Backdraft: Chicago Bears

BACKDRAFT SERIES: For 16 days leading up to the 2011 NFL Draft, we're rolling out capsule draft histories of each of the 32 NFL Teams.

Backdraft Series

Apr. 12 - Packers | Steelers

Apr. 13 - Bears | Jets

Apr. 14- Patriots | Falcons

Apr. 15- Ravens | Seahawks

Apr. 16- Saints | Eagles

Apr. 17- Colts | Chiefs

Apr. 18- Buccaneers | Giants

Apr. 19- Chargers | Raiders

Apr. 20- Jaguars | Dolphins

Apr. 21- Rams | Lions

Apr. 22- Vikings | Texans

Apr. 23- Redskins | Cowboys

Apr. 24- Titans | 49ers

Apr. 25- Browns | Cardinals

Apr. 26- Bengals | Bills

Apr. 27- Broncos | Panthers

2011 Draft Position:

• 29

 

First-Ever Draft Pick:

• Joe Stydahar, T, West Virginia (1st Round, 6th overall, in 1936)

 

Most Recent Draft Pick:

• J'Marcus Weeb, T, West Texas A&M (7th round, 218th overall, in 2010)

 

Hall of Famers Drafted:

• Joe Stydahar - 1st Round (6th overall), 1936
• Dan Fortmann - 9th Round (78th overall), 1936
• Sid Luckman - 1st Round (2nd overall), 1939
• Clyde "Bulldog" Turner - 1st Round (7th overall), 1940
• Bobby Layne - 1st Round (3rd overall), 1948 (Also selected in 1st round - 2nd overall - of 1948 AAFC Draft by Baltimore Colts.)
• George Blanda - 12th Round (119th overall), 1949 (Also drafted in 2nd round - 9th overall - of 1949 AAFC Draft by the Chicago Hornets.)
• Bill George - 2nd Round (23rd overall), 1951
• Stan Jones - 5th Round (54th overall), 1953
• Mike Ditka - 1st Round (5th overall), 1961 (Also drafted in 1st round of 1961 AFL Draft by the Houston Oilers.)
• Dick Butkus - 1st Round (3rd overall), 1965 (Also drafted in 2nd round of 1965 AFL Draft by the Denver Broncos.)
• Gale Sayers - 1st Round (4th overall), 1965 (Also drafted in 1st round of 1965 AFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs.)
• Walter Payton - 1st Round (4th overall), 1975
• Dan Hampton - 1st Round (4th overall), 1979
• Mike Singletary - 2nd Round (38th overall), 1981
• Richard Dent – 8th Round (203rd overall), 1983

 

First Overall Pick in the NFL Draft:

1947 – Bob Fenimore, HB, Oklahoma A&M
1941 – Tom Harmon, HB, Michigan
 

Tom Harmon	Walter Payton	Richard Dent

Did you know?

Walter Payton and Roland Harper were backfield mates for seven seasons. They both joined the Bears through the 1975 draft but on opposite ends of the spectrum. Payton was the team's first choice, selected fourth overall, while Harper was picked in the 17th and final round, 420th overall, by Chicago.
 

That year's draft also stocked the Bears with such players as DE Mike Hartenstine, QB Bob Avellini, and DB Doug Plank.

See the complete 1975 NFL Draft>>>

 

Quotable:

"Maybe the little man the Bears drafted Tuesday will be so good they'll have to rename Soldier Field 'Payton Place.'"

Those words closed a column written by Robert Markus in the Chicago Tribune the day after the Bears used its first round pick of the 1975 NFL Draft on running back Walter Payton. Chicago head coach Jack Pardee commented on the pick by saying the only negative scouting note about Payton was his height and pointed out "But he runs big. He's a big little man."

Pardee's hunch was right on the mark as Payton had a spectacular Hall of Fame career in which he retired as the NFL's all-time leading rusher. (RELATED: Only seven players have been called NFL's all-time leading rusher.)

 

Shop:

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Who in '11?

Post your comment with who you think the Bears should select in the first round on April 28. Why?