NFL Draft: Bears get Stephen Paea in the 2nd & Chris Conte in the 3rd
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Apr 29, 2011 11:00 PM CDT
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I was fired up for the Stephen Paea selection, and, conversely I was dumbfounded by the Chris Conte pick. I didn't look at safety very much in the weeks leading up to the draft, as I didn't think Jerry Angelo was going to take one before the 6th round, if at all. I should have know he'd swerve us at some point. So, it's back to the scouting reports to touch up on my Conte knowledge. But first lets look at the former Oregon State Beaver.
In our Staff Mock Draft we hit on the 1st round Gabe Carimi pick, and oddly enough in the SBNation Mock Draft, we took Stephen Paea in the 1st round. I like him better in the 2nd (obviously), but regardless I'm calling it a 2 for 2 for Windy City Gridiron. Paea (pie-uh) drummed up a ton of buzz at the combine when he pumped out 49 reps on the bench press. But he was a highly regarded prospect before that. That huge number in the bench led to scouts going back to the film to see if he played that strong, and most thought he did. Paea has the quickness to shoot his gap and the strength to demand a double team. His pass rush skills are a work in progress, but his bull rush will collapse a pocket. The Bears will play him at the 3 Technique. From NFL.com:
Paea is a powerful run stuffer that plays angry and should contribute immediately at the next level. He is as strong as an ox and consistently knocks lineman back on their heels. He takes on double teams and is near impossible to move out of the hole. He lacks refined pass rushing skills, but has heavy hands and a good burst to eventually become a weapon on third down. He is still learning the finer points of the game, but he has unparalleled toughness and a tireless work ethic. Paea will likely not last past the middle of the first round.
At 6'1 and 303, he's a short stocky player that plays with incredible leverage. You add in his incredible strength (a 600 pound squat and a 500 pound bench) and you have a difference maker at DT. Then you get him on the practice field with d-line guru Rod Marinelli, and you might have a Pro Bowl player.
Now on to Chris Conte. My initial take was a negative one, but I'll do my homework and look into the player before I offer up my take. NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock thinks highly of him, and that has to count for something. The former reserve California corner back made the switch to free safety in 2011 and it was like a light bulb went on for him. CBS Sports and NFLDraftScout.com had him rated as the 3rd best FS in the draft and the 95th prospect overall. Walter Football had him as a 3rd-5th round prospect. I guess some scouts thought he went about where he was supposed to go. The National Football Post had him listed as a fast rising strong safety prospect at 210. Sports Illustrated had him rated as the 5th best safety with a 4th round grade. From the SI scouting report:
Positives: "Intelligent and fierce defensive back with an improving game. Quickly picks up assignments in center field and remains cognizant of what's happening in front of him. Displays solid sideline-to-sideline range, gets outside the numbers to make plays, and shows a burst of closing speed. Stays with defenders down the field and shows the ability to burst to the ball out of his plant. Explosive run defender who aggressively lays his pads into ball carriers."
Negatives: Lacks ball skills in man coverage. Marginally productive until his senior season.
Analysis: Conte watched his game takeoff as a senior and as a result is moving up draft boards. He possesses the physical skills and football abilities to be used in centerfield at the next level and enters the league with a solid amount of upside.
He's a raw talent. Had he spent his entire Cal career at safety I wonder where his skill set would be. I'm optimistic about him now that I actually read up on the kid. He's an athletic kid that will add depth to a position that needs it, and he'll be a special teams guy as a rookie. The arrow is definitely pointing up for Conte.
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In reguards to Conte .....
….. I kinda like the pick from a we need depth prospective . Also this kid dropped weight to play safety and could move back to LB if he could put the weight back on and retain his speed . So is this a head scratcher of a pick ? Yes , but its one I’m good with considering we got Carimi & Paea to fill our biggest holes . And heck nobody’s perfect , we all knew JA would be JA at some point .
" Everyone has a plan 'till they get punched in the mouth. " ~
Mike Tyson
by MidWayMonster54 on Apr 29, 2011 11:11 PM CDT reply actions
He was never a LB.
PLayed Safety in high school and corner and safety in college.
in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The practice of repeating the same action while expecting different results.
by Timothy Hockemeyer on Apr 29, 2011 11:43 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah I misread a bio ....
… that said he COULD play LB not DID play LB . Stupid reading skills ! But I did see that this kid is 6’3" 212 from his player BIO & he ran a 4.54 40 . If this kid can play he could be a good fit for us .
" Everyone has a plan 'till they get punched in the mouth. " ~
Mike Tyson
by MidWayMonster54 on Apr 30, 2011 12:05 AM CDT up reply actions
That's a terrible idea, MidWay.
Converted safeties never make good lb’s.
"The time has come to get deeply into Football. It is the only thing we have left that ain't fixed." - HST
Lol
My immediate 1st thought as well
You must have me confused with someone else, I have never been to Chicago.
[whispers] I sexually assaulted Scottie Pippen in 1997.
Interesting,
Mayock called him a former LB too, that he dropped 15 and moved back to safety. I thought it to be the case as well.
You must have me confused with someone else, I have never been to Chicago.
[whispers] I sexually assaulted Scottie Pippen in 1997.
I heard the same thing
a closer look at his bio says cornerback… maybe he bulked up 15 for FS?
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 Apr 30, 2011 1:01 AM CDT up reply actions
Mayock said his coach asked him to do it
So who knows— the guy didn’t play til his senior year, maybe within the Cal organization they practiced him as an OLB and thats where he worked, and he only got noticed (nce he lost weight and moved. Maybe Mayock had an inside scoop
You must have me confused with someone else, I have never been to Chicago.
[whispers] I sexually assaulted Scottie Pippen in 1997.
his scouting report from CBSSports
says he was a reserve corner, odd…
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 Apr 30, 2011 1:06 AM CDT up reply actions
Maybe Conte himself will explain in a future interview
Not as bummed about the pick as I was originally though, good to see positive draft notes on him.
You must have me confused with someone else, I have never been to Chicago.
[whispers] I sexually assaulted Scottie Pippen in 1997.
This has been the best draft Angelo has probably ever had. And he's not done yet.
I am epic win. It is much inspirational, no? No pain, no pain - Rich Russian Guy from directv commercials
angelo pick
i quite like the conte pick from what i have read from above.ecstatic that we have carimi and paea
First time posting, been a reader of the site for a long time however. As for JA’s draft, I absolutely love the Carimi pick and am very excited for Paea pick as well. I don’t know anything about Conte but it seems like he could have been had in the fifth round. My problem is that we are a team with holes and it seemed there were a couple high quality players that filled immediate needs, such as Burton from Utah or the guard from Georgia(sorry cant remember his name). I am hoping this means JA has a plan to for free agency, OG,WR,WLB and CB need help. Sorry for the long post
No need to apologize...not long by any means....and
I agree, the pick is definitely an unexpected one….
Finally, Welcome!!
by David in Maine on Apr 29, 2011 11:48 PM CDT up reply actions
Welcome!
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 Apr 30, 2011 12:54 AM CDT up reply actions
to be honest I was hoping for the same thing
but I am not upset at this pick,
. "Most football teams are temperamental. That's 90% temper and 10% mental."
--Doug Plank
Welcome brother!
You and me are alike, I didn’t join WCG up until a few months ago after years of reading it. Temptation soon set in and well here I am.
Anyways welcome to WCG my friend :)
Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that
by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Apr 30, 2011 8:57 AM CDT up reply actions
Welcome rook!
No apology for a long post needed. If you want to see an example of a long post check out any that Timothy Hockenmyer writes. They make War and Peace look like a Readers Digest story.
When the world slips you a Jeffrey, stroke a furry wall.
- Aldous Snow
by Ditkavsworld on Apr 30, 2011 9:16 AM CDT up reply actions 5 recs
Waiting for Timothy's rebuttle.......
Guns dont kill people. Brian Urlacher kills people.
by Bear Lovin 21 on Apr 30, 2011 1:32 PM CDT up reply actions
Tolstoy was lazy......
I, on the other hand, have the stamina necessary for the job ;)
in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The practice of repeating the same action while expecting different results.
by Timothy Hockemeyer on Apr 30, 2011 6:51 PM CDT up reply actions
And damn, you butchered my name, lol!
in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The practice of repeating the same action while expecting different results.
by Timothy Hockemeyer on Apr 30, 2011 6:58 PM CDT up reply actions
Whatever like I've told other people
it’s not my fault your name sucks. :)
When the world slips you a Jeffrey, stroke a furry wall.
- Aldous Snow
by Ditkavsworld on May 2, 2011 11:49 AM CDT up reply actions
Rant and rave all you will...
and just don’t take it personally if we disagree. It’s good to hash out the arguments here amongst a great group of misfits. You’ll get to know us all quickly…that being said, I’ll go ahead and apologize now for things I’m sure I’ll say during drunken post-game rants. Good luck!
You're such a meathead ;)
in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The practice of repeating the same action while expecting different results.
by Timothy Hockemeyer on Apr 30, 2011 6:52 PM CDT up reply actions
Tons, my friend....
But this isn’t an open thread, so…….
:)
in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The practice of repeating the same action while expecting different results.
by Timothy Hockemeyer on Apr 30, 2011 11:54 PM CDT up reply actions
words are words
and when words are words than words shouldnt be taken as harmful but taken as words………lol IDK
by l3ig_lvlike_430 on Apr 30, 2011 10:31 PM CDT up reply actions
Conte Is A Developmental Project
which is why I am equally dumbfounded on this 3rd round pick when the Bears have so many other needs that must be addressed. My only consolation is that JA may strike for a high priced free-agent in positions such as LB, CB and G/C but with the labor problems this is a very risky move.
JA thinks the opposite apparently
We aren’t looking for numbers given the uncertainty right now when the offseason program starts. We want to make sure we get players that are as prepared to play as they can and have a real good role and fit for us and we felt that about Conte and obviously with Stephen Paea.
That makes sense to me. Senior starter at a Pac-10 school, no reason why he’d be a project.
He came on as a senior
no reason to think he won’t keep improving… Time will tell
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 Apr 30, 2011 12:55 AM CDT up reply actions
AND he played CB at first
and honestly CBs in a Tampa 2 system have safety skill sets
Maybe they drafted him to play corner?
I'll roll up
That's my thought as well.
I’m not sure about the Cal def scheme, but I’m thinking they asked him to be a man corner and he didn’t do well, so they finally stuck him at safety, which is more like a cover skill set, and he did well.
Maybe they’ll feel him out in training camp. See if he can run at corner. If so, great. He’ll get a chance to start. If he looks better at safety, he’ll work his way into the rotation with Hitman and Major and replace Harris as he gets older while kicking some ass on special teams.
Sounds like a good deal to me. I’m just wondering if we could’ve got him later on and addressed a higher need first.
most college defenses play man to man anyway
The BEars run very little man defense.
And honestly i think they could put 15 pounds on him and play him at linebacker.
I'll roll up
He can keep improving
but that doesn’t mean he’s a developmental project. It sounds like Angelo drafted him to contribute right away.
Here's the problem as I see it.
as I didn’t think Jerry Angelo was going to take one before the 6th round
You used Angelo and think in the same sentence. I’m liking this years draft so far, but Angelo has a laundry list of inexcusable screw ups and made another one in this draft in his botched trade with the Ravens.
Above all; keep 'em guessing, never let them lose their sense of confusion.
by Just Dave on Apr 29, 2011 11:48 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
If you look at the roster, Safety is a need pick
Bullocks is gone, Manning might be gone, Steltz is no keeper…
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 Apr 30, 2011 12:56 AM CDT up reply actions
sounds right
and the Hitman is nearing the end of his career.
. "Most football teams are temperamental. That's 90% temper and 10% mental."
--Doug Plank
He still has a few more great years in him
And I wonder if Major Wright was brought in to become the heir apparant to the FS spot.
Also, I wonder if they are going to bring down Chris Harris to SS and line up Major Wright as the FS.
Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that
by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Apr 30, 2011 9:00 AM CDT up reply actions
Erik maybe you can clear this up
since we are Gator fans here. Where’s Ahmad Black…….I would have loved to see him out there with the Hitman and his former team mate Major Wright.
by l3ig_lvlike_430 on Apr 30, 2011 9:20 AM CDT up reply actions
I loved Ahmad Black
And I really am not sure why he wasn’t drafted yet?!
I mean he and Major Wright really tore it up at Florida, he would be a great FS here in Chicago. A headscratcher/headache this is!
Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that
by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Apr 30, 2011 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions
I don't even see him
on the best available of top 10 safeties left…….its ridiculous.
by l3ig_lvlike_430 on Apr 30, 2011 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions
Its really sad
Such a great talent overlooked
Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that
by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Apr 30, 2011 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions
Gotta disagree...
I personally don’t think he’ll pan out to be more than a back-up at SS, but who knows. What bothers me more about the pick is the safety is NOT a need position as compared to others. The Bears have 2 starting safeties on the roster (3 if Manning stays). Yes, the marginal depth that Steltz and Bullocks provide may be fleeting or less than adequate, but aren’t there more pressing needs at G, CB, and WR for starters? You can argue FA may come into play and that’s all well and good, but this kid would have been there in the 5th round anyway, so why not get a kid who has potential to start this season at guard or CB in the 3rd. Tillman is the only starting caliber CB on the team and the back-ups are no better than the safeties. There are/were 2-3 CBs left on the board that could compete and possibly contribute this year in this system. I just see this as more of a Dan Bazuin pick; why get a guy this early who is very likely to be there in the 5th round?
Bullocks is a FA and gone
Manning might be… one way or another a safety had to be added to the mix.
No one knows if he’d be there in the 5th… PFT reported that he was meeting with a lot of teams and he was a fast rising prospect. Not sure if you read my post above, but he was rated between 3rd-5th round by most scouts, not solely 5th.
I don’t know much about him, maybe you’re a big PAC10 guy and know his game, but I’m just going off what I read and watched after he was selected last night.
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 Apr 30, 2011 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions
What scares me, however
is that Angelo has taken at least one safety in every draft since he’s been here including one in the 2nd one in the 3rd and one in the 4th not counting Conte. And now we take a flier on Conte?? How good is he at evaluating that position exactly? This pick inspires zero confidence.
Above all; keep 'em guessing, never let them lose their sense of confusion.
Correction
Angelo has taken a safety in ALMOST every draft since he’s been here.
Above all; keep 'em guessing, never let them lose their sense of confusion.
The Conte pick makes me uncomfortable.
But if that is the worst feeling I get from this draft, then this whole thing will be a success.
Conte has big upside; who knows, maybe JA actually thought this out and saw Conte (or a guy like him) pairing with Major to be the Bears safeties for the next 6-7 years. That is the upside of a tall, fast, athletic dude like Conte.
And what if it doesn’t pan out? The worst case scenario is this kid gets a low level contract and he contributes to special teams, which is actually of concern this offseason as well.
I’ve said this before, it would be a lot easier to stomach this pick if Angelo had built up some equity with similar picks that had worked out in the past. That equity does NOT exist, so its hard to have faith.
From what I gather
Conte is a high ceiling type of player…
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 Apr 30, 2011 12:57 AM CDT up reply actions
there were people who were uncomfortable when he picked Lance Briggs in the 3rd
but it is hard to get them to admit it now.
. "Most football teams are temperamental. That's 90% temper and 10% mental."
--Doug Plank
There were also people who liked...
the Gilbert pick too. It works both ways. The overwhelming majority of QBs taken in the 6th round do not end up as the next Tom Brady. It’s OK to reserve judgment on a player, but let’s not start comparing any of these draftees to Lance Briggs or any other Bears success story. He’s equally as likely to be the next Dan Bazuin.
so no one can compare him to a mid round success...
but you can compare him to a failure…
Got it!
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 Apr 30, 2011 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions
My point is that...
the defense of this pick is the “Tom Brady” theory which states that:
since Tom Brady was a 6th round pick and is an elite QB, then every 6th round pick is instantly an odds on favorite for the HOF.
What I have tried to state is that it’s not about his specific success, but about what his success or failure means to the overall team.
IF he is a success, say this season, and becomes a starter at SS. The Bears will have 2 solid starters at safety.
IF he is not, the bears will have 2 solid starters at safety.
The difference…If the Bears draft a (insert G, CB, WR, LB, C) instead and that player has success, then the Bears have 2 solid starters at safety AND a solid starter at aforementioned position. If that player fails, then the Bears still have 2 solid starters at safety regardless.
really LostinSTL if you go back and read my post again
you will notice that I didn’t compare him to Lance Briggs.
What I said was some people were uncomfortable with picking Briggs in the 3rd round.
If Lance Briggs had suffered the same knee injuries as Dan Bazuin no one would be talking about him today except to call him a 3rd round bust.
If we use your logic then any third round pick you would approve of would also have a good chance to be the next Dan Bazuin.
. "Most football teams are temperamental. That's 90% temper and 10% mental."
--Doug Plank
Well...
yes they do have that chance. That’s my point. I wish JA would take a few less chances in the early rounds with the “gems” and go about filling need with more sound candidates, like Carimi and Paea. I’m all good with late round “nobodys” who have potential (Josh Moore, Cory Graham, Henry Melton), it’s the 2nd/3rd round “nobodys” JA keeps getting and losing that worry me.
he does seem to be batting arouind 50% on 3rd & 4th round picks
yes
Major Wright, Corey Wooten, Henry Melton,D.J.Moore,Earl Bennett,Jamar Williams and Kyle Orton.
No
Gilbert,Iglesias,Harrison,Steltz,Wolfe,Okwo,Beekman,Dvoracek
Dvoracek was an injury washout a pity that.
. "Most football teams are temperamental. That's 90% temper and 10% mental."
--Doug Plank
I already have a plan for that.
so do you worry your pretty little head……..lol……muuuhaaaahaaa
by l3ig_lvlike_430 on Apr 30, 2011 10:36 PM CDT up reply actions
How can anyone's intial reaction be positive on the Conte pick
When the Bears have had a friggin turnstyle of draft picks at safety for the last 4-5 years or so. They have no clue how to pick ’em.
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
unless I am living in an alternate universe
The Bears starting safeties last year were Bear draft picks and they did a pretty good job.
. "Most football teams are temperamental. That's 90% temper and 10% mental."
--Doug Plank
looking at the comment threads from earlier
I didn’t see anyone initially positive
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 Apr 30, 2011 12:58 AM CDT up reply actions
Statistical probability?
"The time has come to get deeply into Football. It is the only thing we have left that ain't fixed." - HST
I was scratching my head at first
After reading some of the sites listed above and others saying the seahawks, 49ers, and eagles (who are always pretty good with drafting safeties) had workouts with him, I’m “eh” with the pick.
He probably wouldnt have been there in the 5th. In a weak Safety class, taking one with some upside before the run kinda makes sense.
I would’ve liked M. Cannon at that spot, maybe Tice didnt. we can still get a decent guard/center in 5th. Moffitt or Hurd
Moffitt is already gone.
Seattle grabbed him kind of early.
"The time has come to get deeply into Football. It is the only thing we have left that ain't fixed." - HST
My initial reaction was more "meh"...
but the more I’ve looked, the flakier my scalp has got when I’ve looked at Christian Ballard, Clint Boling and Marcus Cannon STILL on the board. Especially since the Bears don’t have a 4th (as of right now), one of them should have been a Bear is the best they could come up with was a safety.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just North of Wrigley Field
by jameslcrockett on Apr 30, 2011 12:39 AM CDT reply actions
I'd just love to have a guy named 'Cannon' on the roster.
In my opinion, in order to have a winning football team, you need at least 2-3 cool names on the roster. It’s just good karma.
Well
Israel Idonije
Garrett Wolfe
Major Wright
I’d say we’re good on that front.
Anarchist. Misanthrope. Beard aficionado.
by Cosmis on Apr 30, 2011 1:53 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I thought about this...
but only the MLB in our scheme drops back to cover the middle, whereas usually the two OLB cover the flats. Right now, I think we’re set at MLB, and the kid seems to have a S mentality and likes seeing the play in front of him. But, who knows what the Bears will do, I’d like to see him hit the field in Training Camp and see what’s up
E.F.K.
Angelo was quoted saying
that he was looking to pick 3 guys who could start and he felt that he got them with the picks they made (Carimi Conte Paea)
So evidentally Angelo feels Conte can start, i just wonde rif it’s S or CB
I'll roll up
by suckmyditka on Apr 30, 2011 11:32 AM CDT up reply actions
An okay draft
I love the Carimi pick, I like the Paea pick and I honestly don’t know anything about Conte.
It seems we are quite set at safety with Conte, DMS, Major and Harris.
I like the draft
Every GM is going to have “his guy” that he takes earlier than projections. Sometimes they pan out, sometimes they don’t, and I’m just glad Angelo took his late in the 3rd where the opportunity cost isn’t great. Not a big deal. Sure Boling was available, but the Bears have four/five guards on their roster already, and Boling rates out as more solid than gamechanger.
I’m not particularly high on Paea, thought the Bears needed a pass rusher more than a bruiser, and the bum knee scares me, but I can’t fault Angelo for trying to move up in the 1st and 2nd rounds to get high-upside guys he wanted. It seems that ever since the Cutler move, Angelo’s been going with the Go Big Or Go Home Strategy: Trade a 2nd for a former #4 overall pick. Sign the biggest FA on the market. Try to move up in drafts instead of down. It’s what I want to see.
I was happy with the first round pick
But not so much with picks two and three. I’m happy we got Paea but not at the price of giving up a 4th round pick to move up. Even though we moved up Greg Little was there, Torrey Smith, Brandon Harris. If we said where we were, we could have had McClain and our 4th. My jaw dropped when I saw the Conte pick. I hope they now what they are doing with thr rest of the draft. And maybe they have a Free Agency plan of signing several people.
by boondock_saint812 on Apr 30, 2011 6:27 AM CDT reply actions
Conte may very well turn out to be Craig Steltz II
But we don’t really need another SS type, do we? If we’re gonna compete with the Packers, we need coverage guys with speed and ball skills in our secondary – not “tweeners” like Conte. This pick is also a “reach”, as we may have been able to pick this guy up in the 5th round. But, this IS Jerry Angelo, and true to form, he needed to try and “out smart” all of us by taking someone that no one really knows anything about.
Amen, JimmyMack!
JA gets a personal thrill out of finding that unknown diamond in the rough. Conte is JA’s thrill for this year.
Like boondock I think (and hope) the Bears are going to go free agency big time. There’s still alot of holes to fill.
I tend to agree here...
Carimi is a solid 1st pick, possibly JAs best. Paea is another solid pick, but the trade up seemed a bit desperate if not unnecessary. The loss of the 4th round pick was probably not worth it. Conte would have been on the board in the 4th or 5th easily, so the trade up might have forced the huge over-reach for him. The Bears need to add young talent along the interior o-line and CBs and LBs and they passed on some good prospects in these areas to get ANOTHER marginal safety. This pick has Moby Dick written all over it. It’s JAs “Great White Whale” to find a safety, let the rest of the team be damned! My guess is we see a throw away QB pick in the 5th round and a ST fodder-type LB in the 6th. Still, I said before if the Bears get 2 solid starters out of this draft, I’d be happy…so I’m happy dammit. Now fix this lockout shit and get playing football.
by LostInSTL on Apr 30, 2011 8:32 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
The trade for Paea was necessary
Because there were 2 teams extreamly interested in him with the Patriots and the Seahawks. The Seahawks especially liked him as a 3 tech with the Pats wanting him as an end.
It was a great move by the Bears
Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that
by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Apr 30, 2011 10:11 AM CDT up reply actions
I agree that the trade up for Paea was necessary.
I think he handled it well. e waited for one of the 2 best 3 tech guys to go off then immediately moved up to get the next one. That is how you should draft! You target players and then move up or down to get that player.
yes
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 Apr 30, 2011 11:06 AM CDT up reply actions
seems the bears need
a ball hawking free safety, and little more versatility in their secondary overall. i understand angelo says he’s a free safety, but he sure seems like a strong safety on a roster with a lot of strong safeties. i guess we’ll see.
Major Wright is a FS
and Conte is a FS
I'll roll up
by suckmyditka on Apr 30, 2011 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions
I agree....
I think l he ends up replacing Chris Harris down the road (if he pans out)
in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The practice of repeating the same action while expecting different results.
by Timothy Hockemeyer on Apr 30, 2011 6:55 PM CDT up reply actions
Free agency is really going to dictate how I feel about this draft.
I love the two picks, and I feel they fill our two most pressing needs. A+. But we’ve got other holes, on the interior line and at wideout. Nicks and Edwards fit the bill nicely. If we can sign them, we’ve filled almost all our needs – and certainly the most pressing ones.
The poster formerly known as Freethefro.
I think with the Jets its going to be either Holmes or Edwards, not both
All signs are pointing to them keeping Edwards, as Holmes had turned down the tender offer from the Jets prior to the lockout.
Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that
by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Apr 30, 2011 9:23 AM CDT up reply actions
I personally think this has been Jerry Angelo's best draft as GM of the Bears
He has grabbed 2 quality starters with his first 2 picks, and after a few hours of sleep I realized that Conte may be a solid depth player for us. I mean he is a pretty big safety who could possibly be a reserve kind of guy at CB in our scheme. Plus, the best WRs were off the board and Davon House seems to be passed up by every team because of his ankle injury. Also, Marcus Cannon is going to be passed on until the late 5th to the 7th rounds because of his unfortunate diagnosis.
Back to the other 2 selections I give him an A+ as he took care of his top 2 needs with great players that fit into our schemes extreamly well. Gabe Carimi is quickly becoming a fan favorite as he has everything you would want in a Bears O-Lineman. Plus he along with Paea are just so versitile as both can line up at numerous positions. Carimi appears to be the LT in Chicago as that was the position Lovie Smith pointed out when asked about Carimi. Stephen Paea could play at either Nose or 3 tech, and his power is exactly what we need in an upgrade at either DT position. He has bulked up since his last weigh in and is reported to be 6’2, 315 pounds. This guy is getting stronger and bigger by the hour. Overall 2 monsterous and outstanding picks by the Bears!
FA will ultimately determine just how good this offseason has been, as even with a great draft such as this, we still need a great player to fill key postitions with priorities being LG, WR, and CB. For the LG I really like Carl Nicks as he fits this scheme perfectly. With WR as of right now I feel Santonio Holmes would be a great player if neither Vincent Jackson nor Brandon Marshall are avaliable, and if the Bears do not select a big WR such as Tolliver with either of their final 2 picks. As for CB, everyone including myself woul love Nnamdi Asomugha, but the problem is…so do 5 other teams including FA heavyweights Cowboys and Redskins. So my personal recommendation is Aqib Talib, as he played very well in the Tampa 2, yet he has been in a ton of trouble recently. However, as of now the charges against him may be aquited as the case right now is being viewed by a good number of people as a giant “he said/she said” case, and evidence is insufficient to bring into a court room. So with that I say give him a chance, he will straighten his act out with a lockeroom full of veteran leaders, something he has not had in Tampa.
Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that
by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Apr 30, 2011 9:21 AM CDT reply actions
Now throw in the Eagles as contenders for Asomugha
He is the #1 target in all of FA
Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that
by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Apr 30, 2011 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions
After my initial anger has passed I'm going to take a wait and see approach when it comes to Conte.....
BUT I don’t understand it. I naturally assumed that Major Wright was the FS of the future but I guess he’s destined to be a SS. Also there are bigger needs on this team with guys who had higher grades. The interior of the line still needs addressing and Clint Boling was still on the board. A 4 year starter with experience all over the line, to me, is a higher value than a 1 year starter as Conte is. Also I’m pretty sure that CB is a big need. Curtis Brown and Davon House were still on the board. Brown is now a Steeler and House will probably be gone in the 4th. LB is another big need I just don’t get where the whole “value” idea comes from with this guy. But I’m going to give him a shot. He has good athletic ability so he may be a steal. But he may also be career ST’s player. What the Bears do in FA will now be so much more important.
by frenchbears113 on Apr 30, 2011 10:16 AM CDT reply actions
Fully agree
I am not as mad now, but I thought exactly the same, with pressing needs, maybe it was a safer pick to go with Clint Boiling filling a pressing need. I also had the feeling that JA was trying to “outsmart” everybody. I really hope he does!
by Windy City Flyer on Apr 30, 2011 12:04 PM CDT up reply actions
WOW THAT STRENGTH
Just saw Paea benched 225lbs 49 TIMES at the combine!!!! That’s 11 more reps than anyone in the draft!!! I looked up some stats as far as 7 years back and the next highest rep total is 45 and almost all years it’s in the high 30s. THAT’S INSANE!!!!
he holds the Combine record
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 Apr 30, 2011 5:59 PM CDT up reply actions
Free Safety V. Strong Safety
You ever notice how when the Bears take a strong they talk about how they are interchangable in the Tampa 2 scheme, but when they reach on a free they talk about how rare they are? Major was clearly a strong at Florida, this kid Conte is at least faster than Steltz, but why reach at 3 when you can get him at 5?
Thanks for Gabe, though, JA, I know you were gritting your teeth the whole time
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