Jeff Dickerson

  (1:57 PM)

Busy weekend in the NFL. I'll try to get to as many questions as I can in the next 30 minutes.

Benjy (Chicago, IL)

What was the Bears' rationale for drafting Jon Bostic over Arthur Brown, who was still on the board at the time?

Jeff Dickerson

  (2:00 PM)

Bears probably thought Bostic gave them more positional flexibility. But I have no doubt Arthur Brown is going to be an outstanding NFL player. Baltimore doesn't miss often.

Gabe C. (Madison, WI)

Jeff, What do I have to do to remain a Bear?

Jeff Dickerson

  (2:01 PM)

Play the greatest football of your life in the preseason, stay healthy and hope for a couple of injuries on the offensive line.

Everett W. (Dallas, TX)

Jeff, After seeing the way the draft board fell, which QB do you think could have made sense for the Bears?

Jeff Dickerson

  (2:04 PM)

Well, I was always partial to Landry Jones out of Oklahoma. Here's why - Jones has the best arm of the draft class, but his pocket presence needs to improve. That can be taught. Pittsburgh is a good spot for Jones because he can sit and learn behind Ben. Chicago would've presented a similar opportunity, although maybe a shot to play comes sooner if Jay Cutler is gone after this year. But I understand the Bears reluctance to take a QB given their low amount of picks.

Jose (Orlando, FL)

How confident should the Bears be with our current TE's, since we left a future Pro Bowler slip to the Bengals?

Jeff Dickerson

  (2:05 PM)

They paid Martellus Bennett a lot of money in free agency. I'd say they are fairly confident.

Jeff Vinson from chicago [via mobile]

If the bears could have drafted Long in the second round anyways, why didnt they take a chance on someone like geno smith in case cutler didnt live up to expectations this season?

Jeff Dickerson

  (2:07 PM)

Again, we are assuming Long was going to be there at No. 50. I don't that's the case. Even if you think selecting Long at No. 20 was a stretch, he probably is gone in the early second round, at the very worst. But there were a couple teams picking after the Bears in the first round that had interest in Long. That I can confirm.

Matt K (San Diego)

I remember the Bears having horrible luck drafting lineman in the first round since Colombo, maybe even before. What separates Long from the rest, aside from Jerry Angelo.

Jeff Dickerson

  (2:11 PM)

Honestly - nothing. I have no idea if Long will pan out. Gabe Carimi won the Outland Trophy and was voted Big 10 Offensive Lineman of the Year his senior season at Wisconsin. Chris Williams was first-team All-SEC and surrendered just 2.0 sacks over his final 24 games at Vandy (it pays to save old media guides). Long started 4 games at Oregon. Your guess is as good as mine. But Long can help his cause by staying healthy - that's for sure.

dennis ,pullman washington [via mobile]

Will the bears bring urlacher back ?

Jeff Dickerson

  (2:12 PM)

Bears have now added 4 linebackers (Williams, Anderson, Bostic and Greene) since the Urlacher talks broke down. Is there any room left?

Big John (Tucson, AZ)

Will kyle long be an immediate contributor on the O-line?

Jeff Dickerson

  (2:14 PM)

I don't see how the Bears can take Long at No. 20 and not plan to start him when the regular season rolls around. I believe the plan is for Long to eventually be the Bears right tackle, but he'll have to start inside at guard and learn the ropes before bouncing outside. Hate to put pressure on a young player, but I think he has to start in 2013.

Jimmy (Houston)

Did the Bears error in not trading down? After seeing 5 credible mock drafts, none had Long - Oregon, as a 1st round pick. Why not trade out of the 1st round, get an extra pick and also get the player they wanted (Long)? It makes no sense and Emery showed inexperience as GM IMO. What are your thoughts?

Jeff Dickerson

  (2:17 PM)

Just goes to show, Jimmy, that for as much as we all enjoy reading mock drafts, they are nothing more than educated guesses. Can't say the Bears made a mistake in not trading down. They got the guy they wanted. Maybe it turns out he's the wrong guy, but at least right now, it's difficult for me to question the Bears' logic.

Carlos Hammond [via mobile]

Do you think the Bears should have taken Eifert @20? Do you think he can be a Jimmy Graham or arob Gronkowski? Or more like a Greg Olsen type?

Jeff Dickerson

  (2:19 PM)

I do agree that offensive line was the No. 1 area of need heading into the draft. Now, maybe we differ from the Bears on how exactly they addressed the need, but I put OL help way above TE. Cutler has enough weapons. It's time for (1) the QB to step up his game, and (2) the Bears start doing a better job protecting him.

Jim (Park Ridge IL)

Are the Bears at all worried about Cutler going down (injury) this year, as he has the last 2 years? If so, when are we getting a real back up QB?

Jeff Dickerson

  (2:21 PM)

Great question, Jim. For as much as I like Josh McCown, the Bears do need to plan for the future at QB. Matt Blanchard has promise and might be the No. 3 QB, but the Bears need to protect themselves better at the position. Unfortunately, this was a poor QB draft class and the Bears only held 5 picks until the 5th round trade. Not much they could do.

Matt (Lincoln Park)

Are you surprised with the Washington pick? I'm reading that most thought he was a 3-4 OLB.

Jeff Dickerson

  (2:24 PM)

I believe the original target in the 6th round was Tarleton State DE Rufus Johnson. Washington was the next man up, so to speak, when Johnson went to New Orleans before the Bears picked. Washington is a "rare" athlete. That is why he went to the Bears. Can't say I'm surprised after two drafts with Phil Emery. He fits what they are looking for, except he doesn't offer much positional flexibility. That's why he's a 6th round pick and not a first or second day guy.

J'Marcus Webb (Chicago, IL)

Am I at risk for losing my starting RT job to a rookie?

Jeff Dickerson

  (2:26 PM)

I don't think so. Jordan Mills seems like a better fit a guard. Eventually, I think Kyle Long is the Bears' starting right tackle. But for 2013, the nation might be safe. But after next season, there could be a coup.

Ryan (Dubuque, IA)

Were you surprised as I was that the bears didn't look for into the safety position at the draft? Especially considering the fact that Conte and Wright have had past injury problems?

Jeff Dickerson

  (2:27 PM)

Not really, Ryan. Don't forget, the Bears added FA safeties Tom Zibikowski and Tom Nelson, and still have top reserve Craig Steltz. I didn't view safety as much of a need.

Jesse W. (Springfield, MO)

Do you love the Greene pick as much as I do? Personally, I think he could be the next Lance Briggs.

Jeff Dickerson

  (2:28 PM)

Hopefully. I never know what to think right after a draft. The Bears sold Michael Okwo as the next Lance Briggs in 2007 - that didn't work out so well.

Jason H. (Chicago. IL)

Why did the Bears 7th round pick quit the team this year? Isolated incident, or a problem?

Jeff Dickerson

  (2:30 PM)

Had a major falling out with WSU head coach Mike Leach. Tough mistake to look past, but he's a 7th round pick. Bears thought it was worth the risk.

BillOntario (ESPN WEB)

Would you rank this Bears draft as a top low 5 in Bears history? It was pretty awful.Fact!

Jeff Dickerson

  (2:31 PM)

Can't go there. Need to give the class at least one year. Most people wait three years before they evaluate a draft class.

Al (Downers Grove)

Do you think D Rose comes back tonight?

Jeff Dickerson

  (2:32 PM)

He should since Kirk Hinrich is out. But I doubt it.

Mike (Crown Point)

the bears worked out Swope from texas A&M, any idea why they passed on him? he seemed to be a valid replacement for knox and hester on the offense, good route runner, good hands, gets open, 4.3 speed

Jeff Dickerson

  (2:35 PM)

I really thought Swope was going to be a guy they looked at in the mid-rounds - didn't happen. He now gets to work with Darryl Drake in Arizona. The Cardinals, from what I understand, did not plan to draft a WR, but Swope's value at that point in the 6th round was too good to pass up. He did have a couple documented concussions in college. That could also have played a factor. I'll be curious to see how he does in the NFL.

Isaac Clarke (Ishimura)

You have any idea why Sharrif Floyd fell so far? I was bummed when the Bears passed on him but can't complain too much since the OL is now solid, still wouldn't have given Bears the sickest DL with Floyd?

Jeff Dickerson

  (2:37 PM)

I really don't know. Maybe the media had it wrong when they projected him to go so high. I thought the Bears might take him at No. 20 since there is still a need at DT. Maybe they'll regret that if Floyd goes on to have a solid career with the Vikings.

Conrad (Canada)

The Bears 2013 starting OL, LT Bushrod, LG Long, C Garza, RG Slauson, RT Webb. Does this sound about right?

Jeff Dickerson

  (2:39 PM)

I think that's a good guess. Only issue I have is that the Bears were looking at drafting a center - so is Garza totally safe? But at this point, is it even possible to find an upgrade? Tough to say.

Jeff Dickerson

  (2:40 PM)

Thank you everybody. Enjoy this beautiful Chicago weather - finally!