James Starks Was Nearly Drafted by the Bears

"“While on the clock in the sixth round with the 181st overall pick, the Bears phoned Starks and his agent to tell them they were selecting the running back … After the Bears made the decision to draft Starks … Contract negotiator Cliff Stein called Starks’ agent Dave Butz Jr. to ask him if he would do a 4-year contract … Butz agreed. Then, Gabriel called Starks to congratulate him. Before equipment manager Tony Medlin – the team’s contact at the draft in New York – could turn in the card to the NFL, and while Gabriel was explaining rookie minicamp to Starks, general manager Jerry Angelo changed his mind. He wanted LeFevour, the Downers Grove native and record-setter from Central Michigan.”"

Talk about a mistake by Gabriel. If Starks went to the Bears, they’d have terrific depth at running back – Forte and Taylor are a pretty solid tandem, anyway – and more importantly, the Packers would have absolutely no running game. Ryan Grant went down early, John Kuhn is just a short-yardage guy, and Brandon Jackson – who lost out late in the season to Starks – would be their primary runner. The Packers wouldn’t have gotten by the Eagles without Starks’ terrific game (23-123, 5.3 ypc). [Tribune]