Pick 70: WR Earl Bennett

[Ruben Douglas]

Angelo has a man crush on Vanderbilt.

[Ruben Douglas]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDRIjZlJsAA

[blumeany]

Kiper compares him to Hines Ward. Let's hope.

[The Sheik]

Hines Wardish according to Kiper. Im happy we have gone offense the first 3 picks. Hopefully this kid can help early.

[bobsampson]

Another very solid pick... I like what JA is doing

[Howling Mad]

He will help a lot

Love this guy, Possession guy, something we need, hopefully he can be dependable on key 3rd downs

[CjayC]

Would have probably preferred Andre Caldwell,but the Bears drafted Earl for a reason

[Chewie]

He will help a lot

Love this guy, Possession guy, something we need, hopefully he can be dependable on key 3rd downs

Props to you for calling it...

[Howling Mad]

yeah I'll admit I wasn't too thrilled, with Caldwell on the board.

[Howling Mad]

-= original quote snipped =-



Props to you for calling it...

ehhh not many props. I called the two obvious guys, but I was almost sure if Caldwell was on the board we would've snagged him. THanks though.

[Chewie]

Not sure why he's falling. Sporting News - granted, not the place to go for your draft info - had him as the first pick in the 2nd round !

[Howling Mad]

He was late 1st round for a lot of the season on most mocks. Then again so was Sweed and Kelly

[CjayC]

Yeah.

Most have had some bad physicals or something.Something has to be wrong

[Howling Mad]

Earl Bennet-Vandy-5'11''-209
4.48 40 time, 15 bench press
Strengths:
Has good size and a solid frame...Excellent hands..Terrific route runner and knows how to get open...Tough and fearless...Very smooth...Nice vision and can do some damage after the catch...Gives pretty good effort as a blocker...Very smart...Might be able to contribute as a return man...Hard worker...Top intangibles...Productive.

Weaknesses:
Just average athleticism...Not a blazer and could have trouble separating from pro corners...Is not very quick or explosive and lacks a burst..Not much of a vertical or big play threat...He is not overly elusive..Upside at the next level might be limited.

[Howling Mad]

^ That is pretty Hines Wardish when he came into the league.

[Chewie]

http://warroom.sportingnews.com/nfl/draft/2008/players/7688.html

Earl Bennett
WR, Vanderbilt
War Room analysis
Strengths: Is smart and efficient. Knows how to get open. Finds open spots against zone coverage and uses hands and body well to gain space from cornerbacks. Shows quick feet, getting into routes quickly and accelerates to full speed fast. Runs sharp, precise routes and gets out of cuts quickly to get separation. Shows excellent hands to pluck balls and make catches away from his body. Shows hands, body control and coordination to adjust and make tough catches on off-target throws. Runs hard after the catch, follows blockers well and maintains balance to absorb hard hits. Has good size, makes catches in traffic, holding on to balls after hard hits.

Weaknesses: Is quicker than fast, and lacks the explosiveness and elite speed to consistently get separation deep. Lacks the explosive burst to go the distance after the catch.

Bottom line: Bennett, a junior entry, might have improved his draft stock slightly with a strong senior season, but he probably would not have moved up boards much because he never will be a blazing speed receiver. He has consistently made big catches for Vanderbilt throughout his career. Bennett has experience returning kickoffs and punts; although he was not an elite returner in college, at the worst he could be a solid, safe return option in the NFL. Bennett won't be an explosive playmaking pro receiver, but he has the tools to be a productive starter who makes his living primarily on short and intermediate routes.

[The Sheik]

Even if he turns out to be a solid slot or 2nd reciever he seems to be the kind of guy we need. Bears football should be all about running and a lot of 6-10 yd passes. We've been to enamored with the long ball the last couple yrs. Its a nice threat to have, but I dont trust any of our QBs to consistently make that throw well.

[Icness]

Bennett ran a lot of bubble routes--options off 8 yard curls and slot slants, where he turns and catches the ball and then has to turn upfield. I like that he can absorb that first hit and still make that transition from receiver to runner.

I don't reall see Hines Ward--it's not a bad comparison--but to me he is more like Amani Toomer

[Howling Mad]

Geez thats another Hines Wardish comparison.

I never thought of Bennet = Ward, but when Kiper said it, it rung a bell.

[BigUps]

Eh, I'm not thrilled. We need a possession receiver, but we also need a quality WR, red zone target and so on.

IMO, I would have liked to have seen Angelo move up to draft Mendenhall or Thomas/Sweed as they slipped. Instead, we fill holes with Forte and Bennett, but we fill the holes with mediocre/average guys.

Solid pick with limited upside. Very safe pick.