SB Nation Chicago - NFL Draft 2011 Day Three: Chicago Bears With Surprising Addition Of Little Known QB In Round Fivehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48877/chicago-fave.png2011-04-30T16:53:13-05:00http://chicago.sbnation.com/rss/stream/19032932011-04-30T16:53:13-05:002011-04-30T16:53:13-05:00Chicago Bears 2011 NFL Draft Concludes With Round 6 Selection Of West Virginia LB James Thomas
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<p>The 2011 <span class="caps">NFL</span> Draft has come to an end. For the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a>, it was a very nice three-day affair from Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Not spectacular, but a very solid haul for a team that needed to acquire some important pieces in order to take the next step forward and keep up with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a>. We’ll have a full recap of the Bears’ draft selections, but before we get to that, a quick update on the Bears’ final pick of the weekend. With the 30th pick in the sixth round (195th overall), the Bears snagged their fifth defensive prospect, linebacker James Thomas from the University of West Virginia.</p>
<p>Thomas is 6’1" and 245 pounds, not the fastest guy in the world, but a competent tackler with solid instincts in the middle of the field. Thomas has the chance to be a good fit in the Tampa-2 defense deployed by Rod Marinelli, as his best attributes are his closing speed and sure-tackling ability in pass coverage. I imagine he’ll have a chance to be a viable reserve in Marinelli’s defense perhaps as soon as this coming season. If not, he’ll have an opportunity to make a name for himself as a head hunter on special teams.</p>
<p>The athletic Thomas, whose father also played for the Mountaineers in college, was West Virginia’s <span class="caps">MVP</span> on defense during his senior season. And from the sound of it, he’s excited to be heading to Chicago where he can be an understudy to two of the game’s premier linebackers.</p>
<p>“I’m definitely looking forward to playing on the same team with <span>Brian Urlacher</span> and <span>Lance Briggs</span>,” Thomas told the media shortly after being selected. "Also, Josh Moore one of my best friends from high school is there. He told me ‘If you love football you’ll love playing for the Bears.’”</p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-bears/2011/4/30/2146033/2011-nfl-draft-results-chicago-bears-picks-grades-james-thomas-urlacher-briggsMichael Bean2011-04-30T14:29:19-05:002011-04-30T14:29:19-05:002011 NFL Draft Results: Chicago Bears Select Idaho QB Nathan Enderle In Round 5
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<p>Round five of the 2011 <span class="caps">NFL</span> Draft is just about in the books. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a>, who traded away their fourth round selection in order to move up in round two, have made an interesting move with their first pick on day three. The Bears drafted Idaho quarterback Nathan Enderle with 160th overall pick near the end of Round 5. I’m not sure I quite understand the rationale with the pick.</p>
<p>Obviously the Bears have their starting quarterback in place with <span>Jay Cutler</span>. While veteran reserve <span>Todd Collins</span> should definitely not be a part of the team’s plans for much, if any, longer, rookie third stringer <span>Caleb Hanie</span> flashed some promise in the Bears’ <span class="caps">NFC</span> Championship Game loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a>. Chicago had talked about possibly adding a developmental project at quarterback at some point in this year’s draft, it’s hard to understand why Chicago would use a fifth rounder on a guy that showed very little during his pre-draft workouts. Undrafted free agent rookies with similar promise are available each year, and though there’s teams around the league with bigger holes on their roster, Chicago is not exactly so stacked on both sides of the ball where they can take a luxury pick like that in round five. Then again, perhaps Jerry Angelo and the Bears’ coaching staff sees something in Enderle that the rest of us don’t.</p>
<p>For more fan reaction to the Bears’ fifth round pick, head on over to <a href="http://www.windycitygridiron.com" target="new">Windy City Gridiron</a> for more commentary and discussion.</p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-bears/2011/4/30/2145641/2011-nfl-draft-results-round-five-chicago-bears-idaho-qb-nathan-enderleMichael Bean2011-04-29T22:36:18-05:002011-04-29T22:36:18-05:002011 NFL Draft Results: Chicago Bears Draft Chris Conte In Third Round
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<p>The first two days of the 2011 <span class="caps">NFL</span> Draft are in the books. After selecting blue chip offensive tackle Gabe Carimi in the first round on Thursday night, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a> added two more players in rounds two and three on Friday. Bears fans will likely be quite pleased with the pick in round two — Stephen Paea, a defensive tackle from Stanford that is strong as an ox and a great replacement for <span>Tommie Harris</span>. As for Chicago’s pick in round three, I’m not so sure folks in the Windy City will be quite as enamored with the pick.</p>
<p>With the 93rd overall pick, Chicago drafted Chris Conte, a converted free safety from Cal. Conte was a reserve corner at Cal for his first three seasons in Berekley, only to have a breakout year as a senior after being converted to free safety. During his senior year, Conte proved to be quite reliable as an open field tackler and last line of defense. And at Cal’s Pro Day, the Los Angeles native ran a 4.55 40-yard dash, plenty fast for his position.</p>
<p>I suppose Bears fans might be nervous that Conte will be the next coming of <span>Adam Archuleta</span>, a mistake machine during his tenure in Chicago. We’ll just have to wait and see I suppose. But he has the physical tools, I don’t think experience will be an issue for the young man, and the Bears certainly will have plenty of talent playing in front of him on defense.</p>
<p>All in all, a very productive first two days for the defending <span class="caps">NFC</span> North champion Bears. For more fan reaction to the picks, analysis of Days 1 and 2, and what to expect on Saturday during the final four rounds, head on over to <a href="http://www.windycitygridiron.com" target="new">Windy City Gridiron</a>.</p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-bears/2011/4/29/2144318/2011-nfl-draft-results-chicago-bears-draft-chris-conte-in-third-roundMichael Bean2011-04-29T19:08:36-05:002011-04-29T19:08:36-05:00Video: Bears Second Round Draft Pick Stephen Paea Bench Press At 2011 Combine
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<p>The Chicago Bears have made their second round selection in the 2011 NFL Draft. Atfter taking Wisconsin OT Gabe Carimi in Round 1 on Thursday night, the Bears stayed in the trenches, but on the other side of the ball, by taking Stanford NT Stephen Paea. <br> <br> Paea was never really thought to be a threat to break into the first round, but considering his herculean strength, most projected Paea to be taken somewhere in the middle of the second round. What do you know? That's where he went after the Bears traded with the Washington Redskins in order to move up to No. 53 and take Paea. At this year's combine, Paea made a name for himself by breaking the bench press record. A mere 225 pounds on the bar, Paea did 49 reps, a combine record. Check out the video of Paea's impressive display of strength in Indianapolis this past February.</p>
<p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/80qiRCRMfr8" frameborder="0" height="349" width="560"></iframe></p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-bears/2011/4/29/2143767/video-bears-second-round-draft-pick-stephen-paea-bench-press-at-2011Michael Bean2011-04-29T18:58:48-05:002011-04-29T18:58:48-05:002011 NFL Draft Second Round Results: Chicago Bears Trade Up To Select Stephen Paea
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<p>The second round of the 2011 <span class="caps">NFL</span> Draft is moving along at a nice clip. Fans of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a> got a little surprise when their team moved up from No. 62 to No. 53 in order to select Stephen Paea, the insanely strong defensive tackle out of Stanford. In order to move up into the early 50s, Jerry Angelo had to surrender the Bears’ fourth round pick (127th overall) on Saturday afternoon. </p>
<p>As for Paea, the DT made a name for himself with his record-setting bench press performance at this year’s scouting combine. Paea threw up 225 pounds a mind-boggling 49 times. The Cardinal grad isn’t just a one-trick pony. For a guy that big and bulky, he’s fairly fleet of foot. But make no mistake about it, he’ll be expected to clog holes in the middle of the Bears’ defense.</p>
<p>We’ll have more commentary and reaction to the selection a bit later this evening, but for more immediate analysis and conversation, head on over to <a href="http://www.windycitygridiron.com" target="new">Windy City Gridiron</a> to read what Bears’ fans think of the team’s newest addition.</p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-bears/2011/4/29/2143740/2011-nfl-draft-second-round-results-chicago-bears-trade-up-washington-stephen-paeaMichael Bean2011-04-29T17:52:23-05:002011-04-29T17:52:23-05:002011 NFL Draft Round 2 Results: Chicago Bears Have Options With Second Round Pick
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<p>The second round of the 2011 <span class="caps">NFL</span> Draft is underway from Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a> had to have been thrilled with their pick in round one, offensive tackle Gabe Carimi out of the University of Wisconsin. There was nearly unanimous agreement about the Bears’ need to draft an offensive lineman, particularly a tackle. Not only did they fill a need, they got a player that many thought was the second best offensive tackle in this year’s crop.</p>
<p>So what will the Bears do in rounds two and three? Well, plenty of folks still believe that the Bears need to acquire another offensive lineman in round two, perhaps guards Orlando Franklin or Rodney Hudson. Here’s who’s come off the board so far through the first</p>
<p>33. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> — Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia<br>
34. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> — Aaron Williams, CB, Texas<br>
35. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a> — Andy Dalton, QB, <span class="caps">TCU</span><br>
36. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> — Colin Kaepernick, QB, Nevada<br>
37. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> — Jabaal Sheard, DE, Pittsburgh<br>
38. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> — Ryan Williams, RB, Virginia Tech<br>
39. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/">Tennessee Titans</a> — Akeem Ayers, <span class="caps">OLB</span>, <span class="caps">UCLA</span><br>
40. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Dallas Cowboys</a> — Bruce Carter, LB, North Carolina<br>
41. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Washington Redskins</a> — Jarvis Jenkins, DT, Clemson</p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-bears/2011/4/29/2143534/2011-nfl-draft-round-2-results-chicago-bears-options-gabe-carimiMichael Bean2011-04-29T11:02:06-05:002011-04-29T11:02:06-05:00NFL Draft 2011: Ravens May Seek Compensation From Bears For Failed Trade
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<p>Via our SB Nation draft site, <a href="http://www.mockingthedraft.com/2011/4/29/2142207/report-ravens-may-seek-compensation-from-bears-on-trade-fallout" target="_blank">Mocking The Draft,</a> they link to <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/peter_king/04/29/2011-nfl-draft/index.html?eref=twitter_feed" target="_blank">this SI.com Peter King story</a> in which he states that the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Baltimore Ravens</a> may seek compensation from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Bears</a> for Jerry Angelo’s trade snafu of last night, which has (apparently) cost the Ravens a fourth-round pick:</p>
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<p>Under <span class="caps">NFL</span> rules, each team has to report the trade to <span class="caps">NFL</span> draft headquarters at Radio City Music Hall. The Ravens called it in. They assumed Chicago called it in, but due to a miscommunication in the Bears’ draft room, no one from Chicago ever called the league.</p>
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<p>For the first round, it didn’t matter, as both teams got the player they wanted (Gabe Carimi to the Bears, Jimmy Smith to the Ravens). But the Ravens thought they had a deal, and Jerry Angelo admits it was his fault:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>“Whatever you hear, Baltimore did everything the right way,” Bears GM Jerry Angelo told Chicago media. “There were a lot of things happening in the draft room. We were getting a lot of calls, we just … dropped the ball. I dropped the ball. I can’t say anything more than that.”</p>
<p>All’s well that ends well, you say? Not so fast. Angelo called Baltimore owner Steve Bisciotti to apologize, but Bisciotti wanted the fourth-round pick anyway, claiming it was part of the deal they’d agreed to. In fact, I’m told Bisciotti today will push to get the fourth-round pick, or to make the situation right in some way.</p>
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<p>King says he thinks the league will be asked to do something before the draft resumes at 5 p.m. <span class="caps">CDT</span> today. We’ll see. It’s amazing that the Bears couldn’t have done a simple thing like make a phone call.</p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-bears/2011/4/29/2142468/nfl-draft-2011-ravens-may-seek-compensation-from-bears-for-failedAl Yellon2011-04-29T10:02:09-05:002011-04-29T10:02:09-05:00NFL Draft 2011: Roger Goodell Pleads, Cam Newton Collects, Jerry Angelo Whiffs
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<p><strong>Roger the dodger: </strong>NFL Commissioner<strong> </strong>Roger Goodell has had a tough week. The NFL ownership was confounded at every turn in the courtroom, ordered not once but twice, to open training facilities and get back to business. All of the league's coy, 'Aw shucks, we just don't know how comply with this decision' foot-dragging was met unsympathetically by Judge Susan Richard Nelson. Of course the NFL is appealing the ruling, but their actions and their words this week leave little doubt as to who to blame if there's no football in 2011.</p>
<p>And last night, on the big stage, football fans let Goodell know how they felt. He went ahead and orchestrated a gala event, that was bound to be fraught with awkward moments, such as him introducing and hugging draftees who were part of the class-action suit against him. The very idea of making such a public spectacle out of a draft where new players and owners became adversaries immediately after the ballcap-and-handshake picture is ludicrous and indicative of ownerships potentially fatal hubris.</p>
<p>Fans booed Goodell and chanted,"We want football" and they weren't mollified when the commissioner offered a weak, "I hear you" in response. The boos continued quietly, every time Roger addressed the microphone. Goodelltried to garner sympathy by referring to tornado victims in Alabama, and by brining out members of the armed forces for various announcements.</p>
<p>Call me cynical, but I was reminded of founding father Samuel Jackson's famous line, "Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel." We ALL love America, Mr. Goodell. If you want to show how much you do, bring back football.</p>
<p><strong>Rookie salary Cam:</strong>One thing I think most fans agree with, is that rookie salaries are way out of whack. We all have our favorite example of a rookie bust who collected millions (Ryan Leaf). It would have been smart for the league to address the issue before being forced to resume operations. That they didn't is good news for quarterback <span>Cam Newton</span>, the <a href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Carolina Panthers</a> number one draft pick. He stands to become a very rich young man, very soon. </p>
<p>And that's going to be a very interesting story to follow. There's a lot of 'experts' who don't think Newton is worth the money.They question his ability and his work ethic. Some have gone so far as to say, he'll take the money, and coast. It seems like a harsh assessment, but who knows? It seems to me to be a very illogical practice, to guarantee millions of dollars to a young man. For some, it may be the beginning of a great career, but for many it must seem like the conclusion of having to struggle to compete.</p>
<p><strong>Welcome to Chicago:</strong>Without ever having played a down for the <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bears</a>, first round draft pick Gabe Carimi can depend on feeling a lot of love from Chicago fans, at least for now. Carimi an offensive tackle from the University of Wisconsin,wasn't expected to still be on the board at number 29. In fact the Bears started to trade their fourth round pick to the <a href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Baltimore Ravens</a> to move up three spots to grab him early.</p>
<p>However, Jerry Angelo made some sort of procedural blunder, and the trade never went through. Although both teams ended up with the player they wanted, the Ravens are crying foul and saying they should still get Chicago's fourth round pick. The league is said to be 'looking into the situation'.</p>
<p>Jerry Angelo has taken tremendous amounts of heat for past draft missteps. If he loses the fourth round pick on an error, even if he had already planned to trade it away, the screaming for his head will double in intensity.</p>
<p>The second and third round of the draft take place tonight, beginning at 5:00 Central. Stay with SB Nation Chicago for news and updates.</p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-bears/2011/4/29/2142090/nfl-draft-2011-roger-goodell-pleads-cam-newton-collects-jerry-angeloDon Hamel