Hester’s Role On Offense Could Be Limited
Gayle Saunders
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Even though the Chicago Bears have put in special plays and packages for Hester this season, look for Chicago to use Devin Hester in a limited role on offense.
Wide receivers coach Darryl Drake believes that it will be best to use Hester as a situational guy on offense.
“It’s just a matter of not having him play 70 plays and throw to him twice,” said WRs coach Darryl Drake. “Play him 15 plays, let him touch it 13
The Skinny: The reality is Hester could see more touches underneath but nothing too crazy. With Brandon Marshall in the mix I could see Hester getting work over the middle and underneath with the occasional deep ball. I think utilizing Hester’s skills on special teams will still be the Bears mindset. Lets just hope teams still plan to kick it to him.
Cutler has concerns over O-Line
Jay Cutler has a worry, that perhaps his Offensive Line won’t be all that great when the team needs them the most. Specifically speaking, 3rd and long! In a recent interview, Cutler voiced his concerns when the Bears face 3rd and long and a 7 step drop is needed. He said
“You know, the offensive line is definitely going to be a concern and seeing where those guys are going to fit in and seeing what five we go with,” Cutler said to the Chicago Sun Times. “If Gabe [Carimi] comes back, if J’Marcus [Webb] pans out. Where are we going to put Chris Williams? There are some question marks there. Until we really get that resolved and get our front five settled in, we’ve got some work to do on offense.”
When asked about Mike Martz’s departure and Mike Tice’s addition (Tice is now the Offensive Coordinator and has worked an Offensive Lineman coach in his past) Cutler responded:
“It helps some, but it’s not a cure all by any means,” Cutler said. “They’re still going to be asked to protect. There are going to be times it’s third-and-eight, third-and-10 and we’re going to have to take seven-step drops and we’re going to have the longer route and they’re going to have to protect.”
THE SKINNY: Cutler never has been one to shy away from his feelings and in this case we think he has a point. The Bears, if they are going to live up to their Super Bowl aspirations, have to protect the Quarterback, not only keeping him from injury but also due to the fact that the deeper you get in the playoffs the better the Defenses tend to get. If the Bears have to face the New York Giants dynamic Front 7 for example, then protection is going to paramount. They still have time to jell and figure it all out but there is obvious concern on the mind of Chicago’s Franchise QB!
Cutler Finally Gets the Luxury to Audible
Gayle Saunders
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Great news for Chicago Bears fans and most importantly Jay Cutler this season, as he will now have the luxury and ability to change plays at the line of scrimmage.
With Mike Tice calling the shots as offensive coordinator, it could be a whole different tune for Cutler this season. Under Mike Martz, Cutler was quite often displeased with some of the play calls, and felt he was limited with his control over the offense.
This season they have also brought in Jeremy Bates as the quarterbacks coach. Bates and Cutler are now reunited as they were together in Denver in 2008. While under Bates tutelage Cutler went to his only pro bowl.
While Cutler played under Mike Martz for two seasons, he threw for over 5,500 yards and 36 touchdowns in 25 games, the only problem with his game was his production and his accuracy dipped while he spent more time dealing with injuries and being sacked while the media questioned his toughness.
The Skinny: With the Bears bringing in old teammate Brandon Marshall, they’re giving him a system he’s familiar with. They believe that with Coach Bates calling the plays and some of the techniques from his Broncos days in place, Cutler has a great opportunity to flourish. They plan to limit the backpedal from center under Martz, while not allowing their franchise QB to be a sitting duck. They said to expect Cutler to be more of a moving, mobile QB this year.
The Vikings Say Farewell to Longwell
Gayle Saunders
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The rebuilding of the Minnesota Vikings continues, as they have released 16-year veteran kicker Ryan Longwell.
On Monday The Vikings parted ways with Longwell. There was a good sign the writing was on the wall when the front office spent a 6th round pick on Georgia Kicker Blair Walsh.
The Skinny: Longwell had three seasons and $7 million left on his four-year contract he signed last year which included a $3.5 million signing bonus. The Vikings probably did not want to spend $1.75 million on his salary this season. They always say out goes the old, and in comes the new. The Vikes have already parted ways with veteran players, Steve Hutchinson, Cedric Griffin, and Anthony Herrera. I’m sure someone will add Longwell to their roster this off season.
Could Ryan Grant Be Lured to the Lions Den?
Gayle Saunders
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Perhaps the one time Packer RB Ryan Grant could be taking his talents to a den close by. As in den, we mean Lions den. At the moment, Ryan Grant could be interested in signing with the Lions. So far, Grant has visited with the Patriots and has received a offer for his services in Foxboro as well.
The Skinny: I’m assuming Grant is going to take the best offer and the most guaranteed money on the table. But he’ll have to prove to either organization that he has enough left in the tank to secure a roster spot. Right now teams see him as a veteran option at the RB position, who can provide teams with an insurance option. With the Jahvid Best concussion concerns and the Patriots RB by committee he could be utilized by both organizations.
Lions: Meet the 2012 Draft Class
ROUND 1: Riley Reiff, T, Iowa
Reiff was widely considered the second-best offensive tackle in the draft and could compete for immediate playing time with the Lions even though they return their entire starting line from a season ago. He can play either guard or tackle position and might be a long-term replacement for Jeff Backus at left tackle. Backus had two major injuries last year, but has never missed a game in his 11 seasons.
The knock on Reiff is he has short arms, but he’s a smart player who understands leverage and has been well coached.
Lions coach Jim Schwartz said it’s too early to tell what position Reiff will play as a rookie. It’s unlikely he’ll unseat Backus immediately—the Lions re-signed Backus to a two-year deal this offseason.
But Reiff could push for playing time on the right side of the line. Tackle Gosder Cherilus is entering the final season of his contract and guard Stephen Peterman struggled at times in recent seasons, though his play and health improved last season. If Reiff doesn’t crack the lineup immediately, he’ll be good depth as a rookie and surely take over as a starter in 2013.
ROUND 2: Ryan Broyles, WR, Arkansas
The Lions had one of the most explosive passing games in the NFL last year, and adding Broyles to the mix makes it that much more so. Broyles projects as the Lions’ No. 4 receiver this year, behind Calvin Johnson, Nate Burleson and Titus Young, and should make his biggest contributions out of the slot. He also can handle punt- and kick-return duties.
One of the most productive receivers in Oklahoma history, Broyles tore his left ACL in November and is in the middle of his rehab process. He’s a candidate to start the fall on the physically unable to perform list, but he should be in the mix this year. Assuming he stays healthy, there’s no reason Broyles can’t climb the depth chart in 2013.
Round 3: Dwight Bentley, CB, Louisiana-Lafayette
It took three rounds, but the Lions finally addressed their glaring need at cornerback by adding Bentley, a competitive but undersized cornerback who had seven career interceptions. Bentley is tougher than his 5-10, 182-pound frame would indicate, and while he can play in the slot, the Lions will be more apt to play him outside early in his career.
The Lions lost Eric Wright in free agency and signed Jacob Lacey to compete with Aaron Berry for the starting job opposite Chris Houston, but Bentley will be in the rotation immediately. He played against lower-level competition at Louisiana-Lafayette, but held his own at the Senior Bowl and in a matchup with Justin Blackmon and has good ball skills.
ROUND 4: RONNELL LEWIS, DE, Oklahoma
Lewis played a hybrid defensive end/linebacker position at Oklahoma but he projects to play with his hand down in Detroit. Nicknamed “The Hammer,” Lions coach Jim Schwartz said “there’s a reason for his nickname.” The Lions are deep at end, so Lewis’ biggest contributions this year likely will come on special teams, where he projects to play on both return and coverage teams.
ROUND 5: TAHIR WHITEHEAD, LB, Temple
Whitehead will play an off-the-ball linebacker role for the Lions, likely on the outside behind either Justin Durant or DeAndre Levy. He runs a sub-4.7-second 40-yard dash and like Lewis will make his most significant impact on special teams as a rookie. The Lions traded up to get him, so they like his developmental prospects.
ROUND 5: CHRIS GREENWOOD, CB, Albion
Another player the Lions traded up to get, Greenwood has good size (6-1) and tested off the charts at Michigan’s pro day with a vertical jump of 43 inches and running a 4.42-second 40-yard dash. He’s raw after transferring from Eastern Michigan to Albion, a Division III school, but Lions defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham compared him to a small-school prospect he played a big role in drafting in Kansas City, Brandon Carr. Greenwood should find a role as a backup this season, but he’ll need developmental time before seeing the field.
ROUND 6: JONTE GREEN, CB, New Mexico State
Green will have to battle for a roster spot as the third cornerback the Lions drafted, but he has the size they like at 6-foot. A three-year starter, he played mostly man-to-man coverage in college and is admittedly raw in his zone and off-man techniques. His best shot of seeing the field is on special teams.
ROUND 7: TRAVIS LEWIS, LB, Oklahoma
Lewis was a tackling machine at Oklahoma, leading the team all four seasons he played. He missed time as a senior with knee injury and played through a broken toe, but has a shot to make the team as a backup. Lewis projects as a core special teamer and could fight for a spot in the rotation next year.
Packers: Meet the 2012 Draft Class
Round 1: Nick Perry, DE, Southern Cal
Defensive coordinator Dom Capers needed a pass rusher and that’s what he’s getting with Perry. The question is, will he at 270 pounds be able to play outside linebacker opposite Clay Matthews? A lot of that will depend on how he carries that weight and whether he is able to adjust to playing in space.
The main reason Perry was targeted was his excellent size and speed ratio that made him a pass-rushing force in college. Perry ran the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds, which is fantastic for someone who is 270. But Perry is going to have to learn a lot about playing upright and in coverage. He didn’t always play hard, but the standard will be very high now that he’s with the extremely intense Matthews.
The door is open for Perry to play right away. The defense is in such dire need of pass rushers that practically anybody with a pulse would help. But Perry is more when it comes to pass rushing. He’ll be given every chance to start and could be No. 1 on the depth chart heading into training camp. If the coaches aren’t happy with how he’s playing the run or dropping into coverage, they can use him as a third-down specialist.
Perry will get a lot of opportunity to win a spot. He’ll be paired with outside linebackers coach Kevin Greene and taught everything about the position. He’ll also have an excellent role model in Matthews.
Round 2: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State
Worthy played DT in college, but he’ll play the five-technique in the team’s 3-4. However, where the Packers really want to see him is inside in the nickel, where he would team with B.J. Raji or Anthony Hargrove to rush the passer. Worthy has an excellent get-off and very good vision to the ball. He’s explosive and regularly tries to jump the count. He’s going to have to be much more disciplined and take less downs off then he did in college, but he has a chance to really improve the team’s inside pass rush.
Given the need for pass rush help, Worthy is going to get every shot in the world to start. In fact, defensive line coach Mike Trgovac got excited when he talked about Worthy playing inside in the nickel, which defensive coordinator Dom Capers plays a lot. Worthy needs to mature a lot, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the 3-4 end position too much for him to handle as a rookie and he winds up being a pass-rush specialist. He’s going to have to be disciplined and not jump offside so much to see playing time under Trgovac.
Casey Hayward, CB, Vanderbilt:
Hayward has played every kind of coverage in college and is versatile. The club thinks he’s a cerebral player who understands passing concepts and can function in any kind of defense. He has a strong upper body, so he should be able to play some bump-and-run. He doesn’t have blazing speed, but he’s not a slowpoke, either. He’s a very solid tackler, which is something the defense badly needs. He’s only 5-11 1/2 and could have some problems with the NFC North’s bigger receivers like Calvin Johnson and Brandon Marshall. He will be asked to compete for playing time right away, especially if a decision is made to move Charles Woodson to safety.
A lot will depend on what happens with Woodson. It’s likely that Woodson will move in and out of the safety position depending on the team they play. He also may play safety on base downs and move to the slot in the nickel. Hayward has a lot of competition to get on the field, but there’s a legitimate shot for him to be in the dime ahead of Jarrett Bush. Right now, Tramon Williams, Sam Shields and Woodson are the top three corners, and the only Hayward breaks into that group is if Woodson moves to safety. But given his smarts and sure tackling, he definitely will be competing all year to get on the field.
ROUND 4: MIKE DANIELS, DL, Iowa
At 6-0 1/2, 292 pounds, Daniels is short for a defensive linemen and the chances he can play end in a 3-4 are questionable. He ran a speedy 4.86 in the 40, and plays with great passion. He knows how to get to the quarterback, but will probably be limited to playing inside in the nickel for now and maybe beyond. He’ll battle second-round pick Jerel Worthy for playing time in the nickel.
JERRON McMILLAN, S, Maine
A strong safety type who ran a blazing 4.36 despite carrying 201 pounds. What the club liked most is his tackling and ability to play in space. He was mostly a strong safety who played near the line of scrimmage in college, but the team insists he can play deep centerfield. No experience against big-time competition is what might slow him down. He also had an off-the-field incident where he was charged with disorderly conduct and refusing to submit to arrest.
ROUND 5: TERRELL MANNING, LB, North Carolina State
Doesn’t run all that well, but was able to match up with tight ends at the line of scrimmage. Manning sometimes played with his hand down as a pass rusher. He’s got a lot of competition ahead of him with A.J. Hawk, Desmond Bishop and D.J. Smith, so he’ll have to do something special to make the team. He has had surgeries on both knees, including an ACL/MCL on his right knee, so there are durability concerns. Has a lot of pure football talent and is coming in as a junior.
ROUND 7: ANDREW DATKO, OT, Florida State
Highly regarded tackle whose stock dropped dramatically when he suffered a third injury on his shoulder and missed most of his senior year. He’s big and athletic. Built to play left tackle, except his shoulder kept popping out, which required surgery to repair it. If he can stay healthy, he’ll be a steal, but that’s a big if.
B.J. COLEMAN, QB, Tennessee-Chattanooga
Big-armed, big-bodied slinger with a pro arm who missed a good part of last season with a shoulder injury. Coleman is fully recovered, but he’ll need a lot of seasoning to make it in the pros. Started out at Tennessee, but transferred after two seasons.
Bears: Meet the 2012 Draft Class
ROUND 1: Shea McCllelin, DE, Boise State
McClellin comes in immediately as a situational pass rusher on the left side, and will also play extensively on special teams. At 6-3, 260 pounds, he is a bit undersized to be an every-down defensive end on the left side, and actually had to put on 12 pounds after the Senior Bowl to weight 260. In the Bears’ scheme, he could move even to right end at times with Julius Peppers moving inside or to the left side. Although he played middle linebacker and situational pass rush end at Boise State, he doesn’t figure to be a middle linebacker in the Bears’ scheme. His intensity and ability to get from a block to the quarterback are what sold GM Phil Emery on McClellin.
Emery said he wanted a first-round pick who is going to play immediately. McClellin will do that even if he isn’t starting. He’ll likely be behind end Israel Idonije on the initial depth charts, but he’ll play on third down on long-distance downs. Peppers and Idonije were on the field for a higher percentage of downs than all but one other end tandem in the league last season and they wore down. McClellin will be in the rotation to get them rest. Long term, he figures to become a starter, but may need to bulk up a bit.
ROUND 2: Alshon Jeffrey, WR, South Carolina
Jeffery gives the Bears a second taller wide receiver (6-3) with size who can be an end zone threat, joining Brandon Marshall. The Bears had no more than three TD catches by any wide receiver last year, so quarterback Jay Cutler will get his wish of having taller targets.
Jeffery won’t step right in and start immediately with Marshall in the lineup, but most likely will be in some three- and four-receiver packages as well as the goal-line offense until he knows the offense better. He’ll be on the outside, with Earl Bennett manning the slot receiver spot in three-receiver sets. Eventually Jeffery will play opposite Marshall, provided he doesn’t follow his college pattern of being out of shape or a disciplinary problem. He was kicked out of the Capital One Bowl for fighting and had his weight balloon during the predraft period, but is now reportedly in shape.
Round 3: Brandon Hardin, S, Oregon State
Although he’s 6-3, 222 pounds, Hardin played some cornerback in college but will be a strong safety with the Bears. There is a need for depth at this position, and he’ll provide that, as well as play special teams, which is a strength. Hardin had a broken shoulder in 2011 and missed the entire season, but the Bears’ medical staff has given him a clean bill of health.
Hardin will not play immediately. In fact, GM Phil Emery said Hardin will battle for third or fourth safety, behind starting strong safety Major Wright. Wright has been a disappointment thus far, largely due to minor injuries, so Hardin’s addition gives them insurance. The Bears have had both starting safeties play the entire season only once since 2001.
ROUND 4: EVAN RODRIGUEZ, TE, Temple
The altered offense under coordinator Mike Tice will use tight ends more in the passing game, so an H-back receiver becomes more vital. Rodriguez figures to fit in both as a blocker and receiver, complementing blocking tight end Matt Spaeth and starting tight end Kellen Davis. He could be worked into the offense right away because of his fit in a niche position and could immediately take time away from fullback Tyler Clutts. The only comparable Bears player is tight end Kyle Adams, a practice squad player who’s more receiver than blocker.
ROUND 6: ISAIAH FREY, CB, Nevada
A player with great speed (4.46) in the 40 and average size (5-10 1/2, 188), he has very little experience in cover-2 as Nevada used mostly man-to-man coverage. The Bears took him as a numbers guy, and hope he’ll fit in on special teams right away, but he didn’t play much special teams at Nevada, either. As a man-to-man corner, he had five interceptions last year. A long-term project type who might benefit more if the Bears’ coaching staff changes and a 3-4 scheme is used. Considering the Bears brought in Kelvin Hayden and Jonathan Wilhite as backups, he’ll be a long shot to make the team.
ROUND 7: GREG MCCOY, CB, TCU
The 5-foot-10, 181-pounder ran a 4.44-second 40-yard dash and figures with Frey to battle for the fifth and sixth cornerback spots. Moreover, his ability as a return man—a 30.6-yard kick return average last year was sixth in the country (he also had two TDs)—will give him a chance to spell Devin Hester on kick returns. The Bears aren’t sure backup kick-return man Johnny Knox will be available this year due to a back injury. That extra talent may be what lets McCoy make the team, if he does
Vikings: Meet the 2012 Draft Class
ROUND 1: Matt Kalil, T, Southern Cal
The Vikings traded down for extra picks in the fourth, fifth and seventh rounds, and added a franchise left tackle to an offensive line that has been in decline for years. Kalil allows second-year quarterback Christian Ponder to progress without having to worry about getting clobbered on a consistent basis. A prototype left tackle with long arms, Kalil should be able to block elite pass rushers one-on-one. That will free up the Vikings’ pass-catching tight ends to run routes rather than stay in to block. With Kalil on board, the Vikings are able to slide Charlie Johnson from left tackle to left guard, where he’s better suited to play.
Kalil is the starter immediately. The Vikings believe he’s not only a starter, but a future multiple Pro Bowl selection in the mold of a Joe Thomas or Jake Long. Kalil needs to get stronger, and there could be some growing pains. But coach Leslie Frazier believes Kalil has the quick feet, long arms and passion for the game that will allow him to become a reliable blind-side starter from opening day. It helps that Kalil will practice against the best pass rushing right defensive end in the league in Jared Allen.
ROUND 1: Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame
Until the Vikings traded their second-round pick (35th overall) and one of their fourth-rounders (95th overall) to Baltimore to move up to No. 29, they had only three safeties on the roster. One of those players, Eric Frampton, is strictly a special teams player. So Smith fills a giant hole on a team that hasn’t had a playmaker at safety since Darren Sharper left after the 2008 season.
Smith is a big (6-2, 213 pounds), hard-hitter with impressive range. He can play free and strong, which is what the Vikings ask their safeties to do. Smith also had seven interceptions his junior year, so he has an instinctive side the team has lacked at safety in a while.
He’ll start off as the third safety, but should be a starter by opening day because the position is so thin. Mistral Raymond, a sixth-round pick a year ago, will start at free safety. Jamarca Sanford, a seventh-round pick in 2009, is likely to lose his job quickly to Smith. The Vikings desperately need an instinctive player at the position and gambled two valuable picks to move up and grab one they think has it.
ROUND 3: Josh Robinson, CB, Central Florida
He gives the team some much-needed young depth at the cornerback position. The Vikings have added Zack Bowman and Chris Carr in free agency. They also get Antoine Winfield (injury) and Chris Cook (legal issues) back this season. But they still needed a young, potential star. Robinson gives them a guy who ran a combine-best 4.33 in the 40-yard dash.
Robinson won’t start this season, unless he has a tremendous training camp. He’ll provide valuable depth and a cornerback of the future. He could compete with Bowman and Carr for the nickel back position this season. But his best value is beyond this season.
ROUND 4: JARIUS WRIGHT, WR, Arkansas
At 5-10, 182 pounds, he isn’t the big, No. 1-type receiver the Vikings could have used. But Wright was a highly productive slot-type receiver who can back up Percy Harvin. Wright set the Arkansas career marks for catches (168) and receiving yards (2,934).
ROUND 4: RHETT ELLISON, FB/TE, Southern Cal
At first glance, it doesn’t appear the Vikings needed a tight end. But Ellison essentially will replace the retired Jim Kleinsasser as the team’s blocking tight end/fullback hybrid. Neither of the team’s top two tight ends, Kyle Rudolph or John Carlson, are strong blockers.
ROUND 4: GREG CHILDS, WR, Arkansas
Production waned as a senior (21 catches) because he was coming back from a torn patella tendon. Childs showed he’s 100 percent by running a 4.41 and posting a 41 1/2-inch vertical at his pro day. Childs gives the team depth, but could grow to be a starter in the future.
ROUND 5: ROBERT BLANTON, DB, Notre Dame
He’s the kind of lanky hybrid the Vikings covet for their Tampa 2 scheme. Blanton, a smart player with long arms and good cover skills, might be able to work his way into the team’s sub packages. The team drafted a similar player in Mistral Raymond in the sixth round last year.
ROUND 6: BLAIR WALSH, K, Georgia
Made only 21 of 35 field goal attempts last year. Walsh has a strong leg and could help the team on kickoffs while being groomed to eventually replace Ryan Longwell. Despite three years left on his contract, Longwell turns 38 in August. He also struggled last year, making 22 of 28 field goal attempts (78.6).
ROUND 7: AUDIE COLE, ILB, North Carolina State
A big, athletic player (6-4, 246) who could provide depth behind middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley, who is expected to start after missing all of last season because of hip surgery. The team hasn’t ruled out the possibility of re-signing E.J. Henderson, but it’s unlikely they’ll bring back a player who will turn 32 in August. Cole runs a 4.8 in the 40, so he’ll also be helpful on special teams.
ROUND 7: TREVOR GUYTON, DE, California
The Vikings never pass up a promising pass-rushing defensive end. A year ago, they took D’Andre Reed in the seventh round and essentially red-shirted him by keeping Reed on the roster but deactivating him for all 16 games. Guyton had 5.5 sacks a year ago, but unless he really surprises, Guyton is a candidate for the practice squad.
Final Draft Grades!!
It’s very difficult to “grade” a draft just days after the selections however it isn’t difficult to see where we feel value was found and how teams did or didn’t manipulate the board to fit their needs. Certain players are sure to reach the dreaded “bust” status while others will ascend to “late round gem” status. Here is how we grade all 32 teams in the 2012 NFL Draft! Read more
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