Mocking the Mocks: Who they think the Bears will take

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Mar 5, 2011 7:00 AM CST in NFL Draft

This time out the "they" I'm referring to is actually "us". Well, sort of us... Us as in SBNation. On their home NFL page, they have a mock draft up done by football writer Brian Galliford. His mock draft as of March 2nd had Chicago selecting Mississippi State offensive tackle Derek Sherrod at 29. A good pick considering how he has the draft falling.

Here's what he has to say about the pick:

29. Chicago Bears: Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State. It's not exactly a secret that the Bears need to upgrade their offensive line, and if Sherrod were to be available at 29, there wouldn't be a lot of war room deliberation. Sherrod had a nice career, is a solid athlete with experience, and might start at LT immediately.

Sherrod seems NFL quick, I'm just not sure if he's NFL strong. Yet. He would be a fine pick up and could start at LT from day 1 for the Bears, but he'll need to bust his butt all off season working on his strength. It does seem odd to say a 6'5" 321 pounder needs to add some size, but that's exactly what he needs to do. For those of you into arm length, his 35 3/8 is just an eighth of an inch shorter than the arm length of the 6'8" Nate Solder of Colorado. He looked fluid in his positional drills at the combine and he looked fluid in pass protection on film. It's his run blocking that he'll need to improve on.

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Comments

won't happen

it makes too much sense……

"It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt". -Mark Twain

by pappabearhalas on Mar 5, 2011 10:50 AM CST reply actions

Really you can make a good case for the top 5 tackles

Solder,Smith,Castonzo,Carimi,Sherrod.And if Pounceys is there then take him.Any of those 6 guys should be able to help us.I don’t really know if there is a wrong choice…..

There's no substitute for guts.
-Paul Bear Bryant

by I love football! on Mar 5, 2011 12:18 PM CST reply actions

Depends...

I’ve heard that Pouncey wants to be a center in the NFL. It’s all about being better than his brother and whatnot. If that’s the case, then no thanks on drafting him at #29. He’s not going to be as good as a center as he is as a guard. If he’s fine with staying at guard, then he’s with the other 5 on my list, but I rather trade down to get another 2nd round pick (and a 3rd or 4th round pick on top of that) and draft someone like Cannon in the 2nd.

by bart s on Mar 5, 2011 12:48 PM CST up reply actions

at 29 the Bears should grab an O-lineman that will step in and play as a rookie

but if a few guys start slipping for what ever reason, I think JA might trade down

If you go in the bathroom, turn off the lights, and say "Da Coach" 5 times while facing the mirror... Ditka will appear and slap the wussy right out of you.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Mar 5, 2011 2:05 PM CST up reply actions

Do you think the top 4-5 tackles can step in and play as rookies?

There's no substitute for guts.
-Paul Bear Bryant

by I love football! on Mar 5, 2011 6:50 PM CST up reply actions

yes

I just hope one of them makes it to 29

If you go in the bathroom, turn off the lights, and say "Da Coach" 5 times while facing the mirror... Ditka will appear and slap the wussy right out of you.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Mar 5, 2011 9:28 PM CST up reply actions

Pouncey a big Gamble!

Look his NFL brother is quicker, stronger, and smarter, … thats why he stayed in school for another year, … but his brother, Sans the Steller hype that usually surrounds Steeler players, rated out in the Bottom Half of all centers.
I’ve gone on record as stating this years Pouncy appears to be someones 1st round bust waiting to happen. He stunk out the joint at the combine, … being at the bottom or near bottom of all the events he participated in.
He SHUNED the bar and did not lift!!! … And then there was the photo of him in whis “wife-beater” with those flabby arms. I commented along the lines that little Garrett Wolfe’s guns make Pouncy look like Pee Wee Herman. Also the scarry comcept that when all the talking heads address him, they talk ABOUT his Brother!
Buyer Beaware, … Especially on the first day!!!

pbanachi

by pbanachi on Mar 5, 2011 2:09 PM CST reply actions

I think he has more hype because of his last name

than he does based on his play…

If you go in the bathroom, turn off the lights, and say "Da Coach" 5 times while facing the mirror... Ditka will appear and slap the wussy right out of you.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Mar 5, 2011 2:48 PM CST up reply actions

OH!

English is my fifth language and then then there’s a touch of deslexia, … so “Bear” with me on my occasional rants :)

pbanachi

by pbanachi on Mar 5, 2011 2:21 PM CST reply actions

He is a good first round option

Especially if you would like to see a good pass blocking LT to compete for a job. He will get stronger as he has an outstanding work ethic and a love for the game. He might be a tad short for Tice’s liking (Although he is much larger than Omiyale, and Tice loves him) he definately makes up for it in his reach. Overall he would be a solid aquisition as he has the tools and technique to excel and the coach to nurture him as well as one heck of a strength and conditioning coach. Plus, he could play either LT or LG, so thats a nice bonus in case the labor issue isnt resolved.

Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that

by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Mar 5, 2011 5:26 PM CST reply actions

i like Sherrod as a LT prospect.

He lacks strengtth, but I think he has the body to add more strength without losing his athleticism. I read that the Bears have talk to him twice so Tice and scouts might be very high on him.

by Dominique Blanton on Mar 5, 2011 8:00 PM CST via mobile reply actions

i like Sherrod as a LT prospect.

He lacks strengtth, but I think he has the body to add more strength without losing his athleticism. I read that the Bears have talk to him twice so Tice and scouts might be very high on him.

by Dominique Blanton on Mar 5, 2011 8:00 PM CST via mobile reply actions

More strength instead of bulk/size.

The latter can possibly slow down his quickness and speed, but strength alone can provide the boost he’ll need at the NFL level without sacrificing his mobility.

"Our ideas held no water but we used them like a dam" - Modest Mouse

by propheteer on Mar 6, 2011 12:02 PM CST reply actions

I just wonder

Why all these LT prospects are falling to the end of the first round? Usually, there off the board by the early twenties.

"Our ideas held no water but we used them like a dam" - Modest Mouse

by propheteer on Mar 6, 2011 12:03 PM CST reply actions

Team's needs?

I think this year the teams are more in the need for defensive players, especially along the line, that might help that some OT may fall, I am at least hoping for that to happen…

by Windy City Flyer on Mar 6, 2011 2:33 PM CST up reply actions

Are there more potential top-tier talents at the position this year than others?

Certainly seems like it to me. 5 potential OT starters, and a guy who could potentially become Olin Kreutz Lite. It seems like a very deep OL draft. Which is fantastic for us.

by Doshi on Mar 6, 2011 3:47 PM CST up reply actions

Two things!

Over the past few years, as you mentioned, teams have been loading up on OT’s.
Their ok now. The second factor is that even though the draft is deep on OL’s, it is Exceptionally Strong the DL’s that a lot of teams have been neglecting and now have needs for. As also mentioned, will benefit us in snagging some good OL’s.
UNFORTUNATELY, JA being who he is, … well, you already know what is going to happen :(

pbanachi

by pbanachi on Mar 6, 2011 10:55 PM CST up reply actions