My All-Time Historical Bears Team: Team Sweetness

Never make the same mistake twice.

In 2018, when the WCG crew did our first all-time Bears draft, I made a whole draft plan based on the notion that I would surely not get the #1 pick and therefore would not get to pick Walter Payton. So of course I got the #1 pick. And I stuck to my plan. And I did not pick Walter Payton.

This was a classic case of philosophical over-thinking. I wanted to go defense first, so even though I landed the #1 pick, I decided to stay defense first, running through our three first-ballot Hall of Fame middle linebackers and kicking off my draft with Brian Urlacher. I published a detailed explanation of the move, which probably didn’t sway anyone, least of all myself.

How perfect it was when we kicked off this year’s all-time Bears draft — our second ever, after 2018 — and I once again got the #1 pick.

Sweetness, thank you for your patience.

Like in 2018, I had plans for my approach. The instructions from Jacob was to make 25 picks. The offense is QB, RB, WR, WR, TE, O-LINE and one “offensive utility” pick. The defense is basically a 4-3, but the required positions are the 4 plus two linebackers plus two safeties and two corners, and then one “defensive utility” pick. Most of us picked a third linebacker. But you could go nickel or even 5-2.

We then drafted a kicker, a punter and an undefined special teamer.

I will get to an explanation of my 25 picks. But first, my lineup, and what I love about my team.

The GOAT: Walter Payton

• In my opinion, Walter Payton is the greatest football player in NFL history.

PASSING GAME: Eddie #1 Brown, Dick Gordon, Dennis McKinnon, George Halas

• Since the start of the two-way era in 1950, the only seasons that the Bears finished #1 in either points or yards were with Ed Brown at quarterback, finishing 1st in yards in 1955 and 1st in both yards and points in 1956. Only two modern Bears wide receivers have been named first team All Pro: Brandon Marshall and my guy here Dick Gordon. Dennis McKinnon is a machine converting 3rd downs, while my tight end, George Halas, was a fearless, big-play creator.

RUSHING GAME: Walter Payton, Matt Suhey, George Halas

• I grabbed Suhey as my lead blocker for Payton, with Halas contributing from his tight end spot. How tough was Halas the player? In the 4th game of the 1920 season, he fractured his cheekbone, and the immediate diagnosis was that he would “probably” miss the whole season. Total games missed in 1920: zero.

OFFENSIVE LINE: John Tait, Ruben Brown, Olin Kreutz, Roberto Garza, Fred Miller

• 2006 rides again.

DEFENSIVE LINE: Doug Atkins, Jim Osborne, Ted Washington, Mike Hartenstine

• Atkins in ‘58 and Washington in ‘01 are among the greatest seasons in NFL history for a defensive end and a nose tackle, respectively. Osborne...