We all know that you really can’t completely trust what anyone says about players entering the NFL Draft at this point. Too many personnel men lie in order to skew the process in their favor.
Having said that, this draft rumor courtesy of Wes Bunting at The National Football Post has the ring of truth:
“The more scouts dig, the more I am finding they are turned off on Auburn QB Cam Newton. Citing that he’s a me first guy and has some real character flaws behind the scenes. One scout said he handles himself flawlessly in front of the camera, but when they are off he’s not the same guy.”
If Newton is taken in the top five to ten picks, I have to believe its because some owner stepped into the process to force it. As implied in the quote above, many NFL players are very good con men. They grow up smiling and charming people who recognize their talent and therefore believe what they say because they want to believe it. This means almost everyone right up to and including owners of NFL teams.
But if you are any kind of decent NFL personnel man, you have to be an exception to the rule. And among other things you are looking to see it Newton’s record matches his words. He was arrested for allegedly stealing a laptop computer from a student at the University of Florida. He also reportedly later left in part because of three instances of academic cheating. Afterwards his father, Cecil Newton, admitted soliciting money in return for his son playing for a major-college team before settling on Auburn. The Newtons deny that Cam knew of his father’s actions but no one seriously believes that.
Anyone can have a youthful indiscretion before learning a lesson and cleaning up his act. But you have to acknowledge the mistakes before you can be forgiven. If actions speak louder than words (and they certainly should here), Cam Newton could mean serious trouble to any NFL team that takes him.
I’m not saying any of this should keep Newton from being drafted in the first round. But if I’ve got a top pick I’m not risking it on a guy with so many questions surrounding his character. There’s little doubt that Newton has tremendous upside but everyone – fans and front office – knows that potential gets you fired in the NFL.
Dave Birkett at the Detroit Free Press says that the Lions are looking at wide receivers. Why, with a Calvin Johnson on the field, are the Lions doing that? I think those who don’t see this as a need for the Bears should think carefully about the following quote from Lions general manager Martin Mayhew:
“Offensively, it’s a game of matchups. If our third receiver can be better than their third corner, if we have somebody who can stretch the field that can allow Calvin (Johnson) to catch some balls in a deeper area of the field than what he normally would catch them in … . He can make a big play if a guy can take the top off the defense and get safeties out of there and that kind of thing.”
The Bears game against New England, where they got absolutely slaughtered in what amounted to one half of football, taught me many things. But the biggest was the truth of Mayhews’ statement. The Bears didn’t have a third corner to match up with Wes Welker in the slot and he almost dsingle handedly beat them.
This means two thing. The most obvious is that the Bears have a need at corner. The less obvious in that they have a need at wide receiver. even the Lions, who have other needs along with maybe the best wide receiver in the league, think they need to look closely at wide receiver.
The Bears are average at wide receiver. There’s just no getting around it. Devin Hester is forever raw, Johnny Knox disappeared in big games where defensive backs got physical with him, and Earl Bennett is good for what he is, a big underneath possession guy.
The game is, indeed, one of matchups. I look at the Bears’ opponents and I don’t think their wide receivers matchup well with them one-on-one up and down the depth chart. And when you have a team that can dictate those matchups it becomes, ultimately, what the game is about. The Packers and the Patriots are that kind of team and the Lions are trying to become that kind of team. Without better wide receivers I’m not sure the Bears are ever going to be.
Matt Williamson at Scouts Inc. thinks it might be smart for the Washington Redskins to trade back in the draft from thier position at number 10.
They need a quarterback and, given that Blaine Gabbert and Cam Newton are likely to be gone, he thinks they might have their eyes onJake Locker. Locker’s characteristics do seem to be a good fit for head coach Mike Shanahan and its not impossible that they would prefer him anyway.
The knock on Locker is his accuracy. His best career completion percentage was 58% and statistically quarterbacks with percentages less than 60 often don’t do well in the NFL. But Shanahan is a quarterback guru and I’d say if Locker can be successful in the NFL, he’d have as good a chance in Washington as anywhere.
I would agree with Williamson but it would be more Washington’s style to move up from the second round to the bottom of the first round closer to where most think Locker will go. And most Bear fans know that they might find a very willing trade partner in Chicago. Depending upon what’s available at 29, trading back is definitely Jerry Angelo‘s MO.
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.
“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.”
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.
“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.”
“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 Mendenhallagreeing with him. From the Pittsburgh Tribune-Reviewvia BenMaller.com.
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.
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 Stergeris 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 Hendersonwas 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:
“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.
Both Mortenson and NFC North blogger Kevin Seifertwonder 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.
Sam Farmer, reporting for the Tribune, says that the league’s competition committee will recommend several rules changes. The biggest is a move of kickoffs from the 30 yard line to the 35 and moving touchbacks from the 20 yard line to the 25. The idea is to reduce injuries by reducing the number of kickoff returns. The Daily Herald‘s Bob LeGeremakes the point that such a rule would hurt the Bears, who do pretty well with kickoff returns.
The Bears appear to be quite serious about taking a developmental quarterback in the draft. According to Brad Biggs at the Chicago Tribunethey are taking a close look at quite a number of them including T.J. Yates, Andy Dalton, Scott Tolzien, and Nathan Enderle. It won’t be a high priority, of course, but it appears that if the right guy is there in the mid to late rounds they’ll take him. Biggs also wonders what this means to backup Caleb Hanie, who offensive coordinator Mike Matz appears to be lukewarm about:
“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.”
Amongst the players at the higher priority categories, Biggs says that the Bears are hosting Boise State wide receiver Austin Pettis for a workout and offensive line coach Mike Tice was at Florida’s pro day to watch what seems like their entire offensive line workout. That would include guard/center Mike Pouncey who I’m sure the Bears would love to take in the first round but who is unlikely to be there for them. Tice and Martz were also taking a good look at likely first round offensive tackle Gabe Carimi at Wisconsin’s pro day (via Vaughn McClure at the Tribune). Biggs reports that the Bears are also bringing in Northwest Missouri State corner Ryan Jones for a workout.
And finally, Dan Pompei at the Tribunehad an article focused on the Illinois pro day where three highly regarded draft picks attract almost every team in the NFL. These are defensive tackle Corey Liuget, linebacker Martez Wilson and running back Mikel Leshoure. The Bears would be most interested in Liuget but Biggs reports that Tim Spencer, the Bears running backs coach, had “a long chat” with Leshoure.
ESPN‘s Todd McShay released another mock draft. This one is two rounds. He has the Bears taking Mississippi State offensive tackle Derek Sherrod in the first round and North Carolina defensive tackle Marvin Austin in the second. This would be a reach for Sherrod with guards Danny Watkins from Baylor and Orlando Franklin from Miami still on the board. McShay has Watkins going in the second round to the Lions and Franklin going to the Steelers at 31.
Elsewhere
Kevin Seifert, ESPN‘s NFC North blogger, tries to get a handle on the Vikings draft. He says the first thing the Vikings have to do is decide if they want to target a quarterback and if Jake Locker is their guy. If so, look for them to trade down into the twenties. They could try to trade up for Cam Newton or Blaine Gabbert but it would likely be a long, costly climb. The knock on Locker is his accuracy. He never managed a completion percentage better than 58.2 percent in his career. Statistically, quarterbacks with a completion percentage of less than 60 percent in college don’t do well.
Tom Sorenson at the Charlotte Observer says that there are lots of indications that the Carolina Panthers are planning to take Newton as the first overall pick.
The New York Jets are on the clock:
Chad Ochocinco will be trying out to play professional soccer during the lockout according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. Whatever.
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 guard Roberto Garza did a nice interview with George Vondracek at Corpus Christi Caller Times. Interestingly, he thinks his job might be in jeopardy:
“‘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.'”
Neil Hayes at the Chicago Sun-Times says that the competition committee will not change the rule that resulted in an incomplete pass to Lions receiver Calvin Johnson in the first game against Detroit last season:
“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.
Pro Football Weekly‘s Nolan Nawrocki has a new name for you to consider for the Bears in his latest mock draft:
“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
The Green Bay Packers are on the clock:
And so are the Pittsburgh Steelers:
One Final Thought
Is Brian Urlacher the best #9? Pro Football Weekly provides an answer:
