Chicago Bears Draft Choices: Calvin Pryor or Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
Apr 25, 2013; New York, NY, USA; General view of Radio City Music Hall during the 2013 NFL Draft. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
The NFL Draft isn’t necessarily about making difficult decisions on the spot with the clock running. Instead, these scenarios are played out well in advance. With the Draft just days away, I thought we’d have a little fun and put ourselves in Phil Emery’s shoes. I’ll propose some possible scenarios that Emery and the Bears could face and we’ll see what decision you’d make as you play GM.
The first Draft Choice is between the top safeties in the draft, Louisville’s Calvin Pryor and Alabama safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. Let’s look at the case for and against each:
Dec 5, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Louisville Cardinals safety Calvin Pryor (25) prior to the game against the Louisville Cardinals at Nippert Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville (5’11”, 207 lbs)
Here’s Pryor’s profile from our own Mike Flannery:
"Pryor has the versatility to play either safety position and is solid against both the run and pass. He’s also a big hitter with good range in coverage and a play-maker at either safety spot. Right now Pryor is better against the run than the pass, but his coverage skills have improved every year at Louisville."
The case to draft…
Pryor is a bit of a thumper in the defensive backfield. He’s known as a big hitter who could bring some intimidation to the Bears’ secondary, hearkening back to the days of Gary Fencik or Doug Plank. The Seahawks had their Legion of Boom and Pryor could be the lynchpin to that type of intensity to the Bears defense.
The case not to draft…
Pryor can be a little reckless and undisciplined in the secondary. He’s been known to take bad angles (sound familiar?) and often looks to make the big hit rather than the sure play. That sounds a little like Brandon Meriweather. The Bears defense is predicated on discipline and being gap responsible.