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Football's Future
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By: Thomas J. Gersey
2004 was clearly the "Year of the Injury" for the unfortunate Bears. At some point during the season, all of the following players missed time due to injury: Rex Grossman, Thomas Jones, Rex Tucker, Mike COlumbo, Brian Urlacher, Charles Tillman, Jerry Azumah, Adewale Ogunlye and Mike Brown. It can be tough enough to lose one or two starters during the season, but to lose nine full-time players for extended periods of time is disasterous.
It would be easy to blame the Bears' 5-11 finish entirely on injuries, however, some of the blame needs to fall on the front office, who doomed the season when they put their faith in Jonathan Quinn as the back-up quarterback. Quinn showed that he lacked all of the necessary skills to be even a servicable signal caller in the NFL, to the point that the season's most successful stretch came with 5th round pick and rookie Craig Krenzel at the helm. Eventually Krenzel's success proved to be an aparition, and GM Jerry Angelo was forced to bring in former Cowboy Chad Hutchinson, along with well-known malcontent Jeff George. Such a carousel of quarterbacks eventually proved to be the downfall of the offense, and destroyed the Bears' chance at the playoffs.
If the JQX (Jonathan Quinn Experiment) was the season's biggest flop, the team's new coaching staff proved to be a revelation for the most part. Head Coach Lovie Smith moved seamlessly into the captain's chair, deflecting criticism from his team onto himself while handling the rabid Bear fanbase along with the Windy City media with ease. Meanwhile, first time defensive coordinator Ron Rivera re-established the Monsters of the Midway, leading a young, energetic defense that should be among the best in league next season. Of course, the only weakness amongst the new coaches was rookie offensive coordinator Terry Shea. Expected to bring the Vermiel offense with him after serving as assistant OC in Kansas City, Shea instead installed a bland, non-aggressive offense reminiscent of maligned former OC John Shoop. Shea was fired, and former OC Ron Turner was brought in following a failed stint as the head coach at the University of Illinois. The expectation is that Turner will return the Bears offense to its status the last time he was OC, when he helped lead QB Erik Kramer and RB Neal Anderson to career years.
On offense, it appears the Bears will hand the starting QB job back to Rex Grossman. Although Hutchinson showed flashes in games (and George was crisp in practice) the team must still consider backup QB a need. It would not be out of the realm of possibility that they may seek to upgrade this position in some fashion through the draft. Thomas Jones and his long term FA deal remains the starting RB, but with the inevitable departure of Anthony Thomas, the Bears will be forced to look for a backup RB in the mid-rounds. With other needs, look for them to take a stab in the 4th round or so. For the entire year, the line played effective, but unspectacular, with the biggest hole appearing at LT. Qasim Mitchell gave his best effort, but even on a good day, he is below average at best. While LT appeared to be the primary position of concern a week ago, recent announcements that T John Tait will be moved from the right to the left takes alot of pressure off of Angelo to address the position in the first few rounds. The Bears can afford to look later in the draft for projects, rather than burning an early pick and overdrafting for need. Catching the ball was the biggest issue for the Bears, and they will look to reload at both the WR position and the TE position. The bloom is off of David Terrell, and it is time for him to be let go. Meanwhile, WRs Bobby Wade, Justin Gage and Bernard Berrian are all nice players, but none has the moxie (or talent, really) to be a #1. Expect the Bears to look for a franchise wideout first and foremost. At the tight end position, Desmond Clark signed two years ago, predicting 80 catches for himself. Two years later, he hasn't reached half that total in both years combined. Its time to chalk up Clark as a bust, and look to make a move for a TE in the first two rounds.
Going into the draft, Chicago's needs will depend greatly on their activity in the free agent market. The team showed a new found desire to bring in top level free agents last year, and there is no question they will seek to make a similar splash this offseason. Assuming they don't make any earth shattering signings, their draft needs should look like this:
WIDE RECIEVER: It is imperative that they bring in not only a franchise pass catcher in the first two rounds, but also complimentary prospects to challenge the existing players on the roster. Players like Mike Williams and Braylon Edwards should be at or near the top of their draft board.
LINEBACKER: Briggs and Urlacher are Pro Bowlers, but the third LB position is a real weakness. Teams chewed up huge amounts of yardage this season by cutting back to the weak side, where either Hunter Hillenmeyer was unable to make the play, or Briggs had overcommitted to account for the strong side. If the Bears can trade down (San Diego or Dallas would be nice) for two later first rounders, they would be well advised to look Channing Crowder, and moving him outside. Otherwise, players such as Kevin Burnett or Odell Thurman should get consideration in the second.
CORNERBACK: With McQuarters possibly on the way out, Azumah still too raw to take the starting spot, and Nathan Vasher possibly undersized, a shut down corner to compliment the still young Tillman would be ideal. The Bears need to give real consideration to Antrel Rolle in the first. If they trade down, Carlos Rogers, Justin Miller, and Marlin Jackson will all get a look. In the second round, Brandon Brower would be a great fit.
RUNNING BACK: As stated earlier, they need a new backup, to keep Adrian Peterson in his third back role. Ryan Moats, Damien Nash and Frank Gore are all potential third down backs that could be gotten in the 4th round or later. Maurice Clarett remains a sleeper.
O-LINE: If Tait can make the move, this position is no longer one of need. However, addressing it would still be a wise move in some capacity. Quality lineman can be had in the first four rounds, and there is still a need at RG where Ruben Brown is nearing his mid-30's.
TIGHT END: A real need, but they cannot draft a TE just to draft one. It is imperative that they get a real pass catcher at this position. Again, trading down would put them in a position to go after top prospect Heath Miller. If not, Stanford's Alex Smith should get consideration in the second, or Garrett Cross in the fourth.
POSSIBLE PICKS, FIRST FOUR ROUNDS:
Round 1/#4
Round 2/#39
Round 3/NO PICK (traded to MIA with WR M. Booker for DE A. Ogunlye)
Round 4
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