Will the Bears top pick hit or miss? - K0ZZ's Blog

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K0ZZ's Blog

Will the Bears top pick hit or miss?

Posted on April 29, 2011 at 03:21 AM.

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The first round ended with some surprises including Da'quan Bowers missing out of the first round, Jake Locker leaving the board before Blaine Gabbert. The Falcons trading up for Julio Jones and the Saints trading with the Patriots in order to land Mark Ingram late in the first. Yet after seasons of futility in the draft department, the Bears landed a player that may finally end the years of anguish at draft picks that simply haven't panned out. Lets start out by looking at the past several years that led to the draft becoming a day of desperation for the Bears rather than a hollowed day.

2009/2010 - No pick thanks to the Jay Cutler trade.

2009 - Chris Williams (OT-Vanderbilt)
Injury prone and lack luster. The 6-6 tackle was expected to be the anchor of the line for years to come. Yet he hasn't filled that role at all. He has the size and weight (315 LBS) but he dosn't seem engaged at all. While remaining a Bear he has had to deal with injury issues and not even being fully capable of being the dominant starter that he was projected to be. Gabe Carimi has big shoes to fill in Chicago, after Williams seems to be a flop, Carimi will have eyes on him.

2007 - Greg Olsen (TE-Miami [FL])
Greg Olsen has been a bright spot for the Bears. The tight end has the athleticism of a wide receiver and the strength of a tight end, this dual threat tight end has established himself as a pure starter beating out incumbent Desmond Clark.

2006 - No Pick

2005 - Cedric Benson (HB-Texas)
A tremendous flop, Cedric Benson in his rookie year split time with Thomas Jones. It seemed to work enough that it allowed the Bears to part ways with Jones. Benson concluded his career in Chicago injury prone, heavy, poor work ethic and generally disliked by the Chicago public. After being cut he went to the mystical team of rejects and soon to be inmates called the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals would be where he began to turn his career around with two consecutive 1000 yard rushing seasons the only two of his career. It helps though that he is not the center of the offense like he was in Chicago. In Cincinnati the weapons in the passing game allow for some pressure off him.

2004 - Tommie Harris (DT-Oklahoma)
It may just be a Big 12 curse for the Bears. For the first half of his career, it seemed that Harris was going to be a success. Yet as the injuries started to pile on it became too much and his work ethic was questioned during the 2010 season when he would lose his starting job. After seeming to battle back to the starting line up, the staff would cut ties with the tackle after the season ended.

2003 - Michael Haynes (DE-Penn State) & Rex Grossman (QB-Florida)
Only one player is still in the NFL and in a limited capacity. Haynes was off the Bears by the end of his rookie contract and out of the NFL only a year after when no one was willing to take a chance on the prospect. Rex Grossman while still holding a job is not a starter and is not with Chicago. Grossman had his personal highlight of being the quarterback at the helm during Chicago's run to the super bowl but highly inconsistent play, poor decision making and a hit or miss pass style that resulted in fans wincing with every drop back. Grossman came in a time where Jon Quinn was the starter and the Bears quarterback situation was patchwork at best. The fact that Jerry Angelo sent the go ahead to get the quarterback (even trading up for him) sent shockwaves through the Chicago community. Sadly it was another bust.

Nearly a decade of humility and busts may finally come to an end with this pick today and some may wonder who made the best decision with the players available. The Bears filled a big need by picking up a big tackle that wasn't supposed to be available at this point in the draft. Bears fans are waiting for the draft to become relevant again and the drought may end with the tackle.