With the 75th Pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Bears Should Select Nate Allen
Published by Dustin Brown on April 23, 2010
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
Now, let me start off this article by saying that I strongly still support the Bears drafting Myron Rolle, safety from FSU. But…it seems unlikely, in my opinion. So, I figured to give my fellow Bears fans something to look forward to in today’s draft.
Maybe we will all hear the long awaited music to…some of our ears: “With the seventy-fifth pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears select safety, from South Florida, Nate Allen.”
From everything I’ve watched of the South Florida prospect, he seems to be on the spot of every turnover. This is what we need, I’m not the one to make comparisons, but…another Mike Brown.
Even if it was a forced fumble from another teammate, Allen was there to grab it and start sprinting. The fact he was there for every play intrigues me.
Onto my defense of Myron Rolle, who I mentioned would make my day ecstatic if Chicago got him.
With no abundance of highlights from Myron Rolle, it’s pretty hard to prove my point about his career and potential in my mind. Yes, he did sit out this past season due to studies, but has been working with Tom Shaw, a trainer of the last nine Super Bowl MVPs, and 118 other draft picks.
On top of that, Rolle was ranked the top high school prospect for football in 2006.
Sounds like a pretty good resume, if I do say so myself.
Nate Allen, on the other hand, is definitely more sharpened in terms of on-field play, considering Rolle was out for 2009, though he claims he is better than ever.
When you compare the two in physicality, there isn’t a ton of difference. Both standing at 6’2″, Allen at 206 lbs and Rolle at 217 currently, Allen seems to be more of a ball-hawk/playmaker the Bears seem to be searching for.
Both having three years of starting experience, here is the stat sheet.
Nate Allen | Tackles : 216 | Fumbles Forced : 2 | Interceptions : 10
The video couldn’t show up where I wanted it—right here. So, it appears in the very first comment. Sorry for the inconvenience, guys.
Myron Rolle | Tackles : 207 | Fumbles Forced : 1 | Interceptions : 1
Granted, Allen is more of a free safety fit while Rolle in the strong position, but his numbers in the ball-hawking section dramatically increases over Rolle.
Does this completely change my opinion? Nope. I still believe Rolle brings character, determination, and straight-up knowledge to the table.
But, I don’t know enough about Nate to analyze his character traits. He may be an amazing man in person, but we can’t honestly tell them from other people’s opinions. He also doesn’t have the name of someone attaining high stature, such as Taylor Mays.
Looking at the tape, though, the way his teammates celebrate with him…I don’t think they would be AS happy if it were somebody that wasn’t a good teammate getting that interception or forcing that fumble.
Either way, like it or not, Nate Allen is poised to be a better fit for what the Chicago Bears are looking for. Given the fact Lovie Smith has had dinner with him does nothing but spice things up and create more conversations, but we can’t base a pick from a dinner.
Nate Allen is a playmaker at the free safety position, and that’s what we’re in the hunt for.
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