Musical Secondary: Bears Switch Afalava, Payne, and Manning
by Dane Noble on Dec 4, 2009 10:43 AM CST
in News
20 comments
In what is becoming a recurring theme for the Chicago Bears, head coach Lovie Smith is shuffling around the defensive secondary in preparation for Sunday's game versus the Rams.
According to a league source, rookie Al Afalava is being switched to free safety on Sunday, whileKevin Payne is being inserted into the starting lineup at strong safety.
As the Chicago Sun-Times first reported, Danieal Manning is being moved back exclusively to nickel. The shift should allow Manning to focus on covering St. Louis rookie receiver Brandon Gibson in the slot. The Rams opened up with a three-receiver set last Sunday versus Seattle.
At this point in the season, especially with the way our secondary has been lit up by opposing offenses, I suppose it doesn't really make a difference. The secondary was an issue last season, and not much has changed this year. Afalava has been somewhat of a bright spot, but he has also played like a rookie at times, being out of position on some plays and getting beat in routes on others. We'll see how this looks on Sunday.
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Well...
We’re out of the playoff hunt and don’t have a 1st or 2nd round pick…so…I guess it doesn’t hurt to try some s**t out.
by ClawsClawsClaws on Dec 4, 2009 10:47 AM CST reply actions
Afalava = way too slow!
Al is not fast enough to play free safety. I’d rather try Bullocks or Steltz back there (not that I would be exicted about that either). FS is one of those positions that we need to address in the offseason via free agency. We’ve got several SS players, but 0 FS guys.
I do like getting Payne back into the starting lineup. I think he’s our best SS out of the bunch.
Potential sign that this is D. Manning’s last year?? I think this is the last year of his contract.
what do you mean way too slow… he’s about as fast as the other FS in the league, at today’s times, Ed Reed, Kerry Rhodes, and Troy Polamalu all move about the 4.5 40 range, i think his mind takes longer to diagnose a play, but his speed shouldnt be a question,
and the kid was a beast at OSU. reports from OSU was that he was a great “centerfielder” as a safety, so who knows, maybe we have something here.
"Hey, the offensive linemen are the biggest guys on the field, they're bigger than everybody else, and that's what make them the biggest guys on the field." -Madden
by BearNecessities on Dec 4, 2009 11:12 AM CST up reply actions
That would be nice
to solve a pressing issue that has plagued the secondary for the past three years. Please, this is not a cue to start talking about how great Mike Brown would still be.
We're not scaremongering (nightmare of a season continues), this is really happening (Bears are more than done) - Radiohead
Lovie at it again
Payne is terrible, and can’t cover anyone…even a TE. AA is not a true FS, but he has decent speed without great cover skills.
We're not scaremongering (nightmare of a season continues), this is really happening (Bears are more than done) - Radiohead
just adding to the list of evidence
Lovie needs to go. His time here has run its course. His whole defense is predicated on 2 safeties and he can’t even get that part solved for the last 3 seasons.
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.
by SackMan on Dec 4, 2009 11:21 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
I thought it was predicated...
on making sure there’s 11 guys on the field and praying that someone actually makes a play.
I'm a firm believer in the philosophy of a ruling class. Especially since I rule. -Randal Graves
Payne's not bad
He’s a playmaker (look at stats from last year when he was starting) and he can hit. He always seems to be around the ball.
Al looks like he could be an OK SS too. He can tackle well. But he has not shown any playmaking abilities.
I don’t think either one of them should be at FS (especially Al).
by MakeHalasProud on Dec 4, 2009 11:41 AM CST up reply actions
Yep
Payne and AA are both SS. I think either one of them could be pretty good if they would just stay put! Neither can play FS, that is where Manning should be, except Vasher and Moore don’t know how to play corner so Manning must be the nickel. I’m sure we will see Vasher at FS before the game is over. Ugh. Does any other team move around secondary players the way we do?
Space Mountain on Three; One, Two, Three, Space Mountain!
He can hit
but he can’t wrap up and finish the tackle.
We're not scaremongering (nightmare of a season continues), this is really happening (Bears are more than done) - Radiohead
Payne is the best SS on the team...
whether it’s because of his ability or experience really doesn’t matter. Alfalfa is fast enough to play FS and he might actually tackle someone or perhaps cover them in pass defense. Besides, Manning’s “speed” never helped him cover anyone anyway. Manning should just be cut outright, he’s awful at every phase of his game. Put Graham in opposite Tillman and bring in Bowman as the nickel. Graham may lack “elite” speed, but he’s a much better natural cover corner than Bowman. Get Moore some reps at nickel too. Manning is gone at the end of the year, so why play him at anything other than KR!
When you find yourself in a hole, STOP DIGGING!!!
Agreed...
but so are Knox and Hester. In fact, Knox has more return TDs. I do not understand what the coaches see in Mannning for the defensive backfield. He’s a true athlete, but football is not his thing. He seems like a great kid and I am not for anyone losing their job. I would have been happier trading him at the beginning of the season to a team needing a good return guy in exchange for a WR or DB or whatever. I believe the Bears would have been better off not trying to force him into a position he’s just not suited for. Now at the end of this season, he’s a FA and either the Bears will have to overpay for his mediocrity or lose any value he may have had as trade fodder at the beginning of the year. I just see it as wasteful.
When you find yourself in a hole, STOP DIGGING!!!
nothing really matters now.
trying new players in diff positions, why not? see how each one fits better in the new spot, and continue to make changes and learn the strengths and weaknesses of each guy, im all for it.
"All they do is mock me, just like they did the fat fellow. All the time mocking, mocking, mocking, mocking all the time! Now, it is Babu's turn to mock "---Babu Bhatt in the Seinfeld Finale Part 2
P.S.
"The fact of the matter is the chicago bulls have never been a contender since I left..."----Johnny Kilroy
by chi_till_eye_die on Dec 4, 2009 1:22 PM CST reply actions
yet another way to screw up manning's development
Keep the guy moving around.
"I am not an animal!" - Merrick
He should've stayed at nickel
It’s another example of guys playing based on draft status as opposed to their actual production on the field. He just isn’t football smart enough to play safety
Mark me down as one the one happy guy...
After having watched Al Afalava being one of the few players consistantly involved in the play, or covering his man as he should be I’m excited to see what he can do at FS. I really think the kid has some Mike Brown in him, and if he continues to improve could be a great asset to the team.
Payne is a LOT more suited for SS as well, and in spite of being out of position a bit too often can really lay the wood, I just hope he has worked on wrapping up a bit.
If this all pans out I really wouldn’t mind a SSPayne/FSAfalava/BackupSteltz for the S position.
When will Cato start playing I wonder?
Presumably his arm is healed, but has he started practice yet? He was a leading tackler for the Colts, back in the day (and it wasn’t that long ago)
May the wind be always at your back, and may your placekicker have icewater in his veins.
I'd bet he sees the field tomorrow...
You are all gentlemen (and ladies) and good judges of cheap whiskey.
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