The Bear Off-Season Report Part 2: OG

          As the 2012 NFL season wore on, injuries and ineffectiveness ravaged the Bears on the interior of the O-line. Chilo Rachal was a failure, Chris Spencer would've been fine except he lost his spot to Rachal, and Lance Louis was the victim of Jared Allen's bush league crack back that put him on IR. The Bears were left inserting undrafted free agent James Brown (off their practice squad) and Gabe Carimi (played on one leg) to finish the season.
          SELF-SCOUTING. This is why Phil Emery was hired as GM. Are James Brown and Lance Louis the answers at OG? If not for the injury, Louis (UFA) would've been extended; now he and the Bears are in limbo. James Brown was signed as a priority UFA out of Troy. He was a long term tackle prospect before having to suit up at OG. When will Lance Louis be healthy? Where is Carimi better suited? Emery will have to determine how to use resources to get better production at OG. There's a lot of talent at the guard position in this year's draft but selecting a starter will most certainly have to be done in the first 2 rounds. Here are the top guards coming out of the college:

• Chance Warmack, Alabama: Warmack dominated SEC play and is a Top 15 player, maybe top 10. If he lasts until pick #20, the Bears would be hard pressed to pass up a player who has a real good chance to be a perennial pro bowler.  
• Jonathan Cooper, UNC: Cooper is a bit undersized but his athleticism and explosiveness are highly graded. Cooper was a 3 year starter at Carolina, which averaged 193 yards rushing per game in 2012 and earned himself All-American honors. Warmack and Cooper are the only true OGs who have a 1st Round Grades.
• Barrett Jones, Alabama: Barrett Jones started 25 games at RG his first two years at Alabama, earning Freshman All-American, 3rd Team All-American honors, and a National Championship in 2009. His Junior year, Jones was switched to LT, earned All-American honors, won the Outland Trophy as the nation's best linemen and a second National Championship. When he became a Senior Jones was switched to C, earned All-American honors again, won the Rimington Award for being the nation's best Center, and yes, another National Championship. The most versitile linemen in the draft, has excellent fundamentals, doesn't have or need brute strength, great at using his hands and feet, stays on top of his blocks; doesn't exhibit great explosiveness or athleticism; had foot surgery and is out 3-4 months.
• Dallas Thomas, Tennessee: Like Jones, Dallas Thomas has played multiple positions at Tennessee. Started his first two years at LT then was moved inside to LG. Athletic, powerful, and with solid measurables, Thomas won 2nd Team All-SEC honors at his new position. His versatility gives him a 1st Round Grade, and a lot of scouts think he can transition back outside and play LT.
• Larry Warford, Kentucky: MASSIVE. 6'3, 330lbs and has a mauling style of play. Very strong, finishes off defenders when he gets them on their heels. Has strong hands, while not athletic, Warford does have a quick first step that allows him to pull as well as blow defenders of the ball. Has a 2nd Round Grade.

Best of the rest: Alvin Bailey-Arkansas, Hugh Thornton-Illinois, Omoregie Uzzi-Georgia Tech

The Bear Off-Season Report Part 1: OT

     Now that Phil Emery has hired Marc Trestman, he can now focus on the roster. Emery will still have to lock down a DC with the exit of Rod Marinelli, which will affect player depth on DEF, however the picture is clear on what Bears team needs are.

Team Needs: OT, OG, TE, WR, MLB, CB, DE

OT: Phil Emery ignored the offensive line last year, that clearly will not be the case again. The Score's Dan Bernstein reported Bears brass are still high on OT Gabe Carimi while confirming his knee never fully recovered from surgery last off-season. Essentially Carimi played on one leg last year. However, he will have to compete with Johnathon Scott (who did a decent job securing the right side) at RT. J'Marcus Webb on the other hand has proven to be nothing more then a BN player. Able to play in a pinch, but not a long term answer. Drafting the 4th or 5th best LT in the 1st RD of the 2013 NFL Draft would be gambling next season. The wise move here is to find a professional OT in free agency. Here are the top free agents:

• LT Ryan Clady, DEN: Highest rated OT by Pro Football Focus, protects Peyton Manning's blindside, most likely to get tagged if not extended.
• RT Andre Smith, CIN: Smith was drafted as an LT with the 6th overall pick in 2009 from Alabama and immediately turned into a big tub of goo. His first two years in the NFL were awful. He was out of shape, had a bad attitude, and didn't seem to exhibit any toughness. Going into the 2011 season CIN rightfully passed on extending Smith's contract which would've inflated his rookie deal to 6 years. That's when the light turned "ON". Andre Smith has been dominating the last two years at RT and has finally displayed the skills which netted him a Top 10 Draft Grade. He now enters free agency as a UFA. If CIN chooses to use the Franchise Tag on Andre Smith, it'd be hard to justify paying that kind of money to an RT with Andrew Whitworth firmly entrenched at LT.
• RT Sebastian Vollmer, NE: Vollmer is a massive Tackle (6'8 320lbs) who will be marketed as an LT (which he has played sparingly in NE) and that may push him out of the Patriots' price range. He has dominated at RT, filled in at LT, and transitioned between both positions smoothly.
• LT Jake Long, MIA: Ah, the controversial Jake Long. Was the best LT in the game 2 years ago; My oh my how the mighty have fallen. His play has dropped off significantly the last two years, likely because of injuries. After not missing a game his first 3 years, Long missed time in 2011 with a back ailment and was eventually put on IR with a torn right biceps injury. He struggled this season and ended up back on IR with a torn left triceps. He's still very talented but has caught the injury bug. The arm injuries shouldn't scare anybody, but that back aliment is another story.
• LT Jermon Bushrod, NO: Drafted in the 4th Round of the 2007 draft, the Saints developed Bushrod overtime and he's turned into a Pro Bowl LT. Had a down year in 2012, but with so much going on with NO, not a complete shock. NO is desperate to resign him but they have serious cap issues.
• Branden Albert, KC: While playing OG at Virgina, the Cheifs committed early to switching Albert to LT. Baptized by fire his rookie season, but held his own. Had a down year in 2010 but has shown himself to be professional LT the last two years. KC is in a bind. Their cap space is limited and have two monster free agents to sign, Dwayne Bowe and Branden Albert.

Best of the rest: LT William Beatty-NYG, LT Sam Baker-ATL, RT Gosder Cherilus-DET

A Chicago Bears Plan: In Depth

My Bears plan to the Super Bowl:
1) Tag Matt Forte-Paying any long money is a mistake. He's a helluva RB with a great tool set but a RB nonetheless. Ask TEN, MIN, or CAR about allocating big money and years to an RB.
2) Sign Vincent Jackson-He's the big WR Jay Cutler needs. The Bears wouldn't do to bad picking up Marques Colston but VJax can blow the top off a DEF in a Power Running/Deep Play-Action Pass OFF.
3) Sign Jared Gaither. It was mentioned to me by another football expert that the Bears should make a run at Carl Nicks All Pro OG from NO. I'd like this very much. If there was money to add a big time WR and Nicks, I'd say pull the trigger. But if money is a factor, signing Gaither provides insurance at both tackle positions. He's young (25) and after being cut by KC beacasue of injuries, was picked up by SD and did an exceptional job filling in for Marcus McNeill at LT protecting Philip Rivers the 2nd half of the season

Draft:

1st Rd-DL I've become a believer that NFL success starts upfront with the Offensive and Defensive Line. The Bears have gotten considerably young on the O-Line. They now have to balance that with getting some youth on the D-Line, wheter that be inside or outside: Dontari Poe DT, Melvin Ingram DL Whitney Mercilus DE, Fletcher Cox DT

2nd Round-CB With one reliable CB, the Bears need bodies in the secondary. This draft is DEEP at the corner postion and will make landing a starter in the second round feasable: Jamell Fleming Stephen Gillmore, Trumaine Johnson, Josh Robinson

3rd RD (73rd Pick) WR-Signing a true No.1 WR addresses the need of a weapon, but not depth. The Bears will still need to draft a couple wideouts in the middle rounds. Johnny Knox cannot be counted on, Devin Hester will have a diminshed role in the OFF, Roy Williams is out, and Dane Sanzenbacher is well Dane Sanzenbacher:Marvin McNutt, Mohammed Sanu, Nick Toon, Brian
Quick, Tommy Streeter

3rd Rd (80th Pick) S/CB/LB-This pick is where the Bears can go in a couple of different ways. Addressing the LB would be great but if the Bears picked up the best player available, I'd be fine with that too: Mychal Kendricks, Harrison Smith, George Iloka, Markelle Martin, or Josh Norman

4th Rd TE/LB James Hanna, Vontaze Burfict, LaDarius Green, James
Michael-Johnson

5th Rd-WR-Dwight Jones, Jeff Fuller, AJ Jenkins, Greg Childs

NFL Mock Draft 1.0

     After much research, my first 2012 NFL Mock Draft is finally complete. I will only have two versions, 1 Pre-Combine and 1 Post-Combine/Pro Days. This will definitely look a lot different after Juniors are evaluated, interviewed, and ranked. A quick overview of sources include scouting reports from Wes Bunting, Rob Rang, Todd McShay, personal correspondence from reporters Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times, Matt Bowen of the Chicago Tribune, and my own game notes. An official report of my sources will be out in a couple of weeks. Thanks for taking a look and I look forward to any responses...God Bless Football

1. IND: Andrew Luck QB Stanford
2. STL: Matt Kalil OT USC
3. MIN: Justin Blackmon WR Oklahoma St
4. CLE: Morris Claibourne CB LSU
5. TB: Dre Kirkpatrick CB Alabama
6. WAS: Robert Griffen III QB Baylor
7. JAX: Riley Reiff OT Iowa
8. *MIA: Trent Richardson RB Alabama
9. *CAR: David DeCastro OG Stanford
10. BUF: Quinton Coples DE UNC
11. *KC: Jonathon Martin OT Stanford
12. *SEA: Michael Brockers DE LSU
13. ARI: Michael Floyd WR Notre Dame
14. DAL: Peter Konz OG/C Wisconsin
15. PHI: Luke Kuechly LB Boston College
16. NYJ: Courtney Upshaw OLB/DE Alabama
17. CIN: Devon Still DT Penn St
18. SD: Mike Adams OT Ohio St
19. CHI: Melvin Ingram DE South Carolina
20. TEN: Jerel Worthy DT Michigan St
21. CIN: Lamar Miller RB Miami
22. CLE: Kendall Wright WR Baylor
23. DET: Janoris Jenkins CB North Alabama
24. PIT: Kelechi Osemele OG Iowa St
25. DEN: Alfonzo Dennard CB Nebraska
26. HOU: Alshon Jeffery WR South Carolina
27. NE: Mark Barron S Alabama
28. GB: Nick Perry DE USC
29. BAL: Vontaze Burfict LB ASU
30. SF: Ryan Tannenhill QB Texas A&M
31. NE: Fletcher Cox DE Miss St
32. NYG Coby Fleener TE Stanford

* denotes pending coin flip for slot

NFL DRAFT: Big Board 21-32

     And this list rounds out my Pre-Combine Big Board. Once underclassmen are reviewed at the NFL Combine and all players have thier Pro-Days, I'll have an updated Big Board sometime in late March and while my 1st Edition NFL Mock draft will be out next week. Enjoy...


          21.   Mark Barron S Alabama
          22.   Nick Perry DE USC
          23.   Janoris Jenkins CB North Alabama
          24.   Mike Adams OT Ohio St
          25.   Alshon Jeffery WR South Carolina
          26.   Lamar Miller RB Miami
          27.   Coby Fleener TE Stanford
          28.   Kelechi Osemele OG Iowa St
          29.   Jerel Worthy DT Michigan St
          30.   Whitney Mercilus DE Illinois
          31.   Vontaze Burfict LB ASU
          32.   Ryan Tannenhill QB Oklahoma St

NFL DRAFT: Big Board 11-20

    Just a couple of reminders as I post up NFL Draft Prospects ranks 11-20. This is a Pre-Combine Big Board. Not a Mock Draft. These are the best players on the board, regardless of team needs. On a side note, most 1st editions of Big Boards and Mocks come out in late January because of the Senior Bowl, which is the first of the post-season college all-star games. While the game itself is more of an afterthought, the practices and workouts are mobbed by NFL scouts and sports media. Enjoy.

     11.   Michael Brockers DE LSU
     12.   Dre Kirkpatrick CB Alabama
     13.   Devon Still DT Penn St.
     14.   Melvin Ingram DE South Carolina
     15.   Michael Floyd WR ND
     16.   Courtney Upshaw OLB/DE Alabama
     17.   Peter Konz OG/C Wisconsin
     18.   Luke Kuechly LB Boston College
     19.   Alfonzo Dennard CB Nebraska
     20.   Kendall Wright WR Baylor

NFL DRAFT: My top ten...

     As we wind down the 2011-2012 football season; GM's, Player Personnel, and fans start gearing up for the NFL Draft. Mocks begin to filter out online, Mel Kiper begins to corner the market on hair gel in preparation for April and every football fan hopes their team scores on a sleeper. While Bears fans wait for a GM (I'm backing Marc Ross), we can already peer into what the future holds. In the ensuing months I'll post my own mocks and a full big board but for now I'll leave you all with my 10 NFL Draft Prospects: have fun dissecting.

1. Andrew Luck QB Stanford
2. Matt Kalil OT USC
3. Morris Claiborne CB LSU
4. Justin Blackmon WR Oklahoma St
5. Robert Griffen III QB Baylor
6. Trent Richardson RB Alabama
7. Riley Reiff OT Iowa
8. David DeCastro OG Stanford
9. Quinton Coples DE/DT UNC
10. Jonathon Martin OT Stanford