Steve Muench

  (2:05 PM)

How's everyone doing today? I know I'm ready to rock so let's get this chat rolling.

Robert (Latrobe, PA)

With Cutler and Pace signed, the Bears have taken care of their 2 biggest needs. Can they get a decent receiver with their 2nd round pick?

Matt (Iowa)

Hey Steve. The Bears HAVE to draft a WR on day 1 right? Cutler doesnt have a WR to throw to right now. Hester, Davis and Bennett are such a down grade from Marshall Royal and Stokely. Who are some prospects they should be targeting. If they don't I'd hate to see how the Chi media attacks his cry baby attitude

Steve Muench

  (2:08 PM)

I think this is a deep and fairly talented receiving corps so yes I think Chicago can find help at receiver in the second round. Keep an eye on Ohio State's Brian Robiskie and Rutgers Kenny Britt in particular.

Steve Muench

  (2:08 PM)

I think this is a deep and fairly talented receiving corps so yes I think Chicago can find help at receiver in the second round. Keep an eye on Ohio State's Brian Robiskie and Rutgers Kenny Britt in particular.

Steve Muench

  (2:09 PM)

Matt I also think that you make a great point about the media. I'm interested to see how that unfolds because that media has been tough on big name quarterbacks.

Dan (SF)

I'm ready to ROCK too! Seems like Sanchez and Stafford are getting the typical post-pro day hype where they're suddenly both locks to go top 10. I recall Rodgers hitting like 79 out of 80 10-yard outs to prove he was the greatest ever before falling on draft day. Do you see them both going real early?

Steve Muench

  (2:11 PM)

I think the Cutler trade means both are off the board by pick 13. And 20-20 is hindsight people were concerned about Rodgers being a scheme quarterback and most people knew it would hurt him on draft day.

Marvin Lewis (Cincinnati, OH)

Steve! Heeellllllpppppp! What should we (the Bengals) do with the #6 pick in the draft?

Steve Muench

  (2:13 PM)

My first option is OT Eugene Monroe. If I can't him then I try to trade out of that pick to get Oher or Andre Smith later in the first. if I get jammed with that pick than I take Crabtree ideally and the best available receiver if he's not there.

Jack (Boston)

With an additional 1st and 3rd round pick what do you see the Broncos doing? Trading up or staying put and getting some Def. depth?

Steve Muench

  (2:13 PM)

I think they stay put.

Jeff, Mpls

How hot is Sanchez going to be after the Cutler trade?

Steve Muench

  (2:14 PM)

I think his Pro Day and Combine are the two biggest reasons Sanchez is building some buzz.

Rick (Detroit)

Mel Kiper just said in his chat that he thinks the Cutler trade means the Lions have to take Stafford so they'll have an equally talented QB as Chi and GB. Since when do teams have to match their divisional rivals' QB? If they see themselves getting better with J Smith, don't they stick to the plan regardless of what Chicago is up to? If he had said they absolutely need a CB, on the other hand...

Steve Muench

  (2:17 PM)

I love Mel and I've heard him say repeatedly that Stafford is the pick even before the Cutler situation. So I think he's reinforcing his point with the new information and let's be honest here he has a valid point. That said, I agree with you Rick. It's not about keeping up at QB. It's about building a team that can compete and that's why Smith is the pick to me.

Andy (Denver)

Is Raji in for a Sapp-like fall?

Steve Muench

  (2:19 PM)

I don't think so. i don't think marijuana carries the same kind of stigma as it did then. Maybe I'm wrong but Sapp obviously proved any nay sayers wrong and that has to help Raji. In addition, a lot will depend on what Raji said to teams during interviews if they asked about it. If he was honest, I don't expect the positive tests to have much of an impact.

Craig (Boston)

What position will Pat White be playing in 2009?

Steve Muench

  (2:22 PM)

Easily the most frustrating prospect in this year's. I think there are teams willing to line him at quarterback and he wants to play there so I won't say that he's not going to play there. On the other hand, I still think he needs to move to receiver to succeed at the NFL level.

Dave

Hey Steve! How are teams dealing with the slower track at the Combine this year? Are they adding .05 to 40 times? Thanks!

Steve Muench

  (2:24 PM)

40-times are a reference point for most teams, They take a look at the times and compare them what they've seen to make sure everything matches up. if not, they try to figure out whether the player is a track star that doesn't run well n pads or a football player that doesn't perform well in drills.

lou, long island

Steve, Wouldn't Josh Freeman better fit the "Cassel" mold for McDaniels than Sanchez? I understand USC connection but both guys will need time to develop and Freeman is definitely the more imposing specimen.

Steve Muench

  (2:26 PM)

Lou I respectfully disagree in strongest way possible. freeman has rare natural ability and mcDaniels is well known for developing quarterbacks but he's developed cerebral QB's Brady and Cassell. I think that Sanchez is more of a cerebral QB than both Freeman and Stafford so I think he's the best fit for McDaniels.

Sarah (Denver)

Steve, why do teams always seem to fall in love with athletic QBs without a true position? For every one Randle-El there are probably ten QB/WR/RBs who flop.

Steve Muench

  (2:27 PM)

THANK YOU SARAH!!! This is why I can't believe that teams are going to take White in the second round. Way too early to me. Way too early.

Dan (San Jose)

What are the chances of SF trading down if Sanchez or Stafford fall to them? With Denver lurking at 12, I think the Jets and Bucs would want to get in there.

Steve Muench

  (2:29 PM)

It all depends on how much the Jets and Denver are willing to give up but that would put them in an excellent negotiating position.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

But Steve, with the emergence of the Wildcat formations don't the athletic QBs have more value?

Steve Muench

  (2:31 PM)

I think the emergence of the WIldcat offense is exaggerated to be honest and I think that defenses are going to do a much better job of slowing it down next year. In addition, the team that ran it the best last year is Miami and Ronnie Brown lined up at quarterback. I just think that Wildcat is the new buzzword and I'm not sold on it enough to make Pat White a second round pick.

Sean (Philly)

How many of those other athletic QB's were 4 year starters, and won 4 bowl games?

Steve Muench

  (2:36 PM)

Sean, thanks for the post because it gives me another chance to say that White was one of the best collegiate football players in the nation. he's a great deal of fun to watch and he's an excellent leader by all accounts. An excellent leader. But NONE of that means he's going to be a quality starting quarterback or receiver in the NFL. How many quarterbacks never start a collegiate game and then lead their team to an 11-5 record like Cassell last year?

Scott (Boston)

Wasn't Chad Pennington the QB for the team that made the Wildcat a hot topic last year? It requires a RB who can throw (like Brown), not a mobile QB.

Steve Muench

  (2:36 PM)

I think you just made my point clearer.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

OK so what QBs in the 2009 draft do you see as being the best value? I'm thinking Sanchez and Stafford both miss that list.

Steve Muench

  (2:39 PM)

No offense J.B. but both could go in the top 10 so teams/media/fans are going to have very high expectations whereas a guy like Brian Hoyer could get drafted in the fifth round. if he develops into an effective starter then he's the greater value.

Matt Cassel (feeling disrespected)

Sheesh, a guy has a breakout season and people still spell his name wrong!

Steve Muench

  (2:40 PM)

Matt you must be new to the chat because anyone who has been here before knows I can't type.

Sean (Philly)

On the wildcat...teams will know what is coming as soon as a QB like Pennington splits out wide. A player like White allows you to put personnel onto the field that will confuse the defense and allow you to be less predictable on offense.

Steve Muench

  (2:43 PM)

How so? I I see Pat White at quarterback here's what I do. I drop seven men into coverage, make sure my defensive line keep contain. if he runs, then defenders are already looking into the backfield because they are zone coverage. If the throws then he'll have to throw into tighter space and he loses the strike zone too much. In addition, we are talking about a 200-pound kid who runs a 4.5 40-yard dash and has been banged up at times.

Sean (Philly)

For the record, I am playing devil's advocate, I don't want the Eagles running any Wildcat plays.

Steve Muench

  (2:44 PM)

fair enough.

Burwell (Addison, PA)

To any teams seriously considering drafting Pat White and/or running the Wildcat next year: try that on the Patriots, Steelers, Ravens, Eagles, Giants, etc... See what happens.

Steve Muench

  (2:46 PM)

Ahhh Miami went to the playoffs and New England went home because of the Wildcat offense last year. The Dolphins torched the pats with it in their first meeting but I agree with you that I don't see it happening again.

Ogburn (Frostproof,FL)

Who else do we know failed drug tests at the combine?Harvin? Did these morons think they would skip the drug tests this year?

Steve Muench

  (2:48 PM)

First off all, we shouldn't even now about Raji but someone leaked the information to SI.com and I completely understand them running the story. My concern is these kids expect these tests to be confidential. Secondly, try to remember that NFL prospects are young man who make mistakes.

David (Austin)

Didn't Vick essentially run the "wildcat"? If there has ever been a better version of a runner/thrower than he was, I haven't heard of him. If you wouldn't want Vick on your team than you shouldn't want anyone else to run the wildcat for you.

Steve Muench

  (2:53 PM)

Ok I promise to stop talking about the Wildcat after this but I could not resit one last post. Are you kidding me David? I don't want Vick on my team because he is too much of a distraction and he's faltered as a team leader, which is something quarterbacks have a difficult time bouncing back from. That said, if Pat White had Vick's arm strength, mobility and size to go along with his excellent character than I take that player in the first round. The point is White does not have Vick's natural ability. Few if any do.

Matt (Chicago)

If you're dropping seven and containing with your d-line, doesn't that mean Pat White's RB is getting 5 yards a clip up the gut until you change? Just sayin...

Steve Muench

  (2:55 PM)

Nope because NFL linebacker don't just drop into coverage. if White takes the snap and attacks the line those linebackers are going to jump up. In addition, I would be concerned about him running up the middle considering his size and lack of power.

Jason (Bmore)

What's funny is your chats become all about one subject, such as the wildcat, when you should simply be talking about draft prospects Steve-O

Steve Muench

  (2:56 PM)

Jason wow. What else SHOULD I being doing? Now I thought that I was talking about Pat White and how the Wildcat offense affects his draft status.

Jeff, Mpls

Will D.J. Boldin get drafted?

Steve Muench

  (2:58 PM)

I think so though I am in the minority. I think he has the potential to develop into a tough and reliable sub-package receiver.

Bret (MI)

Where does a player like Connor Barwin fit in? What round is he worth a flier in your opinion?

Steve Muench

  (2:59 PM)

He fits at OLB in a 3-4 scheme and he can play tight end in goal line situations. I take him in early in the second.

me (my house)

There is no flier on Connor Barwin, he's a solid 2nd round pick.

Scott (CA)

I think you're grossly understating Raji's failed test. I don't care that he smoked, but he knew he would be tested and he still did it. If he doesn't have the will power to abstain on the biggest career day of his life what makes you think he won't be stoned everyday forward?

Steve Muench

  (3:07 PM)

You certainly have a right to your opinion Scott and I think that some GMs may share a similar feeling. That said, I have not heard any reports of Raji taking any kind of drug the day of the game, combine or BC pro day. it's important to point out that any drug stays in your system. He may have though it would be out of his system by then because he's 23-years old. Wrong? Yes but it's important to put this information in the right perspective. I also want to know if you would feel different if Raji had come clean and told you at the Combine? Are you going to pass over an impact interior defensive linemen for these a couple of failed tests? Do you think there are some teams that are sorry they passed on Sapp? It's a bit much to say that Raji is going to turn into Ricky Williams based on what we know so far.

Steve Muench

  (3:09 PM)

That's all for this week. Clearly there are some people here who would like to hear about more prospects so I will try to get to as many names as possible next week. Thanks for the all great posts and see you next Friday.