[CBFF] [Fwd: Why didn't Bears draft a quarterback?]

[Tom Shannon]

http://www.chicagobears.com/news/ChalkTalkStory.asp?STORY_ID=4645

/Wondering about a player, a past game or another issue involving the 
Bears? Senior writer Larry Mayer answers a variety of e-mail questions 
from fans every day on ChicagoBears.com./

*I’m OK with the Bears’ draft picks. In fact, I think they did a great 
job except for one thing: What about a quarterback? I know you have some 
inside information, so can you please share it because I’m sure this is 
not the only email you’ll receive concerning the Bears’ quarterback 
situation.*

Mike K.
/Richland, Virginia/

The Bears entered the 2008 draft determined to land as many players they 
viewed as eventual starters as they possible could regardless of 
position, and they accomplished that with their first five picks in left 
tackle Chris Williams in the first round, running back Matt Forte in the 
second round, receiver Earl Bennett and defensive tackle Marcus Harrison 
in the fourth round and safety Craig Steltz in the fifth round. The 
closest they came to selecting a quarterback occurred in the fourth 
round, but general manager Jerry Angelo explained that he “didn’t want 
to pass up a player that was a starter to take a quarterback that maybe 
could be a good backup.” Another key factor is that it was a very poor 
quarterback crop (other than Boston College’s Matt Ryan, who was 
selected third overall by the Atlanta Falcons). Said Angelo: “By our 
grades, I will agree that I didn’t think it was a great quarterback 
class. I thought earlier on it was going to be pretty good, but the more 
we did research and evaluation, we just felt it was going to be very 
mediocre and I think you saw that on how the players were picked.” 
Personally, I’m glad the way it played out. I’d rather see the Bears 
draft a Nate Vasher than a Craig Krenzel!

*I am a Bears fan that lives in Arkansas. I have no doubt that two of 
the bigger steals on the second day of the draft were defensive tackle 
Marcus Harrison and receiver Marcus Monk. Both were dominant in the SEC 
and had issues that pulled their stock down. Do you believe that either 
one will make an impact this season?*

Brett D.
/Bryant, Arkansas/

You obviously have seen Marcus Harrison and Marcus Monk play a lot more 
than I have, but I’m looking forward to watching them this weekend at 
the Bears’ rookie minicamp. Everyone seems to agree that Harrison has 
first-round talent and slipped in the draft because of a knee injury and 
an off-the-field incident. I know that the Bears are high on Monk, who 
fell in the draft after sustaining a knee injury as a senior. It’s too 
early to make an accurate prediction at this point, but I wouldn’t be 
shocked if both players contributed as rookies. A key for them, of 
course, will be how well they rebound from their injuries.

*It nearly happened with first-round pick Chris Williams and third-round 
selection Earl Bennett, both of Vanderbilt. But have the Bears ever 
drafted players from the same school with their first two picks?*

Allen L.
/Lansing, Michigan/

It’s happened only once since 1971: The Bears chose Michigan teammates 
David Terrell, a wide receiver, and Anthony Thomas, a running back, with 
their first two picks in 2001.

-- 
I like pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.
  - Sir Winston Churchill