Bears Football Blog

Bears finally join the party

After the Bears' first three draft picks Sunday morning, college scouting director Greg Gabriel came downstairs at Halas Hall and declared the defensive line was the cornerstone of the franchise.

It was this weekend, anyway. Operating without first- and second-round picks three weeks after acquiring quarterback Jay Cutler -- who could be a cornerstone himself -- the Bears prioritized defense on the second day of the draft.

They grabbed San Jose State defensive tackle Jarron Gilbert in the third round and followed it up by choosing Texas pass rusher Henry Melton in the fourth. Gilbert is athletic enough at 6-5 and 287 pounds to jump out of a pool standing up. Melton, a converted fullback who scored 10 touchdowns as a freshman, is a high-motor guy who still is learning the position. They'll be Rod Marinelli's first rookie pupils with the Bears. Continue

Bears trade pick to Hawks

The Bears traded away their 49th pick in the second round to the Seahawks for the 68th overall pick in the third round and the 105th overall pick in the fourth round.

They did so with wide receivers such as Mohamed Massaquoi and Oklahoma's Juaquin Iglesias still on the board. The thinking behind the decision was that the Bears obviously believe they can still fill needs at wide receiver, safety and defensive end in the third round and nobody on the board jumped out enough to justify using the selection.

Bears might deal 49th pick in NFL Draft

Jerry Angelo was all smiles and cracking jokes Thursday knowing his most important work for the 2009 NFL draft -- and the 2010 draft, for that matter -- has been accomplished.

Getting a potential franchise quarterback in Jay Cutler provides a calming feeling, that's for sure.

But the Bears have work to do starting tonight, when they'll make their only selection on the first day of the NFL draft -- 49th overall, the 17th pick of the second round. Multiple league sources said the Bears have put the pick in play, meaning they're willing to trade down in the right situation. That doesn't come as a surprise. Angelo has a history of dealing down, but with eight total selections (seven on Sunday from rounds 3 through 7), the Bears are confident they will come away with some players who can contribute now. The positions of immediate need are wide receiver and free safety, and this draft happens to be stocked with a good number of the former. Continue

Bears taking a look at UNC's Nicks

The Bears announced on their Web site Monday that wide receiver Earl Bennett would get every opportunity to win a starting job this season, beginning with the first minicamp practice today.

That would seem to fall somewhere between wishful thinking and unrealistic, considering the 2008 third-round draft pick ended his rookie season with nary a reception.

General manager Jerry Angelo has pledged to address the position, even saying help likely will come through the draft. Toward that end, college scouting director Greg Gabriel is in Chapel Hill, N.C., today for North Carolina's pro day, where wide receiver Hakeem Nicks is the featured attraction. Continue

Jenkins may be fit for Bears

Ohio State had its Pro Day Friday, and the big talk was running back Chris ``Beanie'' Wells running a 4.34 in the 40.

In terms of the Bears' draft needs, it might be worth keeping an eye on defensive back Malcolm Jenkins' progress. His draft stock fell after a dismal showing at the NFL combine. It looks like Jenkins didn't exactly boost his stock Friday.

After the combine, people talked of Jenkins being a better safety prospect than a corner. The Bears need both, so it might be tempting to at least look at Jenkins with the No. 18 overall pick if he's available. Continue

Bears interested in drafting DL Johnson?

 Lovie Smith has said it time and time again. Jerry Angelo has repeated it for years: You can't have too many defensive linemen.

Perhaps to that end, the Bears were represented today at Georgia Tech's pro day. The Yellow Jackets have defensive end Michael Johnson, one of the better prospects in the draft. Johnson has a rare combination of size at 6-7, 266 pounds, and athletic ability. He was timed in the 40-yard dash at 4.68 seconds at the combine. He's got the long arms and quickness to come off the edge and create instant problems for the offense. Continue

Bears dreaming of Mr Crabtree?

Many believe David Terrell dropped into the Bears' lap with the eighth pick of the 2001 draft because of a stress fracture in his foot.

If they only could get Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree to drop a little further -- to 18th -- because of the same injury, they could be primed to grab a player some consider the best in the draft. Crabtree will be sidelined up to 10 weeks after it was learned Saturday he has a small stress fracture in his left foot. The underclassman hopes to run at his pro date next month and then have surgery. Still, it's a long shot that he would fall that far. Continue