Jon Hoke Discusses the Defensive Backs

by Dane Noble on Jul 17, 2009 12:16 PM CDT

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When we talk about the defensive backfield, we typically lump it in with the wide receiving corp as the biggest question marks the Bears have going into 2009. Considering in 2008, only the Chargers and Seahawks were worse statistically in pass defense, we have a reason to be worried.

Larry Mayer sits down with Coach Jon Hoke to get a feel for where we are right now, compared to 2008, and Hoke doesn't really seem to have a sense of urgency when addressing the issues. Of course, as we all know, he's not going to come out and say anything critical, but he seems totally comfortable in having things the way they are.

We’re (sic) got enough guys competing for positions that at the end of the day we’ll end up having some depth and some quality starters that will help us win games.

Okay, so maybe Hoke is subscribing to the same mentality that has been tossed around WCG regarding our WR corp: toss a bunch of them against the wall, and see who sticks. While we definitely have some decent talent in the backfield, I'm not necessarily a fan of the whole "power in numbers theory" when it comes to finding talent to put on a football field.

It seems the Bears have been playing the football version of musical chairs, playing what seems like sometimes every player at every position at one time or another. Sure, it's the offseason, so now is the best time as any to start figuring out who our starters are, but is it working?

Go check out the entire article... Hoke talks about Charles Tillman, Craig Steltz, D.J. Moore, and other DBs.

Sure, an improved pass rush will improve the defensive secondary by default, but it would be nice to see a starting lineup back there that can hold there own regardless of pass rush. Couple of questions to discuss:

1- Who do you think our 2 starting CBs and 2 Safeties will be? (we know that Manning is a virtual lock at Nickel)

2- Will that group of guys be enough to get out of the basement in pass defense in 2009?

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Comments

reading between the lines

I noticed there was no mention of new S Glenn Earl… has he been hurt? Or is he gonna get cut?

and I think… Tillman Vasher / Payne Steltz

(but I hope Corey Graham can transition and beat out Steltz due to his better range)

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 17, 2009 12:44 PM CDT reply actions

careful what you say about Steltz in GB's post...

Camp ifuwanna, we hold you in our heart...

by ifuwannacrownem on Jul 17, 2009 12:49 PM CDT up reply actions

LSU!!!!!

When I played I was a triple threat.... Stumble.... Fumble.....Grumble....

by scespy12 on Jul 17, 2009 12:52 PM CDT up reply actions

Hope it doesn't get me ebanninated,

but I’m pulling for Graham too. I like the Steltz bomber, I just like Graham more.

- Smudgers

"Newbie, if the next two words out of your mouth aren't 'See ya' then the third word will be 'Oh my god. My crotch. You've punched me in my crotch." - Dr. Percival Ulysses Cox

by David Taylor on Jul 17, 2009 1:09 PM CDT up reply actions

I noticed the same thing regarding Earl,

strange since Hoke is the one who brought him over from the Texans.

by BearFan611 on Jul 17, 2009 2:17 PM CDT up reply actions

i think

it will be tillman/vasher (pretty much a lock with the money tied up with them two)
paine/steltz at safetys.. hope they cut bullocks and earl. Manning at nickel and in a 4 db set stick in bowman at 4 and a prevent set you will see graham. i see graham as a big special teams guy this year since we have decided to experiment with him..id like to see him at corner only but im no coach.

Bring back our honey bears...sick and tired of hearing about the dallas cowboy cheerleaders and the bars they go work at when they quit. cold weather + cheerleaders in skimpy outfits = lots of fun

by tomh115 on Jul 17, 2009 1:15 PM CDT reply actions

Why did we let Brown go again?

I Have Spoken.

by The_Fan on Jul 17, 2009 2:27 PM CDT reply actions

brown?

explain harris first.

by mike b on Jul 17, 2009 3:45 PM CDT up reply actions

I don't know

got on coach’s nerves? But he was a really good defenseive player

I Have Spoken.

by The_Fan on Jul 18, 2009 11:08 AM CDT up reply actions

1. CB is going to be tillman/vasher unless one or both get hurt….that part is pretty much a given, unless Vasher totally backfires and pulls his groin again.
and I see Payne at SS and Steltz at FS. After that it’s going to be whoever goes down first will be replaced by Graham(FS/CB) and DJ Moore(CB).

2. We have a lot of guys with “potential”..the problem is, can we find a solid 5-6 guys in this mix who can come together for 16 games and get the job done..so my answer is, I dunno yet..gotta see how training camp goes. I would pin them as a 15-20th(mediocre but serviceable) ranked pass D off of what we have/know so far.

by Pretender85 on Jul 17, 2009 3:53 PM CDT reply actions

Bowman was great in OTAs, Graham played well last year, and DJ Moore has talent.

So, I think the depth chart will be good at CB. Just gotta figure out this whole safety thing.

"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 Jul 17, 2009 4:06 PM CDT reply actions

No matter who fills out the secondary

they’re going to get hung out to dry if we don’t get more pressure up front.

Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it. -George Halas

by Allie on Jul 17, 2009 6:47 PM CDT reply actions

Hit the nail on the head...

if the D-line doesn’t show up, the whole D will look awful.

1. Tillman/Vasher(just don’t believe he stays healthy all season) and Payne/Steltz (again, sorry Geaux, I hope Graham ends up at FS, I see Steltz as an eventual starter at SS if he adds 10-15lbs.) Honestly, I hope Moore ends up in Vasher’s spot by mid-season.
Thus, my hope for the DBs is: Tillman/Moore and Steltz/Graham

2. Back to the the reply, if the D-line doesn’t show up, the whole D will look awful!

“There’s a fine line between clever and stupid”- This Is Spinal Tap

by LostInSTL on Jul 17, 2009 7:36 PM CDT up reply actions