Bears grab receiver, defensive tackle

The Bears started the second day of the draft by added a record-setting wide receiver to bolster their weak offense, and then took a gamble to provide depth on the defensive line.

Earl Bennett, the Bears' first third-round pick (70th overall), caught 236 passes in just three seasons at Vanderbilt, more than anyone in Southeast Conference history. Before leaving school a year early, the 5-foot-11ˆ¨-inch, 209-pound Bennett caught at least 75 passes in each of his three seasons, the only player in SEC history with at least 75 receptions in more than one season. He finished with a total of 2,853 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns.

Bennett has been compared to the Steelers' standout wide receiver Hines Ward because of his strength, toughness and compact build.

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"That actually was discussed in our meetings," Bears offensive coordinator Ron Turner said. "It's probably because of the size and the way he competes and the production he has. I just know he's a good player - very productive and very competitive."

His 40-time of 4.51 is not outstanding for a wideout, but Bennett made a career of excelling as an underneath receiver and shows good run-after-the-catch ability by breaking tackles downfield. Bennett also impressed scouts with his ability to adjust to poor throws.

As a freshman, Bennett was fortunate to have Jay Cutler as his quarterback, but in the past two seasons he was just as productive without a standout quarterback. Bennett didn't impress anyone with his great speed, but his production was undeniable.

"If you watch the tape, he comes up big every game," said Bears director of college scouting Greg Gabriel. "He was their go-to guy. Everybody knew that was who they were going to throw to, yet he still came up with big catches. He's great in traffic. He's great after he has the ball in his hands. He's got good concentration. He has very good hands. He's a very good route runner."

With the Bears' wideout situation unsettled, Bennett will have a legitimate chance to compete for a starting job as a rookie.

"We see him as having starter talent," Gabriel said. "Whether he becomes a starter as a rookie, that remains to be seen."

Arkansas defensive tackle Marcus Harrison will bear watching, too, but for different reasons.

Bears general manager Jerry Angelo has said in recent months that he and the organization are more concerned than ever with the character of their players. But with their second third-round pick (90th overall), the Bears took a chance on a talented player who slipped on many draft boards because of past indiscretions.

In 2004, Harrison became the first true freshman since 1982 to start a season opener for the Razorbacks. He started 10 games at defensive end as a freshman, then moved to tackle and started nine games the next season. He only started five games in 2006 after having his knee scoped early in the season. He tore his left ACL in spring ball in 2007 and had surgery, but Harrison returned ahead of schedule to start 10 games in 2007 after being suspended for the season opener after an August arrest.

Harrison was pulled over for speeding and was in possession of an ecstasy pill and two cigars that tested positive for marijuana. He was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance, speeding and driving with a restricted driver's license.

After thoroughly investigating the situation and talking at length with Harrison, the Bears were convinced that he will not become another version of former defensive tackle starter Tank Johnson, whose many off-field problems embarrassed the Bears and led to his release after three seasons.

"It's a different set of circumstances, different kind of problem," Gabriel said. "The trouble he got into wasn't the same type of thing that Tank was involved in. We felt that at this pick in the draft that we were comfortable making the selection. He made a mistake, and he's paying the price, and part of the price is literally millions of dollars between the first round and the third round."

Harrison is anxious to put his mistakes in the past, prove his character, show that he's completely healthy and prove that he deserved to be drafted sooner.

"I can't be mad just because of the mistake that I made," he said. "I knew I would have to face it. With the injuries, when you play the position that I've played, you're going to get hurt, so it was expected.

"It does make you want to work hard and prove to other teams what they missed out on. It's sort of like a chip on my shoulder.

The Bears believe Harrison is versatile enough to play the 3 technique, lining up on the guard's outside shoulder; or nose tackle, lining up over the center. He wants to get on the field and eventually recoup some of the money that he could have earned had he not slipped in the draft.

"I've come to terms with it," he said. "As soon as I get to camp, my whole goal is going to be trying to prove to my teammates that I'm ready to play for them and be ready to work for them and try to make up (for that) with my playing."