Bears Mobile-ize efforts to identify, acquire players via draft

Share

Back from a week in Alabama that should help them identify Day Two and Three draft candidates three months from now (yes…it's still three months away!), Ryan Pace and John Fox's coaching staff now start ping-ponging back and forth for several weeks in targeting potential draft and free agent acquisitions. 

While the new members of their coaching staff settle in, with Jeremiah Washburn, Curtis Modkins and Roy Anderson bunkering down into the film room, going over every snap this season of the offensive linemen, running backs, and safeties they respectively inherit, brainstorming has likely begun as well about ways to keep the players they have healthier. Thirty-three of them landed on injured reserve in this regime's first two seasons.

But last week's exposure as the North coaches in the Senior Bowl has gotten the staff a getting-to-know-you head start on the crop of collegiate talent available. While unfortunately, I wasn't there to watch in person, my football-nerdism found me watching every hour of NFL Network's coverage of the three days of televised practices, and finally, Saturday's game, won by the South, 16-15.

I'm not sure one can draw a straight line between the fact Vic Fangio's defense in Mobile collected five takeaways, when his professional version this past season totaled a franchise-low 11 in 16 games. But it leads me to wonder just how much it was pounded into the players' mindset any more than he's done with the Bears these first two years (just 17 turnovers in 2015). When the cameras took us into the locker room at halftime, we heard Fox stressing takeaways when they already had three of them. I'm not sure Fox, Fangio, or anyone else will admit to putting any greater emphasis on it going into this year than they previously have, but the results were certainly there Saturday afternoon. Perhaps those players simply have "noses for the ball." But my Pre and Postgame analysts, Lance Briggs and Alex Brown (who played on those Turnover Party defenses under Lovie Smith) have sworn repeatedly it's an attitude and mindset way more than a knack for picks, punches, and recoveries.

[RELATED: Bears depending on Ryan Pace for major hit at quarterback]

One of their safeties, Lorenzo Jerome of St. Francis (PA), had two interceptions and a forced fumble that was recovered by the offense. Another safety, the freakish (6'4, 219) Obi Melifonwu of Connecticut, impressed in practice all week and flashed a couple of times in the game. Depending on how he couples that with what he does at the Scouting Combine, he may have moved himself into the first round, which would be bad for the Bears. Cornerback Rasul Douglas (6’2) of West Virginia impressed all week with his ball skills and aggressiveness at the line.

None of the quarterbacks appeared to become a revelation in the game more than the expectation level heading into the week. While Pitt’s Nate Peterman may have been most impressive of the group in practice, it was not a good game at all for the two-year starter. He seemed rattled into bad decisions and throws (thought to be a strength) and the arm strength didn't show, either. Even the MVP, the South's Davis Webb (11-of-16, 165 yards, TD) seemed just OK in these eyes. The one-year starter at Cal (succeeding Jared Goff) averaged 52 passes per game last season, but just moved under center for the first time ever this week. He became the most promising prospect, but a lot of work is needed, and who knows if he ever grows into a starter in the NFL?

Fox and position coach Curtis Johnson had the two best receivers on their side, in East Carolina's Zay Jones and Eastern Washington's Connor Kupp. Jones (6'2) ascended all week, and while he had six catches Saturday, the two ruled incomplete were the biggest eye-openers.  But he may be an even better bet to have moved into the first round than the aforementioned Melifonwu. Kupp (also 6'2) averaged 107 catches and over 1,600 yards over his four seasons, remained productive versus FBS opponents and knows how to return kicks (three punt return TD's in his career).

The biggest star of the week was Alabama tight end O.J. Howard, not rich enough for the Bears' number-three pick, yet not likely to last past the midpoint of the first round. But it's a deep tight end class where the Bears could help themselves on Day Two.

Still, there are still so many areas where the Bears need help and only so many picks to address them with. It's about getting it right, and while Pace may relish the pressure, I'm not sure anyone in their right mind wants to be in his shoes to fix this quarterback quandary. There's still time to sort through some of these unknowns, and which path to take, from the Combine, interviews, and Pro Days. But just think: the Jaguars' staff had Jimmy Garappolo and Derek Carr on their Senior Bowl team in 2014 and chose Blake Bortles anyway. What to do with, and about, Alshon Jeffery (and potentially replacing him) lingers for now, but becomes clearer in a month. The Bears got clearer answers and a jump-start on a bunch of college talent this past week, but there’s still so much digging, decision-making, and trigger-pulling that remains.

Key Upcoming Offseason Dates:

Feb. 15: First day for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition tag players

Feb. 28 - March 6: Scouting Combine (Indianapolis)

March 1: 3 p.m. deadline for clubs to designate Franchise or Transtion tag players

March 7-9: 48-hour window begins at 3 p.m. (CT) on the 7th to negotiate with agents for unrestricted free agents

March 9: 2017 league season begins at 3 p.m. (CT) and teams can begin signing unrestricted free agents

April 17: Offseason workouts begin for teams with returning head coaches

April 27-29: NFL Draft (Philadelphia)

Contact Us