Julius Peppers

Much of the NFL world and Chicago fans alike thought the Bears' 2012 draft was a disappointment and anticlimactic.

I would argue that the Bears had the best draft class out of all 32 teams.

I believe the Bears' draft selections will not only help them compete in 2012, but will ultimately help contend for the Super Bowl.

Before the draft, most of Bears nation was in support of grabbing an offensive lineman in the first round because the unit gave up 49 total sacks in 2011. The other glaring needs Chicago had before the draft were a secondary receiver to pair opposite Brandon Marshall and a defensive end to book end Julius Peppers.

All three of these needed to be met in the draft or throughout the offseason to help prepare the Bears for the 2012 season.

When the Bears selected Shea McClellin, I remember letting out a gasp. I was shocked and displeased simultaneously, dreading another busted draft by another general manager that Chicago had high hopes with. I had been scouting the draft for about nine months and did not expect the Bears to go with what I perceived to be a prototypical 3-4 based outside linebacker.

In the second round, the Bears shocked me again by trading up five spots, relieving themselves of a fifth-round pick and their second-round pick to grab Alshon Jeffrey, who I thought was the most talented wide receiver in the draft. I was ecstatic the Bears finally grabbed a genuine playmaker who would excite Jay Cutler on offense.

The draft moved on to the third round, and it was used on Brandon Hardin: a converted corner to safety with an an injury history that would scare any casual fan. It made me instantly remember the bad luck the Bears organization had with Mike Brown.

Disappointed from that pick, I was holding my breath throughout the fourth round. I was hoping they would be looking for another dynamic offensive talent. When Chicago announced it would use its fourth-round selection to select Evan Rodriguez, a FB/TE hybrid, I was elated because of my previous knowledge of watching him play during the 2011 collegiate season. I like to compare him to James Casey of the Houston Texans.

The sixth- and seventh-round picks were used to grab Isaiah Frey and Greg McCoy—two cornerbacks that are familiar with the zone coverage Lovie Smith will be running on defense. They will come in to compete with the veterans and can immediately contribute to special teams.

After the draft, I took the time to collect my thoughts and graded Phil Emery’s debut as the new general manager. I watched his first press conference and listened to his strategy soundly; he stated he wanted to grab playmaking, versatile athletes who can contribute to a championship caliber team.

This philosophy was carried out all throughout the draft, finding pieces that will contribute to all three phases of the game: offensive, defensive, and special teams players.

Each player selected is capable of playing both offense and special teams, or defense and special teams. It brought me back to an interview Emery had with the Chicago Sun-Times where he stated that he believes he follows the same schematic lay-out of the Patriots.

Shea McClellin, who played four seasons at Boise State, played in both the 3-4 and 4-3 defensive schemes and is capable of rushing out of a two-point stance or putting his hand in the dirt and rushing from a three-point stance.

Alshon Jeffrey has big play capability, but is also used to run blocking as he came from a run-first oriented offense that featured running back Marcus Lattimore. His hands, body control, and big frame make him an easy target in the red zone for Jay Cutler.

Brandon Hardin’s versatility is well documented. He is a converted cornerback to safety, which gives him experience at both positions. He will be used to help cover the big tight ends in the division. Hardin will also be used to stop the run as he plays his best inside the box.

Evan Rodriguez was drafted as a FB/TE hybrid which will serve the Bears well on offense. He was featured at Temple as an H-back that ran routes out of the backfield. He has a good set of hands and is well-trained in blocking. He will also be used in two tight end sets opposite Kellen Davis to help stretch the seam and open up the outer edges for Jeffrey and Marshall.

Greg McCoy and Isaiah Frey are well-trained in cover two schemes and are also decent tacklers to add to the depth of the DBs and to help on special teams. Both can improve their press coverage abilities, but overall are very capable and easy to coach. McCoy is also capable of becoming a punt returner and kick returner.

These six draft picks are tremendous reasons for Bears fans to be ecstatic with this 2012’s draft. Emery had a plan and stuck to it, and Chicago will reap the benefits from now into the future.

These players will make an immediate impact during the 2012 season and will contribute to the Bears making a Super Bowl run, validating Phil Emery’s genuineness to why this class was the best among all others in last weekend's draft.

It would be simple to point to the Minnesota Vikings here, drop the microphone on the stage floor and walk off.

It wouldn't be right though.

Listen, every team needs to get their drafts right in order to secure the future of the team, because even an initially stocked franchise will fade if they miss on draft after draft.

That said, there is one team who needs to nail their draft in a way the others don't—and it isn't the Vikings.

The Vikings don't, not because they are close to awesome or anything, but because they are so far from awesome. They are rebuilding and to do that right, takes time. They are just starting and it will take years to get the team 100 percent where it needs to be.

They can't miss every pick, no, but they can miss a few here or there. Less is better, but still, even a perfect draft won't impact immediately.

No, the team who needs the best class next week is the Chicago Bears.

The Packers are deep in talent and a lot of their flaws are ones which require a tweak here or there. The Lions have done a good job retaining their players and, again, the things they need are minor additions. Both teams have young core groups as well.

The Bears have a slightly gray defense, no offensive line, one very gifted wide receiver and a quarterback who gets hit frequently. With the age of the defense (and no secondary—forgot that), the team is kind of in their Super Bowl window.

If the defense gets too much older, it could be a long road to regain the chance they have now.

Remember, this is a tight division and as much as we thought maybe three teams from it would make the playoffs in 2011, that's always chancy.

The older a team gets, the harder it is to come back each year and compete.

The Bears can start shoring up their defense now, getting younger. However, they still have key pieces missing offensively as well.

This is a team which needs to make every single pick count. They need offensive line help, even if they don't go first round with that pick. They need help in the secondary. They need a younger, dynamic wide receiver (easily grabbed in the second or third rounds) and depth in the defensive front seven which, again, needs some young upside.

Some of those needs are more critical than others. If they miss a bit on a wide receiver, it won't kill them.

However, they really do need a best-case scenario of good, productive draft picks to get back into the playoffs and, more importantly, the Super Bowl.

Because that window is closing. They need players to step in now.

Before it slams shut on their fingers.

Last week, we ranked the offensive positions for the NFC North, and this week we turn to the defensive side of the ball.

The defensive line, or the guys in the trenches, are key players for a defense. Along with the linebackers, the defensive line is the first group to stifle a run play and the guys whose pressure on the quarterback helps the secondary look good.

Ask last year's 32nd-ranked Packers pass defense—you can have tremendous cornerbacks, but if the line gets no push, even they can be beat eventually.

Along with my own observations, I am using Football Outsiders' Defensive Line rankings, which they did post-season back in January.

As it stands, their basic rankings line up pretty well with my own so, it works out.

There are, of course, two separate but equally important aspects to the defensive line's job, much like the offensive line. They have to stop the run, and they have to pressure the quarterback and/or stop the pass.

The combination of these things is where you get your rankings today. I adjusted a bit for age and overall talent (just because Green Bay sucked last year in both categories according to FBO doesn't automatically mean they're the worst in the division every year).

I will say that this is a very tight group. It wouldn't shock me if any of them ended up "on top" at the end of next season, and there is very little distance between the first and the last.

DETROIT LIONS

OUTSIDERS RANKING: 15TH VS. THE RUN,  18TH VS. THE PASS

While the Vikings outperformed the Lions last year statistically, I have the Lions ranked higher. Why?

Quite simply, the young talent they have in guys like Ndamukong Suh, Nick Fairley and Cliff Avril is fantastic. And while they have some aging players, they aren't overrun by them.

The Lions were right in the middle of the pack in terms of ranking both against the ground attack and the pass. They need to amp it up, play a bit more consistently and keep the stupid down to a minimum.

Silly infractions like Suh's face stomp and off-the-field problems such as Fairley's recent infractions have to stop before they really hurt the team on the field.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

OUTSIDERS RANKINGS: 8TH VS. THE RUN, 1ST VS. THE PASS  

People were genuinely surprised by Jared Allen's play last year, but both he and Kevin Williams are getting up in years. While I like Fred Evans and Letroy Guion, neither of them really excite me as replacements right now.

At end, beyond Allen, Brian Robison took a huge leap forward this past year. And while he's not going to rack up Allen's sack totals, he should fit in well down the road.

The transition will be the key for this unit, as the older players wear out and the newer ones get a shot.

CHICAGO BEARS

OUTSIDERS RANKINGS: 1ST VS. THE RUN, 29TH VS. THE PASS

The Bears have two outstanding defensive ends in Julius Peppers and Israel Idonije, but I don't love the tackles—though, you can easily argue that the fact that they can put out any number of guys on the field and still get performance means that as a unit, it's pretty good.

The problem comes when you start examining the pass protection numbers and the problem there. While part of the issue is undoubtedly the sub-par secondary, as a whole the unit isn't getting enough pressure rapidly enough to stop the quarterback from getting the ball out.

I think we'll see some improvement this year, especially if the secondary improves. Once a quarterback knows he has trouble in coverage, it may buy the line time to get at the quarterback because he has to read the field more.

GREEN BAY PACKERS

OUTSIDERS RANKINGS: 30TH VS. THE RUN, 32ND VS. THE PASS

I was actually a little shocked to see the run ranking, as I had been focusing more on the issues in pass defense since that's what they are likely aiming for in the draft.

However, B.J. Raji didn't have a great season last year at tackle. And while Ryan Pickett, C.J. Wilson and Jarius Wynn play all right, they don't bring enough pressure on the quarterback—an enormous problem for the Packers last year.

As difficult a season as the secondary had last year—and they struggled often—a large portion of the blame also rests on the front seven, especially the defensive line.

This unit needs to step its game up, or the Packers will struggle again when facing a very good quarterback.

The Chicago Bears have the 19th pick in this April's NFL Draft and Phil Emery is going to want to use that pick for an immediate upgrade at a position of need. The Bears want an upgrade at wide receiver, offensive line, cornerback, and defensive end. There are plenty of options in this year's draft, so Emery will have to choose and scout wisely.

Here are the top five players the Bears could draft in the first round this year.

Michael Floyd, Notre Dame

Floyd is a great talent at wide receiver that the Bears are targeting for this year's draft. He doesn't have elite speed at the position, but every other aspect that the Bears are looking for is there. 

He's big and athletic and he can win a lot of jump balls. He's a good route runner, has great explosion off the line, and he's a physical receiver. Jay Cutler would love for the Bears to draft Floyd in the first round because he's been lacking a go-to receiver ever since he arrived in Chicago. 

If the Bears go out and sign Vincent Jackson, however, they may not draft Floyd because they are very similar players. The Bears would then look to draft a player listed below.

Melvin Ingram, South Carolina

Ingram would be a good pick by the Bears because he would replace Israel Idonije as the DE opposite Julius Peppers. Ingram would benefit from the double teams by Peppers and would be a force on the defensive line for Chicago.

He's good against the run—something the Bears pride themselves on—and he rushes the passer very well. The Bears are going to need all the pass rush they can get, going up against Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford, but they also need to continue to stop the run when they play Adrian Peterson. 

Janoris Jenkins, Northern Alabama

Alfonzo Dennard would be a good fit in the Bears' Tampa-2, but I like Jenkins more because he has more upside.

The Bears pride themselves on turnovers and Jenkins is a hawk in the defensive backfield. He also plays great man coverage and he would play well opposite Charles Tillman. 

The Bears need a cornerback that can take over the second starting spot next year, and Jenkins would be a really good pick in the draft to do just that.

Peter Konz, Wisconsin

The Bears' most pressing need on the offensive line is left tackle, so the Bears could be looking at Mike Adams from Ohio State in the first round. However, if Peter Konz falls to pick 19, the Bears have to really consider taking the best center in the draft this year.

Roberto Garza played well last season, but he is 33 years old. The Bears will be lining up against Ndamukong Suh and BJ Raji for a long time to come, so finding a franchise center to put against a rising Chris Williams is something the Bears should consider.

Courtney Upshaw, Alabama

The only reason Upshaw is this low is because he probably will go before the Bears' pick at 19. However, if he somehow falls, the Bears could draft quite a steal.

Upshaw would be the DE opposite Julius Peppers that the Bears are looking for. He has proven he can rush the passer from a three-point stance in college, so that won't be a problem in Chicago. He has great speed and power that can overwhelm offensive tackles once he gets to the NFL. Upshaw's ceiling in Chicago would be extremely high.

Idonije had a solid year last year, but the Bears are trying to find an impact DE that can get to quarterback when Peppers is double-teamed. Upshaw would be a great player to come in and do that.

The Chicago Bears departed Denver on Sunday night after a 13-10 loss to the Broncos in overtime.  After slumping in their seats on the plane, they prepared to eat a meal—a steaming mound of “humble pie” was rationed to all. 

Just a few days ago, the defense didn't think they would be sinking their teeth into a dish as bitter as this.  Of course, that was before they were officially “Tebowed.”

Reeling from their excruciating Week 13 loss to the Chiefs at home, the Bears looked ahead to the traveling circus that is Tim Tebow and his Denver Broncos. 

Losing to the lowly Chiefs is one thing, but being paraded nationally as another notch on Tebow's belt is another.

In the days leading up to the game, the defense sounded off on what they expected to encounter on Sunday. 

Linebacker Brian Urlacher didn't seem too concerned about the capabilities of the NFL’s new golden boy.  “Carolina ran a similar offense. Every once in a while, they’d run some option, so it’s not a whole lot of adjusting for us,’’ he said. 

Linebacker Lance Briggs went as far to say, “He’s a scrambler; they run a lot.  And we’re going to stop that crap.”

Why wouldn’t the Bears be confident? 

During this season, they have achieved repeated success against mobile quarterbacks, including the likes of Tampa Bays' Josh Freeman (no rushing yards, 50.5 passer rating) and the Eagles' Michael Vick (34 rushing yards, 60.5 passer rating). 

Ending a two-game losing streak and closing the fairytale chapter of the Bronco’s season sounded like the perfect recipe for the Monsters of the Midway.

Someone please 86 that special.

After boasting the demise of the Bronco’s offensive game plan, the Bears were on the short end of the football stick Sunday night.  Limiting Tebow to 49 rushing yards put them in a good position to win. 

However, thanks to the arm of the Denver quarterback (192 yards in the fourth quarter) and the leg of kicker Matt Prater—who hit both a 59- and a 51-yard field goal at the end of regulation to end the game—the Broncos continued their magical run to a possible playoff berth. 

Sure, the Bears were able to sack Tebow five times and force an interception, but when the smoke cleared, No. 15 was again pointing to the sky in jubilation.

So now the Bears give the Tebow and Broncos props, right?  Wrong.

After the game, the once-confident Brian Urlacher issued a back-handed compliment to Tebow saying, “He’s a good running back…He does a good job for them.” 

Ironically, Chicago’s own quarterback Caleb Hanie threw for 115 yards against Tebow’s 236 passing yards. 

Linebacker Julius Peppers chimed in, “We got to finish better.  That’s pretty much it.  It wasn’t anything he [Tebow] did.”

Understandably, the Bears are frustrated with their current situation. 

In the midst of a three-game losing streak—and presumably losing their top offensive threats Jay Cutler and Matt Forte for the season—their playoff hopes are being as quickly erased as a chalky blackboard. 

As professionals, however, they need to wash that harsh taste out of their mouth.

By showing no respect to Tebow, the Bears essentially added to his Rodney Dangerfield act—a performance that continues to swell to the size of the Bear’s bruised ego.

Undeniably, Chicago could have issued the same cliché sound bites or even eaten the proverbial crow.

Instead, they chose to indulge in a somber serving for all professional athletes: a mile-high-sized bowl of sour grapes.