[CBFF] FW: Pair of talented USC linemen on display today

[Tom Shannon]

Feed: Inside the Bears
Posted on: Wednesday, April 02, 2008 7:35 AM
Author: Brad Biggs
Subject: Pair of talented USC linemen on display today

 


No word yet, but I would have to imagine the Bears will be represented today at USC’s pro day. We should get word on the action from Los Angeles later on.

Thirty-two Trojans have been drafted in the last six seasons and the Bears are believed to have interest in two USC offensive linemen—guard Chilo <http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/profile.php?pyid=33616>  Rachal and tackle Sam Baker. Both could be potential picks for the second round and the 44th overall selection.

The Bears met with Baker, the son of Arena League commissioner David Baker, at the combine. I saw him walking down the hallway in the Indiana Convention Center flanked by offensive line coach Harry Hiestand and his assistant Luke Butkus. Baker didn’t have a great week at the Senior Bowl and the stock of the 6-5, 309-pounder has dipped in the last two months, but Baker has a ton of experience coming from a top-notch program. A four-year starter for the Trojans, he is a skilled pass blocker.

Rachal <http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2008/03/zeroing_in_on_uscs_rachal.html>  is a mauler who could be the second guard taken after Virginia’s Branden Albert. He’s a good athlete who is coming out a year early. The Bears have a track record of targeting underclassmen too.

If Baker and Rachal figure into the Bears’ plans, it would likely be as a second selection. General manager Jerry Angelo is looking at the package of players he can get with his top picks, specifically on the first day.

ESPN’s Todd McShay had an interesting twosome for the Bears with his most <http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft08/insider/columns/story?columnist=mcshay_todd&page=mcshaymock0401>  recent mock draft on Tuesday. McShay had the Bears selecting Vanderbilt offensive tackle Chris <http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/profile.php?pyid=25827>  Williams in the first round with the 14th pick. In the second round, with the 44th overall pick, he has the Bears grabbing Rutgers running back Ray Rice <http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/profile.php?pyid=57386> , one pick after Carolina nabs Louisville quarterback Brian Brohm <http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/profile.php?pyid=33876> .

For what it’s worth, McShay has Baker going 35th to the Kansas City Chiefs and Rachal 48th to the Atlanta Falcons, who own five picks in the top 68.


View <http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2008/04/pair_of_talented_usc_linemen_o.html>  article...