2011 Senior Bowl: Six Players Who Impressed the Chicago Bears

The Bears, just like any other NFL team, paid very close attention to the Senior Bowl that took place down in Mobile, Alabama this past Saturday afternoon.  Chicago has several needs on the team and each one of these needs could be taken care of by drafting some of the players that they might have been interested in at the Senior Bowl.

Let’s take a look at six guys that the Bears could have interest in as we head toward the NFL combine, as perhaps these five guys could make the Bears better and help get them over the hump and into the Super Bowl next season.

Christian Ballard, DT Iowa

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IOWA CITY, IA - OCTOBER 23- Quarterback Scott Tolzien #12 of the Wisconsin Badgers recovers his own fumble as Defensive lineman Christian Ballard #46 of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes defends during the second half of play at Kinnick Stadium on October 2

If Chicago is looking for an interior defensive lineman that would adapt well in their cover two defense then they will want to take a long look at Christian Ballard.  Ballard is a middle round prospect right now and could move up draft boards, quickly landing with a team somewhere in the third or fourth round of the 2011 NFL Draft.  Would he be a good fit with the Bears?

Standing 6’4” and weighing 288 pounds, Ballard might be a better fit at defensive end, but if he can gain some weight without sacrificing any of his speed and quickness, then he might be an ideal fit for the Bears.

Gabe Carimi, OT Wisconsin

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Offensive lineman Gabe Carimi #68 of the Wisconsin Badgers warms up prior to playing the TCU Horned Frogs in the 97th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2011 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

The Bears will be in the hunt for some offensive line help in the draft and they could have their sights set on Gabe Carimi, a great talent out of Wisconsin.  Carimi is a giant of an offensive tackle, standing 6’7” while weighing 315 pound and he has a lot of experience and valuable skill that would fit well with the Bears.  If Chicago is serious about winning and want to get to the Super Bowl, they will need to draft a guy like Carimi this April.

Mark Herzlich, LB Boston College

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 09: Colin Kaepernick #10 of the Nevada Wolf Pack fumbles the ball after being hit by Mark Herzlich #94 of the Boston College during the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl at AT&T Park on January 9, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Ph

If the Bears want to start looking for someone to replace the great Brian Urlacher then perhaps it’s a good time to start.  Linebacker Mark Herzlich is the kind of guy that almost any team is going to want simply because he is a fighter and someone that fits the Bears mold at linebacker very well.

He’s got the size that the Bears would want in a linebacker (Herzlich comes in at 6’3” and 250 pounds) and with his intelligence and ability he could step in, learn quickly and become one of the next great linebackers in Chicago.

Allen Bailey, DT Miami (FL)

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COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 11: Quarterback Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes gets off a pass as Allen Bailey #57 of the Miami Hurricanes applies pressure at Ohio Stadium on September 11, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Image

Chicago needs help on both the offensive and defensive line and if they choose to fill their needs on the defensive side early, then they might be interested in Miami’s Allen Bailey.  Bailey has been a force during his career with the Hurricanes and may end up being a good fit for Chicago.

He’s another one of those lighter defensive tackles (Bailey is 6' 3” and weighs 278 pounds), so if they want him on the inside he may need to add some weight. He would be a valuable asset on the inside if the Bears want to grab him in the 2011 NFL Draft.

Clint Boling, OT Georgia

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ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 21: Clint Boling #60 of the Georgia Bulldogs against the Kentucky Wildcats at Sanford Stadium on November 21, 2009 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

You can ask almost anyone who is a fan of the Bears and they will tell you that the Bears need help on their offensive line more than at any other single position grouping on the team.  With that, you can expect them to target several different players along the offensive line in the 2011 NFL Draft.

Boling, an offensive tackle, could come in and start right away for the Bears, and would provide their offensive line with an instant upgrade.  He may not have the ideal height for an offensive tackle (Boling is almost 6’5” and weighs 310 pounds), but he has the skill to compensate and could be a great fit in Chicago.

JAke Kirkpatrick, C TCU

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ALBUQUERQUE, NM - NOVEMBER 27: TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Andy Dalton #14, center Jake Kirkpatrick #76 and wide receiver Alonzo Adams #81 celebrate their 66-17 win over the University of New Mexico Lobos on November 27, 2010 at University Stadium in Alb

The Bears need to start looking to replace Olin Kreutz and they need to start that in this draft.  Jake Kirkpatrick is one of the nation’s top centers and could be available to them in the second or third round, depending on how things go with him in the coming months prior to the draft.

Kirkpatrick is a bigger center coming in at 6’2” and 301 pounds, so he has great size for the center position.  The Bears need a guy like him and should take a shot if he’s available at the right point in the 2011 NFL Draft.