The 10 Most Important Bears in 2010 - #3 Julius Peppers
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 22, 2010 11:00 AM CDT
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PrintHow do you gauge one Bears importance over another? How the hell do I know? But I'm giving it a shot. In what has become my favorite series of posts I do here on Windy City Gridiron, due mainly to the good conversations we get going, I'm up to number #3.
What's more important to the Tampa 2 style of defense the Bears employ, a rush end or the 3 technique tackle? A game changing DT can make things so much easier for his fellow D-Linemen, but so can a dominant defensive end. There are a lot of expectations (and dollars) attached to #3 on my list, defensive end, Julius Peppers. The Bears are counting on Peppers to bring a swagger to their defense, and to get the unit back to a point of giving offenses fits.
I don't like to bring up money when talking about a player, they are entitled to get every penny they can get, but with what the Bears are paying Peppers he needs to have a big time season. I set the over/under on sacks for him at 10.5, but I think, at the very least, he has to rack up double digits. I think anything less will be labeled a disappointment by the fans and the potentially brutal media. The only way him getting less than 10 sacks and not getting drug through it by the media is if his line-mates benefit from his presence and have career type years. Which could be a great byproduct of his signing.
Number 4 on my list, Tommie Harris, has a great chance to have a bounce-back year. By all indications, he's healthy (finally) and he'll benefit from some one on one blocking. The defensive end duo of Mark Anderson and Israel Idonije have a chance to make plays opposite Peppers, simply because most offensives will either use a slide protection or send help to the Bears left side. If tight ends and/or backs are concerned with the left side of the Bears defense (Peppers and Harris), then once Anderson or Idonije beat their man (or Chicago's right DT for that matter), they'll have a clear path to the QB.
Now back to Harris for a minute. If he's playing like he ended last year, he may draw some double teams leaving Peppers one on one. And there are very few, check that, there are no right tackles in the NFL that can block Julius Peppers one on one.
The Peppers effect could help out more than just his fellow line-mates. Having a defensive end that can get into the head of opposing quarterbacks will be a plus for the Bears secondary. Us Bears fans know how ineffective a QB can be at times when he's rushing his reads and throwing before he's set. An improved pass rush will allow defensive backs to play a little tighter, and keep them from having to cover for soooo loooong. If offenses are worried about helping on Peppers, that will leave one less blocker to get out on their linebackers. Bottom line is, if Julius Peppers has a "Julius Peppers" type year, everyone of the Bears defense will benefit.
The list so far:
#10 - Robbie Gould - Kicker
#9 - Matt Forte - Running back
#8 - Olin Kreutz - Center
#7 - Mike Martz - Offensive Coordinator
#6 - Chris Harris - Safety
#5 - Chris Williams - Left Tackle
#4 - Tommie Harris - Defensive Tackle
#3 - Julius Peppers - Defensive End
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Peppers is key
Peppers is definitely the most crucial key to our D this year. We pretty much know what we’re getting with everyone else (other than Marjor Wright – who hopefully solves our woes at FS).
It’s amazing how much of a difference one effective pass rusher can have on the entire defense. Peppers is our 1 & only effective pass rusher
Other than Cutler, I have no clue who you could possibly list as more important to our team this year than Peppers.
by MakeHalasProud on Jul 22, 2010 11:38 AM CDT reply actions
Brad Maynard
In the 8th grade Mike Ditka won his school's Science Fair with a model of a working volcano. There were 17 other working volcano's made that day, but only one named Mount Ditka.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 22, 2010 11:45 AM CDT up reply actions
really? I could think of somebody else...
If Mike Ditka punched you in the face, you'd have to fight off the urge to thank him.
by Ditkavsworld on Jul 22, 2010 3:02 PM CDT up reply actions
Pat Mannelly
In the 8th grade Mike Ditka won his school's Science Fair with a model of a working volcano. There were 17 other working volcano's made that day, but only one named Mount Ditka.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 22, 2010 4:09 PM CDT up reply actions
UR-LACH-ER
He is #2 with Cutler #1. Bear Down!
not even best LB
As much as I love Urlacher, he’s not even our best LB at this point in his career. In fact, he’s probably not even the 2nd best LB on our team now (Briggs is #1, Tinoisoma is #2 – in my opinion). We have more talent at LB than we have at any other position.
We only have 1 (hopefully) reliable pass rusher.
by MakeHalasProud on Jul 22, 2010 11:56 AM CDT up reply actions
as much as I like Briggs
it seems like when ever he misses a game his replacement plays really good. Their D is just designed for the weakside OLB to make plays.
In the 8th grade Mike Ditka won his school's Science Fair with a model of a working volcano. There were 17 other working volcano's made that day, but only one named Mount Ditka.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 22, 2010 12:02 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
good point
though, it seems like we get good LB play from all 3 spots regardless of who is in there. Look at what Hillenmayer did last year. However, I do think that Roach is way overrated (see mental mistakes from last year + general history of getting run over).
I really think that a healthy Pisa Tinoisoma could provide a huge spark to our D. Pisa is our fastest LB (at least on the field – I don’t care who runs the fastest 40 time in shorts), hits like a truck, and brings more energy than anyone else on our entire team (which tends to be contagious). He was an absolute beast last preseason! It was a shame when we lost him in the 1st game of the year .
by MakeHalasProud on Jul 22, 2010 12:18 PM CDT up reply actions
I hope Pisa can stay healthy
What he showed last preseason got me excited
In the 8th grade Mike Ditka won his school's Science Fair with a model of a working volcano. There were 17 other working volcano's made that day, but only one named Mount Ditka.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 22, 2010 12:21 PM CDT up reply actions
+1
I cant wait to see what he can do. Lets just hope he doesn’t pull a Kevin Jones and get us all excited about him coming back and being healthy only to get injured again within the first 2 weeks
by IndyBearsFan88 on Jul 22, 2010 12:27 PM CDT up reply actions
I haven't been this excited about a linebacking group since 1985,
If our CBs and safeties can be effective (I know, a big if), we should be able to really harrass the opposing QBs.
Hillenmeyer filled in okay, but....
Once Urlacher went out, the Bears had their single worst 3rd down defensive year probably since we’ve drafted Urlacher. Our other LBs cannot cover like Urlacher does.
2009: Chicago is 27th in 3rd down defense (Urlacher missed 15 games)
2008: 5th best 3rd down defense
2007: 2nd best 3rd down defense
2006: 2nd best 3rd down defense
2005: 2nd best 3rd down defense
2004: BEST 3rd down defense * (Urlacher missed 7 games)
2003: 21st 3rd down defense
2002: 11th 3rd down defense
2001: 11th 3rd down defense
2000: 13th 3rd down defense
Career stats like 17 Interceptions, 54 Pass Deflections, 8 Forced Fumbles, 37.5 sacks and over 700 solo tackles (934 total) just speak the world of Urlacher, especially his pass coverage and solo tackle skills.
Let me put away the soap box.
by Brendan Hess on Jul 23, 2010 8:40 AM CDT up reply actions
That Urlacher is a pretty good player...
In the 8th grade Mike Ditka won his school's Science Fair with a model of a working volcano. There were 17 other working volcano's made that day, but only one named Mount Ditka.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 23, 2010 9:10 AM CDT up reply actions
I could see #54 making an appearance in the final 2
We do have backups but they are not Urlacher. And with those stats, I guess we will see.
Urlacher will only be great if THarris and Peppers play great
both are more important to the defense than #54
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Jul 23, 2010 1:39 PM CDT up reply actions
That could be in play performance
but I would not underestimate Urlacher’s leadership, teammates respect, and ability to fire up the team aspects
by TheMan1 on Jul 23, 2010 2:35 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
He's also a white supremacist,
according to completely unreliable sources who should be ignored at all costs.
"The time has come to get deeply into Football. It is the only thing we have left that ain't fixed." - HST
Finally a voice of reason - eldilar
Damn fine reason for a soapbox.
"Do or do not... there is no try." - Yoda
by Maelvampyre on Jul 23, 2010 10:45 AM CDT up reply actions
Thanks for the vote of confidence...
Love this site by the way guys.
by Brendan Hess on Jul 26, 2010 7:36 AM CDT up reply actions
This reminds me of when, in the 60s, an interviewer asked....
…asked John Lennon if Ringo Starr was the best drummer in the world, to which Lennon replied, “He’s not even the best drummer in the Beatles.”
Is it football season yet?
lol nice.
Talk about a guy that knew to shut his mouth and keep his ego in check. He rode his dumb luck and lack of talent to an ungodly amount of money.
"The time has come to get deeply into Football. It is the only thing we have left that ain't fixed." - HST
I don't think "lack of talent" is quite fair
..but he wasn’t the best in the world by any stretch. Still, he had a unique style that added dimension to many of the Beatles songs, he inspired many great drummers after him, was very likeable, and I thought he was terrific on Thomas the Tank Engine.
Is it football season yet?
Oh, I wouldn't say he was bad,
but I think “average” would be fitting. I would imagine he probably was very likable. He would have been the easiest to replace, and there must have been a million drumers who would have jumped at the chance to have his position. He probably did everything he could to be as well liked as possible. I will have to plead ignorance on his work with Thomas the Tank Engine. I’ve never seen it, nor did I realize he had any affiliation with it.
"The time has come to get deeply into Football. It is the only thing we have left that ain't fixed." - HST
Why don't you sing, write, and play next to John, Paul & George...
Then lets see how good you look!
j/k
At this point, I'm pretty sure I could hold my own with John and George.
The one that still has a pulse may give me problems though.
"The time has come to get deeply into Football. It is the only thing we have left that ain't fixed." - HST
by JerBear50 on Jul 24, 2010 8:54 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I heard the show already had a regular narrator that they'd been rehearsing with,
but there was a falling out between him and some of the actors, and the manager wanted him replaced.
"The time has come to get deeply into Football. It is the only thing we have left that ain't fixed." - HST
I don't think anyone
would ever consider him to be a great drummer but he was perfect for the Beatles. Plus he had a really squeaky bass drum pedal.
"More cowbell" - Bruce Dickinson
"More bell cow" - Lovie Smith
THarris more key
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Jul 23, 2010 8:54 AM CDT up reply actions
I almost saw him as the #1
As we’ve all already said before, he’s the key to this defense getting back into Super Bowl form and once again becoming the dominating force that has been missing these past years.
Best case scenario: ~12 sacks from Peppers and a Pro Bowl season from Tommie, Urlacher and Briggs, a top 10 defense for the year with 40+ TOs, and a shot at the NFC title game
Worst case scenario: Tommie and the rest of the line fail to produce and we see Peppers efforts against the double teams wasted with no QB pressure from the front 4, exposing secondary weaknesses, increased blitz packages…etc.
Here’s hoping the former and not the latter.
Thanks for this great series, they’re a real pleasure to read.
+ 1/2...
I agree that he can lift the Bears defense and make up for lack of talent on the D-line. Where I differ slightly is I believe the play of T Harris is more crucial to the success of the defense. Peppers can still play well, but if Harris flames out again, the defense can still suffer. I guess it has more to do with the fact that I believe Peppers will perform well no matter what, whereas I have serious doubts about Tommie!
IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO FIRE LOVIE!
Any guesses on #2 and #1
Im sayin Cutler #1 and if you wanna go with another coach than its Mike Tice #2. If not a coach then I say Devin Hester. If he can take the next step as a reciever (which all the signs point to him being able to) get back at least a little bit of what he’s been missing the last couple years in the return game then he can prove to be one of the most valuable players on the team.
by IndyBearsFan88 on Jul 22, 2010 12:23 PM CDT reply actions
Well Lester
Good series write-ups so far and like you said, good discussions. Plus you have everyone guessing who is next.
I say:
- Hester
CutlerMannelly
by TheMan1 on Jul 22, 2010 12:29 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
atta boy
If Mike Ditka punched you in the face, you'd have to fight off the urge to thank him.
by Ditkavsworld on Jul 22, 2010 3:04 PM CDT up reply actions
You forgot about the guy
whose name rhymes with Hoponpopamus.
"The time has come to get deeply into Football. It is the only thing we have left that ain't fixed." - HST
WTH are they wearing on their heads?
Looks like what my grandma wore when it was raining when she was leaving the beauty shop or colored hairnets.
I wondered the same thing!
I was gonna go with a different caption…
In the 8th grade Mike Ditka won his school's Science Fair with a model of a working volcano. There were 17 other working volcano's made that day, but only one named Mount Ditka.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 22, 2010 1:44 PM CDT up reply actions
Blurry
Can’t tell who they are but though it might be a rookie initiation or something. Wear your g-ma’s hairnet day?
Yeah but Tillman isn't a rookie and he is rocking his really really hard.
If Mike Ditka punched you in the face, you'd have to fight off the urge to thank him.
by Ditkavsworld on Jul 22, 2010 3:04 PM CDT up reply actions
#3 most important
Agree with your choice. This guy is definitely one of the keys not only this year, but in the future as well. I think he’ll have a huge season, in the range of 12-15 sacks. The pass rusher we haven’t had since Dent.
He doesn't need 10+ sacks...
But that wouldn’t hurt. IMO, sacks are one of the most overrated stats in the NFL today. Two better pieces of statistics is how many yards rushing the opponent gets to that side, and how many Hurries and Knockdowns that player has. If Pep can allow less than, let’s say, 400 yards rushing to his side of the field (assume 100 rush YPG and a 1/4 chance they run to him) and has a total of over 64 combined Sacks, Hurries, and Knockdowns (i.e. 4 per game), then I’d consider it to be a good year.
IMO, it’s not the addition of Pep that’s going to determine how good this team functions. It’s whether or not the other DE can make up for the absence of Wale and Brown. I think that we can all agree that having a line of Pep, Harris, any DT on our roster (I like Izzy here), Wale/Brown would be one of the best DLs in the NFL today. Now, Anderson and Izzy are being asked to make up for two of the best DEs this team has had over the last 20 years. Anderson has failed before, and Izzy is a DT, not a DE. Maybe Wooten can pick up the slack, but he’s still a rookie.
We know what we’re going to get out of Pep. We know the potential of Tommie. The other two positions are complete mysteries, and I think the play of those two positions will determine the strength of this defense more than the play of Tommie and Pep.
True
If you a hurry a Qb and force them to throw and interception, it’s just as good, if not better than getting a sack. Plus, frequent hits can really have an effect on an offense.
by GriggsBriggs on Jul 23, 2010 1:54 PM CDT up reply actions
For anybody following the rookie series on Chicagobears.com
here is the 5th installment.
Hearing Tice say he loves saying Da Bears was pretty cool and watching Rod slapping a rook in the face was pretty funny too.
If Mike Ditka punched you in the face, you'd have to fight off the urge to thank him.
Yikes!
Tice looks like he’s ready to give birth. I only hope it’s to a revamped offensive line.
"More cowbell" - Bruce Dickinson
"More bell cow" - Lovie Smith
That was my favorite of the series so far.
They’ve all been entertaining, but that tops it. Plus, I have enhanced confidence in Marinelli’s ability to get the most out of the players.
And the segment on JMarcus Webb’s shoes was funny.
Is it football season yet?
Great Post
Peppers and Tommie are the key to this defense success. If they are disruptive on the defensive line you will see a domino effect with the rest of the Defense. Anderson/Idonjie will be able to make plays on the other side of the line, the Linebackers will be able to make plays all over mid field, and the secondary will be able to make plays on the ball.
by Dominique Blanton on Jul 22, 2010 7:17 PM CDT reply actions
I think Anderson will have a career year
IF
Harris and Peppers play like they should play
In the 8th grade Mike Ditka won his school's Science Fair with a model of a working volcano. There were 17 other working volcano's made that day, but only one named Mount Ditka.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 23, 2010 9:12 AM CDT up reply actions
very possible
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Jul 23, 2010 1:38 PM CDT up reply actions
After all that money he got
He has to have a big year.
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan [I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].
I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team, throughout the good and the bad. And don't switch to whichever team wins the Super Bowl each year.
If Peppers gets consistent pressure on the QB, that's a win.
He doesn’t have to have “double digit” sacks to be an improvement over last year. If he gets consistent pressure on the opposing QB and rattles him to force throws, then he’ll be the best DE we’ve had since ‘06. Sacks are definitely a plus but pressure is what Lovie preaches. Pressure equates to turnovers/3 and outs. That’s what I/we want.
WILDCARD BITCHES!!! YEEEEHHHAAAAA!!!!!
+1
in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The practice of repeating the same action while expecting different results.
by Timothy Hockemeyer on Jul 23, 2010 8:29 AM CDT up reply actions
This is crap!!!!!!
Robbie Gould should have been #3!!!!!!
;)
in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The practice of repeating the same action while expecting different results.
by Timothy Hockemeyer on Jul 23, 2010 8:15 AM CDT reply actions
I would reverse the rankings of THarris and Peppers
but both deserve to be ahead of anyone else on the defensive side of the ball. These two guys will do more to determine how good the defense will be this season.
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
I'd have Pepp
as #2 and Cutler as my #1. The team will only go as far as these two players.
"In order to have a winner, the team must have a feeling of unity; every player must put the team first- ahead of personal glory" - motivational sign at Halas Hall.
yellow hair net
What is that player in the photo wearing on his head, a yellow hair net? Was he making a bakery delivery?
"Do or do not... there is no try." - Yoda
It's what all the kids are stylin' these days.
I wear one all the time except mine come from Buckle and cost $79.00.
"More cowbell" - Bruce Dickinson
"More bell cow" - Lovie Smith
Plus...
it matches my fanny pack and Members Only jacket.
"More cowbell" - Bruce Dickinson
"More bell cow" - Lovie Smith
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