The Draft... and I'm not talking about a Bud Light

While taking in my daily dose of Sportscenter this morning, I felt sick to my stomach watching Mel Kiper Jr. and his enormous hair weigh in on the Bears draft needs (here is the video). Kiper, in his ever so infinite wisdom, suggested that the Bears would set their agenda for the next few years by either drafting Josh Freeman (QB, Kansas St.) as the heir apparent, knowing that he's not ready yet, or a wide receiver like Darrius Heyward-Bey (Maryland) and demonstrate their allegiance to Orton. To both of these suggestions/predictions, I give you, Mel Kiper Junior, the proverbal IDIOT stamp on the middle of your forehead.

I'd like to take a little stroll down memory lane to look at the last 10 years worth of 1st round draft picks made by the Bears:

2008- Chris Williams (OT, Vanderbilt)
2007- Greg Olsen (TE, Miami)
2006- NONE
2005- Cedric Benson (RB, Texas)
2004- Tommie Harris (DT, Oklahoma)
2003- Michael Haynes (DE, Penn State)
Rex Grossman (QB, Florida)
2002- Marc Colombo (OT, Boston College)
2001- David Terrell (WR, Michigan)
2000- Brian Urlacher (LB, New Mexico)
1999- Cade McNown (QB, UCLA)
1998- Curtis Enis (RB, Penn State)

Of these lovely picks, the only offensive player that has actually turned into a halfway decent player is Greg Olsen (the verdict on Chris Williams is still out because he didn't play last year). On the defensive side, Urlacher has been solid for a long time, Tommie Harris was Pro-Bowler, and Michael Haynes hasnt been stellar but has been a solid member of the DE rotation. With this is mind, WHY THE HELL DO WE WANT TO DRAFT A QB/WR?

To draft Josh Freeman seems to be a real question mark (1) due to the Bear's inability to draft 1st round QBs in the past and (2) because Freeman's numbers are inflated when you look at his schedule. He threw 20 TDs, 8 INTs last year, of which 9 TDs and 0 INTs came against N. Texas (1-11), Iowa State (2-10) and Montana State (7-5). Against actual Big 12 competition (Texas Tech, Texas A&M, Colorado, Oklahoma, Kansas, Mizzou, Nebraska), he threw 5 TDs and 6 INTs. He essentially brought nothing to the table and didn't shine in any of the games. Nay Sayers would say that he had 8 rushing TDs against Big 12 competition which makes him someone to consider. To those, I say that he isn't Michael Vick or even Donovan McNabb, so at the next level, I don't see him doing anything with his legs. One further note, the Bears still have Caleb Hanie on the roster who definitely showed some flashes of potential last pre-season. So why not give him a chance/develop him and use this pick elsewhere?

Onwards and forwards, to draft a wide receiver like Percy Harvin or Jeremy Maclin would be ridiculous because you'd be lining up Devin Hester 1.0 across from Devin Hester 2.0. This wouldn't work. So, now you consider a Darrius Heyward-Bey or a Hakeem Nicks. These guys may be solid in the future, but are not going to help Orton right away. So, by the time these guys actually begin to develop, Orton, Lovie Smith, and Jerry Angelo (for that matter) may be gone from the Bears franchise. Also, why would we draft another receiver when we have Earl Bennett? The guy had a very good pre-season last year and should have had some playing last year but ended up riding the bench. What happened? So, we're just going to give up on him and find another WR who still needs work? This makes no sense.

What I want to do: The Bears has always been known as a defensive minded team. Their 1985 run was based on the 46 defense and their nickname is the Monsters of the Midway. Yet, these 'monsters' ranked 30th against the pass last season, 5th against the run, 21st in overall yards, and 16th in scoring. That is AWEFUL. The Bears have shown though that they can draft defensively in both the early and later rounds (see above and other Bears draft history). Hence, why not use that pick for a LB? Urlacher is still the heart and soul of this team. But, the guy is 30 and not the same player he was the past few years (93 tackles last season vs. ~125 tackles in previous years). Why not move him to the outside (im sick of Hillenmeyer and McClover being liabilities out there) and draft a Rey Maualuga, Brian Cushing, or Jame Laurinaitis to put in the middle as Urlacher's successor. Or leave Urlacher in the middle and use one of these draft picks to sure up the outside of the 2nd level.

Unfortunately, my opinion means nothing to them. So, in the mean time, I pray to my Mike Ditka Bobblehead that good decisions are made in the course of the next few weeks. Go Bears!