In an exclusive video interview with ChicagoBears.com, general manager Phil Emery explained how third-round pick Will Sutton played a role in the Bears drafting guard Kyle Long a year ago.
Emery told Bears radio announcers Jeff Joniak and Tom Thayer about how he traveled to Arizona to watch Arizona State host Oregon on Oct. 18, 2012 during the Bears' bye week.
"I was there to see Will," Emery said of the Arizona State defensive tackle. "He had so much production we all thought he might come out as a junior, so I thought I'd better go get my eyes on him."
Sutton forced a fumble on the game's second snap from scrimmage that Arizona State recovered, but he suffered a knee injury on the play that sidelined him for the rest of the night.
"While I'm at the game I'm looking down the list that the scouts gave me and they said, 'This Kyle Long guy has got incredible traits for a player,'" Emery said. "[After Sutton exited], I had a lot of time to concentrate on Kyle. So long-story-short, Will is responsible for Kyle Long being here."
