cherilus or Albert can develop into a consistent Pro Bowl player at their position then sit tight and draft one of them.

 

So what happens if/when the OT isnt a franchise LT or as good as his scouting report? Hes friggin useless. Pretty much like every one taken the past 5 years. And who really knows how good Joe Thomas is, with that team someone had to shine. but honestly, I cant get past the fact that our offensive skill positions are pathetic.... Cedric Benson is terrible, I cant remember such a BEAR with no heart, even david terrell at least went after the crowd. I dont know what Mendenhall or anyone else can do, but i know what Adrian Peterson did to us. I can only wait till we play Detroit and go 3 and out 6 times in a row and Mendenhall runs all over us, hell kevin jones did last year. I dont think we even relize how terrible we are. At least we had Berrian who could score. And Hester will never reach 50 catches, if he does, im assuming we are about 4-12

[Mongo3451]

So what happens if/when the OT isnt a franchise LT or as good as his scouting report? Hes friggin useless. Pretty much like every one taken the past 5 years. And who really knows how good Joe Thomas is, with that team someone had to shine. but honestly, I cant get past the fact that our offensive skill positions are pathetic.... Cedric Benson is terrible, I cant remember such a BEAR with no heart, even david terrell at least went after the crowd. I dont know what Mendenhall or anyone else can do, but i know what Adrian Peterson did to us. I can only wait till we play Detroit and go 3 and out 6 times in a row and Mendenhall runs all over us, hell kevin jones did last year. I dont think we even relize how terrible we are. At least we had Berrian who could score. And Hester will never reach 50 catches, if he does, im assuming we are about 4-12

What happens is this... You put him at right tackle and you attempt to draft a left tackle the next year. You MUST understand this key point. We could have Peyton Manning and he would underperform this year. Not because he has no-one to throw to but because he is on his back. IE: our situation last year. It all starts up front for offense and defense. Always has, always will.

[azbearsfan]

So what happens if/when the OT isnt a franchise LT or as good as his scouting report? Hes friggin useless. Pretty much like every one taken the past 5 years. And who really knows how good Joe Thomas is, with that team someone had to shine. but honestly, I cant get past the fact that our offensive skill positions are pathetic.... Cedric Benson is terrible, I cant remember such a BEAR with no heart, even david terrell at least went after the crowd. I dont know what Mendenhall or anyone else can do, but i know what Adrian Peterson did to us. I can only wait till we play Detroit and go 3 and out 6 times in a row and Mendenhall runs all over us, hell kevin jones did last year. I dont think we even relize how terrible we are. At least we had Berrian who could score. And Hester will never reach 50 catches, if he does, im assuming we are about 4-12

 

 

Terrible argument. What happens if we draft Mendenhall and he is the next Enis?

 

And I do remember you calling the drafting of Hester terrible.

 

Point being that nothing is guaranteed in a draft. But I do know that without a good oline nobody looks good.

[bear trap]

What happens is this... You put him at right tackle and you attempt to draft a left tackle the next year. You MUST understand this key point. We could have Peyton Manning and he would underperform this year. Not because he has no-one to throw to but because he is on his back. IE: our situation last year. It all starts up front for offense and defense. Always has, always will.

Mongo and everyone else who said our o-line sucked. Did anyone ever think that it's not just our players on the line but maybe the off line coach. Don't know what his scheme is, but it wasn't that our guys couldn't block, but missed their assignments. Numerous times I saw a LB'er shoot straight up the gut and no one knew who's responsibility it was to pick him up. That isn't only the player's fault but also if not mostly the offensive line coach's fault. Benson doesn't have what it takes, terra is right. How many times did we see a hole open up and benson didn't hit it. It's like the play call is the only thing he can run. Why did TJ have success? He deviated from the play call if he saw a hole or even a seem he thought looked like an opportunity. You'd be lying if you say you never saw a time where if benson would have made a cut to the one way or another he would have picked up better yardage instead of continuing on the play called and running to the sideline or straight at an opposing defender thinking he could run him over. Benson hasn't learned that he can't run over everyone in this league and that if he sees an opportunity to make a cut to take it, cause 90% of this game is improvising on the fly, if it weren't the game would be boring as hell. Peyton does this before he takes the snap, you know when he thinks he sees something. TJ did it all the time and that is why he was so good for us, but cedric lacks the split second decision making skills that most good running backs have in this league. When there is a hole where it's supposed to be watch out cause benson hits it hard,but if it's not there all he's screwed. You can't expect our line to open a hole up exactly where they're supposed to every time but if there is an opening our RB should be able to adjust to try to hit the opening instead of staying with the orginal place he's supposed to run. Should we go offensive line in the draft yeah, but if all the decent ot are taken why not try for a skill position like qb or rb. Reaching for the 5th or 6th best ot would be foolish if the best qb or rb are still on the board.

[dawhizz]

I really disagree. A good back is a good back. He makes everyone better. He gives the QB some blocking and pressure release. He can make an OK line better, and he can help WR's by having D's focus on him. Now, I'm not saying Mendenhall is a guarantee that he's all that. I'm just saying, a good RB does that.

 

I would amend your comment slightly. A GREAT back is a great back. If you're a franchise, top 5 RB in the league, I think you'll be reasonably successful wherever you go (unless you were successful in Denver's running scheme, then all bets are off). But a good RB, someone above average who's a solid but unspectacular starter in the league I think depends more on the surrounding cast, including coaches, than you suggest. I've simply seen too many decent starteres on teams move to another team and disappoint. So unless you are absolutely convinced someone is that great back, I think you are better off building the supporting cast.

[balta1701-A]

I would amend your comment slightly. A GREAT back is a great back. If you're a franchise, top 5 RB in the league, I think you'll be reasonably successful wherever you go (unless you were successful in Denver's running scheme, then all bets are off). But a good RB, someone above average who's a solid but unspectacular starter in the league I think depends more on the surrounding cast, including coaches, than you suggest. I've simply seen too many decent starteres on teams move to another team and disappoint. So unless you are absolutely convinced someone is that great back, I think you are better off building the supporting cast.

Could you name for me a running back who put up solid numbers last year with a poorly performing O-Line?

[nfoligno]

Good points for discussion. Was the OL the entire problem? HELL NO! I would argue that, besides the individuals on the OL, you can look at:

 

- OL coach who may not have employed a blocking style that best suited our individual players. Our blocking style better fits athletic OL, not older guys who are better power blockers than drop step.

 

- Turner - When your offense is so predictable, it makes it too easy for the defense, and that much harder for the players.

 

- Benson - Did he miss some holes, or maybe hessitate some? Sure.

 

- WRs - Our WRs were not good getting seperation off the LOS, and thus the QBs are forced to hold the ball longer. Add in poor route running and dropped passes, and all other problems are magnified.

 

- QB - No question the QB has to take some blame here as well. Far too often a lack of decision making and field awareness hurt. Too often we would see a wide open WR, but the QB would not. Or by the time the QB did, the DB was already back in position. The QBs lack of ability to pickup the blitz was also crucial, not to mention overall pocket awareness.

 

While I agree the issue was not 100% the OL, I would still argue it is among our biggest issues. We have a LT playing RT. We do not have a LG or RT. Frankly, I always felt our RG was average at best, but on last years OL, he looked good due to how bad the rest looked. Kreutz is still good, but has not looked as elite as he once was. If we had a QB in place, I might see the point of a WR, but w/o a QB, I think a WR would be a waste. A RB? W/o first fixing the OL, what is the point. I personally believe a good OL can make an average RB look damn good, but I do not believe the opposite to be true. A good RB is not going to look good behind a bad or mediocre OL.

 

Finally, I want to address you point about Benson. There is little argument he doesn't cut like TJ. I remember a great run by TJ which started left where there was no hole, and he cut it all the way to the far outside right. Result was an 8 yard TD run. That was a run Benson is not likely to break off. At the same time, can you really attack a RB for not trying runs that are not part of his game. To me, that would be like attacking Dunn for not being a power runner or Bettis for not breaking more outside runs. TJ and Benson were not the same style runners, and to attack Benson for not running the same style as TJ is a mistake. Benson is a single cut RB. You say you want him to run like TJ, but you would be screaming at him for getting dropped 3 yards behind the LOS if he tried. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.