Ex-Executive Defends Darnell Wright, Slams Critics Following His Stellar Debut Performance
Darnell Wright's selection by the Chicago Bears with the 10th overall pick might have raised eyebrows, but it was far from a condemnation by the draft community. Let's set the record straight: everyone saw him as a 1st round prospect, a talent to be reckoned with. But top 10? That was where the disagreement lay, with many expecting him to go in the mid-teens.
With the availability of more seasoned options like Georgia's Broderick Jones or Northwestern's Peter Skoronski, Bears' GM Ryan Poles' decision to pick Wright seemed a bit unorthodox. But Poles remained unwavering, openly acknowledging that the Bears had been watching Wright for months.
One prominent supporter who had his eye on Wright was Louis Riddick, the former Philadelphia Eagles personnel director and current ESPN analyst. His praise for Wright was evident before the draft:
«I BELIEVE THAT THIS YOUNG MAN WHEN IT'S ALL SET AND DONE HAS THE ABILITY TO BE THE BEST PLAYER IN THIS DRAFT. HE IS BIG, MEAN, AND NASTY.»
Finally, in Saturday's game at Soldier Field, Wright had his chance to show the world what he could do in a Bears uniform. And he seized it with both hands. Not a single pressure allowed in pass blocking, and a display of athleticism and raw power in the run game marked his debut. Brief as it was, the performance didn't go unnoticed, and Riddick was quick to voice his approval on Twitter.
But Wright's impressive start carries a weight of history. The Bears haven't been blessed with a truly dominant offensive tackle since Jimbo Covert's retirement in the early '90s. Since then, a string of first-round picks at the position have been plagued by injury setbacks. From Marc Colombo's patella dislocation in 2002 to Gabe Carimi's kneecap dislocation in his second game in 2011, the position seemed almost cursed.
Darnell Wright's task isn't simple. He's expected to not only stay healthy but also justify being the first top 10 offensive tackle selected by the Bears since Covert, a Hall of Famer. But Riddick seems unswayed in his conviction that Wright is up to the challenge.
If Riddick's bold prediction holds true, Wright's selection will be a feather in Ryan Poles' cap, cementing a place in Bears history. Securing a star like D.J. Moore in the #1 pick trade was already an admirable feat. If Wright turns out to be a Pro Bowl tackle as well, Poles will have pulled off a masterstroke that fans will talk about for years.
Darnell Wright's journey has just begun, but it's already brimming with promise and excitement. And for those still doubting his top 10 selection, Saturday's game offered a tantalizing glimpse of what might just be a brilliant future ahead. As for the skeptics? They may want to think twice before casting their next judgments.
| POLL | ||
13 AOUT | 73 ANSWERS Ex-Executive Defends Darnell Wright, Slams Critics Following His Stellar Debut Performance Are you happy with what you are seeing from Darnell Wright so far? | ||
| Yes | 68 | 93.2 % |
| No | 5 | 6.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
