Bears Blitz

Published by Bryan Dietzler on May 3, 2011
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

The final day of the 2011 NFL Draft saw the Bears take a couple of picks that interested some and made others wonder what the Bears were doing. 

At first, the pick of Nathan Enderle, a quarterback from Idaho, seemed odd as the Bears have Jay Cutler and Caleb Hanie on the roster but the pick has made much more sense after thinking about it for a few days.  Adding an outside linebacker was a good move but the player picked may not have been the best player at that position at that time.

And the Bears avoided taking any additional offensive lineman which was their biggest need heading into this draft.

The following is a look at the last two picks that the Bears made in the 2011 NFL Draft as well as some unique insight into their problems trading up on the draft’s first night with the Baltimore Ravens.

Round 5, Pick 160-Nathan Enderle-QB-Idaho: At first, this pick may have seemed a little strange but after sitting down and thinking about it for a while it makes sense.  Knowing just how well offensive coordinator Mike Martz develops quarterbacks, Enderle will benefit from that kind of education and could develop into a serviceable starter in the future.

Chicago did well by taking Enderle but could have used some additional help on the offensive line and perhaps could have gotten Enderle or another player comparable to him in the next round.

Grade:B-

Round 6, Pick 195-J.T. Thomas-LB-West Virginia: Despite the fact that the Bears still had needs on the offensive line, they went ahead and tried to fill a need at the outside linebacker position with this pick.  The problem was, Thomas had been rated as an undrafted free agent heading into the draft and may not have been drafted had the Bears not taken him.

Thomas will most likely be a part of the Bear’s special teams unit (there are some that feel that he was drafted specifically for special teams) to start and then could work his way in as a backup at the outside linebacker position.  Chicago still needs to find some help at the outside linebacker position and could find it after the lockout is over.

Grade: D+

Overall: The Bears had a great start to this draft and it appeared as if the organization had finally “gotten it”.  Picking Carimi and Paea will end up to be two of the best moves that the Bears have made in the draft in a while and both will be able to contribute right away.  Enderle may end up being of some value in the future.

Overall Grade: B-

In regards to the Bear’s problems trying to trade up with the Baltimore Ravens in the first round the Bears wanted to jump ahead of Kansas City fearing that they were going to take Carimi with their first round pick. 

The deal had the Bears and the Ravens had come up with would give them the Ravens pick at number 27 and give the Ravens the Bears 29th pick in the first round as well as their fourth round selection.

Thanks to a botched phone call from someone within the organization the trade was never consummated and while the Bears ended up getting the player that they wanted, the Ravens demanded that the Bears live up to the agreement. 

They wanted the Bear’s fourth round pick but it worked to no avail.

Complaints to the NFL’s senior leader, Roger Goodell, were not listened to and the Bears were allowed to keep the pick.

Even though a draft pick is a valuable commodity the Bears may have damaged their relationship and trust with other teams by not living up to their end of the bargain. 

Teams rely on trust when making deals for players or draft picks.  Teams may be weary of making deals with the Bears as a result of this botched draft trade.

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