Yesterday in the Den, there was an article that gave a complete list of the Bears' pre-draft visits. I thought it would be beneficial to give a quick spotlight on some of these players. Considering there's a good chance that one, or more, of them will end up being a Chicago Bear either in the next couple of days, or shortly thereafter.
I wanted to spotlight each player that was outlined in the article, however since the draft begins today and we have limited slots available, I can only feasibly do one group - without getting fired from my job. So, I'm gonna focus on the offensive lineman that we've brought in for pre-draft visits. I do love me a good big man (wait... what?).
Follow me past the jump and into the trenches...
Offensive linemen:
| Ramon Harewood, OT/G | ||
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College: Morehouse College Height: 6-6 Weight: 341 Position Ranking: 14 Overall Ranking: 156 Bench Press: 22 Vertical Jump: 24" 40 Time: 5.18 Projected Round: 5 Stock: up |
What people are saying: After getting a look at him at the Texas vs. the Nation all-star game, Harewood is an off-the-radar OL who is gaining a lot of momentum and is said to be an interesting late-round selection. The Barbados native grew up playing rugby, soccer, cricket and volleyball. He's only played organized football for three years, all at Morehouse College. He anchored an offensive line while there that finished in the top five in nearly every SIAC statistical category in 2009. Has great size and decent talent. He plays as high as 363, but is said to be down to 335 in preparation for the NFL, and privately works out with former Cowboy George Hagamin. He's been around the circuit, visiting with multiple teams, holding private workouts for others, and 20 teams were present at his pro day, where it's said he ran a 5.27 40 and has the footwork of an ex-soccer player |
| Joe Hawley, C/G | ||
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College: UNLV Height: 6-3 Weight: 297 Position Ranking: 6 Overall Ranking: 214 Bench Press: 35 Vertical Jump: 31.5" 40 T: 5.21 Projected Round: 6-7 Stock: -- |
What people are saying: Plays well against the pass, although he was often lined up in a two-point stance in the UNLV spread-offense. Has a strong punch, but often gets overextended and loses his balance. Plays with good leverage and rarely gets pushed back in the QB. Great pre-snap awareness and can point out oncoming blitzers. Is considered a mauler inside, who latches onto defenders and does not let go. Willingness to add himself to a pile and help push the ballcarrier forward. Should be solid in zone blocking scheme and blocks very well. Considered a strong, confident, vocal leader for the offensive line. Hawley benched 35 reps of 225lbs at his pro day and is among the most agile interior lineman in his class He was an Honorable Mention All-Mountain Conference team selection this past season. He's started at both Center and Guard over the course of his collegiate career, and was considered one of the top 100 California prospects coming out of High School. |
| Levi Horn, OT | ||
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College: Montana Height: 6-7 Weight: 311 Position Ranking: 21 Overall Ranking: 230 Bench Press: 18 Vertical Jump: 27.5" 40 T: 5.48 Projected Round: 6-7 Stock: -- |
What people are saying: Didn't attend the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, but atleast 11 NFL scouts were in attendance at his (and teammates) pro day. Some report that his pro day 40 times were actually in the 5.15 range, he also had a 8-3 broad jump, 5.10 short shuttle, and an 8.28 three-cone drill. Was second team All-Big Sky at left tackle in 2008, and played right tackle early on in his career at Montana. |
| Will Barker, OT | ||
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College: Virginia Height: 6-7 Weight: 317 Position Ranking: 23 Overall Ranking: 272 Bench Press: 22 Vertical Jump: n/a 40 T: n/a Projected Round: 7-FA Stock: -- |
What people are saying: Adequate in pass protection with good initial pop to slow the rusher. Has long arms and good upper body strength, however lacks the strength to recover if beaten. Also can get caught leaning and falls prey to a spin move too easily. Run blocking is good, with decent hand placement when his hands are at pad level, which is sometimes an issue. Often lets his hands slip outside the numbers, which will draw flags against NFL caliber defensive linemen. When downfield, he seeks out people to hit and seems to enjoy the physicality of run bloking. Keeps his feet moving, but often struggles with balance and spends too much time on the ground. Also, has good straight line speed and initial quickness for his size. Was charged, in 2008, for petty larceny for taking a beer from a cooler in a Charlottesville club, but was found not guilty. |
| Reggie Stephens, C/OG | ||
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College: Iowa State Height: 6-3 Weight: 314 Position Ranking: 11 Overall Ranking: 329 Bench Press: 25 Vertical Jump: 25" 40 T: 5.40 Projected Round: PFA Stock: -- |
What people are saying: Widely considered a late round option or potential free agent, Tice attended Stephens pro day and watched him go through drills and had him go through ten different position drills. Stephens started at Center and both Guard positions at Iowa State and was an honorable All-Big 12 selection his final two seasons. |
| Nic Richmond, OT | ||
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College: TCU Height: 6-7 Weight: 307 Position Ranking: 28 Overall Ranking: 338 Bench Press: n/a Vertical Jump: n/a 40 T: n/a Projected Round: PFA Stock: up |
What people are saying: Another player who showed up on the Bears radar at the Texas vs. the Nation All Star Game this past year. Richmond played both tackle positions for the Horned Frogs, but was primarily a right tackle. He played in 13 games in 2008, starting two on the right side. |
| Jeff Linkenbach, OT | ||
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College: Cincinnati Height: 6-7 Weight: 311 Position Ranking: 31 Overall Ranking: 386 Bench Press: 22 Vertical Jump: 27.5" 40 T: 5.14 Projected Round: PFA Stock: up |
What people are saying: The Bears sent Mike Tice to Cincinnati to conduct a private workout with Linkenbach and is considered as a late round prospect or a priority free agent. He started all 14 games at LT at the University of Cincinatti and helped the UC offense average 27.3 ppg and 375.3 yards of total offense per contest. Had a nagging leg injury much of the 2007 season, but rebounded nicely in 2008. Has been described as a steady player who gladly stepped into the leadership position during Cincinnatti's Spring practices. Was selected Second Team All-BIG EAST Conference for the 2009 season as voted on by the BIG EAST head coaches. |
| Nick Howell, OG | ||
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College: Southern Cal Height: 6-5 Weight: 300 Position Ranking: 24 Overall Ranking: 459 Bench Press: 38 Vertical Jump: 31.5" 40 T: 5.01 Projected Round: PFA Stock: up |
What people are saying: Had an 8-11 broad jump, a 4.43 short shuttle, and a 7.36 three-cone drill. Started six games in 2008, largely due to a sprained right ankle, suffered against Notre Dame. Has also spent time on Special Teams. His father, Pat Howell, was an All-American offensive guard at USC in 1978 when the Trojans won the national championship and he then played in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons (1979-83) and Houston Oilers (1983-85) |
So, what are your thoughts? Do any of these big men tickle your fancy enough to spend a late round selection on? Can you see any of them contributing right away?
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Sources: CBSSports.com/NFL/Draft, NFL Draft Scout