Mel Kiper reviews his biggest quarterback draft busts since 1978 when he started evaluating.
There were no Bears on this list but you could certainly make an argument. Former Bears pick Cade McNown‘s not there but the guess here is that’s because he wasn’t picked in the top 10. Rick Mirer should have counted twice since both the Seahawks and the Bears wasted first round picks on him.
Bears
“Something positive
“DT Tommie Harris looked creaky at times and was asked to handle only about 15 snaps a game. Given his hefty contract, it’s no surprise that the Bears released him after the season. But Harris can still play. He can still get uncommonly deep penetration with his initial quick step off the ball. As long as he’s not asked to move laterally, he can produce. Any 4-3 team needing a situational interior pass-rusher should take note.”
16. Mike Pouncey, OG, Florida: Size, strength and the athleticism to block at the next level, Pouncey’s ability to stand out against SEC competition makes him an easy first-round pick.
20. Tyron Smith, OT, Southern California: In terms of pure talent, Smith is this year’s best tackle — but his experience lies on the right side, his future lies on the left and scouts have questioned his maturity. He’ll impress when he works out at USC’s pro day March 30.
21. Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin: A road grader with enough size, reach for pass protection, Carimi would be best off moving to right tackle.
22. Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois: Overshadowed a bit by ex-teammates Mikel Leshoure and Martez Wilson at Illinois, Liuget will wind up the earliest-drafted and best NFL player of the trio.
23. Danny Watkins, OG, Baylor: Don’t let his marginal tests at the combine or the fact that he’s 26 distract from the fact that Watkins is the toughest, nastiest interior lineman in this class. He might not make the first round, but he’ll one day be viewed as a steal.
24. Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State: I’m admittedly higher on Sherrod than most, but see him as an ideal swing tackle capable of stepping in immediately and well worth a first-round pick.
25. Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor: A top-20 talent athletically, but will have to answer questions about his suspension and transfer from Penn State to get drafted there.
Mikel Leshoure was 35.
Elsewhere
“Myth Buster
“Jared Allen is a dominant pass rusher
“In 2010 at least, this wasn’t true. Allen was not much of a factor early in the season–– even though he faced frequent one-on-one blocking. He came to life down the stretch … once he faced inferior competition. This isn’t to say Allen is not an elite defensive end. But his struggles last season only give more ammunition to detractors who point out that a majority of his sacks in ’09 came against the feeble Packers and Bears offensive lines.”
“Myth Buster
“Jahvid Best is a superstar in the making
“The ’10 first-round rookie running back has superstar features (speed, lateral agility, terrific acceleration and soft hands). But he had a tendency to abandon his blocking last season, which led to too many potential three-and four-yard gains ending in gains of zero or lost yardage. Experience and playing behind a more consistent offensive line should help.”
“Lynch is more effective as an every-down runner and, at his best, he can wear down a defense. But he just doesn’t do a good enough job of creating on his own when the blocking is sub-par. He becomes a lateral runner instead of a bulldozer. He too often gets what is blocked and nothing more.”
“With all the team needs Seattle has, I would not use a lot of resources on the running back position right now… But if Lynch doesn’t step up his game in 2011, I would look for a back one year from now.”
One Final Thought
Jay Cutler‘s true, soft nature revealed:
However, lets not make the mistake of believing this means he’s not tough.
Brad Biggs, writing for The National Football Post, quotes Illinois running back Mikel Leshoure:
“I think in the NFL now days you need a tandem. One power back taking 20, 30 carries a game, that adds up over the years. Usually, people are going with two backs. I wouldn’t be surprised if a team with a star back now was to scoop me up.”
Bears running backs coach Tim Spencer spent quite a bit of time talking to Leshoure before his pro day at Illinois and you have to wonder if they aren’t thinking about Chester Taylor‘s role in the offense as they evaluate him. Not many teams need running backs this year and if Jerry Angelo really believes Leshoure is far and away the best player available when the Bears pick, its not beyond the realm of possibility that he’d take him.
Most people think the team should draft along the line of scrimmage. Though I personally have an open mind, I think taking Leshoure in the first round would be a wonderful way to piss off most of Chicago Bear fandom.
Here’s a heaping load of truth brought to you courtesy of Dan McNeil, writing for the Chicago Tribune:
“You don’t need the NFL. You only think you do.”
“I’m daring the NFL to disappear.”
So am I.
I’m old enough to have been around for the last NFL labor stoppage. You know what happened? I found other things to do on Sunday afternoon. So did millions of others. And that’s what will happen if NFL games are lost due to a lockout.
As much as I enjoy the NFL, I’m not too worried about missing it. In fact, I’m very ambivalent and I find myself growing more so every day as I consider the big picture.
Don’t get me wrong. I’ll still be blogging and I’ll be waiting. But I’m going to guess that many casual fans are going to find that life without professional football isn’t a big deal. If that doesn’t scare the NFL, both players and owners, it should.
ESPN’s Chris Mortenson posted some of the Wonderlic scores for the quarterbacks* entering the NFL draft:
Alabama’s Greg McElroy: 43
Missouri’s Blain Gabbert: 42
Florida State’s Christian Ponder: 35
Iowa’s Ricky Stanzi: 30
TCU’s Andy Dalton: 29
Arkansas’ Ryan Mallett: 26
Auburn’s Cam Newton: 21
Washington’s Jake Locker: 20
Both Mortenson and NFC North blogger Kevin Seifert wonder what these scores mean. The test is supposed to indicate a players mental aptitude for football but that’s certainly debatable.
Having said that, what these scores indicate to me is something totally different. Now a days, agents supply players with plenty of information about this test. A lot of practice takes place before a potential draftee goes in to take it. In fact, I’ve heard rumors that many of them have the questions. Certainly it is evident and that a player can significantly enhance his score through smart preparation. And smart preparation is a large part of what the NFL is about, especially if you are a quarterback.
I’m not saying that this is a major indicator of NFL success nor do I think a Wonderlic score should play a huge role in taking a player off of a teams board. But I look at those on the bottom of that list and I wonder just how much of what I see is a lack desire to do the little things to be the best you can be. And if, as I suspect, it translates to the NFL, then teams need to take the score seriously.
*For those who are wondering, Jay Cutler scored a 26 in 2006.
Bears
“Most NFL teams would not want a fourth-year pro as their No. 3 quarterback. It’s a situation where if the team didn’t believe in him as a No. 2 after that much time, it’s never going to be comfortable with the player in that role.”
“The most logical scenario would be to make him the No. 2 or allow him to compete with another veteran. If he doesn’t win the job, it would be time to move on.”
Elsewhere
One Final Thought
Farmer also reports that the competition committee will be recommending changes to instant replay. they took some steps in the right direction but they didn’t make the change we all know should be made. Challenges should be completely eliminated and the decision to review should be made in the booth. The NFL is the only league where the burden of making sure the calls are right falls upon the head coaches. The whole system is ridiculous.
Bears
“‘Anytime you give up more than 55 sacks a year obviously there are some changes that are going to have to take place, and we’re ready for that,’ Garza said. ‘Obviously, my job’s going to be up for grabs. So I have to go out there and prove to them that I’m going to continue to be the starting right guard.'”
“If you read the rule, it’s not a catch,” [Giants president and competition committee member John] Mara said told the paper. “The reason it’s not a catch is you’ve got to control the ball when you hit the ground. It makes it easier to officiate. It’s a bright line that you can draw.”
Though its not a popular decision, I’ve made it clear that I’m with Mara on this one. If Calvin Johnson or anyone else doesn’t like it, all I can say is get up and hand the referee the ball next time. That’s what receivers on good teams are coached to do.
“Orlando Franklin | OL | Miami (Fla.)
“Although GM Jerry Angelo might prefer to find a replacement for Tommie Harris with this pick, the board could be more favorably filled with OL talent. Franklin could be the most physical blocker in this year’s draft and perfectly fits the nasty disposition that OL coach Mike Tice seeks in the trenches.”
Elsewhere
One Final Thought
Is Brian Urlacher the best #9? Pro Football Weekly provides an answer:
Steve Rosenbloom at the Chicago Tribune looks at the bright side of a labor stoppage. In his own way:
“Most of their important players remain the same, as does the coaching staff, which means the Bears don’t lose as much as teams with new administrations (Ron Rivera in Carolina, hello) or teams without a starter at the most important positions (Vikings quarterback, hello).”
Truth. The Bears franchise is reasonably stable overall personnel-wise right now, especially on defense. For sure there are improvements that we all want to see (as below). But it isn’t like they’ve hired a new defensive coordinator who is bringing in a new scheme like the Dallas Cowboys.
The Bears have a quarterback – a pretty good quarterback all things considered – and he knows the system within the limits of what was accomplished in one year. Indeed, everyone important player knows the system on both sides of the ball and the worst thing that can happen is that you bring in a couple offensive linemen, one of whom will likely be a veteran, and they have to learn fast before a season starts.
That all makes the Bears better off than a pretty good percentage of the league.
But of course it wouldn’t be Rosenbloom without at least a little sarcasm:
“But the second benefit, especially if this goes into what used to be training camp, is that [offensive coordinator Mike] Martz will not be able to insist on running the Martz offense. There simply won’t be time or capable bodies. Martz tried to run his deal last year, and finally had to be sent to his room without dessert during the bye week. The longer this goes, the less chance Martz has of finding new ways to kill the quarterback by failing to recognize how limited the Bears are in other areas. The fact that this has to be pointed out to him is embarrassing enough, but the fact that he can’t call a play right now is wonderful salvation.”
Actually, though most fans would probably agree with him, I’m going to disagree with Rosenbloom’s underlying point here. You don’t tell Martz not to try to run his scheme (within reason). I think the goal for the Bear offense is to get the personnel and experience to run that scheme the way its supposed to run.
Everyone in Chicago wants a run-first oriented offense and that’s fine. Martz has shown that he can do that. But this team also needs to be able to pass and they need to be able to do it Matz’s way. Those seven step drops that everyone hates are going to keep re-appearing. That’s who he is and what he does. That’s what he was hired to do. Blaming him for trying to do it is like blaming the Chicago weather for being cold.
Martz’s offense can work, especially if a good running game continues to be a part of it. The fact that he couldn’t run it the way he wants last year should be considered to be a failure on an organizational level. Though they have a quarterback and everyone in key positions has a year of experience under their belt, the Bears still didn’t get enough of the right offensive personnel in place and they still didn’t do a good enough job of coaching up the personnel they have. They need better offensive linemen and they need better play at wide receiver. With the offseason headed in the direction it is, that isn’t going to change. And that’s where the labor stoppage hits the Bears hard.
Bears
“You can definitely get players in the second round area at the defensive tackle spot that could be a factor for you. At offensive tackle, not as much.”
“When Jim Harbaugh came to the Bears as a rookie in 1987, he wasn’t good enough to step in at quarterback and improve the team. But he still made the team better by raising the level of competition on the practice field, in the weight room and in the meeting rooms with his hunger, his intensity and his work ethic.
“What I remember is that the Bears locker room a little less comfortable place to be in with Harbaugh around.
I fully expect he’ll have the same effect as a rookie head coach in 2011 for the 49ers.”
Elsewhere
“The combine medical re-check will be big for Clemson defensive end Da’Quan Bowers. Front office men I’ve talked with have serious concerns about his knee.”
There’s also a reminder that teams won’t be able to sign undrafted free agents in there as well.
“Rookies take more effort and time to groom, and by teaching rookies at the same rate you’ll invest less over the course of time, and possibly receive a greater upside. It almost guarantees that someone will elevate themselves, somehow. And sometimes you get lucky and both players – think Sean Smith and Vontae Davis – turn out to be studs.
“It’s a genius approach that I think other NFL teams will soon adapt.”
One Final Thought
Bears wide receiver Devin Hester’s first column on raising kids will appear in Chicago Parent Magazine in April. Hester will write about places he takes his son in Chicago. Via the Associated Press:
“There can be so much negative as far as growing up and being on the streets. When you get a father figure in your life, kids shy away from that stuff, they’re not staying on streets, skipping school.
“This is something real important and a way I can set an example. I have a newborn kid and I have that mentality. Maybe it will affect others positively.”
Bears
“You can get defensive players in the second round area at the defensive tackle spot that can be a factor for you. At offensive tackle, not so much. … It’s just slim pickings. You have a better chance to getting a defensive tackle than an offensive tackle at that point.”
“‘I do understand what he was trying to say: There are things I can do a better job of in terms of protecting myself and Jay,’ Knox said. ‘I honestly see what he was talking about.'”
Elsewhere
One Final Thought
The Sports Pickle has designed an NFL version of Angry Birds. Here’s a screen shot:
