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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.
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