Response To A Critic

by Adam T on Apr 4, 2008 10:54 PM CDT in News Comment 32 comments

We here at WCG have been prognosticating and guessing and rumor mongering for quite some time as to who the Bears will draft and aside from trading down regardless of the names the positions we are talking about are always running back or offensive linemen.

The Bears were up in the SBN Mock Draft. The trade was negated, so I went with Rashard Mendenhall.

So today when I drifted over to our Draft site to take a look at what our expert had to say about the pick, I was a tad taken aback.

Here is what he had to say.

I'm trying to channel some good feelings before writing this, but I'm struggling to find them. The Bears are a team with a need at every position on the offensive line, in need of at least one receiver and their defensive tackle position is a mess. So, let's take a running back to compete with the guy we drafted fourth overall three years ago! Cedric Benson hasn't been a world beater as a starter, but he's not had a good quarterback or offensive line in front of him. Even drafting a quarterback here would have been rewarded with an "A+" grade from me. There are too many needs to draft a luxury player like Mendenhall. How is he any different from Benson?

WTF? Please allow me to retort. He doesn't like it because we have needs at receiver, o line and defensive tackle.

We have a questionable o line, a questionable run game and a questionable QB and you want us to address receiver? Brillant!!!

Let us move to defensive tackle. Here is our projected starting defensive line for next year Ogunleye, Harris, Dvoracek and Alex Brown with Mark Anderson coming in for a pass rush. Dude, this sounds like one hell of a line. Sorry, but you don't draft depth at the #14 pick in the first round.

So drafting Mendenhall is a luxury? Have you even seen Benson? The guy has injury issues, a questionable work ethic and a piss poor attitude, but...

You also say you'd give us an A+ if we took a QB. Would you now? Brohm, Flacco and Henne are all currently projected in the late 1st, early 2nd. Sounds like one hell of a reach. Who says any of these three are ready to start as a rookie? And you want me to replace Orton or Grossman, two guys who have very good work ethics. Sounds like a luxury pick to me.

So that leaves us with offensive linemen. This comes down to two things preference and your draft board. Maybe you are a needs guy, maybe I am a best available guy. But to call drafting a potential stud RB at any position in the draft unless you have LaDanian Tomlinson on your bench is a good call.

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Depends on who is there...

You took Mendenhall but our biggest need is an offensive lineman. That might be fine if an offensive lineman wasn't there. If Clady, Williams, or Otah was there, you should have taken one of them. All I could see Mendenhall doing if we draft him there is watch him run into a wall for 16 games. Here is who we should draft at the #14 spot if the player is avaliable---

1.) Ryan Clady
2.) Chris Williams
3.) Jeff Otah
4.) Trade pick
5.) Rashard Mendenhall

Mendenhall comes in at the 5th option at that pick. Offensive line comes in at #1, #2, and #3 because that is what we need the most. A soild offensive line protects a QB and creates holes for a RB. A RB runs through the holes that are created by his offensive line. Not many RB's can run behind a wall...

by whitebearsox23 on Apr 4, 2008 11:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

nope

it's biggest need then best talent. if there's an olineman there that can make an impact faster the mendenhall, take the lineman. they would be stupid to trade the pick, maybe they have two good running backs, one of which isn't an asshole and a pussy whose teammates take shots at him.

"Kyle Orton and Jack Daniel's could be the greatest songwriting duo since Rodgers and Hammerstein." - DJ Gallo

by mike b on Apr 5, 2008 12:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Easy there skippy

Not many linemen come to the NFL game ready. hell hardly any.If the bears think they are going to completely fix the o-line problem this year with the draft, then I think it's going to be a long 2 to 3 years.Mendenhall is a young,fresh(not beat up,over used in collage)talented young man.a decent o-line with a great rb,is alot better than a great o-line with a limping running back any day.But,if we both were as smart as we thought we were , we would be making the pick come the26th. not typing on this sight.Opinions are like buttholes,everybody's got one.

Not bad for a first post is it.

Think like a dog, if you cannot eat it, or hump it, piss on it and walk away

by warriorspath on Apr 5, 2008 12:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

fuck that guy

post his email so we can all respond.

there wasn't a huge need for rb last year in minny either, they saw a special talent and took it.

even if i think we need as much oline as possible, i still don't hate a mendenhall pick.

"Kyle Orton and Jack Daniel's could be the greatest songwriting duo since Rodgers and Hammerstein." - DJ Gallo

by mike b on Apr 5, 2008 12:26 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

big difference

Minn. had a great offensive line.

AP didn't do what he did by himself.

The guy is right - offensive line is a much bigger need than RB.

I don't/won't hate a Mendenhall pick, but it doesn't really address the Bears' major needs.

visit the mindful mission.

by big_lowitzki on Apr 5, 2008 1:18 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

not my point

the vikings had other needs.

those needs were not able to be adequately addressed with the people available at that pick

they picked the best talent available.

if the bears don't see a tackle they like, they should be picking the best talent available, especially if the best talent available upgrades a weakness.

"Kyle Orton and Jack Daniel's could be the greatest songwriting duo since Rodgers and Hammerstein." - DJ Gallo

by mike b on Apr 5, 2008 2:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

benson

The guy has injury issues, a questionable work ethic and a piss poor attitude, but...

Still trying to find someone that can support such assertions about Benson.

I have been asking for any kind of support for over a year now, and have found very little backing to the assertions that he has a "questionable work ethic" or a "piss poor attitude."

Of course, somehow Benson and Jamaal Charles are the same type of back, so maybe I shouldn't expect actual facts.

visit the mindful mission.

by big_lowitzki on Apr 5, 2008 1:21 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

what part

of brown and urlacher tacking him out in practice didn't you get?

"Kyle Orton and Jack Daniel's could be the greatest songwriting duo since Rodgers and Hammerstein." - DJ Gallo

by mike b on Apr 5, 2008 2:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You've got to be kidding me........

right?

by Peoria Matt on Apr 5, 2008 7:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And here's some sweet Benson stats:

If you only consider the $17 million in guaranteed money, here is what the Bears have paid Benson for so far:

$10,671.68 per rushing yard.
$40,476.19 per carry at a 3.8 ypc average.
$38,116 per touch.
$1.7 million per touchdown.

Nice work it you can get it.

by Peoria Matt on Apr 5, 2008 7:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mocking the Draft

Here's what I wrote over at MTD:

Matt is right. I understand why WCG took a RB. Benson is garbage, and has been garbage since he was drafted. He was a huge mistake on Jerry Angelo's part, and imho should get Angelo canned. GMs cannot afford to fk up a #4 overall pick.

That said, RBs like Matt Forte, Chris Johnson, and others of the like will be available in rounds 2-4. These are the kinds of players at RB the Bears should look for. The issue for Chi-town is the o-line. It is wretched. Their receiving corps was always somewhat of a joke, and now it is a bad one. LT Chris Williams or WR Limas Sweed made more sense because they could become difference makers AND fill immediate needs.

It's important to note that the Bears are in rebuilding mode. They are not treating it as such nor are their fans viewing it as such. But, it IS a rebuilding team. With all the quality players they've lost, their now-decimated WR corps, and the fact that Rex Grossman is STILL their starting QB the Bears are in the process of re-working their entire roster.

Colts site on SBNation: Stampede Blue

by BigBlueShoe on Apr 5, 2008 6:46 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm not arguing

if his whole basis was we needed oilne first, but that doesn't equal an F.

He offers up positions that the Bears GM should be fired if he took, unless somebody like Long fell.

WR, QB and DE are not good values for us a 14.

The only two positions that make sense are O line and RB. If you think O line, fine, but that doesn't make the Menedenhall pick a horrible pick.

by Adam T on Apr 5, 2008 8:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with the first part.

I won't cry if they take Mendenhall, especially if he turns out awesome. I'll be disappointed, but I'll "trust" them.

The problem is what happens after the pick. They'll have to take an o-line in the second to hope they get a better o-lineman (Carl Nicks?). That means they're then looking at QB in the third. That's John David Booty and Colt Brennan territory.

So, on one side, you could go:
Mendenhall
Nicks
Booty/Brennan

Or you can go:
Williams
Brohm
Forte/Charles

Really, which one looks better? I do love how everyone says there aren't franchise tackles at No. 14, but there are "supremely talented" and "stud" RB's there. Right.

Seriously guys, a good o-line really makes the running back look that much better. "It starts up front." "It's dominated by its line." You've heard these cliches? They're there for a reason, ya know.

by tyger1147 on Apr 5, 2008 11:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was acutally hoping

we manage to fish out Albert. We need a tackle more than a guard.

by Adam T on Apr 5, 2008 12:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Virginia Boy

FYI Albert is a guard. ill let u slide this time.

by SuperBowlXX on Apr 5, 2008 3:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thansk

I write faster than I think.

by Adam T on Apr 5, 2008 6:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

QB's 1-3 rounds.

I dont think that we should try for a high draft pick QB. None of the experts really likes anyone in the draft so why risk it. i think Ainge is the least amount of risk b/c we could basically get him way later in rounds and same school Peyton Manning went to. mabye this is a QB friendly school who breeds solid NFL starters. Another possibility is to let the QB position pan out, mabye let Chris Leake have another try, he prob still unsighned, didnt look all that bad in preseason and has tasted a championchip at the colegent level. There is our 3 QB competition and we can consentrate on getting better at a rushing offence. This is what im thinking.

Williams(pass)Clady(run)
Sween/Kelly or Manningham
Matt Forte (4.44 40 @ 6'2" 218lbs) Nice./ Jamaal Charles (in 3 yrs only behind Ricky Williams and Earl Campbell in rushing)
Haruki Nakamura / Kenny Phillips/ Tom Zbikowski
Erik Ainge ( if id draft Qb @ all)
Andre Fluellen ( DT FSU) undersized but verry disruptive
Best player available
X3 picks OL and best players available for SP.

by SuperBowlXX on Apr 5, 2008 3:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

chris leak sucks

I almost killed myself when I heard we signed him as an unrestricted free agent, and when we cut him i literally jumped for joy. He isnt even a top tier prospect in the aafl he was a 6th round draft choice for team florida.

-leopoldjones

by leopoldjones on Apr 5, 2008 4:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I disagree

Grossman has one year left and Orton has two and we don't know what we have with either.

If Brohm or Flacco are sitting there, I really don't know how I feel about Henne yet, we have to take a shot.

We have to have a backup plan, unless it is to pay big bucks and go after Anderson after this year.

by Adam T on Apr 5, 2008 6:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If you don't know what they have...

...in Grossman, then, well, I don't know. Seriously? You still think the jury is out on Grossman? Really?

by tyger1147 on Apr 6, 2008 1:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh... my... god..........

by tyger1147 on Apr 6, 2008 1:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I really think it's a wasted pick.

If Mendenhall is taken that is. Running games are rarely made by the running back. Get a great o-line, and your team will have a running game, almost regardless of who they have at RB. (not quite, but almost). Have a great running back and he might average a super-sweet 3.8 ypc behind a crappy o-line.

Running backs are a dime-a-dozen.

by tyger1147 on Apr 5, 2008 11:22 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

this is my question

or has been anyway. thinking the following:

"The biggest drawback to this pick is that Williams may not be able to help a lot next year (and that's the biggest reason I see them passing on him)"

Someone has to play this year, if the 14th pick lineman won't, who's to say you can't pick one in next year's free agency or the draft? odds are we'll be picking high again anyway if we're rocking the current line or the current line with a first round pick on the bench. huge fucking gamble though, say #14 is ready next year and you didn't pick him, and then you don't get one in FA, AND you aren't picking high enough to get one that will start right away again.

sounds about what the bears would do actually.

"Kyle Orton and Jack Daniel's could be the greatest songwriting duo since Rodgers and Hammerstein." - DJ Gallo

by mike b on Apr 5, 2008 11:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think you guys understand

Skipping the 4th offensive tackle in the first 14 picks will not be a problem. That level of talent will be able to be picked up somewhere where else.

Also, if these guys aren't going to be ready to come in and start right away, we may as well draft oline later and let them develop or go free agency in the next couple of years.

I want a big time talent and that is what Mendenhall is. If we could get the next Jonathan Ogden or Orlando Pace, fine. But he aint in this draft.

by Chad on Apr 5, 2008 12:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

It's a tough position to make a pick

The best OTs have all been taken. Chris Williams is really not good enough to go this high in the draft (although I just looked, that's who Detroit drafted). It would be the ultimate need over talent. We can probably draft an offensive lineman in the 2nd round who is in the same category as Chris Williams that would not be true of Mendenhall.

Now, I agree I do not think that RB is our biggest need. But, the draft did not turn out well for us in this scenario. I think Angelo would have basically no choice but to trade down if this happened. The talk about taking WR Limas Sweed seems strange. The draft is incredibly weak in WRs. Sweed would probably be a 2nd rounder at best in better drafts. So once again, taking him would be need way above talent.

A lot of drafting is looking at who you expect to be available in the next round. There will be good OTs available and probably good QBs (Flacco perhaps). Mendenhall is one of the last elite-level talents available in this draft. Taking him is a completely understandable choice. The critic made some good points, but he either greatly overvalues Benson or he really believes that teams should only draft based on their top need. WCG, I think you made a good choice in a tough position.

by quartz77277 on Apr 5, 2008 1:54 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

You guys are making stuff up.

Seriously. Who, other than now Quartz and Chad, have said that guys in the second round are just as good as Williams?

And if you take someone in the second round for o-line, than your QB of the future is Erik Ainge or Dennis Dixon or some po'dunk that no one has heard of. Sweet. Great plan. When Orton and Grossman bust out, the Bears will have a great running back, a so-so line and Jerry Lewis playing QB. Rock!

And if you say, "Well, there are good lineman in the NFL who have been drafted all throughout the draft," then you're COMPLETELY IGNORING the fact that the same can be said of running backs.

I know you guys you have got yourself in a tizzy over a local boy, and at this point, there's pretty much no way to change your mind, but my gosh.

BTW, I'm still waiting for someone to name me a RB that was called "supremely talented" going into the draft and has proven to be so in the NFL. Who else besides Adrian Peterson? You know, the guy who was running behind the best offensive line in the league... LaDanian Tomlinson? Great!!! I can't believe I missed the boat. Rashard Mendenhall is going to be as good as LaDanian Tomlinson and Adrian Peterson. HOT SHIT!!!! Draft him yesterday. Can I change my mock pick?

by tyger1147 on Apr 6, 2008 1:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've seen your extensive endorsements of Otah and

Williams. It is obvious you identified the Bear's should take an OT if Otah/Williams are available. What do you think the Bear's course of action should be if Clady, Williams and Otah are not available? I've seen mock drafts with those guys off the board before our selection at fourteen, so the possibility is there. Who and where would you take a RB if you did draft an OT in the first round? I'm curious; I haven't seen you discuss your plan beyond the first round.

by rob in iraq on Apr 6, 2008 12:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Let's be very clear...

I didn't that Williams specifically will only be as good as guys in the second round. I said that there won't be 4 franchise tackles in this draft and I don't want the last one available. I also said that he is not Orlando Pace or Jonathan Ogden and I stand by that.

I have said that most scouts don't think he can step in and play right away. He needs time to develop. So, my thoughts are that if we won't get a starting tackle for this up-coming season then why take him? We can wait until the next couple of free agent periods and get a known quantity. Williams or any of the these guys may not pan out.

Having said that, the Bears don't have anyone who can run the ball as a starting running back. Benson may never play football again and AP is not a starting running back in the NFL.

Rashard may not Peterson or LT but he has some promise of that. I think he will be a superstar and soon. So, under my plan we get a quality line in the next couple of years AND a great running back. Under your plan (best case scenario) we get a good line and no star running back.

by Chad on Apr 6, 2008 2:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

and

this is supossed to be a big year for ortsman, gonna be ahrd to evaluate who sucks less when there's a jailbreak almost every play. pretty much guarantees a grossman bed shitting with orton in by game 4. which if that's what you're going for.

"Kyle Orton and Jack Daniel's could be the greatest songwriting duo since Rodgers and Hammerstein." - DJ Gallo

by mike b on Apr 5, 2008 5:39 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs