The Future- I’ve talked about how this is a growing pain season, and after these past couple of weeks it has become even more obvious to the rest of you. Make no mistake, this is a good ballclub. We need changes at 5 positions in order to become legitimate contenders in the search for the Lombardi Trophy.

Guard—The Guard position on this team is weakest link. We are not allowing Jay Cutler enough time to dissect the teams opposing teams defense, and when given time he does it beautifully. Cutler has been sacked 11 times this season in 6 games and hurried a ton. Cutler’s deep ball was voted #1 in a coaches poll last year, could you imagine the damage he could do if given a few more seconds?

Solution—Jahri Evans, one the games best guards, it may be difficult to get him, especially because of the success the Saints are having. He’s young, he studies, and he’s always prepared (I was really impressed in his game against New York). He’s everything that you would want in a guard and he’s the reason why NO is having so much success running.

Free Safety—We need a ballhawk. Currently I’m very happy with Al Afalava at SS, he’s still making rookie mistakes, but once he’s in his comfort zone he’ll he an anchor for years to come (expect more big hits too!) Free Safeties play a huge role in the Tampa 2 (it’s not going anywhere, if it was the owners wouldn’t have signed Rod Marinelli). If we had a safety that had the ability to intercept the ball it would change the face of this defense. Once Afalava progresses more it would allow the FS to play in the "soft" zones of the cover 2, disrupting timing between the QB and WR allowing more opportunities for turnovers

Solution—OJ Atogwe, he’s the most underrated safety in the NFL right now—reason he’s on the Rams. The Rams run a similar system to Lovie’s Cover 2, which would allow Atogwe to be able to step in and contribute right away. Over the past 39 games (2007-current) he’s recorded 207 tackles, 6 forced fumbles, 20 passes defended, and 14 interceptions! He’s 28 and has only been improving. I can’t even imagine what he would do on a semi decent defense. He is also familiar with Pisa Tinisomoa so maybe they would have instant chemistry (if Pisa can stay healthy!) He is the type of player that is a leader on and off the field.

Running Back—The team is relying on Matt Forte right now, Forte isn’t producing. Some people say oh but it’s all the Oline’s fault! Well while the Oline is not helping Matt Forte is running scared, going down after one hit, and not juking guys out in open space like he did last year. It’s not to say that we should give up on Matt Forte, but it’s unfair to him to have him be a solo back, if you look at the best teams in the league they usually have a prominent 2 backs splitting carries, and some have a three headed monster.

Solution—Some people would say we need a short yardage back, I say we can get that in the draft. The real solution lies in getting a back that can break long runs. That’s why I say Jerome Harrison. His stats aren’t that good, but come on he’s on the Browns! Anyone that has seen this guy play knows he’s a playmaker with speed. He's 27, but he has plenty of production since he's been a backup/complementary back his entire career. Jerry Angelo might actually make this move because he’d be on the cheap.

Defensive Tackle—For the past 5 years we have been playing with the philosophy that small speedy athletic Dlineman are better than Buddha type DT’s like Washington and Traylor. I agree that a speedy Dlineman who creates pressure from the middle is better than a DT that merely becomes a wall in the middle. But the problem is that small speedy DT’s are very very very rare and are more prone to injury. Just take a look at Tommie Harris since his injury he is no longer the dominant DT he once was. Once you have small athletic DT’s that are no longer athletic you allow other teams to run up the middle and get an easy 4 yards. I would much rather have 2 Buddhas in the middle that stops the run through the tackles almost every time. If the run is stopped in the middle it allows the linebackers (a strength on this team, barring injuries next year) to make a play on the RB when they bounce to the outside.

Solution—Draft, it’s the only way, the best DT’s will surely be wrapped up by their respective teams, New England is not going to let Vince Wilfork go. Remember to go real big, I want them so big that even if they fall over they’ll block their respective lanes.

Cornerback—this is the position which needs the least work of these 5 (that’s not to say it’s good). If the Dline can create consistent pressure then the secondary as it is now will look amazing. The reason why this is a position of need is that until Zach Bowman shows me he is the future, I’m going to be a little apprehensive. Charles Tillman is a very good corner, but he’s no longer a shutdown corner (and he’s lost half a step). I’d say that this will be another position where it’s tough to find real talent in Free Agency.

Solution—The real solution is to get pressure from the Dline, and secondly to draft guys with a high ceiling, we have enough average CBs we need to roll the dice on some boom or bust type CBs in the draft.

Most of you may have noticed almost all of my solutions were Free Agents (FA). That’s because Jerry Angelo, the teams GM, knows that we have very little time before we enter full rebuilding on defense. It’s like he’s Indiana Jones and he’s trying to slide this team in before the door closes (all while not losing his hat). Veterans are also more likely to contribute quickly and are a proven commodity that will require less coaching. We also no longer have 1st and 2nd round draft picks because of trades for Jay Cutler and Gaines Adams respectively.

One last note, I don’t think that the Wide Receiver position will be a great need in the offseason, but if the Bears do go looking for a WR I would suggest they get Vincent Jackson. Most people say Brandon Marshall, both have their strengths. Brandon Marshall is the toughest WR to tackle 1 on 1 in the league period. Vincent Jackson makes more plays on the ball and is a serious deep threat. If the Broncos keep winning and are willing to pay BM it won’t even matter, but the Chargers have a ton of FA hitting the market this year Darren Sproles, Chris Chambers, Vincent Jackson, Marcus McNeil (T), and Shawne Merriman. After giving Phillip Rivers that huge contract it will be unlikely that they are able to keep all of their FAs.

Thanks for taking the time to read this!

JohnnyTruant