More Major Wright Analysis
With only one pick tonight, it gives us the opportunity to over analyze the hell out of the Bears‘ first 2010 draft pick, safety Major Wright out of Florida taken at #75. Follow this link to see his Scouting Combine highlights.
He was in the top three among safeties with a 40 time of 4.48, right behind Taylor Mays and Eric Berry. Now we’ll see if that speed translates into productive play. Keep in mind, Danieal Manning is one of the fastest guys on the Bears, but if you’re not in the right spot, it doesn’t matter how fast you are.
Check out his analysis from CBS Sports:
"Read & React: Can key and diagnose. Reads the action quickly and gets there with efficient footwork and good straight-line speed. Plenty of range for coverage over the deep half. Struggled with questionable angles early in his career but showed improvement in 2009.Man Coverage: Occasionally asked to drop down and play nickel cornerback in this scheme. Tall in his backpedal and loses a step in his transition. Often played a true centerfield role, showing good instincts and the straight-line speed for coverage. Protects the deep middle. Closes quickly and has good ball skills to make the play.Zone Coverage: Tall in his backpedal, though he has good balance and relatively loose hips to turn and run. Good acceleration and straight-line speed to cover his area. Experienced and alert in zone coverage.Closing/Recovery: Good straight-line speed and shows a nice burst to close. Times his hits well to arrive just as the ball does, resulting in some impressive, physical pass breakups. Protected a bit by this scheme and the Gator pass rush, but understands his role as the last line of defense. Good range to prevent the big play. Has improved his angles to limit the damage.Run Support: Quick to come downhill in run support. Can be too aggressive and will misjudge his angle, at times. Good elusiveness to avoid blockers and get to the ballcarrier. Has improved as a wrap-up tackler. No hesitancy in taking on the bigger ballcarrier.Tackling: An explosive presence in the middle that can make the intimidating pop despite his lack of prototypical size. Can get himself in trouble by dropping his head, leading with his shoulder and leaving his feet in an effort to make the big hit, but will fail to wrap up, leading to missed tackles. Has a tendency to hit high, which could result in helmet-to-helmet flags in the NFL. Improved his open-field tackling in 2009 (after struggling in this area in 2007-08), but this is still an area of concern.Intangibles: Characterized by those close to the Florida program as one of the team’s most physical and toughest pound-for-pound players on the team. Broke his thumb as a true freshman, but played against Georgia only days after undergoing surgery to fix it. Member of the 2008-09 Football Leadership Committee."
Plenty more to come including the post-pick word out of Halas Hall.
Be sure to check out ChicagoNow Radio on WGN 720AM on Saturday morning at 11:30 AM Central. I’ll join hosts Alex Quigley, Amy Guth and fellow ChicagoNow blogger BearsSTH to talk about the Bears’ draft and the upcoming 2010 season.