Bleacher Report - Articles by Adam Radochonski

Where Did the Chicago Bears Go Wrong?

Adam Radochonski — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 01:12:41 -0500

The team who "comes off the bus running" has a really big problem: the driver is crashing, getting into accidents, and leaving the scene of a crime. That driver, of course, is Jerry Angelo. The Bears' GM has done a magnificent job of building up the once-proud franchise, having its best years in '05 and '06 with back-to-back NFC titles. However, the last 3 years have been turmoil--and could cost Angelo his job this off-season. What has happened so badly? We're about to find out where everything went wrong after the Bears' loss in the Super Bowl...

Begin Slideshow

Sparking A Fire: What the Chicago Bears Need To Do

Adam Radochonski — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:58:19 -0500

The Chicago Bears need something to get their season going. A team with huge expectations at the beginning, mainly by acquiring a certain quarterback, they find themselves at 4-5 through 9 games, a below-average football team. Things have not gone the way Chicago has wanted, mainly the fact that they cannot run the ball, 2 of their best defensive players are hurt, and Cutler is trying the ball. Here's what needs to happen in order for the Chicago Bears to right this ship.

Begin Slideshow

Ranking the World Series Champions in the 2000s

Adam Radochonski — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:01:33 -0500

It's the most coveted trohpy in baseball. For this past decade we have seen some of the most memorable postseasons ever, from Arizona's 1st for its franchise, to the Rally Monkey, Steve Bartman, the Greatest Comeback Ever, breaking the curse of the Bambino, Chicago's first World Series, a Boston repeat, and--finally--a Yankee World Series. Ladies and gentlemen, I now present to you the best of the best: the ranking of the World Series Champions from the last decade!

Begin Slideshow

Do You Really Want To Throw Jay Cutler Under The Bus Already?

Adam Radochonski — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 03:17:44 -0400

Is it fair to start the "Get rid of Jay Cutler" talk? Why are there rumblings about people losing their jobs after a single game? Isn't this the National Football League, where all teams play 16 regular season games and have a chance to make the playoffs?

I mean, why should we really start making a mountain out of a molehill? Now, granted, that molehill called the Chicago Bears looked pretty bad out there, but why should we all of a sudden just surrender?

We should ask ourselves, WWGHD? If you don't know who I'm referring to, you should stop reading this article-NOW.

The bandwagoners who-once again-got excited about a franchise quarterback are now calling for his head. But why? The four interceptions thrown, two by receivers breaking their routes away from the ball, one on the most athletically talented play from a 330-pounder I've seen in mid-air, and the dagger in the heart on a receiver just getting pushed around too hard.

Sure, let's throw another quarterback under the bus. He's Grossman 2.0. Same mentality in terms of getting the ball down field, but Cutler has way better physical skills.

But, once again, why not just take the easy way out and go after the player that is designated as the franchise? Did you see how many plays Cutler kept alive with his feet and avoid the rush? When was the last time we've seen something like that?

Let us give credit to the defense. This aging, brittle defense held down an explosive passing attack and did a great job of holding Ryan Grant in check to just 61 yards rushing.

The pass rush was evident by the nine quarterback hits and four sacks, including a safety by Daniel Manning. They also held Rodgers in check up until the last throw-a 50-yard strike to Greg Jennings-and didn't let these wide-outs break anything long.

However, special teams was probably the most ineffective part of the game and a big reason why the Bears struggled. Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson returned four kicks for 124 yards, a 31 yard average.

Maynard was great punting and Robbie Gould converted his two field goals, but the botched punt play in the fourth quarter that set up a field goal was a huge misstep, especially after Lovie challenged that there were 12 men on the field and was off by about 3 seconds.

The coaching was sub par to say the least. Lovie did a nice job of calling the defensive plays and getting pressure on Rodgers. Obviously, the addition of Rod Marinelli as defensive line coach boosted a pass rush that was severely lacking last year. Ron Turner was not creative and didn't do enough to let Matt Forte and Devin Hester, the offense's two best weapons, operate in space and move the ball effectively down field.

As a whole, the Bears have a lot to work on. They showed that they can play with a good offense, but showed a lot of youth on the offensive side of the ball at the wide receiver position, and will have to get better next week for the defending champions. Until then, have faith in Jay Cutler, Lovie Smith, and the Chicago Bears franchise.

Re-Doing the 2006 NFL Draft

Adam Radochonski — Wed, 06 May 2009 22:08:54 -0400

Common wisdom tells us that it takes 3 years to first evaluate a draft class. Now, there are some players who are still making their playoff runs so their stock could change in the next few weeks. However, for many of the top players out of this class, there is still a lot to question. No doubt about it, the 2006 class was considered to be one the best draft classes. It had plenty to offer: 2 Heisman Trophy winners, the QB from the national championship team, a plethora of pass rushers, some talented tight ends, and depth into the 4th round. Plus, there was heated debate about the top pick. Many were handing it to Reggie Bush, but Mario Williams made a late push and got a 6 year, $54 million deal a day before the draft. Here is how I think the top 10 picks of the draft would have played out, had teams seen the progress made 3 years later.

Begin Slideshow

Grading the Chicago Bears' 2009 Draft

Adam Radochonski — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 23:08:40 -0400

The Chicago Bears' draft started before most of the NFL teams. The Bears shocked the football world when Jerry Angelo made a bold play to acquire frustrated QB Jay Cutler from the Denver Broncos.

Once Cutler became available, the Bears ended up offering the best package to Denver: Two first-round picks, a third-round pick, QB Kyle Orton for Cutler, and a fifth-round draft pick.

On paper, it looks like Denver may have stolen a lot. Kyle Orton has an above 500 record, as a starter while Cutler is under 500. But let's be real, which team had a better defense? Also, the Bears were wise to deal for this because they have struggled with No. 1 picks lately, and a franchise QB is rare in this league.

That being said, let's take a look at the draft picks.

Third Round

68th Overall: Jarron Gilbert, DT, San Jose State

Need Level: Six out of ten

Value Level: Nine out of ten

Gilbert was one of the more intriguing prospects in this draft. He is the only prospect who can jump out of a pool. Just YouTube it.

He is an exceptional athlete who is extremely quick off the snap. Tommie Harris hasn't been himself for the last two years, and the rotation is solid at best.

The 2008 pick Marcus Harrison has shown potential, but the Bears know that you can never have enough pass rushers, especially for a team who struggled getting to the quarterback.

99th Overall: Juaquin Iglesias, WR, Oklahoma

Need: Ten out of ten

Value: Nine out of ten

Iglesias was one of Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford's favorite targets, catching 74 passes and 10 TD's.

The Bears love Oklahoma products but hope he's not like the last OK WR they took.

He's quicker rather than fast, but he's tough and intelligent. Iglesias was low second/high third, so it's a good value. He has a great chance to compete for the No. 2 spot and is at the very least a great No. 3.

Fourth Round

105th Overall: Henry Melton, DE, Texas

Need: Nine out of ten

Value: Six out of ten

Melton is far from a polished product, but his upside is amazing. A former RB, Melton made the switch to DE, two years ago. He has incredible size and explosion, and it helped for him that Brian Orakpo was on the other side. He was under the radar because he's far from finished but opened up people's eyes with a 4.65-40 at the Texas Pro Day.

119th Overall: DJ Moore, CB, Vanderbilt

Need: Seven out of ten

Value: Ten out of ten

It's becoming very clear that the Bears LOVE Vandy players. Obviously, there is no reason to not like outstanding value. I'm glad he can't run a 40 well, because he's one of the better corners in this draft. He does everything well, and is a perfect fit in the Cover-two defense. Vasher has been hurt lately, and while the depth is good, a player this talented and productive shouldn't be here.

Fifth Round

140th Overall: Johnny Knox, WR, Abilene Christian

Need: Nine out of ten

Value: Seven out of ten

He's definitely not ready to be a full-time starter, but his speed is very hard to match. He has solid size and is pretty well all-around. Right now, his best spot in this offense may be as a No. 4 option, and if he gets matched up with a safety, it may be time to go up top.

154th Overall: Marcus Freeman, LB, Ohio State

Need: Six out of ten

Value: Ten out of ten

LB is a bigger need than people may have thought. Brian Urlacher is getting long in the tooth, and Hunter Hillenmayer is solid, at best. Freeman may be on the smaller side, but he's athletic and can break down in space. If he can stay healthy, he has a chance to crack the starting line up in a couple of years.

Sixth Round

190th Overall: Al Afalava, S, Oregon State

Need: Seven out of ten

Value: Seven out of ten

He has one of the coolest names ever. He played on a pretty good Oregon State team and was a three-year starter. He is a reliable open-field tackler and could be a core special team player.

Seventh Round

246th Overall: Lance Louis, G, San Diego State

Need: Six out of ten

Value: Four out of ten

What can you expect in the seventh round? Louis is a converted TE, so you know he's athletic. On the flip side, he's raw and unpolished. I'm not sure if he'll make the roster, but we'll see.

251st Overall: Derek Kinder, WR, Pittsburgh

Need: Seven out of ten

Value: Eight out of ten

He had a good year in 2006, but tore his ACL in 2007, and was a product of a run-first team in 2008. He has potential because of his size, ball skills, and ability to separate. However, what guy are we getting in Kinder? He has potential, no doubt.

Grade for this draft: A

It seemed like there was a lot of urgency in this draft, but as the Bears traded back and made some really value and upside picks, it's hard to say that I'm not excited for these guys. Plus, you factor in that the Bears FINALLY have a franchise QB, this has been a very productive draft.

At First Glance: 2009 NFL Mock Draft, Picks 1-20

Adam Radochonski — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 19:25:10 -0500

2009 NFL Mock Draft

1. Detroit Lions—Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia**

2. St. Louis—Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss

3. Kansas City—Brian Orapko, DE, Texas

4. Seattle—Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech**

5. Cleveland—Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois*

6. Cincinnati—Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia

7. Oakland—Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech

8. Jacksonville—Jason Smith, OT, Baylor

9. Green Bay—Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State**

10. San Francisco—Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU

11. Buffalo—Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma**

12. Denver—Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forest

13. Washington—Andre Smith, OT, Alabama**

14. New Orleans—Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State

15. Houston—Taylor Mays, S, USC**

16. San Diego—Rey Maualuga, LB, USC

17. NY Jets—Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma**

18. Chicago—Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri**

19. Tampa Bay—Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma

20. Detroit (from Dallas)—Everrette Brown, DE, Florida State**

* indicates underclassmen who officially declared
** indicates underclassmen

Any questions/concerns as to why I made each selection, let me know and I'll give you my reasoning. Thanks.

Chicago Bears: What Do They Need in 2009?

Adam Radochonski — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 09:37:46 -0500

The NFL Draft is important for every team, because this is really where teams build contenders. Free agency is good for plugging holes in your roster and maybe you'll get one or two star players, but every year in the draft you have the opportunity to pick a handful of star players.

Like everyone can say, there's no such thing as a sure thing, but sometimes you just get lucky. Guys like Peyton Manning, Walter Jones, Jonathon Ogden, Brian Urlacher, Ray Lewis, those are some cornerstones for your franchise.

Now, as a Bears' fan, we're not looking at a top five or 10 pick, but we're still looking to improve our team. We'll probably be in the teens like last year, or maybe we get lucky and get a playoff spot and we'll be in the 20s. However, here are the Bears' biggest needs this off-season.

1. WR- The Bears lost their top two receivers last year in Berrian and Muhammad. Their top receivers now are Brandon Lloyd and Devin Hester. While I disagree with Hester being a No. 1, he should be moved in the slot. They also need more overall talent because Rashied Davis is a poor option.

2. S- Danieal Manning was supposed to be in this spot when the Bears decided to draft him in 2006 in the 2nd round, but he was thoroughly disappointing and was moved to nickel back. Kevin Payne is a nice option and looks like he could develop into a player like Mike Brown, who is actually going to be a free agent this year. While he is still tenacious in the run game and stayed pretty healthy this year, he still has those lingering health issues and he's on the wrong side of 30. A player like Taylor Mays from USC would make this defense tenacious.

3. DE- While the Bears may seem well at DE with Alex Brown and Adewale Ogunleye, they have a poor pass rush all season. Mark Anderson looked spectacular his rookie year, but struggled last year as a starter and wasn't as effective as a pass rusher. Also, the depth is terrible because 2007 2nd-rounder Dan Bazuin was cut before this season. The Bears need a relentless pass rusher, and finding one early is necessary.

4. RT- John Tait is long in the tooth and the Bears have no depth beyond him. They drafted Chris Williams in the first round last year, and it makes one wonder as to why they won't play the rookie, especially now that he's healthy. However, Jerry Angelo needs to finally draft a decent lineman--something he hasn't done for the longest time.

5. HB- Yes, Matt Forte has been everything and then some for the Bears, but he's just a man; he's going to need some rest. The Other Adrian Peterson is adequate, but I would love for the Bears to get another young stud to really help bring back Chicago Bears' football. Garrett Wolfe is a decent option, but he's more cut out for special teams.

Griffey Back In Groove As White Sox Bounce Royals, 4-2

Adam Radochonski — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 16:38:18 -0400

The White Sox had a bittersweet day on Thursday, July 31. In the afternoon, the White Sox acquired future HOFer Ken Griffey, Jr., in exchange for pitcher Nick Massett and minor league infielder Danny Richar. Later that night, the Sox lost a 4-0 lead to the Twins and the game 10-6, putting the Twins just half a game back in the AL Central.

The White Sox began their series against the Royals this weekend, and it would be Griffey's first appearance with the team. After benching struggling first baseman and fan favorite Paul Konerko, the Sox put Nick "Dirty 30" Swisher at first base and let "The Kid" play centerfield.

In his first-at-bat, Griffey hit a single to centerfield, scoring Jim Thome from second and giving the Sox a 1-0 lead. In the sixth inning, Griffey came to the plate with runners at the corners with two outs. He hit a single to right field, scoring Carlos Quentin and advancing Alexei Ramirez to third. After a Swisher infield single that Rameriz scored on, Juan Uribe, who filled in for Josh Fields today, hit a single back up the middle to score Griffey and give the Sox a 4-0 lead.

After giving up runs in the bottom of the sixth, the White Sox were able to hold on and pick up a 4-2 victory. Obviously, Griffey stole the show, going 2-3 with a walk, RBI, and run scored. However, the aspect that was overlooked was the pitching, which showed some life today.

Javier Vazquez has been struggling lately but looked good tonight, giving up five hits, two earned runs, two walks, and three strikeouts in six innings of work. The combination of D.J. Carrasco, Octavio Dotel, and Bobby Jenks surrendered just one hit and walk and two strikeouts.

After a hectic series in Minnesota in which the Twins took three of four, the White Sox need to at least take two of three here before they hit the home stand.

LaDainian Tomlinson Suspended for Throwing Up Wu-Tang Sign

Adam Radochonski — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 08:17:37 -0400

The NFL announced Wednesday that they would be investigating players who throw up alleged gang signs during games.

After many tapes watched by Milt Ahlerich, the league's vice president of security, he declared that LaDainian Tomlinson was throwing up too many Wu-Tang Clan signs after first downs and touchdowns. The NFL has announced that LaDainian Tomlinson will be suspended for the first two games of the 2008 NFL season for his actions.

"The league does not approve of LaDainian's actions and holds him to a higher standard. We have repeatedly told 'LT' of these actions, but he just continued to keep showing the sign. The NFL needed to take action and show that we will not tolerate this, even from one of the best in the game," Ahlerich said in a statement.

LT, meanwhile, was available for comment when I ran into him at a record store in downtown Chicago, looking for Wu-Tang Clan's Greatest Hits. "Man, everyone knows that Wu-Tang Clan ain't nothin' to f*** with. I just love to show my appreciation for the best rap group of all-time," he said.

I agree with LT on this one, and he even pointed out that "cash rules everything around me." Hopefully he doesn't start complaining about his contract and miss training camp.

AJ Smith, the Chargers' General Manager, said, "The Chargers' organization is thoroughly disappointed in LaDainian's actions. We have warned him before, but he just kept saying that [the Wu-Tang Clan] ain't nothin' to f*** with and that we needed to chill out."

After asking about what the future holds for the former MVP, Smith said, "Maybe if we get him out of [San Diego], he can maximize his potential and play at a high level." So, now, what does the future hold for Tomlinson? Only time will tell.

Tuesday Morning Thoughts: Justin Morneau, Brett Favre, All-Star Game, Titletown

Adam Radochonski — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 05:14:18 -0400

Josh Hamilton put on one heck of a show last night at the Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium. Hamilton cranked out a record 28 dingers on his way to first-round domination.

Heck, the guy only took four outs on the second round just to make sure he was fresh for the championship.

Don't call it fatigue. I think Hamilton was trying way too hard in the final round. Of course, people are going to forget that Justin Morneau defeated Hamilton in the championship round to win the 2008 Home Run Derby.

Congratulations Justin, on your perseverance to win. Morneau will have the title, but Hamilton will leave the lasting impression as he continues to revive his career.

Brett Favre spoke publicly for the first time since his retirement in March. He admitted to saying that he retired too early and still wants a shot at the game. He said that he felt pressured to retire, despite his emotional press conference.

Why can't this man make up his mind about playing football? I mean, I have no problem with him taking his time to contemplate a decision, but if you say you're going to retire and wait four months to say, "You know what? I wanna play again," don't waste my time.

I'm sick of hearing about him all the time on ESPN and having 20 minutes specials on what he might do. Also, why is he whining about being second on the depth chart to Aaron Rodgers?

Was he expecting the Packers to just give him the job, even though they said that they wanted to move forward with Rodgers as their quarterback?

Let the kid play and see what he can do. Also, when you talk about possible destinations for Favre, who's going to be willing to pay that kind of money for him?

The All-Star Game is tonight. Cliff Lee and Ben Sheets will be starting for the AL and NL, respectively. The AL has been dominant over the last 11 years, with 10 wins and the infamous tie back in 2002. Against the NL in interleague play, the AL has dominated the past five years, with a win-loss total of 702-557.

The teams will be fighting for home-field advantage in the World Series for the sixth consecutive year.

Although the NL seems to be on the rise, the AL continues to have the better hitters and pitchers, year in and year out. I think the AL comes away with another victory because they are the better team, top to bottom. Final Score: AL 7, NL 3. MVP: Milton Bradley (I'm predicting a two-run homer and RBI single)

This weekend, I was watching ESPN's Titletown, and I saw the feature on Chicago, my hometown. The two most obvious teams to talk about are the Bears and the Bulls.

The Bears have won numerous championships, including Super Bowl XX. The team that won that championship is argued by many as the greatest team in NFL history. The Bulls built a dynasty in the 1990s and won six championships with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen.

However, one thing ESPN did that pissed me off was talk so much about the Cubs and so little about the White Sox, who have actually won a title in the last 100 years (make that two).

I guess ESPN has a short memory about how fantastic the 2005 team was, but they kept raving about how the Cubs are so famous for their stadium, day games, and seventh-inning stretch, but what has that brought them? Absolutely nothing, and ESPN could not stop raving about them.

They have a chance to win this year, but it's still a long way to October.

Chicago White Sox: Trade Deadline Analysis

Adam Radochonski — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 15:53:15 -0400

Right now, the North Siders are celebrating...and rightfully so. They are in first place in their division, and just acquired a potentially dangerous pitcher--when healthy. The South Side? There's a little anxiety.

The Cubbies just boosted their rotation, and now look primed to make a playoff run if they can stay healthy. The White Sox also sit up top their division, and are looking to take care of business against the Royals.

Mind you, the Sox have been bad on the road this year, and while it is the Royals, they are no pushover for a victory. Now, I know the trade deadline isn't for another three weeks, but what could the White Sox really use at this point?

The infield is set, with Konerko returning after his stint on the DL, and the Sox have good depth at the infield, with jack-of-all-trades Pablo Ozuna capable of second be a good guy off the bench.

Alexei Rameriz has been great thus far for us, considering he is a rookie. He has huge potential because of his ability to drive the ball out of the park and rocket arm. Cabrera has been a great leadoff man and defender; I'm really feeling like that trade for Jon Garland worked out for us. Pierzynski is having a great year behind the plate, and Toby Hall is an adequate back-up/spot starter.

The outfield has been producing well this year. Carlos Quentin has been a pleasant surprise, especially after being named an All-Star this weekend. Swisher has been playing well, and showed his versatility the past few weeks playing first base for the injured Konerko.

Jermaine Dye is having a great year, and it baffles me as to why he wasn't selected the All-Star team initially and now has to wait to see if the fans vote him in. Depth is good with Brian Anderson and Dewayne Wise, plus the Sox have Jerry Owens waiting in the minors.

Jim Thome has been solid this year, and even though he's going to be 38 in a month, I would love to see a young guy with potential move up here. I really like Josh Fields, but he can also be used as an infielder because he has such a good glove.

The pitching staff has been one of the best in the majors. The rotation is five-deep, and all of these guys bring something to the table. Buehrle is the veteran winner; he's a World Series champ and a fast worker. He doesn't blaze the ball, but he has great movement.

Contreras has some pop in his ball but also has some movement. He's a little older, but he too is a World Champion. Vazquez is a strikeout pitcher, and usually throws some gas. Danks and Floyd are the young guns who are making their mark on this rotation. Personally, if I had to see any one of the starters go, it would have to be Contreras, but that's really just nitpicking.

The bullpen, which has really been the downfall for the team the past two years, has been the strongsuit for the team this year. Not having an All-Star come from this bullpen is a joke in my eyes.

Thornton, Linebrink, and Dotel are the best setup trio in the game, hands-down. Jenks has been giving up a lot of hits and his strike out total isn't as high as you would think, but he's still a very effective closer. This group is loaded with talent and I don't think Kenny Williams is even thinking about moving any of these guys.

So, the main question is, who will the Sox try to make a move for? Back in 2005, all Ozzie requested was a utility guy at the trade deadline. The White Sox acquired Geoff Blum from San Diego, and that was it.

Blum paid off, hitting a go-ahead homer in the 14th inning of Game 3 of the World Series. Ozzie has already stated that he is very happy with this roster and feels that this team can compete for a World Series title. I think they could add a spot starter or even a contact hitter, but I too feel as though this team can win the AL Central and make a serious run at the pennant.

Chicago Bears: Why Devin Hester Does NOT Deserve An Extension...Yet

Adam Radochonski — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 21:03:06 -0400

Let me start off by saying how much I appreciate Jeff Joniak, the Chicago Bears' radio play-by-play man, for his work on 780 AM the past few years.

Obviously, the two things that really made me love Joniak was his coining of the nickname "The Windy City Flyer" to Devin Hester, and the infamous phrase, "Devin Hester, you are ridiculous!" I mean, who knew that these phrases would be so catchy?

When the Bears drafted Hester 56th overall in 2006, no one envisioned that this young man would change special teams in just two seasons. You know how some offenses and defenses would change gameplans because of one player?

Well, now teams have to start paying attention to Devin Hester, who broke an NFL record with six return TDs in his rookie season, then broke his own record in 2007 with seven return TD. This makes you wonder: why in the hell are teams kicking to him?

That's a great question, but there really is no answer. Here's what it boils down to: are you willing to take on the best returner in the game EVER with a bunch of second stringers against a unit that thrives on special teams, or give the Bears excellent field position and let a sporadic offense take control?

Quite frankly, I have no clue as to why teams even let him touch the ball on kicks. He can literally reach top speed in two steps, has unbelievable vision, and has an uncanny ability to avoid tacklers and make people miss. That, and he has the best special-teams group in the league with Dave Toub, the best ST coordinator in the league.

So, why does this man, who has set ridiculous return records in just two years, alter gameplans, make teams realize the significance of special teams, and has been the Bears' top "offensive" weapon for two years, not deserve an extension?

First of all, Hester has yet to establish himself as a wide receiver. If he wants to make the lucrative money that wide receivers make, he needs to establish himself as the go-to target for the Bears. He must learn how to run better routes and read defenses.

Secondly, he has to learn the playbook inside and out. Last year, there were too many times when he was just lost, and he looked completely out of place. Fortunately, with the help of Muhsin Muhammad, he was able to be in the right place, but it didn't work out all the time, thanks to the God-awful playcalling of Ron Turner.

Third, he still has two years left on his contract. Why should you even think about giving him a big deal before he has even proved himself as a wide receiver? Obviously, the Bears like him and want him to get plenty of looks, but they should be careful about this extension because A) he will need to develop as a wide receiver, and B) continue to be an effective kick/punt returner despite the fact that teams are gunning for him.

While he has enormous potential to be a dynamic playmaker on offense and special teams, the Bears should wait a while before they give Hester an extension.

Of course, I feel that he should be a Bear until the end, but I don't want the Bears throwing money to a guy who will only return kicks. We could be using that money to placate Urlacher or any other rising star that the Bears may have soon.

Jeff Joniak is correct. Devin Hester, you really are ridiculous...but your fans wouldn't have it any other way.

Matt Forte's Signing Means a New Start in Windy City

Adam Radochonski — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 20:38:05 -0400

When it comes to evaluating talent, the NFL draft can be a crapshoot. For every Walter Payton the Bears have drafted, there comes a Rashaan Salaam. For every Gale Sayers, there's a Curtis Enis or Cedric Benson waiting right around the corner.

Obviously, the last 15 years have not allowed the Bears to find a running back that is a franchise player. Rashaan Salaam, the 1994 Heisman Memorial Trophy winner, never had the speed to be an NFL running back. Curtis Enis, No. 5 overall in 1998, never found his niche in Chicago, or the NFL for that matter.

Anthony Thomas, a second rounder in 2001, helped an attack that propelled the Bears to a 13-3 record and earned him ROY honors. However, Thomas never rekindled that swagger, and he is currently backing up Bills' 2007 first rounder Marshawn Lynch.

And of course, '05 bust Cedric Benson was a spoon-fed punk from the beginning. He held out for nearly all of training camp to get a contract he didn't deserve, and said he would dethrone Thomas Jones—a team leader and great worker—by Week Two.

Mind you, Jones was coming off a 1,300-yard season in 2004. Then, after Cedric had a decent '06 as a backup, he fumbled his only carry of Super Bowl XLI and got hurt on the same play.

That offseason, he complained about not receiving enough playing time and drove Thomas Jones out of town. In '07, he had his chance and was literally handed the job.

Plenty of things added to the equation of his demise in Chicago...his 3.2 YPC, poor pass protection, choppy feet, inability to move the pile, season-ending ankle injury, two alcohol-related arrests in five weeks, and his ability to talk a big game but not back it up.

Now, I'm sorry about all that because this article isn't about Cedric. We're done with him. A new era has dawned upon us. A new source of energy has been added to our lackluster offense.

Yes, I'm talking about Matt Forte, the newest Chicago Bear who agreed to a four-year contract on Wednesday and will compete in training camp for the starting tailback spot.

I've got to be honest. I HATED this pick two months ago on draft day. I thought it was a devastating reach, especially considering that there were two high-profile WRs on the board, not to mention Brian Brohm AND Chad Henne.

I thought to myself, "Why would we reach on a mediocre back when we have the potential to grab a future No. 1 WR or starting QB?"

However, after fully reading up on Forte, I really began to love this kid. He wasn't explosive like McFadden, nor did he possess the wiggles like Jones. But he was the most complete back in the draft, and he produced at a high level on an average football team.

What he could do was everything: Run between the tackles, break a run outside, catch the ball out of the backfield, run over defenders, pass block, and be a team player. When you look that over, how did this guy fall all the way to the second round?

Plus, the thing you love about this kid is his attitude. First of all, he understands how this is a team game, that you can't put yourself before others.

Second, he's playing with a chip on his shoulder. He doesn't want to be handed the job, but at the same time, he wants to make believers out of the people who doubted him, saying that he couldn't play Division I ball, and now, that he can't be an NFL starter. He just can't wait to prove them wrong.

For a guy playing in a huge media market, and filling a big void for the Windy City Bears, one has to wonder what you'll be getting out of Matt Forte. Will he be another Walter Payton, or another Curtis Enis?

Honestly, I'd rather see the kid do his own thing, and maybe people will one day say, "Boy, I'd sure like to play like Matt Forte."

P.S. Bleacher Report, you might want to make a Matt Forte tag pretty soon... :)

Chicago White Sox: the First Team in the Second City

Adam Radochonski — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 07:28:09 -0400

The Chicago Cubs have been called "the Lovable Losers" since...well, does it really matter? It's so fitting because they are an organization known for losing.

The White Sox? Well, they're just...there. They're an afterthought in one of the greatest sport cities in the country. Would you like a history lesson?

Da Bears are one of the greatest football franchises ever. They are home to one of the best teams ever ('85-'86), which could be the best defense ever. They've had some of the best running backs (Sayers and Payton), and are known for their ferocious middle linebackers (Butkus, Singletary, Urlacher).

The Bulls were the best basketball team of the '90s. Led by the greatest player of all-time, one of the best coaches, and probably the coolest introduction I've ever seen. They completed two championship trifectas, and let Jordan leave the game on an absolute high...until he attempted a comeback with the Washington Wizards and made people wonder, "Why?"

And then...the Cubs? Why in the world are they so popular? Is it because they can't win a championship in a city where if you don't win, you failed? I mean, the last time this team won a world championship was when dinosaurs ruled the Earth. 1908.

Yes, that is not a misprint. 1908 was the last time the Cubs sniffed the aura of a championship. Since then, they have blamed their lack of productivity on a goat, a black hat, and a goofy-looking-man with headphones and a green turtleneck.

Let's think about how much better the Cubs have been.

In the last 20 seasons, from 1987-2007, excluding 1994, the Cubs have finished over .500 just seven times, have won three division titles, one wild card berth, and—of course—zero titles.

The White Sox, in that same span, have finished at or above .500 12 times, with two other finishes at 80 wins, three division titles, and, yes, one world championship. Also, let's not forget about the fact that the White Sox play in the better league, with better hitters and better pitching.

It's hard to argue with facts, folks. But, I will counter an argument that is ALWAYS made by Cub fans which they feel trumps everything else: fan base and attendance.

Over that same 20-year span, the Cubs' average attendance was over 30,000 for 12 years, with an all-time high average of 40,154 in 2007. The Southsiders have only had an average of 30,000 just six times, their highest average being 36,511 in 2006. Okay, we'll notch one up for the Scrubs.

But how can you even put into perspective the fact that two expansion teams have already won a World Series title? What about the Florida Marlins, who averaged only 16,000 fans per home game in 2003 when they won their second championship in their 11-year history. The Arizona Diamondbacks won their first championship just four years into the league. Mind-boggling, isn't it? No, it's just baseball.

So you see Cub fans, being loyal and having more people turn out to your games doesn't make you a better team than us, and it never will. So why don't go back to your goats and Steve Bartmans, and continue to be the biggest tease in baseball, nay, in all of sports?

Even if you go to this season, the White Sox are a much better team; wanna know why? They're going to get better...scary, isn't it? The offense for the White Sox has been picking up, and I think they are a better hitting team than the Cubs because they face better pitching.

The White Sox rotation is also deeper and more talented than the Cubs. Same with the bullpen. Marmol and Wood get a lot of flash, but Linebrink and Jenks are even better, plus we have four more arms in the bullpen that can get the job done, and depth matters later on in the season.

There is a lot of hype for both these teams, and the manager who can keep his players in line is Ozzie Guillen. I could care less if you love him or hate him; he's a terrific manager who has incredible baseball knowledge and knows how to maximize his players' potential, and that's exactly what a manager is supposed to do. He gets a bad rap because he speaks his mind and isn't going to feed bullshit to reporters. Plus, he hates Jay Mariotti, so he's awesome in my book.

So, come June 20, the battle of Chicago will take place, and the White Sox will prove their superiority by winning at least five games from this series, making them the best team in Chicago. That's what they are, and people need to start realizing that. Around the country, the league, and the city of Chicago, where the White Sox reign supreme.

Shaun Alexander: Why He Shouldn't be in a Bears Uniform

Adam Radochonski — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 06:41:21 -0400

There is a new buzz amid Chicago after the release of the incredibly lame Cedric Benson: the Bears should look to Shaun Alexander in free agency to upgrade their running game.

Wait, did you say "upgrade" or "set back"? How many of you have watched Alexander the last two years? I can't sit here and expect people to believe that Shaun Alexander would help Chicago. Maybe I'm the only one who realizes that Alexander is over 30-years old, and has about as much versatility as Keith Traylor has speed: very little.

He ran very similar to Cedric last year, in terms of running into the offensive line and falling over. He has been a one-dimensional running back his whole career, and now, at this stage, he is below average as a runner. There's no doubt that he has excellent patience and a feel for the game, but he's not physical nor can he break away from any defense.

Also, he can't catch the ball effectively out of the backfield, unless he has a ton of room in front of him, and he is a poor pass blocker. We also can't forget the fact that he's been dinged up lately the past few years.

Sounds like Cedric? I'd say so. There definitely isn't a character concern, but let's not kid ourselves and say that he should play for the Bears. He isn't going to help them offensively, and it will not revamp his career.

Let the Matt Forte era begin!

The Aftermath: Grading the Chicago Bears' 2008 Draft

Adam Radochonski — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 21:25:42 -0400

Well, the Chicago Bears' 2008 draft has come and gone. They needed a solid draft in order to shore up some holes on the team and answer some questions.

1. Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt

I know that both Branden Albert and Jeff Otah were both on the board at the time, but the Bears were more comfortable with Williams. He's a classic LT, and he is a very good pass and run-blocker. He does play with intensity; he's just smart about it. Basically, he's a day-one starter, and hopefully a eight to 10 year fixture. Grade: A

2. Matt Forte, HB, Tulane

I was very excited about this pick because of the potential of getting possibly Sweed, Kelly, Brohm, or Henne. When I heard Gene Washington call Forte, I nearly threw my cell phone.

Don't get me wrong: He's a tough-nosed football player who the Bears fell in love with, but he wasn't the best value. However, when I went back and read up on him, I kinda fell in love with the kid too.

He's a move-the-chains running back, and does an excellent job as a receiver and pass-blocker...maybe a bigger, not as shifty version of Thomas Jones? Either way, he has a chance to dethrone Cedric in the fall, if Cedric is even worthy. Grade: B+

3a. Earl Bennett, WR, Vanderbilt

A really great pick in my eyes. Bennett is an intelligent football player with good size and toughness. He's not afraid to go over the middle, and he's a good blocker. However, can he create separation in the NFL? Some people were comparing him to Hines Ward...I'll buy that. Grade: A-

3b. Marcus Harrison, DT, Arkansas

One thing I just realized: All four of these players come from the South and three are SEC guys...typical Lovie Smith.

I really like this kid. He had a good junior year, and he has potential to be a great rotational three-technique behind Tommie Harris. Our DT depth last year was horrendous, as we had to pick up Matt Toeneia (who looked good) and Jimmy Kennedy off the streets. Grade: B+

4. Craig Steltz, S, LSU

I love this pick. Steltz is a throwback safety who can fill the box and is very instinctive.

However, he's not great in coverage, which raises the question about the system he'll be playing with. That being said, I feel his knowledge for the game will allow him to be in perfect position to make plays, and he has a chance to contribute immediately because he is everthing that Danieal Manning isn't. Grade: A-

5a. Zachary Bowman, CB, Nebraska

Hmmm...a tricky pick. We seem extremely deep at the CB position, especially with the return of Corey Graham, but it appears that Ricky Manning, Jr. and his huge contract will be playing elsewhere.

Bowman has top-20 talent but has been bothered by his bad knees the past two years. If he can get healthy and close to 100 percent, he could push for some serious time in the nickel package. Grade: B

5b. Kellen Davis, TE, Michigan State

Wow, a TE? Greg Olsen was a steal in the first last year, and Desmond Clark signed a contract extension in the off-season, so what gives?

Well, apparently, they want to use more two-TE sets so depth is key, especially after John Gilmore departed for Tampa. Davis is a monster and good athlete, but he's inconsistent and there have been some concerns over his character. Grade: B-

7a. Ervin Baldwin, DE, Michigan State

Wow, another Spartan...and a DE? No way...not buying this pick.

Baldwin doesn't have a chance to make the roster unless someone gets hurt. He had 18.5 tackles for loss as a senior, and really popped some eyebrows when he ran a 4.62 40-yard dash at his pro day.

Honestly, I don't see him making the roster unless he wows the coaches in training camp, but could be a good situational pass rusher. Grade: C

7b. Chester Adams, OG, Georgia

I think he has a real chance to start this year. He moves well for his size and can hold blocks.

However, he lacks the aggressiveness and mean streak that teams want on the interior. If he lines up next to Olin Kreutz, he would know exactly what toughness is. Grade: B

7c. Joey LaRocque, OLB, Oregon State

He's a tough, instinctive, and productive linebacker who can play either the SLB or WLB. He hasn't tested well because of a hamstring injury, but he doesn't seem to really be overly athletic.

However, he'll have a chance to compete on special teams, and don't be surprised if he's the second coming of Brendan Ayanbadejo (You heard it here first!). Grade: C

7d. Kirk Barton, OT, Ohio State

He's massive and has starter's experience, but he isn't that athletic and plays with poor technique. Is he an OG or RT? Either way, he has a chance to be a spot starter and at worst a legit back up this upcoming season; in the future, he could be a legit starter. Grade: B

7e. Marcus Monk, WR, Arkansas

I absolutely love this pick. He is a big, physical receiver who showed he has good speed for his size when running a 4.42 at the combine. He's coming off knee surgery, so teams shied away from this one-time high second day pick and he falls right into Chicago's laps.

I think he has a great chance to be a contributor this season because of his size and willingness to compete. Grade: A

Overall: B+

This wasn't the flashiest draft class you'll see, but there were plenty of good picks and value picks. The Bears had a plan, stuck to it, and picked up some quality young men who should help the Bears try and right this ship and bring them back to their '06 form.

Best Pick: Chris Williams

Worst Pick: Kellen Davis

Best Value: Craig Steltz

Worst Value: Ervin Baldwin

Sleeper: Marcus Monk

2008 Outlook: Well, that's hard to determine. Is Rex ready? Will Urlacher play, and will he be healthy? Will the defense be healthy? Can Mike Brown play?

Honestly, I see this team heading to the playoffs this year. They have everything in place and just need a fire under them. I think they can go 10-6, which, at the very least, will get them a Wild Card berth, and they have a shot at the NFC North.

2008 NFL Mock Draft, v 2.0

Adam Radochonski — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 10:32:15 -0400

1. Miami- Jake Long, OT, Michigan

Bill Parcells would be smart to build from the offensive line. Besides, new head coach Tony Sparano was the offensive line coach at Dallas and would fall in love with this kid's work ethic and tenacity.

2. St. Louis- Chris Long, DE, Virginia

Long has enough size and strength to play in a base 4-3 defense, but has the athleticism and versatility to play in a 3-4. He is a great all-around with some of the best hand usage we have ever seen. He should bring a lot of intensity to the Rams' pass rush.

3. Atlanta- Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU

Well, let's see...he's the BPA and fills a huge need. Definitely would take him over Matt Ryan. Don't worry about his "health"; Dorsey is a hard worker and will not want to take plays off and should be the new face of the defense. Atlanta could certainly look for a QB with one of their 3 2nd-round picks.

4. Oakland- Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State

Al Davis is probably in love with this young man; and, who can blame him? He's chiseled, athletic, strong, and explosive. I think Gholston makes more sense here than McFadden; true, they don't have a dynamic tailback, but they have a solid group of guys that can get the job done. Oakland's defense could be a real threat in '08 and actually propel the Raiders to some wins.

5. Kansas City- Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy State

The first surprise of the draft! I'm going more for need than value. I was thinking Ellis here, but I think the Chiefs were solid inside last year (correct me if I'm wrong). I think he can be a very good player and could be a very effective Cover-2 corner in Herm Edward's system. Ty Law and Patrick Surtain are good, but they are certainly long in the tooth. Plus, he has added value as a kick returner.

6. NY Jets- Darren McFadden, HB, Arkansas

This could end up to be a phenomenal pick and a real steal. McFadden would learn from a great veteran back in Thomas Jones and would complement Jones' shiftiness and power. I'm not completely sold on McFadden because of his ball securtiy and upright style, but I think he fell to a very good situation.

7. New England (from San Fran)- Derrick Harvey, DE/OLB, Florida

Harvey has been flying up draft boards after a great Combine. He certainly has the versatility to play in the base 3-4 or be a stand-up outside rusher. Either way, the Patriots know that you can never have too many pass rushers, especially after the abuse Tom Brady saw in the Super Bowl.

8. Baltimore- Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State

Really, Adam??? ANOTHER SURPRISE??? Well, I feel that this is the right pick for the Ravens. Jonathon Ogden has all but announced his retirement, and the Ravens are certainly in store for a quarterback, but they could give Troy Smith a shot; he looked decent towards the end of last year. Clady is the prototypical left tackle and it's a real shame that he got this far because he could be special in this league.

9. Cincinnati- Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC

The Bengals got the player they wanted the whole time. Ellis plays with outstanding leverage and explodes off the snap. He had an exceptional Senior Bowl and had a very strong showing at the Combine. If he works out well at his Pro Day, he could go even higher, but I think this is one of the surest picks in the draft.

10. New Orleans- Dominuque Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee St.

The Saints corners were flat out embarassing last year. Bringing in some young competition would be good for this team. Sean Payton has some success with small-school players, so this could be another opportunity for him to grab another gem.

11. Buffalo- Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma

The Bills hit very well last year when they drafted both Marshawn Lynch and Trent Edwards. Now, if they had another WR to complement Lee Evans, they would have a great young nucleus of skill players. Kelly is the #1 receiver in this draft and should be able to develop into a potential #1.

12. Denver- Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt

Williams is a smart and athletic tackle. The Broncos haven't spent a high draft pick on a tackle lately because they could just plug them into their ZBS. However, they need some new talent at the tackle position and Williams is a great fit.

13. Carolina- Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson

Yes, he hasn't worked out for scouts, but he is a very complete defensive end. He defends the run and pass very well and is explosive off the edge. He would be a good complement to Julius Peppers, who is entering the final year of his contract.

14. Chicago- Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh

He is big and physical and has great upside at the next level. However, the Bears would love to have an offensive lineman actually develop. All of their starters except for Kreutz have been picked up via free agency, and Kreutz came before Angelo took over as GM. I think Brandon Albert could also be a possibility.

15. Detroit- Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas

Wow, the Lions actually go defense in the 1st round...shocking, isn't it? Talib is a very fluid corner who could thrive in Marinelli's Cover-2 defense.

16. Arizona- Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida

I was contemplating between Mendenhall and he, and I like the HB depth as opposed to corner depth later on. Jenkins is a very physical corner who loves to bump-and-run.

17. Minnesota- Limas Sweed, WR, Texas

Yes, they will pass on Matt Ryan; the staff really likes Tavaris Jackson and thinks he can be a big-time QB with time.I know they brought in Bernard Berrian via free agency, but I think they could certainly use another receiver to complement him. Sweed seems to be fully recovered from a wrist injury that made him sit out most of his senior year and workouts, but when you watch him on tape, he is an impressive athlete with great size and soft hands. Would be a great tool in developing Jackson.

18. Houston- Rashard Mendenhall, HB, Illinois

I think they have a more pressing need in the secondary, but this is certaint a need position and very good value. Mendenhall may have only been a one-year wonder, but has the power and low-center of gravity to be a tough physical runner.

19. Philadelphia- Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan St.

He's another one-year wonder, but he has the explosivenes, size, and physicality to succeed in the NFL. He may be one of the better after-the-catch guys in this draft.

20. Tampa Bay- Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College

I think he could be a solid fit in the West Coast Offense Gruden runs. Besides, they have way too many old QBs on their roster and no real #1 guy. Garcia has maybe a year or 2 left, so Ryan is the future. Could turn out to be a real steal.

21. Washington- Calais Campbell, DE, Miami FL

Campbell had a bit of a drop off his junior year in terms of productivity, but he still can be a very good DE in this league. He has incredible size and massive arms (36.5 inches). However, his incredible height may not allow him to get underneath tackles and drive them, so he'll need some work on his technique.

22. Dallas (from Cleveland)- DeSean Jackson, WR, California

He may be slight, but he is the most explosive receiver in this class and is so dangerous in the open field. Not to mention, he's a darn good return man. I would have put him at Tampa if Ryan wasn't on the board, but I think this is a very good situation for him to learn under TO.

23. Pittsburgh- Brandon Albert, OG, Virginia

Albert is a massive, athletic guard who also has potential to swing outside and play tackle. He finishes strong on plays and has a killer mentality. Would be a great fit for the Steelers with his style of play and character.

24. Tennessee- Kentwam Balmer, DT, North Carolina

No wide receiver is worth this spot in my eyes. Albert Haynesworth is great when he's healthy. However, the team lost Randy Starks and would love a young tackle to fill his void. There are no DEs available at this point.

25. Seattle- Fred Davis, TE, USC

It's a fight between Keller and he for the #1 TE in this draft. Keller is more explosive, but Davis is a better all-around prospect. He catches the ball well and knows what to do after the catch.

26. Jacksonville- Quentin Groves, DE, Auburn

I think he's a very underrated player. He has a good motor and is very explosive off the edge. He doesn't have prototypical size, but he plays hard and would be a good fit on Jacksonville's defense.

27. San Diego- Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College

Cherilus didn't have a great senior year, but that was because he wasn't a very good LT. However, because of his size and feet, he can be a very good RT for the Chargers. I think the RB depth is good in this draft that San Diego can wait a while; I know they don't have 2nd and 3rd round picks.

28. Dallas- Felix Jones, HB, Arkansas

Another explosive playmaker for the 'Boys. He would be a great complement to Marion Barber's power. I think Stewart is rated higher, but given the fact that he's very similar to Barber is the reason why he won't be a Cowboy.

29. San Fran (from Indianapolis)- Mario Manningham, WR, Michigan

Don't let the 40 time fool you; this kid can fly. He may not have tested as well as people wanted, but when he puts those pads on, this kid can ball. He gets great separation and is another dangerous-after-the-catch-guy.

30. Green Bay- Reggie Smith, CB, Oklahoma

This would be a luxury pick for the Packers; they are stacked. However, Woodson and Harris aren't very young, and the depth behind them isn't that great. Smith is the CB of the future and would be a key player in nickel packages. Has the versatility to play safety.

31. New England- Forfeited

32. NY Giants- Kenny Phillips, S, Miami

Didn't have the junior year people expected, but he is a playmaker in the secondary and hits people very well. May not be in the same league as Sean Taylor (RIP) or Ed Reed, but he's going to be a very good player.

Would love to hear your input.

2nd round coming soon...hopefully.

2008 Mock NFL Draft 1.0

Adam Radochonski — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 21:36:29 -0400

1. Miami- Chris Long, DE, Virginia; Is a high-motor, athletic player than you can build around.

2. St. Louis- Jake Long, OT, Michigan; Pace is on the downside of his career and has been banged up previously.

3. Atlanta- Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU; Cut some older tackles in the off-season and could certainly use a new face on the defense after parting ways with DeAngelo Hall.

4. Oakland- Darren McFadden, HB, Arkansas; I'm not convinced this would be a great pick, but Al Davis loves athletes.

5. Kansas City- Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC; Would have loved Dorsey, but Ellis could turn out to be a better pro. Really blew up the Senior Bowl and went under the radar his senior year.

6. NY Jets- Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State; A perfect fit in Mangini's 3-4 defense, Gholston is a tremendous athlete.

7. New England (from SF)- Keith Rivers, LB, USC; Need to address the depth in the LB corp. Rivers is athletic and could be used as a pass rusher or moved inside.

8. Baltimore- Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy State; The #1 corner in this draft could push for PT this season but would certainly be the CB of the future.

9. Cincinnati- Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida; They missed out on both the USC stars, but a national-championship-player with great size/speed/strength and can play both 3-4 & 4-3.

10. New Orleans- Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee St.; The Saints had horrible corner play last year, and Rodgers-Cromartie is on the rise.

11. Buffalo- Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona; The most underrated player in draft. Ran well enough at Combine and should be considered a top-15 pick.

12. Denver- Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt; A smart tackle with great size and feet. Fits well into Denver's ZBS.

13. Carolina- Rashard Mendenhall, HB, Illinois; Complements DeAngelo Williams very well and has good size/speed/power.

14. Chicago- Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State; Has great feet and sets up quickly in pass pro. Could start at LT as rookie and move John Tait to RT where he seems to be a good fit.

15. Detroit- Reggie Smith, CB, Oklahoma; The Lions sorely lack a #1 corner, and Smith has the experience and athleticism to excel in Marinelli's Tampa-2 defense.

16. Arizona- Jonathon Stewart, HB, Oregon; Yes, he will be out 4-6 months after toe surgery, but that will give him time to learn the playbook and arrive at camp healthy and ready to go. The Cards are unsure if Edge will return to his Indy form, and the depth of Marcell Shipp and JJ Arrington will not cut it in a league where you need 2 backs to succeed.

17. Minnesota- Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson; Hasn't worked out yet because of injury, but is a very complete DE except for his lack of explosiveness.

18. Houston- Kenny Phillips, S, Miami; Phillips keeps the streak of consecutive Hurricanes in the 1st round because of his versatility against the run and pass. He hasn't been outstanding in his junior year or the Combine, but he can play football.

19. Philadelphia- DeSean Jackson, WR, California; He may be small, but Jackson is dangerous with the ball in his hands, and could help Philly and McNabb stretch the field and make defenses aware of him and not only Westbrook.

20. Tampa Bay- Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida; A local product and would be a great fit in the Tampa-2 defense.

21. Washington- Quentin Groves, DE, Auburn; He may not be a polished run-stopper, but you cannot deny his ability to get to the quarterback nearly everytime.

22. Dallas (from CLE)- Aqib Talib, CB/S, Kansas; Had a great junior year. While he could use a little more polish, has the ability to play both S & CB. Doesn't have great long speed, but does everything else well.

23. Pittsburgh- Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College; Talented and a hard worker, Cherilus would be an instant starter at the RT position where he could flourish.

24. Tennessee- Limas Sweed, WR, Texas; Vince Young needs a #1 WR. Sweed was bothered by a wrist injury his senior year and the Senior Bowl and should be healthy by the time Training Camp rolls around.

25. Seattle- Fred Davis, TE, USC; They shored up the HB position via free agency, and they would certainly love another pass-catching option in the offense.

26. Jacksonville- Lawrence Jackson, DE, USC; In my opinion, this could be a steal. He is a very complete DE who was overshadowed on a stacked USC defense. Would be a great addition to a very tough, physical defense.

27. San Diego- Kentwan Balmer, DT, UNC; Finally played to his potential as a senior. I think he could play the nose if needed. Would give much needed depth behind Jamaal Williams.

28. Dallas- Chris Johnson, HB, East Carolina; Would be a reach, but they are in a position to reach because they don't have any pressing needs. His 4.24 speed would complement the power and strength of Marion Barber III.

29. San Francisco (from IND)- Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma; They did bring in some veterans, but new blood is exactly what they need, especially since they need to surround Smith with talent. Kelly would have the opportunity to learn from Isaac Bruce, one of the great veterans in the league.

30. Green Bay- Brandon Flowers, CB, Virginia Tech; Also in a situation where they can afford to reach. Flowers would certainly benefit from learning under Al Harris and Charles Woodson. Be reunited with teammate and '07 pick Aaron Rouse.

31. NY Giants- Dan Connor, LB, Penn State; Not as flashy but gets the job done and is a physical football player. Linebacker U's all-time leading tackler is the real deal and another underrated prospect.

I would love to hear feedback. Please let it be constructive and not just yelling at me and calling me a moron. I'm sorry for not knowing your team's immediate needs.

Bears Look To Young Talent For 2008

Adam Radochonski — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 22:28:26 -0400

The Bears have been awfully quiet in Free Agency despite over $30 million in cap room. However, Bears GM Jerry Angelo feels that building a championship team needs to be done through the draft. Entering the 2008 NFL Draft, here are the Bears' needs:

1. OT—Fred Miller was cut and there is not sufficient depth at RT. The Bears could also toy with the idea of swinging Tait over to RT and drafting a new LT.

2. QB—There is no stability at the quarterback position. Grossman is on a one-year deal and Orton is probably a career backup and spot starter. The Bears would love to bring in a young talent, but it looks improbable in round one because of the value and the guaranteed money.

3. HB—Benson convinced us that he needs another back to complement him. Adrian Peterson is a great special teamer but runs similar to Benson, and Garrett Wolfe lacks the size to be in the rotation.

4. S—Mike Brown is coming off a torn ACL and he could be gone after this season. Archuleta has been disappointing, and Danieal Manning cannot tackle. The team likes Kevin Payne and feels like he can develop into a starter, but they need a player who can push for playing time.

5. DT—Tommie Harris is one of the best DT in the game and he's in no danger of losing his job. However, the position next to him is wide open. Dusty Dvoracek has been banged up, Anthony Adams is a rotational tackle, and the Bears used a plethora of tackles last year due to injury. Fresh legs with a clean injury history would be a great late-round addition.

6. OG—Ruben Brown will not be retained by the team, leaving a gaping hole at LG. The spot could be up for grabs by either Terrence Metcalf or Josh Beekman, but the point is that depth is certainly needed. Also, Roberto Garza is not guaranteed his starting spot at RG for next season.

7. WR—The Bears lost Bernard Berrian and Mushin Muhammad, but they also signed Brandon Lloyd and Marty Booker. They do not have a true number one, but picking up a tall, physical receiver with soft hands who could develop would be a great idea.

THE 2008 NFL DRAFT

1. Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt—A smart, physical tackle who has excellent size and plays with great technique. Great in pass pro, still working in run game. Great feet and durable throughout career.

2. Chad Henne, QB, Michigan - A smart, strong-armed veteran with tons of game experience. Shows great touch on all throws and has potential to be a big-time starter. Not very mobile and cannot buy second chances with athleticism. Strictly pocket passer. Brian Brohm is a possibility.

3a. Mike Hart, HB, Michigan—One of my favorite players in the NCAA. Tough, strong, and a true leader. Has the heart of the lion. Will not go down on initial contact. Doesn't have great size or the long speed, but will get you the tough yards.

3b. Joshua Barrett, S, Arizona State—Blew up the Combine and could go higher than this, but I would be very happy if he feel to the Bears. Is a great tackler and shows very good instincts, but is his straight-line speed overrated?

4. Drew Radovich, OG, USC—Very good size and couples that with experience and a good motor. Not very athletic and needs to improve on the run game, but could turn into a very good starter.

5. Nicholas Hayden, DT, Wisconsin—Displays good size (6'4", 295 lbs.), motor, and ability to anchor against the run, which could make him an interesting two-down tackle.

6. J Leman, ILB, Illinois—A hometown product who really came into his own this past year. He is instinctive, tough, a great leader, and fundamentally sound, but may not be athletically talented enough to make it in the NFL.

7. Micah Rucker, WR, Eastern Illinois—Another hometown product who had a very good senior year and was extremely productive. 6'5", 219 pounds, Rucker looked good at his Pro Day (4.52 40-yard dash, 39" vertical jump, 11'3" long jump, 4.57 short shuttle, 6.90 cone drill, and 20 reps in the bench press) and has an opportunity to make a roster in the NFL.