2008 Woodie Awards
Bears fill needs in draft?
Andrew Seligman
Issue date: 4/28/08 Section: Sports
LAKE FOREST, Ill. - The Chicago Bears drafted Vanderbilt wide receiver Earl Bennett and Arkansas defensive tackle Marcus Harrison in the third round on Sunday, after addressing needs on the offensive line and at running back the previous day.
The Bears then traded down in the fourth round, taking Louisiana State safety Craig Steltz with the 120th pick.
Bennett, picked 70th, caught an SEC record 236 passes for 2,852 yards in three years and set most of the school's single-game and season records. He had 75 catches for 830 yards last season.
"He's got great quickness, really good route runner," offensive coordinator Ron Turner said. "Very precise route runner. He'll go up and catch the ball. Very competitive. He's a good all-around receiver."
He's drawn comparisons to Steelers wideout Hines Ward.
"That is a great comparison," said Bennett, the first receiver taken on the second day. "Hines Ward is one of the best wide receivers in the league right now. I'm delighted to be mentioned as like him."
The Bears had a long list of needs after going 7-9 following a run to the Super Bowl, particularly on offense. But they apparently feel comfortable for now with Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton, considering they did not go for a quarterback in the first five rounds.
They addressed their biggest concern when they took left tackle Chris Williams, Bennett's college teammate, with the 14th overall pick and went for Tulane running back Matt Forte in the second round on Saturday. He'll compete with Cedric Benson.
Wide receiver was another concern, after Bernard Berrian signed with Minnesota and Muhsin Muhammad got cut. Chicago signed free agents Brandon Lloyd and Marty Booker but was still looking for help, so it added Bennett to the mix.
Bennett had 876 yards as a freshman and continued to be productive the next two years even though he no longer had Jay Cutler throwing to him.
"(Coaches) did a good job of moving guys around," Bennett said. "And they found different ways to give me the ball."
The Bears then traded down in the fourth round, taking Louisiana State safety Craig Steltz with the 120th pick.
Bennett, picked 70th, caught an SEC record 236 passes for 2,852 yards in three years and set most of the school's single-game and season records. He had 75 catches for 830 yards last season.
"He's got great quickness, really good route runner," offensive coordinator Ron Turner said. "Very precise route runner. He'll go up and catch the ball. Very competitive. He's a good all-around receiver."
He's drawn comparisons to Steelers wideout Hines Ward.
"That is a great comparison," said Bennett, the first receiver taken on the second day. "Hines Ward is one of the best wide receivers in the league right now. I'm delighted to be mentioned as like him."
The Bears had a long list of needs after going 7-9 following a run to the Super Bowl, particularly on offense. But they apparently feel comfortable for now with Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton, considering they did not go for a quarterback in the first five rounds.
They addressed their biggest concern when they took left tackle Chris Williams, Bennett's college teammate, with the 14th overall pick and went for Tulane running back Matt Forte in the second round on Saturday. He'll compete with Cedric Benson.
Wide receiver was another concern, after Bernard Berrian signed with Minnesota and Muhsin Muhammad got cut. Chicago signed free agents Brandon Lloyd and Marty Booker but was still looking for help, so it added Bennett to the mix.
Bennett had 876 yards as a freshman and continued to be productive the next two years even though he no longer had Jay Cutler throwing to him.
"(Coaches) did a good job of moving guys around," Bennett said. "And they found different ways to give me the ball."
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