NFL analysts David Kaplan and Matt Bowen recently discussed the Chicago Bears in depth on CSN Chicago, and among their topics of discussion, the Bears Draft strategy offered a point of notable disagreement:
Matt Bowen, who played seven season in the NFL (from 2000 through 2006) as a strong safety, thinks the Bears need to draft an impact defender such as Illinois Fighting Illini DE Whitney Mercilus:
"You gotta rush the passer. Now everyone's going to say, 'offensive line.' I talked to a scout the other day with close ties to the Bears, let's put it that way. He's says they have issues on the offensive line; they have holes in the defensive line. What does that mean? They've got to get someone to play opposite of Julius Peppers."
Kaplan, however, agrees with the popular perception that the Bears need more offensive help:
"If you're going to cast your lot with Jay Cutler and go get him [WR Brandon Marshall] ... you've got be able to protect him and keep him clean. Offensive line, offensive line, and maybe even another receiver before you get a D-lineman."
The duo also discussed the newest addition to the Bears' offense in WR Brandon Marshall, saying the oft-troubled wide out needs to "understand this is his last real true shot to be an impact, big time wide receiver." Marshall has been involved in a number of off-the-field incidents, most recently a scuffle at a nightclub where Marshall was accused of punching a 24-year-old woman in the face (though possibly acting in defense of his wife, who was hit in the head with a bottle).
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