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Bears swayed by Bostic’s 'football aptitude' - Larry Mayer: Jon Bostic's athleticism and speed are easy to see on tape. But the Bears were just as impressed with the intelligence he displayed the past three years as Florida’s MLB.
Tight trade market stymies Bears quest for extra pick - Moon Mullin: While the phones at Halas Hall did ring with a smattering of offers, the Bears were not able to deal down in rounds one or two for that extra pick. They were not alone in a difficult trade market.
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Jon Bostic
Bears take Florida LB Jon Bostic in 2nd round - Brad Biggs: The Bears had a succession plan in place before contract talks with Brian Urlacher broke down last month. Friday night, they continued the transition for the position that for so long held the defense together. Player profile.
Rapid Reaction - Michael C. Wright with a look at second-round pick Jonathan Bostic of the University of Florida.
Bears shore up 'D' with Florida LB Bostic - Moon Mullin: Bostic will start his Bears career focused on the MLB spot, but Phil Emery said that one of the reasons the Bears chose Bostic was his ability to initially back up all three positions.
Florida LB Bostic edges out field - Jeff Dickerson: The Bears had several LBs in for pre-draft visits who were still available at the time of the pick, but Emery said Bostic stood above the group for four key reasons.
Jon Bostic brings a lot to the Bears table - Dan Pompei: Phil Emery believes the speedy LB who's athletic enough to play on passing downs can be an asset at all three spots.
Bears love that Bostic can play all 3 LB spots - Bob LeGere: Emery believes the 6-foot-1, 245-pound Florida LB has the versatility, athleticism and intelligence to step in as the starter at any of the three LB spots sooner rather than later.
[Video] Kip Lewis & Moon Mullin - Moon, Kip break down Bears' selection of Bostic.
Bostic not worried about filling Brian Urlacher’s shoes - Adam L. Jahns: Bears second-rounder sees a chance to learn from a future Hall of Famer, even if it’s just by watching film.
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Kyle Long
Long bringing blue-collar mentality to Bears - Larry Mayer: Bears first-round draft pick Kyle Long intends to bring a blue-collar mentality to the NFL and play with the same toughness and tenacity he displayed last year at Oregon. Transcript of conference call.
Mistakes, tough love put new Bear Kyle Long on path to NFL - Mark Potash: Kyle Long doesn’t need the NFL to validate his ‘‘comeback.’’ He did that a long time ago, when his parents forced him to become a man and he became one. Jake Flannigan: How football helped save Kyle Long's life.
Bears make questionable first pick - Kip Lewis: For the second year in a row the Bears select a player that appears to be more of a project than an immediate impact player, which in many ways defies the purpose of a first round draft pick in the NFL.
What did Bears know about Kyle Long that rest of NFL didn’t? - Mark Potash: Are the Bears are so adept at keeping information from leaking out that they prevent some information from getting in — like the fact that Long was universally rated a second-round pick?
Emery has another What The Football draft moment - Steve Rosenbloom: It's me or Phil Emery. One of us is high. But I know I'm not the one who used the 20th pick in the NFL draft that is the project Kyle Long.
Hub Arkush complains about Bears - “I try to be careful with this stuff,” Arkush said. “I don’t look to get too far out on a limb if I can avoid it, but Phil Emery just blew that pick."
[Video] CSNChicago discussion - The panel discuss whether the selection of Kyle Long was a huge reach. Worryingly, Kaplan's defending the pick.
Veteran OL coach: Guys like Kyle Long don’t come along very often - If you want feel good about the Bears first-round selection Kyle Long, just talk to veteran OL coach Tony Wise, who worked the 24-year-old out in preparation for the Senior Bowl.
Eagles OL pick at No. 4 could be Bears’ role model - Moon Mullin: Phil Emery and the Bears clearly see Long as a Lane Johnson-in-training, maybe a football year behind on the same track. Adam L. Jahns: Will put in the time and effort to earn starting guard spot.
Long selection highlights changes in Bears draft philosophy - Moon Mullin: The Bears under Phil Emery are drafting high picks more on “ceiling” – how good can a player be – vs. the “floor” approach of Jerry Angelo, an ostensibly safer approach based on the player being no worse than a passable NFL player.
Keith Van Horne knows Kyle Long's situation - Fred Mitchell: Bears' 1981 first-round draft pick Van Horne can attest that making the transition to the NFL involves more than physical talent. Adam Hoge: Time to improve football IQ.
Howie Long ecstatic his son Kyle Long landed with Bears - Brad Biggs: Hall of Fame DE and analyst thinks Kyle would not have been available into the second round. Dan Pompei: Last 18 hours a 'whirlwind' for Bears top pick.
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Draft Grades & analysis
Draft grades - Pete Prisco thinks the Bears reached somewhat for Bostic. Round 3 grades.
Draft grades - Oooo, NFL.com really didn't think much of the Bears taking Bostic at #50.
Draft grades - Walterfootball: MLB was a big need, and Jon Bostic is definitely worthy of being chosen 50th overall.
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Polish sausage
Know thy enemy: Packers - Kevin Seifert with financial details of Aaron Rodgers' new 5-year, $110M extension with the Packers.
Know thy enemy: Packers - Kevin Seifert: Alabama RB Eddie Lacy should make the Packers more versatile and ultimately better. They now have their best option in years for times that call for tough yards or running out the clock or simply wearing down a defense.
Know thy enemy: Lions - Drew Sharp: Ziggy Ansah is an athletic freak, but nobody really is sure whether he actually can play football at the highest level. If Mayhew and Schwartz are wrong with this one, they’ll get the ziggy themselves. John Niyo: Risk worth taking.
Know thy enemy: Vikings - Kevin Seifert: Minnesota drafted Florida State CB Xavier Rhodes, a solid 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds, who brings a reputation for press coverage from the ACC. Brandon Marshall noticed, and tweeted "Congrats bro. We'll meet soon."
Some QBs of teams that passed on Matt Barkley - I can't watch the continuous loop of the Sanchise's buttfumble without laughing.
Know who else did it his way? Mussolini.