Offensive linemen vs. Defensive linemen
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By Don Pierson
Tribune pro football reporter
April 25, 2007
Teams like the Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns and Arizona Cardinals stay at the top of the draft and bottom of the heap because they prefer drafting receivers over offensive linemen.
If left tackle prospects Joe Thomas and Levi Brown from the Big Ten don't get selected real early on Saturday, you can bet it's because teams with chronic problems up front get enamored by the so-called "skill" positions. They forget that any contending team must start with a solid offensive line.
Teams like the Bears haven't been successful or aggressive drafting offensive linemen since they got center Olin Kreutz in 1998. Instead, they signed four free agents as starters. Either way, the offensive line is vital.
If a guard like Ben Grubbs gets to the 31st pick, Bears general manager Jerry Angelo might be tempted to take an offensive lineman with a first-round pick for the first time since his first Chicago draft in 2002, when he took Marc Colombo only to see him struggle with injuries.
Colombo recovered to start for Dallas, so he wasn't a bad pick. Sooner or later in this draft, the Bears will have to address their aging line.
TOP 5 OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
1. Joe Thomas
Wisconsin, 6-6, 311
Athletic former tight end looks like ideal left tackle. Says he will be fishing with dad during draft.
2. Levi Brown
Penn State, 6-5, 320
Might be more powerful than Thomas, but could end up at right tackle. Ex-defensive tackle.
3. Ryan Kalil
USC, 6-2, 300
Technically sound center, smart, quick and projected as longtime NFL starter.
4. Ben Grubbs
Auburn, 6-2, 312
The draft's top guard, he used to be defensive tackle and tight end so still is learning.
5, Joe Staley
Central Michigan, 6-5, 305
Another former tight end, he looks like first-round left tackle prospect.
The secret to success for defenses like the Bears and Colts and many others is an active, penetrating front four that can pressure the passer without blitzing.
Because Bears general manager Jerry Angelo and coach Lovie Smith are good at identifying the kind of defensive linemen who fit in the Bears' scheme, they were able to find a player such as last year's fifth-rounder, Mark Anderson, who had 12 sacks.
The Bears are likely to address their favorite position in this draft because inside pressure by tackles is as important as edge rushers and the Bears are vulnerable inside because of injury to Tommie Harris and a possible suspension for Tank Johnson.
Behind quarterbacks (26) and running backs (23), defensive linemen have been the most popular No. 1 overall draft picks with 13, including last year's surprise selection of defensive end Mario Williams by Houston.
The Texans passed up three top quarterbacks and running back Reggie Bush to take Williams. There are no such prospects for the top overall pick in this draft, but as many as six defensive linemen could go in the top half of the first round.
TOP 5 DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
1. Gaines Adams
Clemson, 6-4, 260
Top pass rusher in draft is agile enough to play linebacker in 3-4 system.
2. Amobi Okoye
Louisville, 6-2, 300
His tender age, 19, makes this quick, penetrating tackle the most interesting prospect in draft.
3. Alan Branch
Michigan, 6-5, 325
Classic two-gap or nose tackle with rare size will need to play in a rotation to stay fresh.
4. Adam Carriker
Nebraska, 6-6, 295
Big, strong candidate for end in 3-4 scheme. Not a real quick pass rusher.
5. Jamaal Anderson
Arkansas, 6-5, 285
Led SEC in sacks and tackles for loss. Excellent size and potential.
Copyright (c) 2007, The Chicago Tribune
--------------------
By Don Pierson
Tribune pro football reporter
April 25, 2007
Teams like the Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns and Arizona Cardinals stay at the top of the draft and bottom of the heap because they prefer drafting receivers over offensive linemen.
If left tackle prospects Joe Thomas and Levi Brown from the Big Ten don't get selected real early on Saturday, you can bet it's because teams with chronic problems up front get enamored by the so-called "skill" positions. They forget that any contending team must start with a solid offensive line.
Teams like the Bears haven't been successful or aggressive drafting offensive linemen since they got center Olin Kreutz in 1998. Instead, they signed four free agents as starters. Either way, the offensive line is vital.
If a guard like Ben Grubbs gets to the 31st pick, Bears general manager Jerry Angelo might be tempted to take an offensive lineman with a first-round pick for the first time since his first Chicago draft in 2002, when he took Marc Colombo only to see him struggle with injuries.
Colombo recovered to start for Dallas, so he wasn't a bad pick. Sooner or later in this draft, the Bears will have to address their aging line.
TOP 5 OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
1. Joe Thomas
Wisconsin, 6-6, 311
Athletic former tight end looks like ideal left tackle. Says he will be fishing with dad during draft.
2. Levi Brown
Penn State, 6-5, 320
Might be more powerful than Thomas, but could end up at right tackle. Ex-defensive tackle.
3. Ryan Kalil
USC, 6-2, 300
Technically sound center, smart, quick and projected as longtime NFL starter.
4. Ben Grubbs
Auburn, 6-2, 312
The draft's top guard, he used to be defensive tackle and tight end so still is learning.
5, Joe Staley
Central Michigan, 6-5, 305
Another former tight end, he looks like first-round left tackle prospect.
The secret to success for defenses like the Bears and Colts and many others is an active, penetrating front four that can pressure the passer without blitzing.
Because Bears general manager Jerry Angelo and coach Lovie Smith are good at identifying the kind of defensive linemen who fit in the Bears' scheme, they were able to find a player such as last year's fifth-rounder, Mark Anderson, who had 12 sacks.
The Bears are likely to address their favorite position in this draft because inside pressure by tackles is as important as edge rushers and the Bears are vulnerable inside because of injury to Tommie Harris and a possible suspension for Tank Johnson.
Behind quarterbacks (26) and running backs (23), defensive linemen have been the most popular No. 1 overall draft picks with 13, including last year's surprise selection of defensive end Mario Williams by Houston.
The Texans passed up three top quarterbacks and running back Reggie Bush to take Williams. There are no such prospects for the top overall pick in this draft, but as many as six defensive linemen could go in the top half of the first round.
TOP 5 DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
1. Gaines Adams
Clemson, 6-4, 260
Top pass rusher in draft is agile enough to play linebacker in 3-4 system.
2. Amobi Okoye
Louisville, 6-2, 300
His tender age, 19, makes this quick, penetrating tackle the most interesting prospect in draft.
3. Alan Branch
Michigan, 6-5, 325
Classic two-gap or nose tackle with rare size will need to play in a rotation to stay fresh.
4. Adam Carriker
Nebraska, 6-6, 295
Big, strong candidate for end in 3-4 scheme. Not a real quick pass rusher.
5. Jamaal Anderson
Arkansas, 6-5, 285
Led SEC in sacks and tackles for loss. Excellent size and potential.
Copyright (c) 2007, The Chicago Tribune
