Bearstalk

Last year we were the top rushing defense in the league, tied leading the league in interceptions with 22. Other areas we were not very strong. When Sweat got here things started to change. The worst pass rush in the league got better. We lost Justin Jones ( a good player) and Eddie Jackson who IMO didnt contribute anything to the defense. What's different? We will have Sweat for the whole year. He upgraded the play of everyone around him. Kevin Byard is a better player than Jackson. 28 career intceptions in 8 years. A much better tackler than Eddie. They both are the same age and Byard is statiscally better in every area. Young players make there …

I will give props to them for at least stepping up and admitting they played like crap. http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/be...nse-26.article# Peace

This is something I don't recall seeing last year. We have Isaiah Irving, an OLB, lined up very wide in coverage responsibility yet he blitzes off the edge. Meanwhile Kylie Fitts drops into coverage on a TE. I realize this is all backups but with Lynch hobbled again on his 3rd injury since signing with the Bears (he seems destined to take McPhee's place) these two are the leading replacements. Fitts is clearly comfortable in his backpedal and cutting underneath the route. Irving adjusts into a Wide 9 alignment before the snap but is too easily pushed around the QB, of course they aren't in pads. Fangio appears to be mixing it up a bit with the younger and faster O…

IMHO our season last year was a bust, because of the offense. Yes the defense had it's problems and injuries played the pivotal role in the outcome, but how many times did we force three and out from the other team just to allow the offense to turn the ball over back to the other team? This will kill a defense.I think that with better ball control we will be a good team again and go to the Playoffs.

Everyone knows how bad our offense was this year, but looking at the numbers, our defense fell off just as much from 2006. They were worse against the pass by 37 yds/g, worse against the run by 23 yds/g, had 2 less Defensive TDs, and were worse in every major defensive category other than sacks: > 06 - 07 INT 24 - 16 FF 23 - 20 PD 85 - 64 SK 40 - 41 Losing 11 Turnovers is huge for this team. Also, the passes defended drop-offed considerably (Vasher?). I hope the Bears can also defend better against the screen pass. We seemed to get burned all day by that play. Hopefully this was related to all the injuries on the defense.

In the last quarter of the season (last 4 games) only 3 tds. If Indy scores 15 pts against Titans, Bears will be (statistically) best defense points wise.

Rank 14 (from 10) Chicago Bears (5-4) Do they ever blitz? Or throw some exotic coverage scheme into the mix? I'm so tired of watching these guys play hard and go down because they were so predictable. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writ...ex.html?eref=T1

This really gives in sight to Urlacher's views. Kind of throwing teammates under the bus Maybe he needs to give up the C on his jersey

Jonathan Gannon was really good as a DC, never worked out as a HC. With him now available, do you consider bringing someone like him on in 2026, just keep DA, or promote from within?

In one of the other threads I mentioned something similar to the old-school Washington+Traylor combo. The reason that worked so well is that they basically set up a wall and said, "You either have to run around wide, or pass." It was pretty effective in that regard. What if the Bears did something similar in the near future? The way I see it, you need 2-3 components with this idea: 1) The stout DL, obviously 2) Athletic LBs, to chase outside, cover gaps, and go into pass coverage 3) A decent secondary So here is my challenge: Choose a combination of 3-4 ILB, and/or 3-4 OLB, and/or 3-4 DE that realistically could fall into the Bears draft position. …

Found this on the web and thought I'd post it here. https://www.chicagoaudible.com/four-players-pagano-chicago/ I don't think Lynch will be back, and certainly not at $4mil/yr. That leaves the option of bringing back Acho and letting Irving or Fitts step into a more active role. They could let Acho go and bring in someone like John Simon to take Lynch's spot while letting young guys get more snaps. That would save about $1mil.

When will we find an identity? Maybe it is what the media gives us, but it seems we don't have a leader on that side that rallys the troops. When the defense takes the field, we should be on the edge of our seats. We should see LBs mug the line, question the O with alignment movement, and consistant attacks from different personnel. Besides Fuller and Young, who else has shined? Maybe Kyle Fuller develops into that leader vocally and performance, but I would like to see a MLB or S since they are usually calling the alignments and blitzes. The way our roster is composed contract wise, the Bears really shouldn't draft a high LB unless one can be all that. Four guys to kee…

Peppers and Izzy are penciled in at DE. Gholston will spell them in rotation. Adams plays the DT/NT position. But who starts at DT? Harrison, Melton, Big Toe, Omobi? Where do Wooten and Gilbert fall into the mix? Seems like there are too many bodies in the mix.

The other thread suggested an independent thread for discussion of what the Bears should do about their Defensive Line, given that they're now even more undermanned there and have no picks in the first 2 rounds.

Same thing as the other thread. This is a discussion about what you've seen from the defense through the first quarter of the NFL season, what you like, what you don't like, etc.. 2013 Bears defense (4 games) Total Defense: 21st (384 yds/gm) PPG: 26th (28.5) Yards per play: 28th (6.1) 3rd down percentage: 11th (40%) Sacks: 30th (6) TD's: 1st (3) 2012 Bears defense (16 games) Total Defense: 5th (315.6 yds/gm) PPG: 3rd 17.3 ppg Yards per play: 4th (4.9) 3rd down percentage: 6th (36%) Sacks: 8th (41) TD's: 1st (9) The Good: - The turnovers are still coming - They are doing a better job at getting off the field on 3rd down, …

I think our top priority this off season is to identify and add a couple of leader types on the defense. As much as I think letting Urlacher go was needed , we did miss his leadership. Him being here probably wouldnt have made much difference in our final record, but he would have put the young players in a better place to succeed. Briggs,IMO, isnt a team leader, he is a good player with a big mouth. When he came back from injury, he was out of shape and team leaders dont do that. Tillman and Peppers, lead by example, not inspiration to the people that needed guidance. Peanut was hurt almost all year, and Peppers has lost a step. He had many games he just didnt show up. …

If you look at last year and with what teams gained this offseason, who will be the tougher defensive battles on our schedule. I dont see anybody very good till we get to maybe Dallas, and Jacksonville in the middle of the season. The games 10 and 11 gives us some stiff tests with the Texans and 49ers two weeks in a row. The Seahawks in week 13. Unless the Pack and Lions defenses take a large step forward we have only maybe 5 teams that you would consider tough defensive teams we will face all year. With that I see Cutler and Marshall tourching the league this year with big numbers, barring injury.

It is hard not to see this as a defining game this year for the team, the offensive line, and Jay. We seem to be as healthy as we've been all year (minus Jeffery) and the defense is playing some of the best ball seen in the last 30 years. This would be a great validation win, at home, in primetime. Jay has to step up this week, limit turnovers, and make some impact plays.

So I keep hearing and reading about the recent deflategate and the contest between NE and Indy. I know it's not Bears football stuff but am curious what your thoughts are? Especially with many here consider Belicheck one of the best ever. I'll say this; my money is Brady is being dishonest about something.

Pace keeps rolling.