Bears
- Andy Benoit at The New York Times tells us what the film revealed about the 2010 Bears. Here’s an excerpt:
“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.”
- Neil Hayes at the Chicago Sun-Times points out yet another reason why the new replay rules aren’t satisfactory. It wouldn’t have reversed one of the most controversial Bear-related plays of 2010.
- ESPN‘s NFC North blogger Kevin Seifert is wondering if the Packers might not host the Bears for the 2011 Thursday Night opener.
- Seifert also examines the last five NFC North drafts.
- CBS Sports’ Rob Rang has updated his Big Board. Some names of note for Bear fans:
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.
- The Bears are on the clock with the ESPN crew:
Elsewhere
- Benoit also tells us what the film revealed about the 2010 Vikings:
“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.”
- ESPN‘s NFC East blogger Tim Graham says that Randy Moss wants to return to Minnesota. I think Randy Moss should be happy to play anywhere. I’m not sure there are any teams out there who believe he’s worth the trouble any more.
- You know what’s dumber than the Viking’s Adrian Peterson comparing playing in the NFL to slavery? Rashard Mendenhall agreeing with him. From the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review via BenMaller.com.
- Tom Sorenson at the Charlotte Observer gets my attention.
- Matt Williamson at Scouts Inc. thinks the Eagles should go cornerback with the 23rd pick in the draft. If they did that, Mike Pouncey would drop. The Bears undoubtedly have their eye on Pouncey.
- Speaking of Pouncey, Dave Birkett at the Detroit Free Press says that the Lions will have him in for a visit. Its hard to say what the strategy is there. Thirteen is a little high to take him in the first round and I doubt he’d last to them in the second.
- According to ESPN Von Miller is scheduled to visit the Buffalo Bills. Miller’s stock appears to me to be rising and he’s worth keeping an eye on. Todd McShay has him going to the Broncos with the second pick in his latest mock draft.
- Wes Bunting at The National Football Post discusses the significance of the 10 yard split time in the 40 yard dash.
- Clark Judge at CBS Sports breaks down the Packers needs. Guess what? They don’t have many weaknesses. But that’s not the same as no weaknesses.
- The Atlanta Falcons are also on the clock at ESPN:
- Williamson also does another entry in his weekly “Pressure Point” series which looks at a player who must improve in 2011. This week its Marshawn Lynch and Williamson doesn’t pull any punches:
“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.”
- According to the New York Post, Jenn Sterger is suing her former manager to get back materials related to the Brett Favre sexting scandal. He may intend to use those items in a tell-all book. I had a feeling that Sterger would have dropped this without a fuss if it weren’t for bad advice she was getting from the start of it. I’d say this supports the idea.
- NBC 2 Fort Myers in Florida reports that Oakland Raiders offensive tackle Mario Henderson was arrested on a weapons charge Thursday morning (via BenMaller.com). At 6’7″, 300 lb Henderson is so large that he couldn’t fit into the back of the police car. He was offered the option of lying down in the back or walking four blocks to the station. He decided to lie down.
- Commissioner Roger Goodell needs to start staying awake in that tanning bed. Via Deadspin:
- Being a television reporter is a dangerous job. Via BenMaller.com:
One Final Thought
Jay Cutler‘s true, soft nature revealed:
However, lets not make the mistake of believing this means he’s not tough.
