With the Offence done and out of the way, it’s time to look
at the most important side of the ball (Defence wins championships).
My Defence: 4-3
Tampa 2
Defensive
Coordinator: Lovie Smith
As a Bears fan, would my DC be anyone else. Should still be
in a Job at Tampa, has been linked with the Illinois gig at the NCAA level. The
Tampa 2 Defence is my choice right now for 2 key reasons. 1, the best coach
available lives in that scheme. 2, It takes way the need to match up size-wise.
You can get away with lightly shorter DBs, slightly lighter DLmen, and smaller
LBs etc. Opens up the options from the available Free Agents.
Player Talent
Overview
There is plenty of Talent lying around on the D side of the
ball as always. Not any superstars, but enough pieces of the puzzle to go
around the 32 teams who want to fill gaps with Vets over Rookies. DL is the
spot with most potential to have a break-out player next year. Some good names
in that group. Though there aren’t many quality Safeties around this year.
Could get messy on the backend.
DL
Starters: RE –
Chris Long + DT – Nick Fairley + DT – B.J. Raji + LE – Mario Williams
There are teams at the NFL level that might want the entire
starting that I have just names. Long
and Fairley were both part of the
terrifying line for the Rams. B.J. Raji had
been the anchor for the Packers DL at Nose, clogs gaps and can get a bit of a
pass rush going on a good day. Williams
has been a star where ever he’s been. Cap casualty going into FA, Can play 4-3
End or 3-4 OLB. The 4 together should complement each other nicely.
Back-Ups: Jason
Pierre-Paul, DE + Charles Johnson, DE + Henry Melton, DT + Haloti Ngata, DT
DL depth is critical and if you’ve watched any football over
the last 4 years, you would be scared of any team that has these 4 players as
back-ups. JPP, was a monster for the
Giants. But some poor play by the entire unit and the firework incident have
led this player to hit FA. Could be inserted into this Starting line-up or, if
you’re like me and scared of the hand, could be used as a situational rusher. Johnson is second on the Panthers Sack
list. Last great panthers DE to hit FA was a certain Julius Peppers, and he is
still making plays. Might not want him in your starting 4, but you’ll feel safe
knowing that you have him on the bench if someone goes down. Melton was a superstar in Chicago (had
to be said). 1 ACL tear later and he is a dispensable member of the Dallas
Cowboys. Not a great sign for him, but if you think there is any of that player
that played for the Bears, you pick him up and rotate him into the line-up. Ngata was a beast, no ifs or buts about
it. Now age and injuries have caught up with the one of the best around. Can
still play, don’t get me wrong, but make many plays as a starter. I see him
best used as a rotation guy that might just blow a play-up every now and again.
LB
Starters: Will -
Danny Trevathan + Middle – James Laurinaitis + Sam – Nigel Bradham
Easiest pick of the D group I think… Laurinnaitis is THE LEADER in this FA group. Might be losing a
step, but Urlacher and Vilma had success in this Defence in that position as
they got up in age. Clever players that will make sure the Defence is in the
right place at all times. Trevathan
and Bradham just scream 4-3 OLBs.
Cover plenty of ground, can cover in space as well as add to the rush. Bradham
gets the nod at Sam just, with Trevathan mopping up at Will.
Back-Ups: Bruce
Irvin, OLB + Zack Brown, MLB + Rolando McClain, OLB + Chad Greenway, OLB.
Irvin was a part
of the Seahawks Super Bowl team. Jack of all trades at LB. Will do jobs on ST
as well. Brown was a one-man
playmaking machine for the Titans at times. Trust issues have seen him hit the
open market. Can play ST witch is always a bonus from your Back-up Defensive
players. McClain is a run stuffing
machine at LB. Can have problems in coverage but why would I not carry him on
the roster just to knock some guys around in run situations. Greenway is probably the only LB I
wouldn’t ask to play some ST. The vet has earnt a nice quite retirement
somewhere, backing-up some youngsters, passing on knowledge etc. Could even see
the field if guys go down.
CB
Starters: Janoris
Jenkins + Adam Jones
Jenkins has been
one of the better guys in the Rams secondary. And he keeps on getting better
and better. Will be a #1 Corner for someone somewhere, but for this list, it’s
with me. Pacman is one of those guys
I love. At the Corner position you can be too good. Like Revis, just blanket
people, no-ones throws the ball your way. Jones is just good. Which means he
sees the ball. Bad you’d think, well actually no. See he has great ball skills.
Ball gets thrown his way and he want to pick it off. You have one of those guys
sat in the flats staring down a QB and you could be onto a winner. Also can
return Punts.
Back-Ups: Leodis
McKelvin + Jerraud Powers + Charles Tillman + Sherrick McManis
McKelvin was a
starter in Buffalo, an injury and good play from younger options led to him
being dispensable. Capable ST player, good returner. Powers had been on some great Defences over the last few years but
never seems to get raved about. One of those solid guys that just plays the
game. Tillman is the living legend
of Cover 2 Corners. Turnover machine, has cause too many fumbles. Getting up
there in age, but who would say no to having Tillman around as a security
blanket. McManis is a Special Teams
pick that can give you a little something on Defence when you’re in a bind.
Just to remind you, the last ‘ST player’ that played corner for the Bears that
was let go, went by the name of Corey Graham…
Safety
Starters: Eric
Weddle + Chris Conte
Weddle is the man
of the Safeties this year. All round quality player that can do whatever you
ask. Might be regressing with age but can still make All-Pro status. Conte is a pick from a bad bunch. Is
my, better the devil you know of the Defence. Plenty of plays along with plenty
of mistakes. Conte is hit or miss on any given day, that and the fact he might
not finish any given game. Made of glass.
Back-Ups: Reggie
Nelson + Rashard Johnson + Michael Griffin
Nelson will get
picked up by either the team that couldn’t afford Weedle, or lost the race for
him. Reliable high safety but not what I would call a standout guy. Johnson was the loser in the race to
start for the Cardinals. Has all the talent, but not quite the name or the tape
of the player ahead of him. Someone with pick him up and fall in love with his
versatility in camp. For me he’s the 3rd Safety in Big Nickle
packages. Will also make plays on ST. Griffin
is another one of my stashed veteran picks. The guy was considered past it
in Tennessee, but I think he still has a year left.
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