Chicago Bears: Simple Plan for a Simple Draft
Published by Kristian Fletcher on April 16, 2009
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
With Jay Cutler coming to town, most people are of the opinion that has Chicago picking a WR at Pick 49 of Round 2 of the Draft.
However for the team to get better on the whole, last year’s weakness must be addressed. Plan to see positional facelifts and some aggressive moves and selections on Day 2 of the draft.
Inside the numbers
Special Teams masks a lot of the Bears weaknesses, both on offence and defence. Offence was 26th in yards from scrimmage and Defence was 21st in yardage given up.
The only way to get a 9-7 record from this is special teams. Field position was one the Bears’ strengths, thanks to teams not wanting to kick to Hester, and Manning being good returning the ball as well.
Defences
The Bears had no problem stopping the run, finishing fifth in rush defence and were tough in short yardage. Unfortunately, those are the only high points. The Bears D was thrown against more than any team last year and finished 30th in pass D.
Breaking down the numbers more shows the reason for this weakness. Before people try and pin the blame on the secondary, take a look at their total numbers for the year. It finished tied for third in INT(22) and second in pass deflections, so the guy in the back can play and cover.
The lack of pressure on the other team’s QB is was the real reason for the weak play in defending the pass.
The defensive line was tied for 22nd in sacks with 28; this number is even worse given quality of QB’s we faced last year, and hurts more given 622 pass attempts made.
A ratio of 4 and 1/2 sacks per 100 attempts. Match this with a league worst in forced fumbles with 8.
Getting some guys in the opposition’s backfield and heat on their QB would help our secondary play better and trickle down to better overall defences.
Offense
With the addition of Jay Cutler, let’s just put aside that the Bears were 21st in passing yards. Cutler with Forte, Olsen, and Hester should be able to bump up those numbers, and a lot will be expected of Earl Bennett.
Even with Forte, the Bears were 24th in rushing the ball. Couple that with the fact that 3-5 games are played outside from mid November to the end of the seasons, plus the playoffs. We simply need to improve our rush attack, given our geography and the weather.
OT has gotten a big boost with Pace, Schaffer, and a healthy Chris Williams. But given Shaffer’s resume and the fact that he making close to 3 million per, Williams has to win his starting spot.
Whatever combination of OT will be on the field this year, it is an improvement over Tait and St. Clair. Garza, Beekman and FA Omiyale are average G on a good day, and the old war horse Olin Kreutz is now 32. The inside of the O-line could use some help looking long term.
When it comes to the passing game, the need for better WR is glaringly apparent. But it cannot come at the expense of other pressing needs up front on the defence and offensive line to fit the team’s traditional outlook.
Given that we only have two picks in the top 99, any sort of top-end talent will already be off the board, even at No. 49, the top 7-9 WR in the draft will not be there.
April 25 Draft Day 1
After waiting a few hours on Day 1 the Chicago Bears get their name called.
Pick 49: Lawrence Sidbury, DE, Richmond
This guy has been climbing draft boards since the combine. He is 6-foot-3, 265 with a frame to handle more weight, 11-inch hands to go with 36-inch long arms.
If those measurables are not good enough his workout number are even better, to go with those long arms, 28 reps on the bench and the fastest d-lineman at the combine at 4.60 in the 40 and first or second all the other drills.
The perfect piece of clay for coach Marinelli to mold. This move is also needed, given that the top four d-linemen on the depth chart are FA next year as written by Mike Summa.
Rankings: National Football Post #51, Scout.com #118, NFL Draft Scout #65
April 26 Draft Day 2
With day 1 in the books and a invest in a new D-lineman, Jerry tries to get back into the third round by packaging Ogunleye and pick 154.
At 32 now and a FA next season, he simply does not fit the long-term plans of the Bears, get some value for him while we can, not mention the $6 million in pay saved.
Trade Pick 80-90: Antoine Caldwell, C, Alabama
Drafts this deep at center do not happen that often, and Caldwell can play Guard as well as center.
Overlooked because of Andre Smith, Caldwell put in four solid years at Bama and did well at the Combine and his Pro day.
Rankings: National Football Post #61, Scout.com# 106, NFL Draft Scout#85
Pick No. 99: Patrick Turner, WR, USC
With all the Bears’ WR being 6 feet and under, Turner (6’5″, 220) gives a different type of target. Unlike other USC WR, Turner knows he is not a burner, but he broke 4.60 at his pro day and ran good routes at the Senior Bowl.
Rankings: National Football Post #137, Scout.com #118, NFL Draft Scout #143
Pick No. 119: Zach Follett, OLB, Cal
Nick Roach and Hunter Hillenmeyer dont really scare too many teams. We could use depth at LB. He is a high impact player (6′ 2″ 238) good combine number 23 tackles for loss last year, and 10 sack.
Rankings: National Football Post #108, Scout.com #101, NFL Draft Scout# 135
Pick No. 140: Lydon Murtha, OT, Nebraska
Highest O-linemen recruited out of high school, fought injuries throughout college but played well when in the line up. Lit it up at the combine finishing first or second in almost all the drill except bench but put up 25. 6′ 7″ 306. Good fit for a O-line still pretty old.
Rankings: National Football Post # 170, NFL Draft Scout #196
Pick No. 190: Donald Washington, CB, Ohio State
Overshadowed by Malcolm Jenkins, good size 6′ 200 good combine 4.5 40, and best vertical jump measured at 45″. Would be nice fit at FS
Rankings: Scout.com # 198, NFL Draft Scout# 177
Given the depth in the secondary Jerry could make another deal if some he like is falling in the draft. Someone like WR Louis Murphy of Florida, whose ranking is all over the place could be one such person.
