Safeties and Smith

by chase17 on Feb 23, 2009 3:46 PM CST

Everyone around here seems to agree that the Bears need help at the safety position. Since their isn't anyone attractive in Free Agency, they would have to look at the draft here are some of the top prospects:

6. Patrick Chung, Oregon, S: A versatile, hard-hitting safety with outstanding skills, Chung moves well in space and shows impressive skills as a pass defender. He has the range to get over the top on deep throws, but is also instinctive enough to make plays on intermediate throws within his area. Chung doesn't consistently make plays on the ball, but his penchant for delivering big hits on receivers serves him well as the Ducks' enforcer in the middle of the field. Additionally, Chung is a standout run defender who aggressively meets ball carriers in the hole. He strikes runners squarely and rarely misses tackles in space. Chung is a highly coveted prospect who is capable of stepping in at either safety spot during his first year.

7. Louis Delmas, Western Michigan, S: An aggressive safety with outstanding instincts and awareness, Delmas roams the middle of the field with confidence and is a violent force against the run. Though he has a well earned reputation for delivering big hits on runners, Delmas is an outstanding tackler who rarely misses in space. As a pass defender, Delmas is a rangy player with the instincts and athleticism to get over the top on deep throws. His outstanding speed erases his early missteps in coverage and allows him to make an impact as a deep middle player. With an exceptional combination of athleticism, speed and movement skills, Delmas has the potential to be a dynamic free safety as a pro.

9. William Moore, Missouri, S: Moore is a once-highly regarded safety prospect who suffered through a disappointing senior season due to an assortment of injuries. As a classic strong safety with exceptional size and instincts, Moore is at his best when playing near the line of scrimmage. He quickly diagnoses running plays, and is an aggressive hitter in the hole. His ability to stop runners in their tracks is impressive and adds to his intimidating presence. As a pass defender, Moore isn't fluid in all of his movements, but has the savvy and instincts to get into proper position when the ball is thrown. He has 11 career interceptions, including eight as a junior, and shows an uncanny knack for producing game-changing turnovers in the back end. Though scouts are downgrading Moore for his sub-par performance during his senior season, he was simply too good as an underclassman to be ignored as a potential impact pro prospect.

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I personally like Chung, and have them ranked in this order in my head. What are your opinions?

Andre Smith

Most of you have probably heard about his combine fiasco. Most people think this will cause he stock to plummet, because of his supposed lack of maturity. Do any of you think he will be available at 18. If so, I think he would be a great RT prospect with his run-blocking skills. What do you guys think? Would you still taking knowing these issues.

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The Bears haven't taken chances lately with issues like this.

And I don’t think they would now. I think someone else will before 18.

Passion For The Game, Loyal To The Name, Chicago Bears, I Trust In Thee, Standing Strong Since 1983.

by Haightminow on Feb 23, 2009 4:00 PM CST reply actions

Yah MON!!

Patrick Chung tha Jamaican Jackal Mon.

OH! STEWIE!! GET OUT THE WAY BOY! GET OUT THE WAY!
-Stacey King

by ifuwannacrownem on Feb 23, 2009 4:20 PM CST reply actions

Any of those Safties sounds good

Moore sounds like someone JA would like in the 5th or 6th round (See Bowman last year) and Smith, no he sounds like a bit of a troublemaker. I know its hard to tell but really I don’t want a headcase.

by Sam Householder on Feb 23, 2009 4:31 PM CST reply actions

Moore was great....

until he had to start playing with injuries.

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that.

We know it's the most valuable position on the football team. We've gone through so many scenarios at that position we can write a book, moreso on what not do."

-- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
.

by SackMan on Feb 24, 2009 5:30 PM CST up reply actions

Moore won't last

past Round Three. He’s rated as the best Safety on some draft boards, and is only being downgraded from Round 1. He’s fast and big, and has instincts. I’ve stated before, he’s one person I wouldn’t mind drafting.

And though Andre Smith brings back memories of Demetrius Underwood…I might, if I were JA, a. draft him or b. draft him and trade him or b. trade down and pick up extra 2 or 3rd round picks.

For instance, we could trade with Detroit for their 20th pick and their second round selection? Or even the 20th and their 3rd round pick. Or even the Eagles, who also have multiple picks (21 and 28 in Round 1).

by ethan a on Feb 23, 2009 6:11 PM CST reply actions

Chung

I haven’t seen him play, but have heard his name for two years. Since I have never heard much bad about him, and there’s a consensus that he’s a natural safety…I’d have no issue going for him either.

Just please, no more Vanderbilt players. They have a wonderful college, academically, and a beautiful campus and surrounding village, with some of the best pancakes around at Pancake Pantry…but please JA. Can we draft a non-experimental player. Hester, Manning…good athletes still trying to learn.

We need to draft players that have played at big time schools and done big time things and have solidified positions. We need solid position players, not amazing athletes in general.

This is why I am against drafting Heward-Bey. Blaming the QBs at Maryland for his lack of bigger numbers is a little foolish. And comparing him to Fitzgerald is super-foolish, to me. Fitzgerald stuck out in college for his ability and his numbers. Though I think Tyler Palko is a good QB, it is not like he was much above average. In fact, it’s arguable that LF made Palko’s brief NFL career.

by ethan a on Feb 23, 2009 6:20 PM CST reply actions

Yeah...

because Jay Cutler didn’t work out at all

by chase17 on Feb 23, 2009 7:01 PM CST up reply actions

I

don’t mind if somoene went to a non-powerhouse school, but if they did go to one of the lesser programs, they better have blown up. That’s my deal with DHB. Yes, he had no qb, but he put up crap for numbers. If he is the Larry fitz-esque guy people want him to be, he should have been making that qb look good, and he didn’t.

DEJESUS!!!

by tomas21 on Feb 23, 2009 8:26 PM CST up reply actions

no one is asking him to be Larry Fitz

he’s been physically compared by some to him, but in no way does he have any of the intangibles or great knowledge of the game like Fitz. It’s foolish and unfair to compare any player coming out of this draft to a superstar of Fitz’s caliber.

I am like your Dan Aykroyd and biglow would be Jane, the ignorant slut. -Chad

by thecoolest on Feb 23, 2009 8:44 PM CST up reply actions

the fact that people are comparing

them is like apples and oranges. If you don’t think people are attaching capability to physical attributes, then you must not pay attention to the NFL.

It’s a false association to compare these two solely on their physical similarities. If there production doesn’t match, DHB’s speed and size are nothing. Tyrone Calico rings a bell. People were enamored by his speed and size out of MTSU. What did he do for the Titans?

People on this blog have compared the two, and are drooling over that physical comparison. Scouts are doing the same. This guy was raw, and he has potential. But potential is just that. We need a player that has already performed —not one that passes the eyeball test and gives us a chill when he runs.

That is my point.

by ethan a on Feb 24, 2009 10:08 AM CST up reply actions

I didn't disagree with you about DHB...

just the Vanderbilt generalization, Cutler went there which was my point

I agree that DHBs lack of production is worrisome even with a bad QB he still should have put up numbers. Its not like the ACC is a powerhouse conference.

by chase17 on Feb 23, 2009 10:04 PM CST up reply actions

Yes, Cutler

is good. But, he’s special and showed that in college. I remember how he performed against Florida year in and year out. No one has stood out on that team since him. Earl Bennett was a solid player, but he never blew anyone away. Cutler shined, and still does.

And normally, I wouldn’t mind someone from those schools. But, it seems like the last few years Angelo has tried to show himself as some kind of master evaluator by picking athletes from small schools. Dan Bazuin is the most recent example, for most. But to me, Chris Williams has a hell of a lot to prove, and was drafted on potential. We need an Orlando Pace or a Joe Thomas —players that were stars on star-ridden teams.

And I am aware of how many good players come from small schools, but the chances of finding a Jerry Rice are a hell of a lot less likely than finding a Peyton Manning. I am talking about the lottery that is drafting, not individual players.

I’d like to find a polished player in the first round that will start; not a player that we will have to wait a year or two on. Matt Forte went to a small school, but he shined there. He’s a Cutler. But, I wouldn’t draft anyone from Tulane this year, or next.

However, as I said about RBs in this years draft…I like Ian Johnson, if you consider Boise St. a small school. I think he’s shown in the combine that he’s got the tools, and he showed in college he’s a star. Right, Oklahoma!

by ethan a on Feb 24, 2009 10:19 AM CST up reply actions

Not sure what you mean about not being stars...

Bennet- SEC career receptions leader
Williams- I believe two time All-SEC LT, I know for a fact he was at least once
That sounds pretty special to me.

Plus, did you really have to bring up Boise State. I thought I was done with those nightmares.

by chase17 on Feb 24, 2009 4:55 PM CST up reply actions

I guess I should define stars

but it is kind of hard to define without bringing in the word “intangibles.”

Cutler put up good numbers, but from watching games against big time competition he stood out.

Numbers don’t measure everything, and as a Michigan fan, I have the most appropriate example for this. His name is John Navarre. Somehow, some way, by sprinkling dear old Llyod with some kind of fairy dust, Navarre managed to end his career at Michigan with records in pass attempts, completions, passing yards, and touchdown passes.

Any loyal fan realizes that Navarre was a horrible QB; and for me I think worse than who was on the field this season for the Maize and Blue.

Bennett, to me, does not have the intangibles. He would have been on the field more if he was really as good as his amount of collegiate catches. By all standards, WR is arguably our worst position, and was in 2008. Teams with such a lack of talent often resort or play their rookies when they get the same amount of consistency out of vets. Look at Steltz. He got on the field even before injuries. We clearly needed WR help and yet Bennett couldn’t get on the field.

Despite holding those records, he did nothing but fumbled once on a punt return, I believe, and dropped another pass when he got a chance on the field…that to me doesn’t sound like a star in the making. Dwayne Bowe, from that other SEC team…LSWho…now that was a star, in college and now for KC he is showing.

As for Williams, who was first team Sr. year, it is a little different. He has more talent, but he was really a wasted pick for immediate help. More than Bennett, Williams has to make a huge impact for all of next year. From what I saw, in his limited action last year, he didn’t anything. Rookie or not, injury or not, when he got on the field it was a wasted blocker.

I have the luck of having DVR, and I had to watch a couple of times as Williams got out-manned and was too slow off the snap on important goal-line plays. And as the extra lineman he didn’t do anything positive. He seems like a super-big softy…. He needs to get angry rather than be a yes man; grow out a beard and start slamming wood on his forehead. Or, he just needs to realize the NFL is fast-paced and he needs to get off the ball quicker.

And as a Michigan fan, Williams is no Jake Long, or Joe Thomas or Orlando Pace (ick, I can’t believe I said that).

by ethan a on Feb 24, 2009 6:26 PM CST up reply actions

Oh, and I am a fan of the real Miami...

Miami University, known annoyingly as Miami (OH).

Ben Roethlisberger showed in college that he was special. I was lucky to watch him for three years. And then I had the displeasure to watch Josh Betts follow.

Too many people started thinking that Betts could be a pro because Ben was. I never understood this. Ben Roethlisberger has the intangibles.

I still remember his 70-yard run at Michigan, and his 75-plus yard hail mary TD pass to beat Akron after the defense gave up a pretty solid lead.

Ben, like Cutler, show more than statistics something ON THE FIELD. More than accolades.

by ethan a on Feb 24, 2009 6:31 PM CST up reply actions

Eugene Wilson as a free agent FS?

Article

by Spongie on Feb 24, 2009 5:38 AM CST reply actions

These 3 Safeties should be 2nd rounders

and would have to be considered if available, because the current Bears Safeties have been pretty unremarkable(not counting Mike Brown). I think FS is a more critical need, especially if the Bears plan on keeping DMainning as a Nickel and KO Returner. The Combine results aren’t complete yet for the Safeties, and this will be a big factor in determining where these “tweener safeties” best project as SS or FS. The Bears are in a good draft position(#50) to get good value if one of the top safeties is still available.
I would still consider taking ASmith at #18 to be our RT without knowing every detail, it sounds like he didn’t inform the correct people that he would be leaving early. Its a position of need and would seem to have good value, so if hes the best value pick, take him.

by gillrowdy on Feb 24, 2009 9:31 AM CST reply actions

2 questions

how come we talk about Tillman as a FS, but not Vasher? If Manning is basically being annointed the nickel back, where does Vasher go if he doesn’t win the starting corner job across from Tillman?

DEJESUS!!!

by tomas21 on Feb 24, 2009 9:33 AM CST reply actions

I think Vasher's small size

and Tillman’s bigger stature, are why some bloggers want Peanut at safety.

For me, I don’t think Tillman should be moved. Maybe later in his career, a la Rod Woodson.

Right now, he’s still performing well. One play against BB and too many people think he lost a step.

I think Peanut did extremely well last year, considering his personal life issues. He’s one of the best CBs in the league, and I don’t know why anyone wants him to switch.

by ethan a on Feb 24, 2009 10:22 AM CST up reply actions