Bears Blitz

Published by Jeff Chase on April 16, 2012
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears have plenty of needs to address at this year’s NFL draft, but one position they must seriously consider upgrading is at the tight end, something they could fulfill rather quickly by taking the Stanford Cardinal’s Coby Fleener.

Fleener is somewhat from the area, growing up in Joliet, and according to ESPNChicago.com’s Jeff Dickerson, the Cardinal is interested in returning home.

“I definitely grew up a Chicago sports fan,” Fleener said. “It would be exciting [to be taken by the Bears], but I think I would be excited to be drafted by any team. But my hometown Bears, that would be exciting as well.”

The team has gone out of its way this offseason to continue to acquire the pieces to give quarterback Jay Cutler all the weapons he would need, including making a trade with the Miami Dolphins for wide receiver Brandon Marshall, his favorite target during his days with the Denver Broncos.

Not only that, the team also signed running back Michael Bush, a nice complement to running back Matt Forte, as well as a fine option if the latter does decide to hold out.

Of course, the team must still address its needs at offensive line, and while wide receiver is still high on the list, it definitely took a step back in the employment line with the addition of Marshall.

So why tight end?

Well, the Bears didn’t have a strong option at the position this past year since they traded away Cutler’s favorite target in Greg Olsen to the Carolina Panthers before the 2011 season simply because he didn’t fit former offensive coordinator Mike Martz’s system.

During Olsen’s four years with the Bears, he had a total of 1,981 receiving yards, as well as 20 touchdowns. In his final season with the team, he had five touchdowns, which was good for tying Johnny Knox for that season’s team high.

While Olsen’s replacement in Kellen Davis had five touchdowns of his own in 2011, he just didn’t provide the same athleticism that Olsen provided.

Perhaps he could flourish in new offensive coordinator Mike Tice’s system, as it likely won’t restrict the tight end position as much as Martz’s did. There is no doubt about the affect there, but it will remain to be seen how he will perform.

According to NBCChicago.com’s Maggie Hendricks, coach Lovie Smith has a favorable outlook on Davis, but his optimism has yet to be truly matched by on-field performance.

“I think if you want to feature Kellen Davis you can do that,” Smith said. “Great size, great in-line blocker, skilled enough of an athlete to be able to move outside and do some things. I really like him.”

Davis could still be an option for the team, especially in red zone situations, but he doesn’t present the same possibilities that Fleener does in terms of big play ability.

In 2011, Fleener had 34 receptions, 10 of which were scores. He averaged nearly 20 yards per play, and while the college game is definitely different than the pro game, his numbers dwarf Olsen’s college stats.

At the U, Olsen scored just six touchdowns on 87 receptions for the Miami Hurricanes during his three years on the field.

The thing is, Fleener isn’t projected to be picked until the first round’s last pick in the draft by ESPN’s Mel Kiper, which would be to the New York Giants.

In Kiper’s latest mock, he has the Bears selecting Illinois Fighting Illini defensive end Whitney Mercilus, which could be a great pick to rejuvenate the defensive line, but is it really something they want to address this early in the draft with Julius Peppers and Isreal Idonije ready to go in 2012.

One can’t imagine the Bears selecting him at their spot in the draft, 19th overall. Perhaps if the team explores a trade to move down in the draft, they could pick up some other later draft picks, ones they can gamble with a little more.

ESPN.com’s KC Joyner actually sees the Bears possibly using their 19th pick in the draft to take Fleener, questioning if he will even be still available.

@KFriedRasslin Jets will probably go for defense in round 1. I’ve got the Bears pegged for Coby Fleener if he is still around at 19.

— KC Joyner (@KCJoynerTFS) March 27, 2012

Fleener will just allow the Bears’ offense to flourish, giving them another strong option with their developing receiver corps.

If the Bears decide to stick at their spot in the draft, then it would possibly be foolish to waste their pick on a tight end here. But if they decide to move it, they most definitely should consider targeting a replacement to Olsen in their offensive game plan, something that Fleener could likely fulfill.

Jeff Chase is a Featured Columnist for the Chicago Cubs and Arizona State football.
Follow @Real_Jeff_Chase

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