FanNation

Alright, guys. Bear Down Nation is now up to four members! Give yourself a round of applause.

Let's talk NFL Draft. Again. I never like talking about the Draft pre-Combine for several reasons. First of all, GM's and scouts don't really get a good idea of who they want until after the combine. They have a pretty vast list of possibilities to draft until that weekend, when they really narrow the list down.

As I've said before, the Bears really need to focus their attention onto the O-Line. As long as their Defense stays healthy this year I see no reason for them to return to their Monsterous ways. As for the offense, though, improvements are needed. Specifically around our offensive line.

Few people take this into account, but one of the main reasons our Running Backs and Quarterbacks don't do well is because of our O-Line. Personally I think Benson, Wolfe, and Griese would play better with a better O-Line, but Grossman and Orton are going to need some divine inspiration. I don't really want to get into that right now.

Now we could defidently make some trades to pop some life into this line. I've heard LT Alan Faneca(Steelers) mentioned a few times before, but here I'm just going to focus on the draft prospects.

To get a better idea of how old and moldy our O-Line is giving, take a look at this:

LT John Tait- 33 years old, 9 seasons

LG Terrence Metcalf- 30 years old, 6 seasons

C Olin Kreutz- 30 years old, 10 seasons

RG Roberto Garza- 28 years old, 7 seasons

RT Fred Miller- 35 years old, 12 seasons

Bench:

T John St Clair- 30 years old, 8 seasons

G/C Anthony Oakley- 26 years old, 2 seasons

G/C Josh Beekman- 24 years old, 1 season

Now in my mind most of these guys are entering the last lap of their professional careers (especially Fred Miller) and don't have much gas in the tank left. Beekman could possibly step in and leave in impact as he did at Boston College, but we'll need more than that to improve. According to my "super-secret-sources" over at the Combine, a number of lineman looked pretty good and deserve a look. Here's some possible draftees:

G Jeremy Zuttah, Rutgers: Zuttah has the speed and strength to bunch of Defenseive Tackles in the middle of the Line. Could possibly give Metcalf and Garza a run for their money.

T Carl Nicks, Nebraska: These farm boys never disapoint. Nicks was under the radar before the combine, and seeing the 343 lb linemen speed impressed some scouts. Watch out Fred Miller.

T Jake Long, Michigan: An obvious pick that everyone expects to go very early in the draft, so with the 14th pick in the draft, the Bears are unlikely to get him. However, if he magically falls to us, we might think about taking him.

T Jeff Otah, Pittsburg: Projected by some as the Bears' 1st round pick, he's fairly quick (40 time: 5.35) and versatile, but his work ethic has been questioned by some.

T Ryan Clady, Boise State: Quick, flexible and has good balance. Scouts say his lower legs need to be stronger, however he is also expected to be taken early in the Draft.

G Branden Albert, Virginia: One of the top guards available in the draft, he's big (6'7", 315 lbs) with good leverage and good in pass protection, but some fear he isn't consistant enough.

T Chris Williams, Vanderbilt: How bout their win over Tennessee last night? Sorry, I'm getting of track. Williams' numbers speak for him: 2 sacks allowed in 1558 snaps at Vandy with an 84.1% grade of blocking consistancy (which sounds pretty good, but I'm not sure). One of the top Offensive Linemen in the 40 yard dash, but is expected to go early before the Bears could reach him.

T Sam Baker, USC: Mean looking fella who is big and strong all around. Did a good job of protecting his Booty. Ha. He's a very complete player, but a little slow for some team's liking.

I probably missed a few guys, but those are the top linemen that the Bears will keep their eye on when the draft approaches soon. They will have their eye on a few more positions, but I'm saddened to say it looks like Angelo refuses to take a QB in the draft this time. However, a running back is a good possibility, as Cedric, AP and Garret Wolfe haven't been exactly stellar for the Bears lately. With all that said I think that the Offensive Line should be their #1 priority in the draft, as rebuilding the line is essential to molding this team back into a title contender.

Now if we could only destroy Rex Grossman...