Bears Draft Preview 4/23/12
By: Scott Leber
Updated: August 20, 2012
Lake Forest, Illinois-New Bears GM Phil Emery got high marks his first couple months on the job by acquiring Brandon Marshall, Michael Bush and Jason Campbell. Now comes phase two, the NFL Draft later this week.
With the 19th overall pick in the first round Thursday Emery could go in any number of directions. since he filled most of the Bears' glaring needs in free agency he has some flexibility. Many people expect him to go after either a pass rushing end like the Illini's Whitney Mercilus or North Carolina's Quinton Coples. Or he'll go after a receiver, perhaps Baylor's Kendall Wright. A lot depends on how the first 18 picks fall.
"The biggest concern I have is that we're ready no matter what the scenario is," said Emery Monday during a press conference.
Emery says he has been receiving phone calls from other teams about potential trades in the first round.
"There's teams interested to know if we're wanting to move up the board and teams that want to know if we want to move back."
In Emery's first stint with the Bears as a scout the team drafted eventual stars Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs, and Peanut Tillman. Bears fans are hoping for similar results again.
The Bears are built to win right now, so they need to find some players in this draft who can contribute immediately. Stock-piling talent is a must considering the strength of the Packers and the Lions in the NFC North Division.
"We want to draft players who can help right away," said Emery. "There is a sense of urgency. We want to be as good as we can be this year."
Emery is confident that he and his staff have done a thorough job preparing for the draft.
"The area scouts are as fine as you're going to find in the NFC," said Emery. "They know how to go about their job. They're very professional."
For now Emery isn't about to get specific on his plans or the players that he likes. So we'll all have to wait until the Bears are on the clock Thursday night to find out what he's thinking.
With the 19th overall pick in the first round Thursday Emery could go in any number of directions. since he filled most of the Bears' glaring needs in free agency he has some flexibility. Many people expect him to go after either a pass rushing end like the Illini's Whitney Mercilus or North Carolina's Quinton Coples. Or he'll go after a receiver, perhaps Baylor's Kendall Wright. A lot depends on how the first 18 picks fall.
"The biggest concern I have is that we're ready no matter what the scenario is," said Emery Monday during a press conference.
Emery says he has been receiving phone calls from other teams about potential trades in the first round.
"There's teams interested to know if we're wanting to move up the board and teams that want to know if we want to move back."
In Emery's first stint with the Bears as a scout the team drafted eventual stars Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs, and Peanut Tillman. Bears fans are hoping for similar results again.
The Bears are built to win right now, so they need to find some players in this draft who can contribute immediately. Stock-piling talent is a must considering the strength of the Packers and the Lions in the NFC North Division.
"We want to draft players who can help right away," said Emery. "There is a sense of urgency. We want to be as good as we can be this year."
Emery is confident that he and his staff have done a thorough job preparing for the draft.
"The area scouts are as fine as you're going to find in the NFC," said Emery. "They know how to go about their job. They're very professional."
For now Emery isn't about to get specific on his plans or the players that he likes. So we'll all have to wait until the Bears are on the clock Thursday night to find out what he's thinking.
