Archives for March 2010

Looking for the next Brandon Marshall, or at the least a WR that is tall enough to ride all the rides at Disney World.  Knox, Bennett, Hester, and Rashied are all 6’0″ and under.  Aromashodu is 6’2″, but I feel he’s still unproven.  Plus, it’s not a bad thing to have more than one tall, talented receiver, that will go up and get a jump ball.  And I don’t really care if he “fits” in Martz’s new system, because what’s the chances Martz is here next year?  Exactly.  There are a handful on 6’3″ and taller receivers, that run at least a 4.49 40-time that are projected to go from rounds 3-6.  Let’s take a look at a few of them.

Carlton Mitchell  6’4″, 212  USF (projected 3rd round)

Ran a 4.42 and gets to a top speed faster than expected for his height.  Eats up cushion and blows by defenders.  Excellent red zone threat and runs great stop and comeback routes.  He is also a willing and effective blocker.  Uses his huge 10-5/8″ hands well to snag the ball.

David Gettis  6’3″, 217  Baylor (projected 4th round)

Accelerates quickly off the line with his 4.47 speed and gets past corners with his long strides.  Has great body control, and can sell the deep route, making curl routes easy completions.  Still a little raw, and will need to be coached with his route running, but has the potential to be a dangerous receiver.  Oh, and Lovie, if you’re reading this, he can also return kicks.

Riley Cooper  6’4″, 222 Florida (projected 5th round)

Uses his 10 1/2″ hands well to get a free release at the line and can eat up cushion quickly.  Times his leaps well, and has definite size advantage against defenders.  A savvy route runner, but also has good body control to extend for poorly thrown passes (for when Jay is running for his life).  Loves the game of football so much, he turned down a contract to play baseball for the Texas Rangers.  Ran a 4.49 40-time.

Marcus Easley  6’3″, 214  UConn (projected 6th round)

Ran a 4.46 40-time and uses his strong hands to snatch the ball out of the air.  Can sell routes to shake defenders, and uses his size for jump balls.  Also, a solid and willing blocker.  A little raw from inexperience while at UConn since they were mostly a got off the bus running run oriented team until his senior season, when he caught 48 passes.

The Bears have a few holes to fill in the draft. Offensive guard is one of those positions, considering the Bears will most likely move Frank Omiyale to his natural position of right tackle. Garza will still man his right guard position, moving Beekman temporarily to left guard and back up center. Doesn’t leave a lot of depth.

Let’s take a look at possible guards available that will be available in rounds 3-7.

Brandon Carter 6’6″, 326  Texas Tech (projected 4th round):

This guy is a monster. Literally, just look at the picture. He’s a strong pass protector, who delivers a punch and plays with a wide base. Rarely gets pushed back. Will reach to chip on nose (Kruetz will need the help) and defensive end. Will turn his man out of the hole on running plays and doesn’t let go until after the whistle. He’s intimidating and has the attitude to match.

John Jerry 6’6″, 332  Ole Miss (projected 5th round)

Jerry is another strong pass blocker. Locks on and controls the pass rusher with his sticky hands. He just isn’t big, but very strong. He broke the Ole Miss record with 34 reps of the 225 lb bench press last year. Tommy likey. He also has a brother who was a first round pick and plays DT for the Falcons.

Marshall Newhouse 6’3″ 326  TCU (projected 5th round)

This guy has been labeled a “sleeper” on many draft boards. He has a strong anchor and rarely gets pushed back into the quarterback. He sets quickly, has good knee-bend, and extends his arms for maximum push. Comes off the ball quickly on running plays. At the East-West Shrine Game practices, he played all 4 exterior offensive line positions, showing off his versatility.

“Housekeeping, you want me fluff pillow?”

Those were possibly the words from Lovie Smith’s mouth as he showed up on Julius Pepper’s doorstep at 11:01pm CST, the first night of free agency.  For Lovie Smith, drastic times calls for drastic measures.  Criticized by his lack of aggressiveness, Lovie took it upon himself to escort to Chicago, THE biggest free agent on the market.  When I say big, I mean big.  Peppers is a 6″7″, 285 sack machine.  He eats pieces of shit quarterbacks for breakfast and makes home in opponents backfields.

He strikes fear in opposition.  Don’t believe me?  The day after the Bears signed Peppers, Vikings coach Brad Childress flew to Hattisburg, Mississippi to visit Brett Favre.  I would guess he found Brett in the corner in a feetle position sucking his thumb.  All I know is Brett didn’t tell him he was coming back.  It also forced the Packers to resign their two starting offensive tackles.  Clifton, who will be 34, and Tauscher, who will be 33, before the season starts.

The signing was a gutsy one and a smart one.  But of course, the morons on ESPN critics would have you believe otherwise.  Their excuse is that there were other holes to fill, like on the offensive line and at safety.  Which they are correct about the holes, but the season isn’t starting tomorrow.  The Bears CAN still address those positions in free agency yet, or in the draft.  All I know is Peppers is WAY better than Ogunleye.  Is there a salary cap this year?  NO.  Did the Bears front load Peppers contract so his large salary doesn’t handcuff them in years to come?  YES.   Seems pretty simple to me.