Pick 6: Impact Players In 2010

by Dane Noble on Nov 18, 2009 8:12 PM CST in Notes

Not much going on in Bearville this evening, but I was wondering your thoughts on something. How many "impact players" do the Bears have right now, on each side of the ball?

And by "impact", I mean players that will make a significant difference for the 2010 Chicago Bears. Here's my top-6 players for each side of the ball:

Offense:

Jay Cutler: Has the tools, is young enough to improve.

Matt Forte: Great vision, excellent shiftiness. Very young...will only get better. Great receiving threat.

Greg Olsen: Rare receiving talents for a TE. Still needs improvement, but challenging for any defense he faces.

Devin Hester: All-world game breaking ability. Exponential growth as WR this year, and can only get better.

Johnny Knox: Very similar to Hester, but a truer WR. Looking forward to his progression. Big things from this kid.

Chris Williams: Despite rough patches this year, has the talent for a solid LT. I'm predicting Pro Bowl in 2 years.

Defense:

Lance Briggs: Established himself as someone who isn't going away. Tough, athletic, leader. In his prime.

Alex Brown: Seems to be tougher and faster this year. Really benefitting from Marinelli's tutelage.

Danieal Manning: Developed under Lovie Smith's personal guidance. Will be a great safety next year.

Al Afalava: Tough, fast, technical. Has faultered at times, but will benefit greatly from another year of experience.

Anthony Adams: Seems much stronger and faster this year. Is he even at his upside yet?

Brian Urlacher: Although he will be a year older, his body is getting a full year's rest this year. Can't wait...

Sure, there are other players that could make the list, and maybe there is someone that you don't think should be on my top-6. The way I see it, there are 11 starting positions, and 6 would mean that we have more than half our bases covered for each side of the ball going into next year.

Since I've done more than half the work for them, the team can take care of the rest. You're welcome Jerry Angelo!

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Comments

Nice list.

I agree with a lot of it, except Urlacher still worries me.

He’ll be older, and his body’s getting rest. But right now, his workout is limited. He can probably do cardio alright, but I’d imagine his weight time is being significantly impacted. I hope, though, that I can bust the Urlacher jersey out a few more times. (The orange Cutler jersey doesn’t seem to be doing it.)

"I'm a firm believer in the philosophy of a ruling class. Especially since I rule."-Randal Graves

by KDoggers on Nov 18, 2009 8:39 PM CST reply actions

over all good list

But Briggs hasn’t shown he is a leader, has the tackles but does not affect the outcome of games like a dominant leader-type defensive player should. Does not seem to have the ability or inclination to rally his defensive team mates. I haven’t read anything about other teams having to game plan specifically for him. As I have said elsewhere, currently our best ACTIVE defensive player on a very mediocre Bear defensive unit, and prob won’t make the pro bowl (deservedly so) this year. Like it or not, Urlacher is still the man for the Bears and the fact that he is getting a year’s rest can only be a positive, and in limited action this year before his freak injury, he looked extremely good.

"Chance favors the prepared mind." - Pasteur

by Maelvampyre on Nov 18, 2009 8:58 PM CST reply actions

briggs is the man

it seems like he is on the tackle on every play

by DaHamsta on Nov 19, 2009 3:31 PM CST up reply actions

Hate to be a pessimist

But it’s never going to happen for Chris Williams. I just don’t have the hope that he’ll ever put it together.

And if he does, Angelo will just give him up for a 5th rounder anyway.

Still, 11 of 12 is a pretty encouraging list.

Is Jerry Angelo fired yet?

by ES46NE10 on Nov 18, 2009 9:43 PM CST reply actions

Nine starts

at RT (not his natural position) and you’re throwing in the towel already?

"Those guys were the suckiest bunch of sucks that ever sucked" - Homer defines the Bears '09 season in less than 12 words.

by propheteer on Nov 19, 2009 9:49 AM CST up reply actions

If he was good enough to play his natural position

He’d be there instead of old, washed up, and massive net negative Orlando Pace.

Is Jerry Angelo fired yet?

by ES46NE10 on Nov 19, 2009 10:07 PM CST up reply actions

You're assuming our coaches aren't stubborn idiots.

"The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt." - Bertrand Russell
"F*** everybody outside of Halas Hall. BEARDOWN" - WavyGravy

by Spongie on Nov 19, 2009 11:59 PM CST up reply actions

Not sure about that

This is the same coaching staff that has had numerous personnel problems over the last three years? It’s pretty clear that Williams is better than Pace at this point of their careers. They signed Pace cause they didn’t trust Shaffer or Omiyale to play the other tackle position.

"Those guys were the suckiest bunch of sucks that ever sucked" - Homer defines the Bears '09 season in less than 12 words.

by propheteer on Nov 20, 2009 12:02 AM CST up reply actions

i think we cant judge williams until...

we put him at his natural postion of left tackle. i mean the guy is getting signifcant playing time in his second year which kinda makes this his rookie year and its at a different postion. i would beleive it to be a fair judgement if he were to play left tackle.

by Bear Lovin 21 on Nov 18, 2009 10:00 PM CST reply actions

manning

what are folks’ thoughts on him? i think he’s been better this year, and certainly has the physical ability to be great, but i’m not sure if he’ll be good enough for us to not consider signing a good FS this offseason.

by guy incognito on Nov 18, 2009 11:28 PM CST reply actions

What about Bowman?

I think besides two games ( Lions and Bengals) he has had a pretty good season for a player playing in his first full season.

by Dominique Blanton on Nov 19, 2009 12:30 AM CST reply actions

i think

bowman could still improve in coverage, but he definitely takes advantage of opportunities on the ball. anyone know how many picks he has so far this year?

by Nih1lus on Nov 19, 2009 10:45 AM CST up reply actions

3

mark me down as a bowman supporter, i think he could turn into a solid NFL corner if he can stay healthy

"...but the devil lives inside this kid, I swear it. It rises out of him in a mist, this baby-faced defiant wrathful version of Pat Kane, escapes his bodily confines to perform satanic miracles all over the offensive zone. The only thing more fearsome than that assist was the keep-in preceding it. The only thing more unholy than his face is his black magic." GMH

by Illini0509 on Nov 19, 2009 10:55 AM CST up reply actions

Still have a problem with Manning not packing much punch...

He’s been in position most of the time, but has been riding on the backs of running backs more often then not…

by lindemrm on Nov 19, 2009 12:46 AM CST reply actions

Put the crack pipe down and walk away

you be trippin if u think this team has 12 impact players. This reads more like a list of the 12 players you most want to watch this year and next, but don’t confuse that with actual impact players that WILL make a difference. Most players on your list are not anywhere near being impact players, so their inclusion here is purely speculative.

Cutler
Briggs
Hester
Forte
maybe Urlacher

those are the Bears impact players. the idea that next year 7 more of our existing players will be impact players on the level of those 4/5 I listed is a joke.

Anthony Adams and Chris Williams as 2 of the Bears impact players, that is laughable.

by No It All on Nov 19, 2009 6:06 AM CST reply actions

I'd add tommie too

the margin of defeat when he is not out there = impact player

by No It All on Nov 19, 2009 6:09 AM CST up reply actions

You don't see

Olsen and Knox as impact players?

It’s all about the opportunities for them. When they’re involved, they excel.
And both will only improve as time goes on (assuming the OC gives them their due opportunities).

by Amishbear on Nov 19, 2009 8:31 AM CST up reply actions

No I do not.

To me its about more than excelling when your number is called. An impact player needs to be consistently better than the guy that lines up against him. That is true for the guys I listed, not so much for the others. Cutler, Forte, Briggs, Hester, Urlacher, Harris would all start for just about 25 other teams in the NFL.

I like Olsen a lot. Always have. He has potential and the 3 TD game was nice, but his hands are just not consistent enough. Right now Desmond Clark is the best tight end on this team. I say this even though I still blame Clark’s drops in the endzone v. the packers for this season’s unfortunate course.

Knox’s speed doesn’t automatically make him an impact player. Nor does having potential as a WR on the Chicago Bears offense.

I suppose Alex Brown is close.

by No It All on Nov 19, 2009 8:53 AM CST up reply actions

Kind of agree with you on Olsen

He still has room to grow, but it’s really difficult to gauge performance with a very inconsistent offense and without a running game.

Right now Desmond Clark is the best tight end on this team.

Ask every team in the NFL who they would want on their team between those two, and Olsen would have at least 31 votes.

"Those guys were the suckiest bunch of sucks that ever sucked" - Homer defines the Bears '09 season in less than 12 words.

by propheteer on Nov 19, 2009 9:52 AM CST up reply actions

No doubt about the tally of votes

but i stick by my statement. right now clark is catching the ball. i have yet to see olsen consistently make routine catches. Maybe Olsen is flashier or the better player for the majority of the game, but right now clark is the more sure target (hello red zone). Personally i think the Bears are best with them both on the field either in 2 TE sets or my favorite, Olsen out wide and Clark at TE.

by No It All on Nov 19, 2009 10:31 AM CST up reply actions

Hmmm

right now clark is catching the ball

He caught one ball vs San Fran, one ball versus Arizona, and zero catches vs Cleveland. Not exactly what I’d call catching the ball “right now”.

Also, he’s registered exactly zero catches against the Steelers and Seahawks.

Total stat line for the entire year (9 games):

11 catches/ 91 yards/ 0 TDs

Even though I don’t agree with you saying he is catching the ball right now, I definitely think that he should be utilized more in the passing game. He made some great catches in the preseason, showing very, very good hands.

I have seen the Bears bring Shaffer in as an extra blocker, and send Clark out on routes a couple of times in the Red Zone. Unfortunately, Shaffer sucks, and we need Clark more as a blocker for Cutler right now than another target to throw to.

You are all gentlemen (and ladies) and good judges of cheap whiskey.

by Dane Noble on Nov 19, 2009 11:24 AM CST up reply actions

stats are meaningless

He didnt “register” any catches against the Steelers and Seahawks because he did not play against them as he was out with injury (duh!)

His numbers are sure to be down as the Bears have made a concerted effort to throw to Olsen, who specifically is NOT Des Clark.

While I agree that Clark is being used more as a blocking TE due to necessity, regardless of what the numbers say Clark has better hands RIGHT NOW. I’m sick of Olsen dropping passes and unless he figures that out he won’t be the elite TE Bears fans so desperately want him to be.

by No It All on Nov 19, 2009 2:51 PM CST up reply actions

First of all,

if you say that Clark is catching the ball right now, and stats show that, not only is he not catching the ball right now, but not really at all this year, then they are not meaningless. They disprove your statement.

But, if now you want to change your comment to being that he has better hands than Olsen, go for it. Like I stated above, he showed exceptional hands in the preseason, so I agree with you.

You are all gentlemen (and ladies) and good judges of cheap whiskey.

by Dane Noble on Nov 19, 2009 3:09 PM CST up reply actions

don't hurt yourself....

11 catches/ 91 yards/ 0 TDs … your argument is that a person’s ability to catch the ball is determined by 3 things and 3 things alone: catches, yards and touchdowns… basically you say that since Clark’s numbers are below some imaginary statistical benchmark in your mind that he isn’t “catching the ball right now”. You are wrong. That is incredibly poor/false logic. In fact he could have zero catches for zero yards and still be the best catching TE on the team right now.

It is one thing to be confused by the phrase “catching the ball right now”, but don’t use poor logic to re characterize the statement to mean something it does not; ie “Desmond Clark’s reception statistics are greater than Olsen’s”

If it is your opinion that Olsen’s hands are better than Clark’s or that Olsen is catching the ball better than Clark right now that is fine, let’s play. Otherwise wtf are you talking about?

by No It All on Nov 19, 2009 4:17 PM CST up reply actions

No dude...

You said he was catching the ball right now. I showed his catches, and the numbers show he isn’t catching the ball right now.

Then you told me that the stats were meaningless.

I do not disagree with your point about him having the better hands. Of course he does! And I also agree that it would be good to get him more involved.

I’m agreeing with everything you are saying, except the fact that he is catching balls right now. I’m on board… more Clark!

The only thing that is going to limit him, like we said before, was needing him as a blocker. I wish we had someone else besides Shaffer to come in as an extra tackle, so that Clark could get out more, but we have who we think we have, and that ain’t likely to change anytime soon.

You are all gentlemen (and ladies) and good judges of cheap whiskey.

by Dane Noble on Nov 19, 2009 5:34 PM CST up reply actions

I'm confused

didn’t you JUST reference a couple of Clark’s drops in the red zone?

by Amishbear on Nov 19, 2009 4:11 PM CST up reply actions

red zone drop in Green Bay game to start the season...

Clark had a key drop for a sure touchdown at the start of the game. Had he continued running his route and not stopping inexplicably i think the game and season are very different. BRUTAL!! Yes I am still pissed and yes my elephant’s memory cannot and does not ignore the poor performance against GB. But 1st game of the season, in GB and all, jitters possibly. But that’s the only drop of Clark’s i really remember or would have been referring to.

by No It All on Nov 19, 2009 4:28 PM CST up reply actions

That entire GB game

was turrable. But, I reckon that was directly tied into having all of those new guys on the field in a regular season game for the first time…

You are all gentlemen (and ladies) and good judges of cheap whiskey.

by Dane Noble on Nov 19, 2009 5:35 PM CST up reply actions

Huh?

You were just claiming Clark has these great hands, and also mentioned in the same breath that he dropped a TD pass against the Pack. Which one is it?

"Those guys were the suckiest bunch of sucks that ever sucked" - Homer defines the Bears '09 season in less than 12 words.

by propheteer on Nov 20, 2009 12:08 AM CST up reply actions

Impact!!!

On defense – Henry Melton, DJ Moore, and Jarron Gilbert!

And on offense – Juaquin Iglesias!

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Nov 19, 2009 8:41 AM CST reply actions

You seem to forget about our good friend Rashied Davis

He’d easily be a number 8 on most teams.

"I'm a firm believer in the philosophy of a ruling class. Especially since I rule."-Randal Graves

by KDoggers on Nov 19, 2009 10:36 AM CST up reply actions

now there's some impact

bazuin-like, even

by Illini0509 on Nov 19, 2009 10:36 AM CST up reply actions

Regime Change

Cutler. Briggs and Forte and Hester are the only bright spots everyone else should play for their job under new head coach Bill Cowher

by WavyGravy on Nov 19, 2009 9:30 AM CST reply actions

Plus

They should all grow moustaches in memory of Sweetness, and to channel Mike Singletary and Da Coach.

"The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt." - Bertrand Russell
"F*** everybody outside of Halas Hall. BEARDOWN" - WavyGravy

by Spongie on Nov 20, 2009 12:03 AM CST up reply actions

Safeties

are looking pretty good for the future. D. Manning seems to be settling in at one position (mostly anyways), and AA is gaining valuable PT in his rookie campaign. Next year and beyond look bright for the backend of the secondary.

Nique mentioned Bowman- I think he’s a real impact player as long as he’s healthy and continues to get starting reps.

"Those guys were the suckiest bunch of sucks that ever sucked" - Homer defines the Bears '09 season in less than 12 words.

by propheteer on Nov 19, 2009 9:56 AM CST reply actions

Don't forget our MVP's

Pat Mannely and Brad Maynard. And how could you leave out Robbie Gould the most accurate kicker in the NFL.

If you can't laugh at yourself you must not be very funny.

by Just Dave on Nov 19, 2009 11:18 AM CST reply actions

Briggs = only impact on D

I hate to say it, but Briggs is the only “impact” player on our D.

We need at least 1 on the D-line in 1 in the secondary if we want to be contenders again (like when Mike Brown and Tommie Harris were great players).

Nobody has played up to “impact” level status on O this year (unless you count Cutler’s league-leading INTs as a negative impact). Though, I think that we at least have guys on O who could become “impact” players within the next season or so (Hester, Olsen, Cutler).

by MakeHalasProud on Nov 19, 2009 1:51 PM CST reply actions