Bears draft will be crucial for future success
The Chicago Bears this past year had a dissapointing season thanks to a bunch of injuries. However, the Bears could have a bright future ahead of them with already having four draft picks in the first three rounds, and even can accumulate more.
The Bears already have two third round picks due to a trade with the San Diego Chargers last year. That could increase due to the Bears losing free agents last year, and only signing one, which means that the Bears will most likely get a compensartory pick. Also, if commisioner Roger Goodell thinks that the San Francisco 49ers tamered with linebacker Lance Briggs they could pick up another pick in the first three rounds.
According to Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune, “Lest anyone think those compensatory picks are meaningless, consider this: there has been a direct correlation to compensatory picks and winning over the last decade.” Pompei went on to point out that over the past decade the Bears are one of the 11 teams to have the most compensatoro picks awarded to, which is also the reason for their recent success.
This draft will most likely have direct coroalation to the replacement of some veterans that are getting up there in age in football terms. Starting middle linebacker Brian Urlacher is 30 in May, and has arthritis in his back. Left tackle John Tait is 33, center Olin Kruetz will turn 31 in June, and left Guard Terrence Metcalf is 30. Also, defensive end Adewale Ogunleye is 31 in August. Also, add in the possiblity of having to replace running back Cedric Benson, and quarterback Rex Grossman.
The life span of a football player is in his mid 30s. Good teams have a sense when a player has seen his best days past, and when that happens the team will either cut players with really high cap numbers, or let players walk after their contract expires.
If the Bears are going to have success in the near, and distant future, the Bears will have to have a really good draft.