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Bears schedule Private workout for Hakeem Nicks
Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 2:39 pm
by emperorjones
Bears line up a private workout for wide receiver
By
Brad Biggs
on March 17, 2009 12:00 AM
Wide receivers coach Darryl Drake is headed to North Carolina soon to put Tar Heels wide receiver Hakeem Nicks through a workout. The Bears will get a look at Nicks Tuesday at the school's pro day and college scouting director Greg Gabriel will be in attendance.
More private workouts at the link:
http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2009/03 ... .html#moreMuch happier to hear this than to hear them working out QB Sanchez. I would hope they could trade down a bit and select Nicks near the last quarter of the first round.
Re: Bears schedule Private workout for Hakeem Nicks
Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 2:53 pm
by Chewie
Well, sure, there's no reason to get Sanchez when we've got Cutler locked up, right ?
Would love to get Nicks - he'd be a good compliment to Hester and looks like one of the more polished receivers coming out of college. I'm sure Lovie can't wait to redshirt him !
Re: Bears schedule Private workout for Hakeem Nicks
Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 3:14 pm
by emperorjones
Here is a highlight reel of Nicks:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_aMQ2R7dYQCheck out the catch and RAC at the 2:28 mark
and his combine sheet:
http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/hak ... b-analysisIf Lovie redshirts this guy, then Bennett must be GOLD! LOL
Re: Bears schedule Private workout for Hakeem Nicks
Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 3:36 pm
by Cliff Levingston
If we're pretty set on Hester being our #1 or #2 wide receiver, then Nicks would be a great complement to his skills. Cliff Levingston would be pleased with a trade-down scenario where we end up with Nicks and possibly move up in the 2nd or pick up another 3rd or something like that.
Re: Bears schedule Private workout for Hakeem Nicks
Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 3:58 pm
by Balance-a-Bull
After all of the dropped balls we had last year, Nicks appears to have above average hands and good concentration.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2ikDsi- ... re=relatedAlso after watching the film , I wanted to get some indication of his separation ability. He seems to have graded well in that area as well.
Another scouting report on him.
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1117392Let's see how the workout goes.
Re: Bears schedule Private workout for Hakeem Nicks
Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 4:14 pm
by Chewie
I like that sportsline site, BaB, thanks. Wish they had graded out Britt as they did with Nicks.
Their final analysis of Nicks :
Compares To: RODDY WHITE, Atlanta -- Actually, Hicks looks more like a smaller version of Keyshawn Johnson. He has very good power and runs precise routes, displaying some of the best hands in this draft. He won't beat a cornerback on deep patterns using pure speed, but he's a savvy route runner who is also light on his feet for a player his size.
Re: Bears schedule Private workout for Hakeem Nicks
Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 4:21 pm
by ChronicKerr
I think we'd have to take him at 18 if we really want him. I don't see him falling much further than that.
Re: Bears schedule Private workout for Hakeem Nicks
Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 4:23 pm
by ChronicKerr
Nicks or Heyward-Bey?!?!?!??!?! Who is it going to be?
Re: Bears schedule Private workout for Hakeem Nicks
Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 4:46 pm
by Balance-a-Bull
Chewie wrote:I like that sportsline site, BaB, thanks. Wish they had graded out Britt as they did with Nicks.
Their final analysis of Nicks :
Compares To: RODDY WHITE, Atlanta -- Actually, Hicks looks more like a smaller version of Keyshawn Johnson. He has very good power and runs precise routes, displaying some of the best hands in this draft. He won't beat a cornerback on deep patterns using pure speed, but he's a savvy route runner who is also light on his feet for a player his size.
I see what you mean.... Britt's scouting report is not as extensive , however the analysis they do give is not as great as Nicks for some of our main needs.
Britt has some skills we definitely need.... and some skills unfortunately...we saw too much of last season. We could still bring him for a work-out to check him out anyway to see if his receiving mechanics are changeable.
Analysis
Positives: Tall with a long frame. Lines up in the slot and outside. Surprisingly quick feet in and out of cuts. Good route-runner who finds seams against the zone. Reaches top speed quickly. Latches onto cornerbacks in run blocking. Strong runner after the catch, willing to bowl over corners and safeties to gain additional yards. Adjusts to low balls well. Makes most of his plays on crossing routes and is willing to give it up over the middle. Uses his body to shield defenders from the ball. Gives good effort blocking, using his long arms and feet to stay in front of a corner.
Negatives: Lanky frame lacking strength in the upper body. Has difficulty sustaining blocks downfield against linebackers and safeties. Will need to learn how to use his hands to get off the line. Displayed very inconsistent hands during his career due to poor concentration and hand strength, leading to body-catching too many passes. Should make more plays on jump balls and down the sideline. Does not have the speed to separate after the catch. Not especially quick off the snap, and hasn't faced much press coverage due to his size.
Re: Bears schedule Private workout for Hakeem Nicks
Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 4:58 pm
by Cliff Levingston
Compares To: RODDY WHITE, Atlanta
Cliff Levingston could certainly go for some Roddy White on this team.
Re: Bears schedule Private workout for Hakeem Nicks
Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 5:06 pm
by Chewie
Balance-a-Bull wrote:Their final analysis of Nicks :
I see what you mean.... Britt's scouting report is not as extensive , however the analysis they do give is not as great as Nicks for some of our main needs.
Britt has some skills we definitely need.... and some skills unfortunately...we saw too much of last season. We could still bring him for a work-out to check him out anyway to see if his receiving mechanics are changeable.
The reality is we draft guys all the time we don't necessarily bring in for private workouts. I think we're all just excited at hearing some positive news from the Bears.
Re: Bears schedule Private workout for Hakeem Nicks
Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 9:19 pm
by NoSkyy
I love Nicks, Bey and Britt, I wonder where we'll go.
Re: Bears schedule Private workout for Hakeem Nicks
Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 8:05 pm
by emperorjones
From Mel Kiper's chat - re Nicks:
Jack (Toronto): Doesn't a good hands possession-type WR like Nicks make more sense for the Bears than another speed guy with questionable hands like Heyward-Bey or Harvin? I mean they already have a guy like that in Hester.
SportsNation Mel Kiper: Heyward-Bey has great size and great speed. Harvin is more of a versatile guy that can do some thigns for you. Nicks did not have a great workout yesterday. He ran routes. His weight went up from 212 to 226 yesterday from the combine. He was 14 pounds heavier. He looked sluggish running his routes. Up that much weight in that little of time. That might effect just how high he goes. I had him going to Minnesota in my projection. But if teams aren't happy with his workout. He's drawing comparisons to Michael Irvin. Phenomenal hands. Very much in the Irvin mold. Certainly the Bears could look at him. But Heyward-Bey is bigger, faster. I said all along you'll have 5 WRs in the first round and maybe as many as 6.
WOW
That's a load to gain in less than a month. Bet he got a girlfriend. Maybe this puts him down into the 2nd round and we can go OT in the first and Nicks in the second?
Re: Bears schedule Private workout for Hakeem Nicks
Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 8:32 pm
by Chewie
I'll bet he was at that weight all along after the season and did a crash diet thing just for the combine and then relaxed and got right back up again. Makes you wonder about the work habits but I'm not sure I'd overreact.
He still won't last to our 2nd rd pick, IMO.
If someone forced me at gunpoint today to say where we're going on Day 1 I'd say DHB in Rd1 and either Loadholt or his teammate Duke Robinson in Rd2.
Re: Bears schedule Private workout for Hakeem Nicks
Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 8:36 pm
by chitownsports4ever
I like Nicks and harvin but I would have to lean towards Bey simply due to the fact that we already have a smallish receiving corps already .We need someone with some size,speed ,and hands and should be trying to develop Hester into a inside slot type of receiver.I just dont think he has the size to be a star on the outside but across the middle with his YAC ability I think he could cause some havoc.
Re: Bears schedule Private workout for Hakeem Nicks
Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 12:42 am
by Pax for Prez
Bey or Nicks in Round 1 and a OT in the Second Round and I'll be happy.
Re: Bears schedule Private workout for Hakeem Nicks
Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 4:00 am
by SportsWorld
ChronicKerr wrote:Nicks or Heyward-Bey?!?!?!??!?! Who is it going to be?
I'd personally rather take Heyward-Bey but I'm fine with either one.
Re: Bears schedule Private workout for Hakeem Nicks
Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 3:57 pm
by Cliff Levingston
Cliff Levingston was under the impression that Nicks was 6'3" or 6'4". Considering that he's only 6'1" (still not bad), Cliff Levingston would rather go for the home run that could be DHB.
Re: Bears schedule Private workout for Hakeem Nicks
Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:42 pm
by Chewie
From yesterday's Dan Pompei trib article on the Wonderlich scores :
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-22-pompei-scout-mar22,0,7151782.storyWide receivers: NFL teams would like for receivers' test scores to be about 18, but several of the top prospects fell below that mark. Michael Crabtree of Texas Tech scored 15, Darrius Heyward-Bey of Maryland scored 14, Percy Harvin of Florida scored 12 and Hakeem Nicks of North Carolina scored 11. The test result is particularly interesting in the case of Harvin, who will have more learning to do than the others based on the offense he played in at Florida and the fact he could be used in multiple roles. Jeremy Maclin of Missouri was outstanding by comparison with a 25 test score.
They still make Vince Young's 6 score look good. Ever see this test? Not tough stuff. It's a wonder these guys make it through college. Basket-weaving 101.
Re: Bears schedule Private workout for Hakeem Nicks
Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:52 pm
by emperorjones
So the NFL has a dumbness (or to be positive - an intelligence) factor by position? I'd love to know how that breaks out and also how Bennett did since its taken about a year for him to learn the plays.
Coach: "Well...we would really like you to come in around an 18 to play receiver for us."
Player :"Oh. What was my score"
Coach: "A six - you can play quarterback for the Titans"