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Scouting reports on Bears players entering draft

Ever wonder what the draft publications were saying about future members of the Bears before they left their college campuses? We dusted off some old Pro Football Weekly draft guides, searched for familiar names and found out. Read the following capsules and see just how accurate they were.

Julius Peppers, DE, North Carolina
First round, 2002 (2nd overall by Carolina Panthers)
"Prototype size and speed and really looks the part. Has very long arms and the wingspan of a 747. Flashes outstanding natural pass-rush talent coming off the edge and is starting to learn how to counter inside. Has tremendous athletic ability and upside. If he ever puts it all together, Peppers can be a great pro and true impact player—the type who leads the league in sacks and passes batted down and who can also play the run."

Charles Tillman, CB, La. Lafayette
Second round, 2003 (35th overall)
"Big, durable corner with very good size, adequate speed, good hands and range. Better when playing in a trail position. Good tackler who plays the run well. Leader with good character. Has tight hips for a cornerback and marginal football intelligence. Is an average hitter who can lack body control. Experienced, versatile corner who could fit in a cover-2 scheme and has a lot of upside."

Lance Briggs, LB, Arizona
Third round, 2003 (68th overall)
"Productive three-year starter with good intangibles. Hustles and plays hard. Has good speed and range. Has some ability to take on blockers and is good at slipping off them. There are teams who like Briggs as high as the second round, but question his toughness because he seems unwilling to take on blocks. Good enough to make a team and contribute, but might never provide what teams are looking for in a starter."

Jay Cutler, QB, Vanderbilt
First round, 2006 (11th overall by Denver Broncos)
"Has good size, strength and athletic ability and looks every bit the part. Has a cannon of an arm that allows him to improvise and get out of trouble. Throws a tight spiral, generates great velocity on his ball and can drill the deep out. Relies too much on his big arm and throws off his back foot when he does not have to. Has all the physical tools teams look for in a quarterback, and almost all of his flaws are correctable."

Brandon Marshall, WR, Central Florida
Fourth round, 2006 (120th overall by Denver Broncos)
"Has a big, physical frame and can go up high and sky for the ball. Has long arms and gives quarterbacks a big target Uses his body well to shield defenders and secure the ball. Can extend high and snag it with natural hands. Can be very physically imposing and provide match-up problems for a defense Ideal West Coast receiver with striking similarities to 49ers 1996 third-rounder Terrell Owens and ought to be drafted in the same place. "

Devin Hester, RS/WR, Miami
Second round, 2006 (57th overall)
"Dynamic returner with rare speed to go the distance and the playmaking ability to score any time he touches it. Can flat out fly. Has outstanding ball skills. A natural, fluid athlete with smooth hips and great leaping ability. In the same class of speed and return ability as Deion Sanders. A difference-maker who has changed the outcome of games."

Matt Forte, RB, Tulane
Second round, 2008 (44th overall)
 "Runs hard between the tackles and follows his blocks. Shows good feet to sidestep the first defender and make a tackler miss in the hole. Runs decisively and can drop his pads and drive through arm tackles. Always falls forward. Is surprisingly light on his feet for his size. Good instincts and feel for the game. Reliable hands. Willing blocker. Great work ethic. Tough and competitive. A big, strong, hard-charging, upright, one-cut runner."

Earl Bennett, WR, Vanderbilt
Third round, 2008 (70th overall)
"Shows good short-area quickness. Has very good hands and shows great concentration in traffic. Makes some difficult, acrobatic catches. Shows good body control and ball skills. Does not play fast or come off the line with explosion. Has continually produced with an average supporting cast and shows the strength, quickness and run instincts to be effective after the catch. Would fit best in a West Coast offense working underneath zones."

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