Inside the Bears

matt forte is from Tulane

BRAD SAYS: Error corrected. Thanks.

I like Kevin Smith. I am not sure if he could be an every down back in the NFL.

Not sure why you feel that way Paul. He's 6-1 and about 220, which seems like more than good enough size for an every down back. I think he caught the ball pretty well the times I saw him too. I like him because despite the fact he doesn't have great speed, he's fast enough and has the ability to make a guy miss which neither Benson or Peterson has.

I agree, I think the Mendenhall workout was a smoke screen, but I also think the Bears were a little curious. It is a little obvious the Bears have been working out all the 2-3rd round backs and Clady, Williams, and Otah all 1st round tackles. I like Kevin Smith he has good size at 6-1 212lbs and runs a 4.5 which is good for his size. Also, like I said about Matt Forte, any one who runs for 2000 plus is worth a look, especially 2500 plus!! When ever I read a scouting report about Smith they usually mention his excellent vision which goes a long way in helping your o-line, I wouldn't mind the Bears taking Smith in the 2nd-3rd round. Miami is currently in negotiations with Jake Long, this might also be a smoke screen but it also might be legit. If so then the next team that might take a tackle Kansas City will go with Matt Ryan. Then Baltimore could land one of the top corners they also might take a tackle but I think they go corner because it is a bigger need and of more value at this point than a tackle. the next team that could take a tackle is Denver and it is looking more and more like they are going wide receiver maybe Michigan st star Devin Thomas, especially with the recent arm cutting incident and QB Jay Cutler calling out of Brandon Marshall. As for Carolina they will take Mendenhall over a tackle like I said before the Panthers have a lot of money wraped up in the current tackles and are weak at running back so this pick makes the most sense. What I am trying to say is Ryan Clady might fall to #14 and I guarantee Chris Williams should also be available then the Bears will get a tackle and upgrade the o-line GO BEARS!!

This is the RB I want the Bears to draft. He reminds me so much of Frank Gore coming out of college(minus the injuries)--ability, size, knocks on his speed, etc. You can't ignore his production, and I think he's going to do well in the NFL, depending on the system of the team who drafts him. On second thought, I wouldn't want Turner to ruin his career.

Kevin Smith:
Strengths:
Good size...A very good athlete...Plays faster than he times..A natural runner with excellent vision and instincts..Strong, tough and powerful...Runs hard and doesn't go down easily...Great feet...Terrific balance and agility...Soft hands and can catch the ball out of the backfield...An adequate blocker..Was extraordinarily productive.

Weaknesses:
Doesn't have great speed and lacks a burst...May have trouble turning the corner in the pros...Isn't a big play threat...Runs too tall...Has a lot of mileage on his tires and durability might be an issue...May have some minor character concerns...Has a thin frame and may need to bulk up..Didn't always play against top competition.

Not much else to say about him. If the Bears like him there will be trouoble.

Mendenhall a smoke screen, really you think. Hey do you think Jerry is hoping Mendenhall falls to them and then someone like Dallas might trade up for him? Maybe Angelo wants to trade down. Wow shock and awww. Then he can draft Dicks, Collins or Gosder instead of paying for Otah at 14 to play RT. Remember it's not just about Talent, it's about the money.

Agreed Creighton.

I've thought for a while that if Mendenhall is still around at 14, the 'Boys will come calling, unless they think Felix Jones will be around at 22.

If Mendenhall is available at 14 the bears better draft him.

The LT Williams is going to the Eagles in a draft day trade with the Bills, so both left tackles will be off the board before 14, Mendenhall will be heading to Carolina , the Panthers have spent the off-season re-building the O-Line, and they seem to be excited about the chance to draft Mendenhall. The latest mocks have none of the wide receivers being taken before the 20th pick, so all indicators are pointing towards the Bears moving down. I really am at a loss when I try to think of "that one player", that Angelo will want above all others, at pick 14, outside of another Greg Olsen like drop out of the top 10, by one of the so-called blue chip picks, I just don`t see him being that sold on any of the players to warrant the money that it will require to get him into camp, when he can move down and get 2 players for the price of 1. It sounds like doing business on the cheap all the time, but it seems to be a sound way to do things.

Prediction: Matt Ryan will be this years Brady Quinn, and will be available at 14!!(seriously)

Why do people like Mendenhall so much?

Frankly, I see little difference between Mendenhall, Smith and Forte. They are about the same size, are all decent receivers and have similar running-styles and 40 times.

Fact is, the running back position is far deeper than the OL. A guy like Forte or Smith may be available with the third round pick, but there is no way they get a comparable tackle in later rounds.

Mendenhall doesn't make sense given the team's needs and the talent available.

It's a tough draft to trade down in, if you want an elite player in this class you have to go RB, DT, and maybe DE, at Oline it's deep but has no elite players, some are better than other for sure but there are a lot of projects that project to being really good if developeed properly. Long and Gosder and maybe Clady are the only sure fire starters at OT and that would be at RT, other guys project as guards to start and develop, like Otah and Williams, both are expected to start at LG maybe Otah at RT but he is a major project.

For the Bears to trade down they really need Mendenhall to be there or maybe Williams then the Boys or the Eagles will make a move, but word is the Eagles will trade with the Bills, and Mendenhall will be gone to the Panthers. The Boys might make a move for Stewart though. There are other teams who may target a player but I think the trade down will be a tough move. I still would go with Gosder. The bears were 15th in passing last year which is not bad, but 30th in the run. Gosder is the best run blocker in the draft. Not to mention remember where a lot of sacks came from last year, it was the right side that was the disaster area. You put Gosder in there and I bet you drop ten sacks this year. If Tait is healthy this year he will be decent on the left side until we get a stud LT in next years draft, next years oline draft class looks to be better than this one, it's not as deep but there are at least two elite players at LT. The Bears also really need a OG but this years class sucks outside of Albert. I do like Roy Schuening out of Oregon St. I think he could start at RG for the bears he is great at run blocking. But I would not grab him in round 2 if he fell to round 3 I would take him with the first pick the bears have.

Some of you guys are kind of jumping the gun on this Philadelphia trade with Buffalo that I don't see happening. First off the Eagles have a much bigger need at free safety than tackle so it would make more sense for the Eagles to stay at #19 and take Kenny Phillips of Miami. Phillips would be an ideal replacement for 35 year old Brian Dawkins. One more fact to think about, the Eagles were in attendance for Jeff Otahs pro day the other day. Philadelphia is in bigger need of a right tackle for the simple fact that there current right tackle Jon Runyan is a young 35 years old and there left tackle Tra Thomas is only 33 so it would make more sense to trade up and take Otah vs Williams but the Eagles could probably stay at #19 and get Otah, also coach Andy Reid likes them big mauler types like Otah. So if the Eagles trade up I see them takeing Otah but I don't think the Eagles will because they can address the right tackle position in the 2nd-3rd round and fill the much needed safety position just staying put and not have to unload any draft picks doing so, to me this just makes more sense oh well GO BEARS!!

I would tend to agree that there are virtually no elite players in this draft. Chris Long is being touted as the highest rated DE ever coming out of college by a couple of different scouting services, Dorsey is being labeled the next Warren Sapp (I thought that was already Tommie Harris), and after that, there seems to be a ton of debate about every other pick. Jake Long is a RT, but could go #1 overall and be placed at LT in Miami. Matt Ryan would have gone third in Eli Manning's draft class among QBs, and some think Brohm will be a better pro because of his intelligence and awareness. McFadden has a skinny lower body, but "could" be among the most explosive running backs in the league.

That is what is great about the draft. Logan Mankins was rated by a ton of scouts as a solid tackle that would have to move to guard. Most had him going in the 3rd-4th round. Pats took him late in round 1, and he is a Pro Bowler. Mark Anderson went in the 5th round, and racked up 12 sacks as a rookie. One man's trash....

I think our entire draft strategy hinges on what Shanahan does at 12. If he goes OT, then we either have to take a running back, or trade back. If he takes Mendenhall, we will have our choice of a couple of the tackle prospects or Albert. Carolina is probably going to take a defensive end, like Harvey or Campbell, so they can help out Peppers on the line (if Mendenhall is gone). They can get their bruiser back in the second round. If Shanahan takes a defensive player, the phone will start ringing in Chicago. Arizona, Houston, Philly, Tampa, Dallas, and possibly Pittsburgh and Seattle could be interested in moving up, either for a tackle or running back. If we were to move back for Cherilus, which is not a bad prospect in my opinion, we could probably get him as low as 20-23 (only if we trade with the Steelers, or they will take him there). We could get at least another third rounder out of the mix, and either draft with all those picks, or use the 44 and 90 to move up to the #32 spot with Miami and get another top line guy who slips out of the first round. We would still have the 70th pick, and any extra ammo we get out of the trade down. The Bears are blatantly cheap, and will be more inclined to trade down than up. But I agree that one of the premier prospects has to be there at 14 for us to be able to move (Mendenhall, Williams, Otah, Clady, or possibly Harvey if teams think the Lions want a pass rusher)

Looking at the draft board, how many teams have Williams, Clady, or Otah rated significantly better than Cherilus? Or Albert? After Jake Long, who I would put closer to the rest than most scouting services, I don't see much variance. Clady has physical upside, but is not the sharpest knife in the drawer. Williams is polished, but not physical enough. Otah has great upside, but is raw all the way around, and not sound fundamentally. Cherilus is a superb run blocker, but struggles with speed rushers. Baker is smooth, agile, but not physical. Every one of these guys is good, not great. If I had my choice, it would be Williams, because we can make a guy stronger. I have less confidence in our ability to make guys better, or smarter, or more technically sound.

The other spot in the round that could generate movement is the 5-8 range. The Chiefs, Jets, Pats, and Ravens could all be interested in moving around. If McFadden is there at 5 or 6, then expect the phones to ring for those teams. If Ryan is there at 5, you could also see a pretty aggressive push by Baltimore to get KC not to take him. New England would love to be able to trade their 7 pick for the 22 and 28th from Dallas, just to stick it to Goodell, but Jones says he isn't trading up (wink, wink). If everyone in that group stands pat and makes their picks, the movement will start happening right around the Broncos, Panthers, and Bears.

We would all love for our starting LT to come out of this draft, and he might, but it might not be this year. We need 2 tackles, and at least one guard out of this draft class, and I would not mind at all putting Cherilus at RT, and drafting Duane Brown of Va Tech at 70 or 90 to groom to replace Tait on the left. I do believe that with a decent weight program Williams can man the left side this year (improved to 25 reps on his pro day from 21 at the Combine), but am I willing to bet on it? Probably not. I would much rather bet on Cherilus being a huge improvement over Fred Miller on the right...or Albert being a big improvement over Metcalf or Garza....

Kevin Thomas and Runyan are ancient, and they have Asante Samuel and Lito Sheppard in there secondary. Phillips isn't even first round talent. Not to mention the Eagles list there number one need as Oline help. They could get Morgan or Smith in round 2 or 3 to play saftie. You could also get Lee in round 2 and convert him to saftie or leave him at CB and trade Lito, who it has been reported is on the block it has also been reported that the Eagles are in talks with the Bills. As for big mauler types, Williams is 6-6 and was 315 pounds and all the scouts say he has the frame to add weight and that he should. As for Otah he is a major project, but I hear the Chiefs like him a lot and they are good at developing Oline. Also the Ravens need a Corner in a bad way they could trade picks with the Eagles for Lito and a first rounder as well. Kevin you know it's the Bears, I want Mendenhall, you want Williams, and Angelo wants to trade down.

Hey Kevin it's not our fault the Bears won a couple of meaningless games at the end of the year that took them out of the top 10 in the draft. They always do that in there loosing seasons. Well the season is over and we are out of it so lets play good now.

There is a good chance that Williams, Otah and Albert are all gone when the Bears pick. If tit makes you feel better the last time Angelo drafted a LT at 14 it was Kenyata Walker, he was supposed to be real good too. He rated even higher than Williams. What happened to him again?

man, i dont know about the rest of you, but i am so ready for this draft to happen!!! i know its not going to happen, but i would love to see the bears take mendenhall. the only reason why is i cant stand benson!!! the only good running back (besides walter) the bears have had that was any good is jones, and the bears were fools and dumped him...idiots!!! ive been telling my friends aand family for 2 years now that the bears need some young fresh O-linemen...so i hope we get some good players to replace the old farts on the junk line we have now. i dont think grossman would have had nearly so many mistakes if he had an extra second or 2. i also think if we got rid of our biggest problem on offense...ron turner...orton wouldnt be that great for anyone else, which he wasnt really for RT. the only thing orton can do is the little pooch passes which only get about a yard or 2...BFD!!! i also know the price was right for booker and lloyd, but what do they really bring to the table? not much!!!
so, in my opinion get some quility player, whatever position it may be. quit trading down to get extra picks that youre just gonna get rid of later on anyway....shheeeessshhhh!!!

None of you know how wll Mendenhall will be he has not played one single game in the league and comes from one of the slowest conferences in college football. To say Jones was the best back since Payton lets me know theres some fans on here that doesn't know BEAR football hello wake up can you say Neal Anderson dude. Check Benson and Jones numbers in the Super Bowl year Both had 4.1 yds per carry and 6 TD's that year behind a aging but still blocking line. Fast forward one year later can't block anyone both 1st and 2nd string backs yds per carry fall to 3.4 yds. Get Mendenhall and we suck on offense another year get line help and we're contenders again please a back without a line does not work it's not the 80's lineman run 4.5 40yd dashes now you need beef up front

jae, thank you I agree 100% with your blog. Some of you guys act like just because Jerry Angelo never drafted an all pro o-lineman that it is impossible to think that Angelo ever could, I disagree. Some of you guys think the Bears can't develope offensive linemen, I also disagree. First off it is Angelo's job to bring in the players, it is then the job of the coaching staff to develope the players not Angelo, so cutting down Angelo for never drafting a all pro o-lineman is a little of course. Yes I agree Angelo messed up by bringing in some over the hill players to be stop gaps for the o-line, but other than this past season the Bears did have a pretty good o-line thanks in part to Angelo in putting this line together and also in part to o-line coach Harry Hiestand for coaching them. Before this season the Bears with Hiestand had a 1000yd rusher and under 20 sacks per season, then there was the 2007 nightmare with no 1000yd rusher and 20 to 30 plus sacks this was not Hiestand fault, its hard to coach o-line in the NFL let alone when you have a one armed guard, an over the hill right tackle, and a left tackle who was playing hurt most of the season, yes this was Angelo's fault but this does not mean Angelo cannot draft offensive linemen or that the Bears can't develope them. Take Mark LeVoir, I think he could have eventually been the Bears right tackle, the Rams must have seen something in him to take Levoir off the Bears practice squad, there were 31 other practice squads with tackles out there and the Rams chose LeVoir, so Hiestand must have done something right in LeVoirs developement for the Rams to choose him. Also Mark Colombo Angelo drafted him and he turned out pretty good, Angelo should have kept him for the right tackle position but decided to go with Fred Miller and it worked out for a couple of seasons. Also its not fair to say the Bears can't develope o-linemen because how does anyone know? This is Harry Hiestands job and Hiestands only been in the league for going on four seasons and while he was here he never had a chance to develope any one so why are some fans so certain that the Bears can't develope offensive linemen when he has never been given anyone other than LeVoir, Metcalf [bad example], and Beekman who we have yet to see. I say give Hiestand a chance to work with some first day talent like the Bears have a chance to get out of this years draft before passing judgement on the Bears and thinking just because this past year the o-line was bad that it is sit in stone that the Bears cannot draft or develope o-line talent and I also say GO BEARS!!

I recently watched a YouTube video of Kevin Smith.Can anyone say Cedric Benson.Iwas totally underwhelmed.The clip showed his vast skills of easily being brought down from behind as well as an equally unimpressive 3yard scamper into the end zone.I saw no 40 yard bursts for a score.No amazing displays of agility or balance.In other words if angelo wants a replica of Benson this video clip provides enough evidence to warrant his selection.

Now if this is the standard angelo wants to set for this team than he may as well never bother to draft another RB or QB for that matter.We can find an ample supply of this type of quality in the undrafted free agents section of your local grocer.

I know I'm repeating myself but we can count on somebody unexpected dropping down to 14 - a Ryan, Dorsey, Clady, etc. There's only one guarentee - it won't be Jake Long. I do find it amusing how as the draft gets closer some of the alleged experts act like he's got some blemishes. He doesn't and nfl personnel guys know it. Don't forget Jake is the guy who as a junior made all big ten and all american ahead of Joe Thomas in his senior year. Thomas was 2nd team all big ten behind Jake prior to the draft.

Depending on who's available I still think the Bears first best option is to trade down if say Dallas gave them 2 firsts. I'd rather give Jerry two shots at success than roll dice on one guy at 14. What the heck, we'll get Gosder in the early 20's and is he that much worse than Otah or Williams?

Only exception to trading down is if Matt Ryan miraculously fell to 14. I know it's a gamble but I believe he will make the pro bowl someday if healthy. But if they somehow got him, let him carry the clipboard for a year because it will mean our line will stink again. Let Rex take a pounding in his final year as a bear, not Matt.

Mendenhall at 14 is fine but I just caution all that other than QB, drafting 1st round RB's has the most risk to it. Mendenhall like any RB could be a bust or take a career ending injury in the first 24 months.

Kevin I think you make some great points. We are to quick to forget that JA patched the O-Line together because we had the opportunity to be a championship team. He recognized the time was NOW. Rex didn't develop and Benson got hurt again, but we got to the SB. Now it's rebuild the team time.

I disagree on Williams mainly because of the strength issue. The reps of 225 is a good measure of strength, but it's an even better measure of work ethic. I agree you can make someone stronger, but can you instill a work ethic? I don't think so.

Coming out of this draft I really want to see two O-Linemen and one of them a future bookend at OT. I think you try to grab the OLT first, but if none are there and no trades can be made go for the ORT. The 3rd rd is where they look for the guy who can start in a year or two. I'm convinced that Albert will be the OLT if he's there at 14, and who knows Clady may fall because of his 18 on the wonderlic.

A RB can be found in the 2nd or 3rd rds. However, if NIcks falls to the Bears in the 2nd I would jump all over that.

Philbear,
While i do agree that someone is going to drop, it can only help us if a)we want the guy who drops, or b)someone else does. There are reasons these guys drop, as every team is looking for something different, except for the Pats and Jets, as Mangini is playing copycat with Pioli and Belichick in every move he makes. Jake Long is the best lineman rated by everyone for a reason, but make no mistake about it...he does have his faults. He is not a fluid tackle in pass protection, and he misses a lot of blocks at the second level. He will be a solid player in the NFL, either a potential Pro Bowler at RT, or a solid LT for many years. But he is not the athlete Joe Thomas is, nor is he as polished on the edge to keep up with the speed and quickness he will face on the left side.

There is no way we will get Dallas' first two picks. If they trade up, we can get 22 and a third rounder, but the 22 and 28 are equivalent of between the 6th and 7th overall selection, so why would they give that up to only get to 14? We would be lucky to get a third with the other team's first pick for teams who want to move up into our spot. In my opinion, Mendenhall, Mayo, Clady, Williams, and Otah are the only guys who would generate buzz at 14. Detroit could take any one of those guys, or a CB if the right guy is still there (Cromartie perhaps). If none of those guys are there, we are pretty well hosed, and will have to make a selection. Matt Ryan, if he fell past 8 to Baltimore, would probably go to Carolina at 13 before he ever got to us. If by some miracle he drops, we can either make the pick, or use the leverage to get more out of someone else that may want him later in the round (Tampa, Minnesota, San Diego, Green Bay). But I would say the odds are about as good of Rex Grossman setting the single season TD record this year as Ryan being there when we are on the clock.

If the Bears draft Mendenhall,first I'm gonna puke ,then I'm going out to get a Romo-TO ,valentine heart-shaped ,full length tattoo on my back.Seriously, Besides Brady,Brees,& maybe Randle-El, can anyone name a skill-position player from the Big-Ten that made an impact at the next level?If you have to take more than 10 seconds,I've made my point!!!The over-rated Big Ten is only good for lineman & linebackers.Take your regional blinders off!!!

am i the only one that thinks the bears can trade up to get McFadden???

All right before someone blogs me and calls me an idiot I admit I was wrong on the sack total for Hiestands first two seasons. The official count was 2005 31 sacks allowed and 2006 25 allowed still not bad. In my defense I was just making an educated guess to prove a point. As far as rushing the ball under Hiestands watch, the Bears have had at least 100yds in 25 of the first 32 games under Hiestand, 13 in 2005 and 12 in 2006. Keep in mind I bring up only 2005-06 because this is the period in which Hiestand had a healthy o-line to work with. You got to give Hiestand a pass for 2007 because of all the injuries. Like I said earlier through these first 3 seasons Hiestand has never really had a chance to develope a lot of young talent, now we should give the guy a chance to do so before saying the Bears can't develope o-line talent. Here is one small example of how Hiestand is in developing offensive linemen. During his tenure at Illinois, Hiestand tutored 12 all-Big Ten selections on the offensive line. Every senior starting offensive linemen in Hiestand's first seven years with the Illini was signed to an NFL contract for at least one season. After 2002 season, seniors Tony Pashos and Dave Diehl were fifth-round draft picks in the 2003 NFL draft. So Hiestand can develope offensive linemen if given a chance. I think if the Bears bring in a first round tackle and a 2nd-3rd roung guard along with Josh Beekman Hiestand could mold a good offensive line for the Bears. So like I said give Hiestand a chance before assumeing the Bears can't develope offensive line talent because this Bear fan thinks they can GO BEARS!!

texasjim, you forgot Larry Johnson,Chris Carter,Anthony Carter,Terry Glenn,David Boston,Amani Toomer,Plaxico Burress,Andre Rison,Brian Griese he did make a pro bowl,Jim Harbaugh also made a pro bowl,Elvis Grbac made a pro bowl also,Muhammad he made two pro bowls,Joey Galloway,Lee Evans,Chris Chambers,Laurence Maroney,Derrick Mason,Braylon Edwards,Joe Jurecvicius,Dallas Clark,Ben Utecht,Mike Alstott, and i guarentee I'm forgetting a bunch more get my point. I agree I don't want Mendenhall either but I don't think its far to judge a player from what conference he played in oh ya the BIG TEN is the best GO BEARS!!

Joe,

I agree that Ryan falling that low has low odds. But so did Greg Olsen and Aaron Rogers. I'm just saying someone solid will fall and either be a candidate at we aren't expecting and either trade bait or temptation for us. Williams and Otah won't generate any trade buzz at 14. It will have to be a big gun who falls or Rashard.

Also know we'd have to throw in something to get Dallas's two firsts. Point is I'd rather trade down and have 3 picks in top 50 instead of two for Jerry.

Careful on Nicks - he's got some bad apple in him and many believe he'll be a Cedric. Sign up for his $$ and quit on his team.

On Jake, I read the same stuff you are on line and my point is don't be fooled. I went to UW and followed Joe on TV when I had the chance from my home in Michigan. My kids went to UM and so I saw Jake play many times. He is quick as well as strong as heck. He has more upside and will lift his skills to the level of his competition. Extremely coachable and will be a pro bowl LT as capable as anyone in the league at handling speedy DE's.

Does anyone know of a good live blog that will be active and good to participate in on draft day? It isn't this one because there's too long of a lag.

I believ