….or they should. Call me crazy but as recently as a few years back it seemed like every fourth player on the Bears roster was from Oklahoma (Tommie Harris, Marc Bradley, Dusty Dvoracek, J.D. Runnels and now Juaquin Iglesias). Along with those Sooners, the Bears have tapped into perennial SEC doormat Vanderbilt in the past two drafts (Earl Bennett, Chris Williams, D.J. Moore). We’re not including Cutler here because Denver had the privilege of drafting him.
Looking at what the Bears needs will be starting this year, and looking into the very near future, starting a draft pipeline via Texas makes the most sense to me.

That said, after wasting a ton of time at work, much extensive research, I’ve picked the top five schools whose draft history will bode well for the Bears needs in the next few years. The positions that I looked at were (not surprisingly) wide receiver, defensive back (emphasis on Safety), and offensive line. I took into account the number of quality players produced at all said positions when ranking the schools. (Note: I’m not looking for star players, although it helps. I’m really looking for good serviceable NFL players that had solid, long careers).

For example: the Bears have no safeties to speak of. NONE. A school like Oregon has produced a number of solid NFL safeties over the years, but not a lot of wide receivers or offensive lineman. Based on a 1-5 scale with 5 being the highest: OL=1, WR=2, S=5. Thus, maybe the organization should look at Oregon in the next draft for safety help. Get it? If not, try to catch up.

(/has no recollection of an Oregon safety currently playing in the NFL)

Feel free to shred these picks in the comments.

5. California: Kind of a surprise pick here, and I didn’t expect much to come from the Golden Bears, and I was pretty surprised with what I found. Cal has produced solid offensive lineman such as our own Troy Auzenne, Todd Steussie (Vikings), Tarik Glenn (Colts), Jeremy Newberry (49ers), Mark Wilson (Redskins), and Mike Gibson (Eagles). Not too shabby on the DB catergory either with Deltha O’Neal (Broncos), Marquis Smith (Browns) and the best DB in the game Nnamdi Asomugha (Raiders). Throw in DeSean Jackson and you’ve got yourself a decent school to look at for solid NFL players with the occasional super-stud thrown in. Again, that’s why Cal comes in at number five.

Another reason why Cal is at #5 is that as a whole their draft history isn’t terribly heavy on the three positions factoring in this post.

Past draft picks: Tony Gonzalez, Hardy Nickerson, Chidi Ahantou, and Regan Upshaw, I can’t really include them for the Bears purposes. I can include Harvey Salem (1983, Oilers), Steve Rivera (1976, 49ers), and Wesley Walker (1977, Jets).

2009:As for this edition of the Golden Bears, obviously everyone is talking about Jahvid Best, who is most definitely going to be a ‘hybrid’ player in the NFL, sort of like Devin Hester, so fuck him. The area to look at is the secondary where they are stacked with good, experienced upperclassman, corner Syd’Quan Thompson and strong safety Marcus Ezeff are the studs of the secondary and two individuals who the Bears should have their eyes on.

OL=4, DB=1.5, WR=1. Total Score=6.5

4. Iowa: Yes I went to school here, and no there isn’t a bias. The fact is that Iowa produces a great number of quality big white farm boys that will protect Cutler or whoever is back there. Let’s take a look: Robert Gallery (Raiders), Eric Steinbach (Bengals), Bruce Nelson (Panthers), Marshal Yanda (Ravens), Ross Verba (Packers), Ben Sobeski (Bills), Mike Goff (Bengals), and Mike Elgin (Pats). This is just the O-Line. Iowa also has produced one of the best safeties in the game in Bob Sanders, along with Sean Considine (Eagles) and Charles Godfrey (Panthers). (Side note: Bob Sanders is a BEAST, damn you Indianapolis)

Past Draft Picks: John Alt (1984, Chiefs), Mike Haight (1986, Jets), pencil-necked Merton Hanks (1991, 49ers), Quinn Early (1988, Chargers), Tom Knight (1997, Cardinals) and Joel Hilgenberg (1984, Saints).

2009: In looking at future needs, you’ve got to focus on the offensive line which helped Shonn Greene win the Doak Walker award and is expected to be better than last year in 2009. Tackle Bryan Bulaga is the #5 rated player in the Big 10 and would be an outstanding replacement for Orlando Pace who’s like 57. In the secondary keep your eyes on DB Amari Spievey, preseason First Team All-Big 10. Arguably the best defensive back in the conference, Spievey is poised for a monster season in 2009.

OL=4.5; DB=2, WR=0.5. Total Score=7

3. Pittsburgh: Two words: Larry Fitzgerald. Did anyone think Fitz would be this good coming out of Pitt as a sophomore? Dude is LARGE. Ok so you’ve Fitzgerald along with Antonio Bryant (Buccaneers). Not terribly impressive for offense then you remember Coach went there. Let’s take a look at the other positions. Jeff Otah (Panthers), Charles Spencer (Texans), Jeff Christy (Cardinals), Ruben Brown (Bills and Bearsssss).

Past Draft Picks: You also have quite a few (former) head coaches coming out of the Steel City; Coach (1961, Bears), Schottenheimer (1965, Bills), and everyone’s favorite mustachioed guy Dave Wannstedt (1974, Packers). Outside of the head coaches pool, other highlights include Mark May (1981, Redskins), Jim Sweeney (1984, Jets) and Ron Sams (1983, Packers).

2009: This year’s Panthers look to have a couple of guys the Bears should look at for 2010, starting with Dom DeCicco, the team’s interceptions leader, at strong safety. The receiving core is quite green, but the offensive line should produce some good NFL players as per usual in tackles, Joe Thomas, and Jason Pinkston, along with center, Robb Houser.
OL=3, DB=1, WR=4. Total Score=8

2. Miami (FL): Ed Reed is really reason enough to put Miami here, but for the purposes of this post let’s get more into it. Looking deeper we’ve got Kenny Phillips (Giants), Sean Taylor (R.I.P. Redskins) and Brandon Merriweather (Pats). That’s just the safeties from the past 7 years. If we want to expand to the entire secondary you’ve got Antrel Rolle (Cardinals), Kelly Jennings (Seahawks), Mike Rumph (49ers) and Philip Buchanon (Raiders). Now let’s take into account the other side of the ball, most notably the wide receivers; Andre Johnson (Texans), Roscoe Parrish (Bills), Santana Moss (Redskins), Reggie Wayne (Colts), and Brett Perriman (best known for his work with Detroit). And there was that guy in 1988, oh yeah, Michael frickin’ Irvin.

Past Draft Picks: Highlights from past years include Brian Blades (1988, Seahawks), Leon Searcy (1992, Steelers), Bubba McDowell (1989, Oilers), Bennie Blades (1988, Lions), Eddie Brown (1985, Bengals) and Mark Cooper (1983, Broncos).

2009: Most of this version of the Hurricanes is extremely young. Mostly sophomores and juniors, they are looking to build on their ‘success’ of the 2008 season. That said WR Travis Benjamin had a decent freshman season, and has a huge ceiling. OT Jason Fox will anchor a pretty experienced offensive line and is the most pro-ready prospect on the team. Other players to check out would be SS JoJo Nicolas and WR Thearon Collier.

OL=2, DB=5, WR=4. Total Score =11

1.Texas: As much as I didn’t want to put UT at the top (a-HEM, Cedric Benson), it’s tough to argue with the talent they’ve been able to put into the league (just not their running backs). Going back to the 2002 draft look at the talent that Texas has put into the NFL: Quentin Jammer (Chargers), our own Nate Vasher, Michael Huff (Raiders), Cedric Griffin (Vikings), Aaron Ross (Giants), Michael Griffin (Titans); quite the impressive list of current secondary players. Looking at the other positions you’ve got Limas Sweed (Steelers), Roy Williams (Cowboys), Justin Blalock (Falcons), Mike Williams (Bills), Leonard Davis (Cardinals), Blake Brockermeyer (Panthers). All of these players were drafted in 1995 or sooner.

Past Draft Picks: We find Eric Metcalf (1989, Browns), Mossy Cade (1984, Chargers), Stanley Richard (1991, Chargers), Bryant Westbrook (1997, Lions), Derrick Dockery (2003, Redskins), Johnnie Johnson (1980, Rams), Bob McKay (1970, Browns) and Tom Landry(!)(1947, Giants).

2009: Good Lord, Texas is straight up STACKED going into this season. Their secondary, which ranked seventh in pass defense in the Big 12 last year, will be much improved this season. Earl Thomas and Blake Gideon will be forces at the last line of defense. Even though he’s white could Jordan Shipley be the next Welkahhhhhhhhh? It would be cool to see the Bears take a shot at this kid. Cutler would throw to him much more since the Bears have a running game to speak of and Texas does not (outside of their QB). Another receiver to keep and eye on is Brandon Collins, who really came in towards the end of the season. He broke out with 7 catches for 103 yards and a TD in a game against hated rival Texas A&M. Anyone else remember when the last 100 game by a Bears receiver was??

OL=4, DB=5, WR=3. Total Score=12

So there it is. This bulletproof report says it would be smart for the Bears to start sending the brass to Austin to bribe the coaching staff scout potential replacements for our aging offensive line and our non existent receiving game and secondary.

Just stay the fuck away from the running backs.