Draft Grade?

[Fire Wade]

Now that the draft is over, what would you grade the Bears picks?

[GatorsRock]

I'd probably give them a B. I'm very generous for them though, cause I still like Grossman(doesn't mean I still think Grossman won't suck). They are giving him some protection, got him a guy that could compete with Benson at RB, some young depth on defense, and a couple of SEC targets that could be very good values. Bennett was a stud at Vandy against the best competition and not much talent around him. Monk is a good red zone threat with his size. If he can get past his injury and get healthy he could be a big steal in the compensatory selections.

[RaidenDAWG2]

B-, love Chris Williams at 14, like Matt Forte in the second, but how do you not come out of this draft with an heir apparent to the quarterback throne, or at least a jester who can challenge next year?

Grossman's clearly not the answer, and continuing to stick their heads in the ground isn't going to make him the answer either.

-RD

[Hawkeye]

Solid B.

Williams was an excellent pick to upgrade the LT position.

I can see Forte taking the starting job from Benson by the end of September.

Bennett upgrades the WR corps by giving them a good pair of hands over the middle.

Steltz was a nice pick in the 4th round and could be s starter down the road.

I like Barton and Monk late. Some experts think Barton might be moved to guard, and he has the demeanor to play there and play well.

Monk has good size and skills that were wasted in a run-oriented offense.

The non-addressing of the QB position must mean they are thinking about it next year either in the draft or a trade (Rosenfels) or with an undrafted FA this year. Grossman might not be the answer (I never thought he was), but with more weapons to work with, he might have a good year.

[O Doyle]

F (and for the reason you're all thinking)

If this team doesn't find a way to pry Chris Simms away from the Bucaneers they're destined for the cellar of their division a mere 2 years after a Superbowl bid. They downgraded their receiving corp this offseason and the team is quickly breeding malcontents who are undoubtedly sick of wasting their talent and their fortunes playing for a team thats going nowhere fast and not paying very well in the process.

I like Chris Williams, Matt Forte and Earl Bennett but none of those guys is making me giddy inside when I think of the future of the Chicago Bears. They need an answer at QB, they've needed one for a long time, and until they get one they're wasting all of our time.

[Texecutioner]

Originally Posted by EaglePhil

F (and for the reason you're all thinking)

If this team doesn't find a way to pry Chris Simms away from the Bucaneers they're destined for the cellar of their division a mere 2 years after a Superbowl bid. They downgraded their receiving corp this offseason and the team is quickly breeding malcontents who are undoubtedly sick of wasting their talent and their fortunes playing for a team thats going nowhere fast and not paying very well in the process.

I like Chris Williams, Matt Forte and Earl Bennett but none of those guys is making me giddy inside when I think of the future of the Chicago Bears. They need an answer at QB, they've needed one for a long time, and until they get one they're wasting all of our time.

I have to agree 100% with Phil on this one. None of these guys are going to do much without a legitamite QB. Why do they keep wasting everyone's time with this?? For crying out loud, Grossman has proven that he is just GROSS! They down graded at WR as well. I don't think that Simms is the answer at all, but he could be an improvement. They should have made a move for Sage Rosenfels, the backup in Washington, Leftwhich, hell anybody. Just try someone new that has had some success. I have said many times now and I still think the Bears might just be the worst team in the AFC next year.

[Hawkeye]

I want to play devil’s advocate for a minute here. I don’t think Grossman is the long term solution either, but the Bears obviously have a plan and there is no reason that it can’t work. Their current offensive philosophy seems to mirror that of Virginia Tech and that has worked for the Hokies quite well.

Stout defense? The Bears have that. Excellent special teams? Yes. Strong run game? Not quite. It’s no coincidence that when Thomas Jones left that the Bears slipped last year…..that and Grossman not staying healthy.

Grossman doesn’t have to be fabulous with that type of philosophy….especially when he has history on his side. Examine the following QBs: Jim Plunkett from 1980 (51.6% 18TDs vs 16 Ints), Phil Simms from 1984 (53% 22 TDs to 18 Ints), 1985 (55% 22 TDs to 20 Ints), 1986 (55% 21 TDs to 22 Ints when Mark Bavaro had 1000 yard receiving which was double anyone else on the team and double the catches of anyone else), Trent Dilfer from 2000 (59% with 12 TDs and 11 Ints), Jim McMahon from 1985 (56% with 15 TDs and 11 Ints)……and the list goes on. They were all playoff or SB teams. If Forte can provide the upgrade in the run game, the Bears can rebound……even with Grossman. They already have Olsen, Clark and now Bennett and Monk.

[XPetey]

What can people tell me about the guys they signed as UDFA. Mel Kiper, the talking hair ball, talks highly of them. He may be a tool, but he's usually decent with player analysis.

Anyone?

[nBarnett56]

Originally Posted by XPetey

What can people tell me about the guys they signed as UDFA. Mel Kiper, the talking hair ball, talks highly of them. He may be a tool, but he's usually decent with player analysis.

Anyone?

Realistically only about 10% of UDFA's will make a roster this year - and thats basically because teams need young, cheap guys to fill roles and play special teams.

As for Kiper, he really set off this whole draft craze but IMO alot of these guys are just pure entertainment value. I acutally think that Todd McShay is a much better critiquer of talent.