Windy City Gridiron - Chicago Bears NFL Combine Prospect Visit Tracker A Chicago Bears communityhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49985/windy-fav.png2018-03-06T07:00:08-06:00http://www.windycitygridiron.com/rss/stream/168385252018-03-06T07:00:08-06:002018-03-06T07:00:08-06:00Bears meet with 2 small school o-linemen at the NFL Combine
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Senior Bowl-South Practice" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/h0VBH4cYNarpyEgtcFhYuiBKsLI=/0x168:2759x2007/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58917657/usa_today_10565574.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="pNsk4V">So far all the reports of prospect visits at the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-combine">NFL Combine</a> for the <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a> revolved around Division I Football Bowl Subdivision players at the “skill” positions. The latest report from <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisShanafelt">Christian Shanafelt</a> of the <a href="http://nfldraftbible.com">NFL Draft Bible </a>has the Bears meeting with a couple of small school offensive linemen in North Carolina A&T’s Brandon Parker and Stony Brook’s Timon Parris. </p>
<p id="zFkQyG">Parker, a former college teammate of the Bears Tarik Cohen, is 6’8”, and 305 pounds. He played left tackle for the Aggies all four years and he was named his conference’s Offensive Lineman of the Year and first-team all-conference the last three years. He has the frame, length, and athleticism to become a starter at the NFL level, but as you’d expect, his technique is a bit raw and he plays a little high at times. </p>
<p id="2pBDmc">Parris (6’6”, 312) is another four year starter at left tackle. He’s still recovering from a broken ankle, so he wasn’t able to work out at the Combine, but like Parker, he’s a likely day three draft pick. Some scouts suggest a move inside to guard for Parris.</p>
<p id="OLWT7M">Here are some interviews conducted by Shanafelt, with video number four being of Parris and number five being with Parker.</p>
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<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bf6VmZ7F9gz/" data-instgrm-version="8" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div>
</div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bf6VmZ7F9gz/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Productive week in #Indianapolis at the #nflcombine. Here are a few snippets from some of my interviews throughout the week. 1) Jeff Wilson (RB, North Texas) 2) Chase Edmonds (RB, Fordham) 3) Kyle Lauletta (QB, Richmond) 4) Timon Parris (Stony Brook) 5) Brandon Parker (North Carolina A&T) 6) Darius Jackson (Jacksonville State)</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/christianshanafelt/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Christian Shanafelt</a> (@christianshanafelt) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2018-03-04T18:34:10+00:00">Mar 4, 2018 at 10:34am PST</time></p>
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https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2018/3/6/17083788/chicago-bears-met-with-a-couple-offensive-linemen-at-the-nfl-combine-brandon-parker-timon-parrisLester A. Wiltfong Jr.2018-03-05T13:38:28-06:002018-03-05T13:38:28-06:00Bears met with USC running back Ronald Jones
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<img alt="USC v Colorado" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/lQA8wIiNTfJ6txDeTnBfqN0G6GE=/0x0:4226x2817/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58911251/873042164.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="Q7E2T4">The Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs had a lot of interesting nuggets in his <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-spt-bears-10-thoughts-nfl-combine-biggs-20180305-story.html">10 Thoughts</a> on the <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a> column today, including info on a running back the Bears met with at the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-combine">NFL Combine</a>. </p>
<p id="wvJMeo">According to Biggs, the Bears had USC’s <span>Ronald Jones</span> as one of their 60 official interviews. Jones checked in at 5’10”, 205 pounds at the combine, but a <a href="https://www.conquestchronicles.com/2018/3/2/17074062/2018-nfl-combine-ronald-jones-leaves-many-unanswered-questions-at-indy">tweaked hamstring</a> during his forty yard dash ended his day last Friday. It was reported that Jones has been trying to fight through the hamstring injury for the last three weeks. USC’s pro day is only 15 days away (March 21), so his participation could be up in the air.</p>
<p id="rdt5xj">Jones is “often compared to All-Pro Jamaal Charles,” according to SB Nation’s USC site, <a href="https://www.conquestchronicles.com/2018/3/2/17074062/2018-nfl-combine-ronald-jones-leaves-many-unanswered-questions-at-indy">Conquest Chronicles</a>, because “both backs share an innate playmaking ability despite their sub-six foot, 200-pound frames. Their explosiveness out of the field propels them to give an almost unreal momentum to give spectacular plays or as Jones displayed all last season—the ability run over a defender.”</p>
<p id="fbLWWY">Jones played at around 185 pounds in 2015 and 2016, but he muscled up to his current weight of 205 for the 2017 season. During his three year career, he racked up 3,619 yards (6.1 ypc) with 39 TDs on the ground, and he added 32 receptions for 302 yards and 3 TDs in the passing game. </p>
<p id="qEKsQr">Lance Zierleine of <a href="http://www.nfl.com/draft/2018/profiles/ronald-jones?id=2560106">NFL.com</a> believes Jones has the skills to be a productive pass catcher at the next level, and he has him with a 1st-2nd round grade. </p>
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<p id="VFdzwr"><em>What are your thoughts on the Bears meeting with Ronald Jones?</em></p>
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https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2018/3/5/17081482/chicago-bears-met-with-usc-southern-california-running-back-ronald-jones-nfl-combine-draft-2018Lester A. Wiltfong Jr.2018-03-04T16:32:57-06:002018-03-04T16:32:57-06:00Chicago Bears meeting with two top corners at the NFL combine
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<figcaption>Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Chicago Bears met with two of the best corners at the NFL Combine, Ohio State’s Denzel Ward and Iowa’s Josh Jackson. Big Ten in the house!</p> <p id="CuudCM"><a href="https://twitter.com/CEmma670">Chris Emma</a> of 670 The Score in Chicago is reporting that the <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a> have met with two of the top cornerbacks at the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-combine">NFL Combine</a>, Ohio State’s <span>Denzel Ward</span> and Iowa’s Josh Jackson. Ward and Jackson were both All Big Ten First-Team Defensive selections by the media, and the Big Ten coaches voted Jackson 1st team with Ward on the 2nd team. </p>
<p id="7jpKWe">Both players will be drafted in the first round. </p>
<p id="KYhwBG">Ward (5’10”, 191) has thrived playing press coverage with the Buckeyes on the outside, but some scouts feel his height makes him a better fit at nickle in the NFL. Last year he had 37 tackles, two tackles for loss, two interceptions, and 15 passes defended. As a backup in 2016, playing behind first round picks <span>Marshon Lattimore</span> and <span>Gareon Conley</span>, Ward had 9 passes defended.</p>
<p id="lSSRms">Jackson (6’1”, 192) had his coming out party against Ohio State when he picked off three passes, but he followed that up with two more against Wisconsin. On the season he had 48 tackles, 8 interceptions (2 for TDs), and 18 passes defended. The converted wide receiver didn’t really take hold of a starting job on defense until the 2017 season, but he had a heck of a season.</p>
<p id="XcZMhs"><em>What are your thoughts on these two players? Would eight overall be too soon to take a corner?</em></p>
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https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2018/3/4/17078834/chicago-bears-meeting-with-top-corners-at-the-nfl-combine-ohio-state-denzel-ward-iowa-josh-jacksonLester A. Wiltfong Jr.2018-03-03T07:00:07-06:002018-03-03T07:00:07-06:00Bears met with QB Lamar Jackson at the NFL Combine
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<img alt="NCAA Football: TaxSlayer Bowl-Louisville vs Mississippi State" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/a6PkN3LKjYWwYlmLUkb5p4cpjEk=/205x0:2307x1401/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58888829/usa_today_10506493.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="ycNW1H">The <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a> drafted their franchise quarterback last year, but that’s not stopping them from meeting with talented passers at the 2018 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-combine">NFL Combine</a>. As reported by <a href="https://twitter.com/Eric_Edholm/status/969689396688637952">Eric Edholm of Pro Football Weekly</a>, the Bears met with Louisville’s Lamar Jackson. This could be the Bears just doing their due diligence in case Jackson falls into their laps in the second round, because I don’t see any scenario in which the Bears draft him in the first. </p>
<p id="x6b901">And about those reports that teams asked Jackson to work out at wide receiver, “No teams have asked me to play wide receiver. I don’t know where that’s come from,” Jackson told the media Friday at the NFL scouting combine. “Strictly at quarterback.” While his Louisville offense had many of the college staples we’re used to seeing (read option, spread concepts, RPOs), it was the Erhardt-Perkins system that he ran. That’s the same system that the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">Patriots</a> and <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a> run. </p>
<p id="QdBg8C">Jackson (6’2”, 216) won the Heisman Trophy after his 2016 season, but his 2017 season was just as outstanding. If the Bears didn’t grab <span>Mitchell Trubisky</span> last year, I’d be all for them taking Jackson. </p>
<p id="e68fN8"><em>What do you guys make of the Bears meeting with Jackson?</em></p>
https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2018/3/3/17074462/chicago-bears-met-with-quarterback-lamar-jackson-at-the-nfl-combine-louisville-hes-not-a-receiverLester A. Wiltfong Jr.2018-03-03T01:09:28-06:002018-03-03T01:09:28-06:00Bears have met with a slew of pass catchers at the NFL Combine
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<img alt="NCAA Football: SMU at Texas Christian" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/1AGSuTr3P3i0dOypFQl-NyfiQTk=/0x322:2947x2287/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58888809/usa_today_10326310.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="AhhufD"><a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2018/3/2/17072240/chicago-bears-calvin-ridley-meeting-scouting-combine-mitchell-trubisky-ryan-pace-nfl-2018">On Friday</a>, Robert brought us the news about the <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a> planning to meet with Alabama wide receiver <span>Calvin Ridley</span> at the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-combine">NFL Combine</a>. Officially each team can meet with 60 prospects for 15 minutes each, but unofficially, teams will try and talk with as many prospects as they possibly can while down in Indianapolis. </p>
<p id="LYj7ma">For a running list, The Bear Report’s Aaron Leming updates a <a href="https://twitter.com/AaronLemingNFL/status/969605851244826626">Google doc</a> as he finds out about the visits, but we’ll also bring you as many write ups on the prospects the Bears talk with in this story stream.</p>
<p id="5Pvfxi">Besides Ridley, here are some other receivers the Bears have met with. </p>
<p id="wDufjk"><span>Courtland Sutton</span> (6’4”, 218), SMU - He’s a go up and get it wide out that had 12 TDs last year. </p>
<p id="AwQiP5"><span>James Washington</span> (5’11”, 213), Oklahoma State - He won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top receiver.</p>
<p id="FUv4Dr"><span>Deon Cain</span> (6’1, 201), Clemson - He has the speed to take the top off a defense.</p>
<p id="CKX8zT">Simmie Cobbs (6’4”, 220), Indiana - Cobbs has a Bears’ tattoo and is from Oak Park, Illinois. (Double points!)</p>
<p id="k1zgsr">Wide outs weren’t the only pass catchers the Bears met with. They also talked to South Carolina's <span>Hayden Hurst</span> (6’5”, 250), who spent the first two years out of high school as a pitcher in the Pittsburgh Pirates origination. </p>
https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2018/3/3/17074420/chicago-bears-have-met-wide-receivers-at-the-nfl-combine-tight-ends-simmie-cobbs-deon-cain-trackerLester A. Wiltfong Jr.2018-03-02T13:43:38-06:002018-03-02T13:43:38-06:00Calvin Ridley to meet with the Bears during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine
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<img alt="AllState Sugar Bowl - Clemson v Alabama" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GATZTh5ZhGk__O2Czlud5kXLGF0=/0x0:3198x2132/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58882197/900372624.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Ridley called the Bears "team on the rise" in advance of a confirmed meeting with Chicago's brass. </p> <p id="XWfLlY">If the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-combine">Scouting Combine</a> is a job interview under the biggest microscope, then former Alabama wide receiver <span>Calvin Ridley</span> is already off to attempting to make quality first impressions. </p>
<p id="cfZP83"><a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2018/1/31/16955980/chicago-bears-calvin-ridley-age-more-than-a-number-leonard-floyd-kyle-long-ryan-pace-nfl-draft-2018">Despite age concerns</a>, the 23-year-old Ridley is widely considered the best receiver in the 2018 Draft class. During Friday formal press conferences, he pulled no punches when calling the <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Bears</a> "<a href="https://twitter.com/JJStankevitz/status/969649271975931905">a team on the rise" with a "great quarterback"</a> in <span>Mitchell Trubisky</span>. </p>
<p id="N5yWQP">Talk about putting yourself in the good graces of a team that could make a top-10 investment in you. Ridley clearly knows what he's doing and where his top preference of a destination to land is. This is a man who wants to be the end of many a Trubisky bomb for years to come. </p>
<p id="x8HqYv">Not by coincidence of course, <a href="https://twitter.com/CEmma670/status/969650252881022977">Chris Emma of 670 The Score</a> confirmed that the Bears will privately meet with Ridley on Friday. Chicago needs to surround Trubisky with better offensive support and Ridley might check all the boxes for general manager Ryan Pace when the time comes. Though, this meeting news shouldn't be considered too shocking since Chicago will undoubtedly meet with more than a few prospects at receiver and other positions this weekend. </p>
<p id="zHCHtm">Make no mistake: if the No. 1 wideout in this year's class in Ridley really wants to sell himself on a future with the Bears, he'll have the floor to do it however he should please. The sanctity of Trubisky to Ridley may hang in the balance. </p>
<p id="rbtIB1"><em>Robert Zeglinski is the Bears beat writer for The Rock River Times, an editor for Windy City Gridiron and Inside The Pylon, and contributor to The Athletic Chicago and Pro Football Weekly. You can follow him on Twitter @RobertZeglinski. </em></p>
https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2018/3/2/17072240/chicago-bears-calvin-ridley-meeting-scouting-combine-mitchell-trubisky-ryan-pace-nfl-2018Robert Zeglinski