2011 NFL Draft Thread

[jersey cubs fan]

My biggest issue with the Bears won't be the draft most likely, as much as it is with FA once they get the CBA hammered out. It seems like everytime the Bears get close, they aren't agressive at all and rest on their previous season's success. I'm saying this without looking anything up, but I remember being pissed off most every FA time after the Bears were a playoff team the previous season.

 

Teams that are aggressive in FA tend to either be teams that didn't make the playoffs and therefore needed to be aggressive, or crazy spending teams. The Bears went 7-9 in 2003 then went out and got Ogunleye, Tait, Brown and Jones. Then they sucked the next year and sign Muhammed and Miller. After 2005 and 2006 free agency money had to be sunk into keeping all the defensive stars. They still went out and spent a chunk on Archuleta. After 2008's close call they went hard after Jay Cutler, not a free agent, but an established and luckily available star who they had to give up a lot to get (draft picks and money). They also spent a ton on Orlando Pace and two other offensive lineman. And last year they went bonkers in free agency.

 

I really don't think it's a matter of the Bears not being aggressive enough in the offseason or spending enough. They've made poor decisions and ignored specific problems too long, but they go after guys when they can. I'm not sure there's a more aggressivley successful team when it comes to free agency. Washington signs them and sucks. Dallas signs them and stumbles. The Jets got aggressive one year. The best teams year in and year out, Pittsburgh, Philly and New England, seem happy enough to let guys go in free agency more than aggressively acquiring them.

[davell]

I don't want big splashy "Redskin, Cowboy" type moves or anything like that. But, if Matt Light, Logan Mankins, Robert Gallery, Jared Gaither, or Carl Nicks is added to the O-Line, I'd consider myself happy with FA. And we could address WR, DT, and more O-Line through the draft.

 

For that matter, I'd be happy with adding Braylon Edwards. Not even going to push for Jackson or Rice. Just think we need to truly address ONE hole through FA and then we can use the draft for the rest......

[jersey cubs fan]

I don't want big splashy "Redskin, Cowboy" type moves or anything like that. But, if Matt Light, Logan Mankins, Robert Gallery, Jared Gaither, or Carl Nicks is added to the O-Line, I'd consider myself happy with FA. And we could address WR, DT, and more O-Line through the draft.

 

For that matter, I'd be happy with adding Braylon Edwards. Not even going to push for Jackson or Rice. Just think we need to truly address ONE hole through FA and then we can use the draft for the rest......

 

Well, I think they have shown they are more than willing to address more than one hole via free agency. We're getting into Forte extension territory soon though.

[rawaction]

I don't want big splashy "Redskin, Cowboy" type moves or anything like that. But, if Matt Light, Logan Mankins, Robert Gallery, Jared Gaither, or Carl Nicks is added to the O-Line, I'd consider myself happy with FA. And we could address WR, DT, and more O-Line through the draft.

 

For that matter, I'd be happy with adding Braylon Edwards. Not even going to push for Jackson or Rice. Just think we need to truly address ONE hole through FA and then we can use the draft for the rest......

 

Mankins and Nicks would be big splash moves as they are likely to be the 1 and 2 highest paid Guards in NFL history this offseason. Either would be just as big a splash as Peppers.

 

Matt Light is going to be 33 next season, and as a LT? Stay away! Gaither can't stay healthy (hasn't played this season) and is a huge risk to sign, even though he is young.

 

I would look at free agent C's like Samson Satele, Chris Spencer- SEA, or Chris Chester-BAL (Ryan Kalil probably too expensive). As for WR, I really think James Jones is a low cost, huge upside FA that would be a good fit for the Bears offense. He has issues with drops, but maybe that goes away as a definitive #1 WR.

[Banedon]

The first round WR selection isn't look as deep with Floyd staying in school, and Blackmon possibly too.

[davell]

I don't want big splashy "Redskin, Cowboy" type moves or anything like that. But, if Matt Light, Logan Mankins, Robert Gallery, Jared Gaither, or Carl Nicks is added to the O-Line, I'd consider myself happy with FA. And we could address WR, DT, and more O-Line through the draft.

 

For that matter, I'd be happy with adding Braylon Edwards. Not even going to push for Jackson or Rice. Just think we need to truly address ONE hole through FA and then we can use the draft for the rest......

 

Mankins and Nicks would be big splash moves as they are likely to be the 1 and 2 highest paid Guards in NFL history this offseason. Either would be just as big a splash as Peppers.

 

Matt Light is going to be 33 next season, and as a LT? Stay away! Gaither can't stay healthy (hasn't played this season) and is a huge risk to sign, even though he is young.

 

I would look at free agent C's like Samson Satele, Chris Spencer- SEA, or Chris Chester-BAL (Ryan Kalil probably too expensive). As for WR, I really think James Jones is a low cost, huge upside FA that would be a good fit for the Bears offense. He has issues with drops, but maybe that goes away as a definitive #1 WR.

 

 

Light could easily wind up as an Orlando Pace type bad decision. I'll give you that. While Nicks and Mankins are top notch OG's and will sign record deals for that position, I don't equate it to Peppers, strictly because it'll probably be for half of that type contract anyway. I've always liked Gaither, but acknowledge the injury concerns.

 

Do you think we'll let Kreutz walk? I wouldn't mind any of those guys, but I don't see us letting Olin go. Figure he's a life-long Bear at this point.

 

I kind of like James Jones, but I think Green Bay will keep him and Driver may retire.

[rawaction]

 

Do you think we'll let Kreutz walk? I wouldn't mind any of those guys, but I don't see us letting Olin go. Figure he's a life-long Bear at this point.

 

I kind of like James Jones, but I think Green Bay will keep him and Driver may retire.

 

Kinda getting off topic, but I think Driver comes back for 1 more season. I think Jones is one of those guys you can throw some money to within 5 minutes after free agency starts (whenever that may be), guarantee him a starting spot and he jumps.

[shnsajax]

The first round WR selection isn't look as deep with Floyd staying in school, and Blackmon possibly too.

 

With them staying Broyels should go ahead and declare.

[Guest]

The first round WR selection isn't look as deep with Floyd staying in school, and Blackmon possibly too.

 

Yeah, I was going to say the same thing. Sucks because WR is a need and if there was a run before the Bears' pick, it would possibly allow an OL to fall.

 

I also like Floyd more than Baldwin around the Bears pick. I hope they don't take Baldwin (I'd prefer Torey Smith to Baldwin).

[rawaction]

The first round WR selection isn't look as deep with Floyd staying in school, and Blackmon possibly too.

 

Yeah, I was going to say the same thing. Sucks because WR is a need and if there was a run before the Bears' pick, it would possibly allow an OL to fall.

 

I also like Floyd more than Baldwin around the Bears pick. I hope they don't take Baldwin (I'd prefer Torey Smith to Baldwin).

 

Ditto. I think I'd prefer Leonard Hankerson also.

[davell]

If Blackmon isn't an option for us in the 1st round, I'd stay from WR. Sign one in FA, we need a true "1" and after Blackmon, I just don't see any of these guys being mentioned developing into that. Spend that 2nd rounder(for any of these guys other than Baldwin) on a OG, DT, or CB.

[Banedon]

Why are you guys so down on Baldwin?

[davell]

Why are you guys so down on Baldwin?

 

Personally, I'm not really. I think he's a 1st round talent. But, he's got a propensity to pout and even run down his teammates. Lots of 1's are prima donnas, but if possible, I'd rather stay from them, unless they're at least proven. But, his athletic ability is hard to beat......6'5, 230 and can run a sub 4.4? That's pretty damn special.

[Guest]

The first round WR selection isn't look as deep with Floyd staying in school, and Blackmon possibly too.

 

I can't wait for the Raiders to pass both up after they go 4-12 next year and get a top-5 pick.

[Guest]

Despite his supposed speed, he feels more like a possession receiver and I'd pass on that in the 1st round. I don't think he goes aggressively after the ball (the things we bitch about with Knox and Hester). His should have had better numbers this season, despite a bad QB, given the talent level in the Big East.

 

And finally, when he turned pro, he blamed his coaching staff for his down numbers. He could just be trying to boost his stock but I didn't like that. He's also yelled at his QB on the field and looks like he's mentally checked out of games when he's not getting the ball.

 

I disagree with avoiding a WR if you can't get a Blackmon. You could easily miss getting a WR in FA and the offense really needs some help at the position. And don't forget they lost Iglesias.

[Banedon]

He's more like a possession receiver and I'd pass on that in the 1st round. I don't think he goes aggressively after the ball (the things we bitch about with Knox and Hester).

 

Fair enough then. If we're gonna get a receiver, I want a guy (preferably a big guy) that will go up and fight for it. I just didn't know much about Baldwin other than seeing him on the potential 1st round WR lists.

[sneakypower]

The first round WR selection isn't look as deep with Floyd staying in school, and Blackmon possibly too.

 

I can't wait for the Raiders to pass both up after they go 4-12 next year and get a top-5 pick.

are you and Andy having a contest?

[shnsajax]

The first round WR selection isn't look as deep with Floyd staying in school, and Blackmon possibly too.

 

I can't wait for the Raiders to pass both up after they go 4-12 next year and get a top-5 pick.

are you and Andy having a contest?

 

Well neither one of them is fast enough to play for the Raiders.

[rawaction]

Despite his supposed speed, he feels more like a possession receiver and I'd pass on that in the 1st round. I don't think he goes aggressively after the ball (the things we bitch about with Knox and Hester). His should have had better numbers this season, despite a bad QB, given the talent level in the Big East.

 

And finally, when he turned pro, he blamed his coaching staff for his down numbers. He could just be trying to boost his stock but I didn't like that. He's also yelled at his QB on the field and looks like he's mentally checked out of games when he's not getting the ball.

 

I actually liked Baldwin blaming his coaches for killing his numbers. I saw a lot of Pitt games and what I wanted to see from him was him take a 1st year QB under his wing and be like, "hey, throw me the ball and I'll get us a first down". Not necessarily verbally, but I wanted to be watching a Pitt game on 3rd and 6, and know the ball was going to Baldwin and he was going to make a play.

 

I didn't see that guy that demanded the ball like a true #1 WR would. He only had 3 games of at least 6 catches. In comparison, Julio Jones has 6, including 3 over 10 catches. He also only had 3 games with 3 or fewer catches, one of which was a 49-7 bowl game blowout. AJ Green had 7 games over 6 catches and was suspended for the first 4. Floyd also had 7 with only 1 game with 3 or fewer. And all these guys are from pro-style offenses, so it's not like I'm comparing him to guys like Blackmon who played in a spread.

 

Baldwin blaming his coaches shows me that maybe it wasn't his fault he didn't get the ball 6 times per game. I still think he will run closer to 4.6 flat than 4.4 flat, but if he's in the 4.4 range, I'd be willing to change my stance on him.

[davell]

Blackmon is staying in school. With him and Floyd BOTH staying in, I doubt we'll have much of a shot at Baldwin anyway, assuming he does a solid job at the combine.

[Banedon]

Blackmon is staying in school. With him and Floyd BOTH staying in, I doubt we'll have much of a shot at Baldwin anyway, assuming he does a solid job at the combine.

 

Well crap.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Tyler Sash is going pro. McNutt and Prater are both returning.

[hawkeyecub]

Marvin McNutt is coming back to Iowa but Tyler Sash is leaving.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

That's old news.

[jersey cubs fan]

What about Coolianose?