The 10 Most Important Bears in 2009 - #9

by wiltfongjr on Jul 2, 2009 11:00 AM CDT Comment 17 comments

In this ongoing series I'll look at which Bears players I think will need to contribute the most in 2009 for them to have a successful season.

#9 Kevin Payne - Strong Safety

As the most tenured safety on the Bears, Payne will be asked to fill some of the leadership void created with the loss of Mike Brown. Brown was a popular teammate, a Team Captain, but more importantly he knew the defense inside and out. He knew where his teammates should be at all times, and the players often looked to Brown during games. Brown put in so much film work (is it still called film work, or is it DVD work?) that he could often spot the oppositions tendencies. I'm not saying the Bears will start to look at Payne in that same light, but Payne better bring his playbook everywhere he goes this off-season and live at Halas Hall.

As the SS in the Bears D, he'll be asked to be an 8th in the box on many running situations, and he has shown a willingness to stick his head in there and be a big hitter. He needs to be more fundamentally sound in his tackling and in his play recognition. The Bears can't afford him to get sucked in on play action or afford him to get lazy in his zone spacing.

It's no coincidence that when Mike Brown was on the field the Bears had a much better record than without him, and in 2009 Kevin Payne will have to start making his own legacy in Chicago. I know things can change once the season gets started, but remember who's running as the #2 SS; Josh Bullocks. I don't know about you, but I prefer my Josh Bullocks in small doses and on special teams.

The List so far:

#10 - Nathan Vasher - Cornerback

#9 - Kevin Payne - Strong Safety

If you haven't weighed in on "Who’ll Start Alongside Tommie Harris?", then head over and cast your vote!

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Comments

I love the idea of this countdown, Wilt…but DAMN!! it’s hard to quantify the “importance” of some players over others…

Still, Safety remains the biggest question mark this off-season.

You ask a great question: Can Payne—or someone else—provide the same intangibles (smarts, leadership, discipline, etc) that Brown provided?

I love Payne’s hitting, but you’re right—he also needs to practice fundamental tackling…that is, EFFECTIVE tackling, at times.

In all, I won’t argue with this ranking…like I said, it’s hard to quanitfy, as the pieces are all interconnected.
I may just hold off on any opinions about the rankings until I see the whole masterpiece put together, okay? ;-)

Bear Down.

by Amishbear on Jul 2, 2009 12:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

yeah the list was a challenge, but one I enjoyed… and hopefully it provides some good back and forth for us Bears fans this offseason

and tune in Tuesday for #8!

by wiltfongjr on Jul 2, 2009 1:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

One of the toughest things for an NFL player to do

is to replace a former “great” player without being constantly compared to him.

Examples:
Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay
Whoever starts at SS in Chicago
John Sullivan taking over for Matt Birk in Minny.

If Kevin Payne does indeed get the starting SS spot, he will have to be careful not to let the comparisons to Mike Brown get in his head.

LSU Tigers Baseball... NCAA National Champions- 2009.

by Dane Noble on Jul 2, 2009 12:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't go that far

from the first part of the season, Payne was clearly the best player on defense. When he was taken out of the box was when he wasn’t contributing.

Payne is a ballhawk and a half. he’s gonna do well as long as he stays at the SS spot.

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

by ifuwannacrownem on Jul 2, 2009 12:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't get me wrong...

As much of an advocate for Steltz at SS as I am, I really do think Payne can be a huge contributor next year. My thought was just that he will undoubtedly hear chatter in the media, especially from the local outlets, about how Brown played the position.

The Chicago fanbase (and media) can be a little more outspoken than a lot of cities(understatement of the day), and I just hope that Payne is able to not let the comparisons to Brown get to him.

LSU Tigers Baseball... NCAA National Champions- 2009.

by Dane Noble on Jul 2, 2009 12:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know how you feel

I bet Vince Offer will hear the same thing about replacing a legend in Billy Mays.

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

by ifuwannacrownem on Jul 2, 2009 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

As long as he keep Hookers away from his tounge...

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

by ifuwannacrownem on Jul 2, 2009 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

LSU Tigers Baseball... NCAA National Champions- 2009.

by Dane Noble on Jul 2, 2009 1:17 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

lol, nice pic

but he was actually not referencing Billy Mays, he was referencing Vince Shlomi… that might clear up the confusion..

hey man, you got a j? No? You'd be a lot cooler if you did...

by ChiTown2ShineIn'09 on Jul 2, 2009 1:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Awesome. WRECK!

I'm teaching fools some basic rules.- MR.T

by Ditkavsworld on Jul 2, 2009 2:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

and

his fist away from their eyes.

"If God had wanted man to play soccer, He wouldn't have given us arms" - Ditka

by EricEmpire on Jul 2, 2009 1:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Truer words were never spoken.

by bears rock on Jul 3, 2009 3:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Payne is a good tackler and is strong against the run

From what I remember, he also watches a lot of film. I’m guessing whoever ends up at the FS spot will be ranked higher up on this list. I hope that Corey Graham gets the job at free safety, and Craig Steltz is the back-up strong safety (where he’s probably a better fit).

by JimmyMack on Jul 2, 2009 3:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

he had to many instances in his young career where he went for the big “blow em up” hit instead of wrapping up and securing the tackle, but I think he’s primed for a big season and hopefully his experience in the system will help along the FS, who ever it is

by wiltfongjr on Jul 2, 2009 7:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm diggin' the posts!

Though I will disagree with it immediately… I would have had Vasher (#10) more important than Payne. Mainly for depth reasons. If Payne goes down, The Bears have Steltz, Bullocks, Earl and Afalava.
Vasher goes down. Then the Bears would turn to Bowman, McBride and Moore. Not awful, but Tillmans health issues at the other corner, contributes to my opinion.

Everything I’ve said, is with the assumption that Graham starts at FS.

by rdent4hof on Jul 4, 2009 7:36 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I really weighed those 2 for that same reason.

I really think that Bowman or Moore will be able to step in and play a solid corner. Bowman was the best corner prospect in college before his knee problems, and every indications are that he’s 100%.

and I hope Graham starts at FS!

by wiltfongjr on Jul 4, 2009 2:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Graham has to be in this list somewhere.. not for SS but for impact player. Dude played his way into the lineup and played unbelievable (in my humble opinion).
I know the Bears have a lot of questionables… maybe questionables is strong… maybe its uncertainties… yeah I’ll go with that.

From the Qb to the starting 1 or 2 Wr, to the Dline, and now with DBs. I think this list of 10 should have been done for both the offence and defence. But I love it anyway.

Graham could be a great leader in the backfield, I hope that his on field transfers to in the locker room. He’s a good up and comer.

by Cruisin4aBruisin on Jul 23, 2009 12:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs