Was C. Williams a better pick then Mendenhall?

In my opinion...

... YES!

The biggest knock on Chris Williams was the fact that he was injury prone.  Let me say this... The Bears were WELL AWARE of the injuries sustained in college and felt comfortable enough that they wouldn't be a problem.  He missed NO TIME due to injury in college and played well.

He is a technically sound Tackle (think Orlando Pace out of college)... Extremely smart... and steps up against challenges.

Here's a big thing to me... WIlliams only allowed 2 SACKS in the last TWO years in the very strong SEC.  Follow that much skill and PRIDE in what you do with our strength coaches who are well-renown for being one of the best groups in the league...

... and you can see why I feel the way I do.

I wasn't sold on Mendenhall.  He is a product of my alma matar, but he came from a system that EMPHASIZED the run option and used many run schemes and draws to open up the run game.  The Bears will not be employing any of that to win and will more than likely use a more traditional approach to running-- Straight at you!

Williams is the better choice.

Thoughts?

*** This is just a comparison of Williams and Mendenhall, not knowing that Forte would be the second round pick***

This years draft the Bears needed a OT more than a RB reason why they may have overlooked Mendenhall.

Forte will be a solid RB just needs to push Cedrick Benson harder to get more carries.

The question I have is that I do not remember Bears drafting a QB something that I thought was a complete miss on there part.

Even though the Bears drafted three offensive linemen they still need to sign at least one veteran to that offensive line.   Right now, we are looking at a offensive line of Williams, Tait, and Kruetz for sure with two open spots.   Starting more than  two rookies  on the same line is risky.

I say pick up another veteran starter.  He doesn't have to be a superstar, just a legitimate NFL starter.   Then we could have St. Clair and one of the other  rookies as backups

Then maybe the running game will get some holes and our quarterbacks will get some time to throw

I am also rooting for Orton as starting QB.  He Has a 12-6 record as a starter, playing with no offensive line.  I think he has a stronger arm than people give him credit for,  He certainly lit it up at Purdue.  He has done everything they have ever asked him to do; and has earned his shot

Definetly yes, our OT situation was borderline desperate and that had to be our #1 priority entering this draft. If we drafted RB first our O-line would be worse off today and that effects the entire offense. You need a strong line not only to run the ball but to pass the pill as well.

Forte will be solid for us just as Mendenhal will be solid for Pittsburgh.

Well, the Bears went into this draft wth a lot of holes to fill, they needed depth for the O-line, RB, WR, safety and QB. The problem was that this draft class was rather poor for QB's and once the Bears filled their (2) most glaring hiles at OT and RB, the best prospects were lonfg gone.

The only sure fire impact QB was Ryan, you can keep Henne, Flacco, Booty, Johnson, Woodsen, Brohm ect..... none of them will probably be much more then backups in (3) years anyway and the Bears already have (2) of those on the roster in Oron and Grossman....

I think they made a good choice with an Offensive tackle.  It filled an immediate need.  Maybe our line will look something like this  Chris Williams, John St. Clair (he knows the system and did a decent job when Terrence Metcalf couldn't produce), Olin Kruetz, Robert Garza (can still produce at a high level, but theres a couple of Rookies in the waiting), John Tait.

And I think Forte in the second was a steal to fill our second.  I would love to see Kyle Orton and Marty Booker playin on Sunday, glad to see Marty back, and have always liked Kyle. 

GO Bears!!!

When comparing Mendenhall and Williams in retrospect  the Williams pick was the better pick given the need we had in our line.  Williams will fill that need...to what extent I do not know.  Technically sound is a very good thing in college but when you hit the NFL I believe you are going to need a little more of a mean streak.  When watching him at the combine there was a guy with great feet, athletism, and fluidity...but he lacked something.  I guess what I saw that he lacked was a fire to show that he is willing to try to make some one on a opposing defense apart of the turf if you know what I mean.  Maybe in their interviews they saw a fire in the kid and I surely hope that he does have it.  Or I can hope that a little of Olin rubs off on him.  But that really is my only concern about the pick.  The talent is there but is the mind set. I am going to say that the jury is still out on the kid and time can only tell if he is going to be a better pick than Mendenhall.  

But another way to look at this would also to be the upside potential of both players.  if both players go on to be perennial all pro's both who would we want?  I would definitely vote for Williams given the importance of the p