On The Clock: Chicago Bears

Record: 9-7, 2nd In the NFC North
General Manager: Jerry Angelo, Head Coach: Lovie Smith (6th Year), Offensive Coordinator: Ron Turner (5th Year), Defensive Coordinator: Bob Babich (3rd Year)

Offense Rankings: No. 26 Overall, No. 16 Scoring, No. 21 Passing, No. 24 Rushing
Defense Rankings: No. 21 Overall, No. 15 Scoring, No. 30 Passing, No. 5 Rushing

Last Five Years: 45-35; Last Playoff Appearance: 2006; Last Playoff Victory: 2006 (39-14 Over the New Orleans Saints in NFC Championship Game)

2008 Draft: (1-14) OT Chris Williams, (2-44) RB Matt Forte, (3-70) WR Earl Bennett, (3-90) DT Marcus Harrison, (4-120) S Craig Steltz, (5-142) CB Zachary Bowman, (5-158) TE Kellen Davis, (7-208) DE Ervin Baldwin, (7-222) OG Chester Adams, (7-243) LB Joey LaRocque, (7-247) OT Kirk Barton, (7-248) WR Marcus Monk

Top Picks Last Five Years:
2008 – (1-14) OT Chris Williams, Vanderbilt
2007 – (1-31) TE Greg Olson, Miami
2006 – (2-42) DB Danieal Manning, Abilene Christian
2005 – (1-4) RB Cedric Benson, Texas
2004 – (1-14) DT Tommy Harris

Booms: DT Tommie Harris (1st Round 2004), DT Tank Johnson (2nd Round 2004), WR Bernard Berrian (3rd Round 2004), CB Nathan Vasher (4th Round 2004), QB Kyle Orton (4th Round 2005), KR Devin Hester (2nd Round 2006), DE Mark Anderson (5th Round 2006), C Josh Beekman (4th Round 2007), S Kevin Payne (5th Round 2007), DB Corey Graham (5th Round 2007), RB Matt Forte (2nd Round 2008)

Busts: LB Leon Joe (4th Round 2004), DE Claude Harriott (5th Round 2004), RB Cedric Benson (1st Round 2005), WR Mark Bradley (2nd Round 2005), LB Jamar Williams (4th Round 2006), DE Dan Bazuin (2nd Round 2007), RB Garrett Wolfe (3rd Round 2007), LB Michael Okwo (3rd Round 2007)

Additions:
QB Brett Basanez (Free Agent)
FS Josh Bullocks (Free Agent)
S Glenn Earl (Free Agent)
OT Frank Omlyale (Free Agent)
OT Kevin Shaffer (Free Agent)

Subtractions:
WR Marty Booker (Released)
FS Mike Brown (Released)
OG Terrance Metcalf (Released)
OT John St. Clair (FA-Cleveland)
OT John Tait (Retired)

Keepers:
RB Kevin Jones
LB Nick Roach

2009 Picks:
Round 1, Selection 18
Round 2, Selection 17
Round 3, Selection 20
Round 3, Selection 35 (Compensatory)
Round 4, Selection 19
Round 5, Selection 18
Round 6, Selection 17
Round 7, Selection 20
Round 7, Selection 37 (Compensatory)
Round 7, Selection 42 (Compensatory)

Team Needs – Players of Interest (Day One):
1. Wide Receiver: Percy Harvin, Florida; Darrius Hayward-Bey, Maryland; Kenny Britt, Rutgers; Brian Robiskie, Ohio St.; Hakeem Nicks, UNC, Brian Robiskie, Ohio St.; Juaquin Iglesias, Oklahoma
2. Defensive End: Tyson Jackson, LSU, Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech; Aaron Maybin, PSU; Robert Ayers, Tennessee; Paul Kruger, Utah; Lawrence Sidbury Jr., Richmond
3. Quarterback: Mark Sanchez, USC; Josh Freeman, Kansas St.; Pat White, West Virginia
4. Offensive Tackle: Michael Oher, Ole Miss; Andre Smith, Alabama; Eben Britton, Arizona; Jamon Meredith, South Carolina; William Beatty, UConn
5. Guard: Duke Robinson, Oklahoma, Herman Johnson, LSU, Andy Levitre, Oregon St.
6. Safety: Louis Delmas, Western Michigan

Photo Credit: SEC Sports Media, OU Athletics Department

Diamonds Are Forever

Every year there are the “steals of the draft” or “diamonds in the rough” and this year will be no different. Here is a group of potential diamonds for the upcoming draft. Although they have already proved themselves on the field, they could be a steal depending on where they fall in the draft.

First on the list is Hakeem Nicks, the wide receiver out of North Carolina. Nicks has great hands and showed it at the combine. In the Meineke Car Care Bowl he displayed his skills in a losing effort, making a behind-the-back catch without breaking stride. He won’t be the fastest guy on the field, but he definitely makes up for it by making big plays in clutch situations. His physicality is almost unmatched by any of the other receivers in the draft—with his 6’1” 215 lb frame, he can do some damage to opposing secondaries while never shying away from hits. If a team can nab this former Tar Heel in the second round, they shouldn’t hesitate to pounce.

Next is the extremely versatile Pat White, the quarterback from West Virginia. He probably won’t be a full-time quarterback at the next level. He's very similar to Kordell Stewart, only smaller, and would be able to play at the slot position, return punts, and of course, be a back-up/gimmick quarterback. With the “wildcat” being all the rage this last season, look for White to be utilized heavily in the formation. He had the fastest 40 time at the combine for the quarterbacks group, and will definitely need to use all of that speed at the next level. It should be interesting to see how the team that drafts him will utilize his talent, because he is a talent.

Running back Shonn Greene from Iowa should do very well at the next level. He is a solid 235 lbs. and stands 5’11”. He had 307 rushing attempts in 2008 and averaged 6.1 yards per carry, which is outstanding, especially while playing in the Big Ten conference. His downfall is his speed, which is in the mid 4.5 range, but he makes up for it with his physicality. He likes to initiate contact and is great at lowering his shoulders and driving with his legs. If a team is looking for a hard, downhill runner they need to look no further than Greene. A team that already has a breakaway threat would be wise to plug Greene in as a power runner as part of a one-two punch.

If a team is looking for a playmaker in the secondary, then they may want to take a look at cornerback Mike Mickens out of Cincinnati. He is 6’0” 190 lbs and uses every inch while defending taller receivers. In his career he has accumulated 14 interceptions, three of them going for touchdowns. His team missed him dearly in the FedEx Orange Bowl loss to Virginia Tech and even though he missed four games due to injury, he still had nine passes defended along with four interceptions in 2008. His stock fell as he missed the NFL Scouting Combine because of a knee injury, but he has a chance to redeem himself at his Pro Day on the 19th of March.

Sam Bradford’s favorite target, Juaquin Iglesias, will be a steal for a team that can grab him in the second or third round of the draft. He is 6’0” 204 lbs. but plays much bigger. He has outstanding playmaking ability, great hands, and is an exceptional route runner. With his 40 time only being in the mid 4.5 range, he has learned to gain separation from cornerbacks with crisp cuts and precise route running. He amassed 74 receptions on an Oklahoma team that loved to spread the ball around and when you have a Heisman Trophy winning quarterback throwing you the ball with confidence, what more do you need?

In a two running back system, Jeremiah Johnson was still able to flourish. Even though he only had 168 rushing attempts, he still was able to crack 1,200 yards rushing on the season with a 7.1 yards per carry average. He only ran a 4.62 40 at the combine, but showed quickness and reliable hands out of the backfield. He should be considered a Brian Westbrook type of player—quick, with the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and make defenders miss. He would be a great pickup for a team that lacks a pass-catching running back.

As the 2009 NFL draft approaches and trades are being made, teams are looking for needs to be filled. These players are just a few of many that could become steals in the '09 draft. Only time will tell where these players end up and what type of impact they will have for their teams in the upcoming season.

Photo Credit: College Press Box (UNC, Iowa), OU Athletics Department

Senior Spotlight: Big 12 Conference

WR JUAQUIN IGLESIAS, OU

While Malcolm Kelly (Redskins) garnered most of the national attention among the Oklahoma receivers in 2007, it was Juaquin Iglesias who led the Big 12 Champions in receptions and receiving yards. The Texas native runs sound routes and has arguably the most reliable hands in the conference, if not the country. His quick acceleration makes him a threat after the catch and a dangerous weapon in the slot. Iglesias understands how to work the sidelines and the middle of the field on third down situations, often coming through in big spots. This Sooner is also a fabulous return man. Undersized both in terms of height and bulk, Iglesias’ understanding of the game, quickness and sound technique make him one of the top senior wide outs. He currently leads the Sooners in receptions and receiving yards and is on his way to a 1,000-yard season. His next touchdown catch will set a new career high and in four conference games, the senior is averaging 119.5 yards per game.

2008: 44 Receptions, 746 Yards, Five Touchdowns
Career: 172 Receptions, 2,457 Yards, 14 Touchdowns

RB MARLON LUCKY, NU

At 6’0 and 215 pounds, Lucky has good size but is not the special back many projected coming out of high school—he simply lacks the explosiveness of a marquee runner. However, he has been a very solid contributor to the Cornhuskers’ offensive attack for the last two-plus seasons. What the California native does well is run hard and catch the ball out of the backfield—his 75 receptions in 2007 were the most of any running back. In addition to possessing a dependable set of hands, Lucky is also productive after the catch, averaging 10 yards per reception over his career. While he is not as productive as a receiver this season (20 receptions), he is averaging a career high 13.6 yards per reception. A bright young man, Lucky is known for his good character. After a slow start, Lucky has averaged over 4.0 yards per carry in each of his last three games. He has crossed the goal line in his last two contests, both Nebraska wins. Last week against Baylor, he bettered 80 yards both as a runner and a receiver.

2008: 455 Yards, 4.4 per Carry, Seven Touchdowns
Career: 2,331 Yards, 4.7 per Carry, 22 Touchdowns

QB GRAHAM HARRELL, TEXAS TECH

Harrell’s numbers have been off the charts, but that is nothing new for Mike Leach’s quarterbacks since the coach arrived in Lubbock. Even so, it is difficult not to be impressed by Harrell’s 16 games of 400-plus passing yards in his last 22 contests dating back to Tech’s bowl win his sophomore season. Harrell is a cool costumer, who in back-to-back seasons has led the Red Raiders to improbable comeback wins in bowl games, earning MVP honors both times. He is bright and makes good decisions with the football and also earned Academic All-Big 12 First Team honors for his work in the classroom. He continuously has to prove to doubters that he is not a “system quarterback”. Harrell makes quick decisions and is an accurate passer, but does not have prototypical size or arm strength. Last week, Harrell led the Red Raiders to five touchdowns in five first half possessions in Lawrence, as Texas Tech remained undefeated and cracked the top five. In four Big 12 games, the senior signal caller has thrown 16 touchdowns and only two interceptions.

Photo Credit: OU Athletics Department