Seven running backs were selected in first two rounds of this past draft.  Here is a look at how their numbers compare.

Based on these numbers we can re rank them like this:

Continue reading this post »

The Bears selected Vanderbilt tackle Chris Williams with the 14th pick in this year's draft.  Their reasoning was that he was the best pure left tackle available and it fit their biggest need. 

That sounds fair and is a decent enough justification, but in light of Williams back problems in only the second day of training camp and his subsequent surgery it brings up some questions.  Williams was known to have back issues.  The Bears claim that this was not a preexisting injury, but some scouts in attendance at the KC game disagree.

The three say they actually removed Chris Williams from their draft board due to injury concerns.

That news was met with skepticism by at least three scouts among the 21 in attendance at the game who claimed their teams had taken the player off their draft board because of medical concerns.

''I heard that on the radio,'' one scout said. ''Why are they lying about it? You know it will all come out.''

Said another: ''Our doctors said the guy would need to do something. I guess they were right.''

The Bears passed up some pretty big names and others who could have filled needed area.  Branden Albert, the tackle out of Virginia, was seen as a top 10 talent who could fill two spots on the Bears line.  He went one pick later ironically to  Kansas City.  Rashard Mendenhall, who some thought was the best running back in the draft was also past up.  He fell to the Steelers at 23.  Other offensive linemen like Jeff Otah, Sam Baker and Gosder Cherilus all went in the next 6 picks.

Did the Bears knowingly overlook an injury?  Was the Bears medical staff negligent in their duties?  If they did know, why would they still draft him?  Were they trying to prove something?  Was Williams potential so high that they were willing to overlook others at that position and big names at other skill positions?  Or could this all really just be coincidence?

The choice of the Bears made to take Chris Williams over Rashard Mendenhall has always been seen as a question of need versus talent, but if you check out this article it looks like there was more to it.

7. At least one key member of the Chicago coaching staff had rookie RB Matt Forte ranked higher than former Illinois RB Rashard Mendenhall.

A league source told Scout.com that when Matt Forte went through his paces at a private workout for Chicago and showed his football intelligence during a film session, at least one influential member of the coaching staff was set on adding him to the roster over Mendenhall.

So even though Mendenhall was available to the Bears when they made their first pick at No. 14 overall, they opted to select OT Chris Williams instead. That allowed the Steelers to snag Mendenhall at No. 23. Chicago patiently waited until the 13th pick in the second round and still got the running back it wanted.

Forte's a calm, focused young man who takes this game very seriously. He runs strong inside the tackles, has the agility to get around the end, and is a skilled receiver. And with an unstable quarterback position in Chicago, Forte's willing and skillful blocking should help the Bears complete a few more passes to their receivers and tight ends. Don't be surprised to see him win the starter's job during training camp, or by the midpoint of the season at worst.

I don't know who counts as influential on the coaching staff, but in the Bears opinion they didn't miss an opportunity, they just got the guy they liked best at a better spot in the draft.