Bears
- Charley Casserly thinks the Bears might go defense in the first round. Via Neil Hayes at the Chicago Sun-Times:
“As much as the critics will argue they need an offensive lineman I’m not sure that’s something that’s at the top of their list,” the former executive for the Redskins and Texans said Wednesday. “You might see a good defensive player fall to them, whether it’s a guy like [Purdue defensive end Ryan} Kerrigan as an outside pass rusher, maybe somebody along those lines.”
- Jeff Dickerson at ESPNChicago.com gives the Bears Derek Sherrod in his mock draft. He’s got them passing on Akeem Ayers, who’s probably a better player and who might fill a hole at strong-side linebacker. But that’s not a value position.
- Mel Kiper and Todd McShay at ESPN talk Bears draft:
- John Mullin at CSNChicago.com reviews the relevant “safe picks” in the draft. There’s no such thing, of course, but I know what he means.
Elsewhere
- Ndamukong Suh and Chad Ochocinco are involved in something that looks a lot more like publicity seeking than a twitter war. Via Kevin Seifert, ESPN’s NFC North blogger.
- Suh is going to the Nebraska spring game to lead the effort to set the Guinness Book of World Records for something called a “tweetup”. Don’t hurt yourself.
- Dan Pompei writes about the available tight ends in the draft. Its not a great year for them so its a good thing the Bears don’t need one.
- Matt Thorton at the Cincinnati Enquirer agrees with Phil Simms and Brian Billick in that he sees this as a weak quarterback class. Generally I agree though it sounds like Simms thinks a lot higher of Cam Newton and Ryan Mallett than I do.
- Elizabeth Merrill at ESPN addresses Mallett’s case. Some think Mallett has fallen in the draft because of character issues, though there’s no solid evidence of any real problems. I’m pretty sure that not being rated as a top prospect at the position has more to do with the fact that he’s a statue in the pocket. You don’t have to be able to run to play quarterback in the NFL but you do have be able to move in the pocket.
- Kevin Seifert, ESPN’s NFC North blogger, doesn’t think the Lions will pass on Prince Amukamara if he drops to them. I can’t imagine they would, either.
- Bob Sturm at the Dallas Morning News has broken down the tape and is now a fan of new Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan:
“There is no way to sugar coat a team that went on to fire its coaching staff and to release many of its best defensive players and just start over – including making no effort to retain Ryan. But after breaking down a few of their finer efforts, I have come to the conclusion that Ryan’s creativity and motivational skills are two of his finest traits. And I submit to you that both of those are the two traits that I felt were sorely missing in Dallas the last few years.”
I’d have to quote virtually the entire article to hit upon all of the interesting strategical points here. Its great reading.
- Jean-Jacques Taylor at the Dallas Morning News answers some fan questions:
“Q: Is Stephen Jones the only person in the Cowboys organization who has influence over his father?
“Reginald Smith, Dallas“TAYLOR: He has more influence than anyone else. I think Jason Garrett is high on the list, too. Jason is a smart guy, and I think Jerry truly respects him. That respect is the reason Jason really has a chance to succeed here. The key to winning in Dallas is being able to tell Jerry, ‘No. We don’t need to do it that way.’”
- The Bengals are on the clock at ESPN:
- as are the Bills:
- and Kiper and McShay:
- Its a football blog but some of the sides of Bulls guard Derrick Rose have a familiar feel to them. Here’s a sample from The Onion:
Strong Side:
“Leads the league in blog posts about how he should be the MVP.”
Weak Side:
“Still technically a bust for a first pick.”
One Final Thought
Welcome to the rest of your life, Kevin Seifert, who just realized that players born in 1990 are eligible for the NFL Draft:
“Every generation reaches that point. We’re at the point where babies born during the Bell Biv Devoe period are headed to the NFL. It’s time to pass the Geritol around. Wasn’t it just yesterday that we watched the Jim Harbaugh-led Chicago Bears win the NFC Central, all while dreaming about the Cradle of Love girl? “