In Harris and Peppers We Trust

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The Bears pass rush last season was mediocre to say the least, but the blame can't be place on Rod Marinelli. Adwale and Alex gave in to the teaching in the off-season, but reverted back to their old ways once the bright lights came on. The mid season trade for Gaines Adams last year was made to not only give the Bears an extra boost in pass rush last season, but for the future. When Adams tragically passed away and Ogunleye was not brought back, the Bears was left with a big hole at defensive end. 91.5 million and 42 million guranteed dollars later, the Bears signed one of if not the best pass rushers in the NFL in Julius Peppers. The Bears had a decision to make after the signing of Peppers, between DT Tommie Harris and DE Alex Brown. One had to go and the decision was Alex because 1 they didn't want to sink so much money into one position and 2 3 Technique Tackle is a very important position in the Cover 2.

Lovie Smith is putting his job in the hands of Julius Peppers and Tommie Harris. If Peppers lives up to his contract and Harris plays like he played in the last two games of the season last year the rest of the defense will feed off it. Not only does Lovie job rests in the hands of Peppers and Harris, but the life of the cover 2 rests on their shoulders (it's on life support right now). In the 4th of the 5 part series of match up posts, I will analyze the competition Peppers and Harris will face on a week to week basis.  

Week 1 vs Detroit ( Gosder Cherilus and Manny Ramirez) 

Gosder Cherilus is a decent starter at Right Tackle, but you have to wonder is he going to be ready for what's going to be thrown at him especially coming off a off-season knee surgery. You might see a lot of holding penalities thrown his way in this game. Manny Ramirez had success against Tommie in the first meeting, but struggle with him in the last meeting. If Tommie is at full strength, he might cause havoc inside which should open up one on one's with Peppers vs Cherilus. This might be a good week for the front 4 of the Bears.

Week 2 at Dallas (Marc Columbo and Kyle Kosier)

Jason Garret might be arrogant enough to leave Columbo one on one with Peppers in order to give Romo more targets. I expect Peppers to get the best of Columbo at times during this game, which should ease the pressure off the secondary that has to deal with Austin, Bryant, Williams, and Witten. Tommie Harris might have a hard time against Kosier who is a very underrated lineman in the league. They will double Tommie at times, but  Kosier should be able to handle Tommie one on one on most occasions. The interior defense is going to have a tough time in this one because Dallas interior line of Davis, Gurode, and Kosier is probably one of the best in the league.

Week 3 vs Green Bay (Mark Tauscher and Josh Sitton)

This should be a favorable match up for Peppers against Tauscher who is over the hill in pass protection. Expect the Packers to double team Peppers often in this game, which shifts the focus on Harris against Sitton. Sitton was Green Bay best lineman last season, but a full strength Tommie could give him problems in the athleticism department. This might be a game where Anderson, Adams/Harrison, and Harris have a impact instead of Peppers. I do expect Peppers to get at least one sack in this game because he won't be double team all game.

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Week 4 at New York Giants (David Diehl and Chris Snee)

David Diehl and Chris Snee are very solid starters and present a tough match up for Peppers and Harris. This is probably another one of those games where Peppers is double and they leave there RG on Harris. Snee is one of the better guards in the NFL, and is capable of shutting down the opposing teams best defensive tackle. Peppers will need to be effective in this game when he is not double, along with the rest of the line.

Week 5 at Carolina (Jeff Otah and Mackenzy Bernadeau)

Tommie might get double in this game, leaving Peppers one on one with Otah. This might be a sea saw battle all game long since both players are familiar with each other tendencies. Carolina is mainly a running team with Williams and Stewart, but if the Bears offense put points up on the board early it will give Peppers and Harris many chances to rush the passer.

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Week 6 vs Seattle (Ray Willis and Max Unger)

Unless Alex Gibbs have a game plan against Peppers, expect Willis to abused often against Peppers. Willis has trouble with athletic, powerful pass rushers like Peppers. Unger will have some success against Tommie, but he might also run into some trouble against Tommie athleticism and explosiveness off the line of scrimmage. Should be a good game for the entire defensive line on paper.

Week 7 vs Washington (Jammal Brown and Mike Williams)

One of the worst offensive lines last season will probably be much improve this season under Shanahan tutelage. Jammal Brown before injury was one of the better tackles in the league, but he comes into the season as a question mark. Will he be the old Jammal Brown that was reliable of protecting Drew Brees blind side or has he lost a step. We will find out against Peppers as both guys are familiar with each other during their years battling each other every year when the Saints played the Panthers. Harris should get the best of Mike Williams as he was a disappointment last season. The defensive line should have a good game against this Washington offensive line.

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Week 9 at Buffalo (Cornell Green and Eric Wood)

Cornell Green is athletically gifted, but his strength is not pass protection. Peppers might get double a lot in this game which should free up one on one with Harris against Wood. Wood is good, but not great at RG and Tommie should have no excuse not to win this match up against. I expect the line to pressure Edwards into making some mistakes in this game.

Week 10 vs Vikings (Phil Loadholt and Anthony Herrera)

Tommie in the 1st half of that game last season against Herrera abused him badly to the point that they double him the rest of the game. Peppers embarrassed Loadholt last year on Sunday night football, then had time to flip over and embarrass McKinnie to the point that he almost got bench. The pressence of Peppers takes away one of Minny targets in Shiancoe. Chester Taylor would be a big help for the Vikings against Peppers and Harris, but he will on our sideline leaving Peterson to pass protect (not one of his biggest strengths). 

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Week 11 at Miami (Vernon Carey and Donald Thomas)

This will be a tough test for Peppers and Harris, but on the flip side you they won't see many double teams in this game. That should give Peppers and Harris the opportunity to win there match up at times during the game.

Week 12 vs Philadelphia (Winston Justice and Stacy Andrews)

Winston Justice develop into a solid RT, but he still struggles against elite pass rushers like Peppers, Ware, and Allen. Stacy Andrews is a solid guard, but he can be beat against speed tackles like Harris. The secondary will need to help Peppers and Harris out in this game because Kevin Kolb has a sharp quick release to combat the weakness on the offensive line. Kolb tends to throw the ball in heavy traffic, so if Peppers, Harris, and the rest of the line can be disruptive there will be opportunities to make plays on the ball.

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Week 13 at Detroit (Gosder Cherlius and Manny Ramirez)

Pass rush is needed in this game to stop a much expected improve offensive attack by the lions. Look for Anderson and Harrison to have a huge game against them this time around.

Week 14 vs New England (Nick Kaczur and Stephen Neal)

New England offensive line is a tad overrated, as the defensive line can be disruptive in this game. Pats fans will tell you them selfs how bad Kaczur can be at RT and Stephen Neal is not the best guard in the world. Brady's pocket awareness helps the deficiencies that's on that right side of the line. Plain and Simple, if Harris and Peppers are disruptive on the right side of the line they win the game for the Bears.

Week 15 at Minnesota (Phil Loadholt and Anthony Herrera)

Just like in week 10, the game plan will be to double team Peppers with Shiancoe, but expect Maranelli to move Peppers to LE at times to take advantage of Peppers speed and strength against the declining Bryant McKinnie. Anderson potentially could have a good game in this one as he will see plenty of one on one match ups against both Loadholt and McKinnie. You might see Tommie get double often by the Center and Right Guard in both meetings.

Week 16 vs New York Jets (Damien Woody and Brandon Moore)

Woody is a solid veteran, but there is a reason why they want to move him inside and that because his instincts are decaying to where he can't keep up with elite pass rushers anymore.  Woody should get some help against Peppers at times, but I expect Peppers to win almost every one on one battle against Woody. Moore on the other hand is a solid starter at RG that should have some success against Tommie for most of the game. This will be a tough game for the Bears front 4 as they will face one of the best offensive line units in the NFL.

Week 17 at Packers (Mark Tauscher and Josh Sitton)

This might be the same situation Minnesota will run into, which is take a target off the field or out of the play because they will have to help Tauscher in pass protection. They might also flip Peppers to LE to get a one on one match up with Clifton who is also getting long in the tooth. Sitton vs Harris should be a sea saw battle where both players getting the best of each other. Look for Anderson or Cory Wootton to play a big role in this game.

Links to other match up posts

Bowman Island

The Blind Side: Chris Williams

Hester/Knox/Aromashodu: How good can they be this season?

In Harris and Peppers We Trust

Final Match up post Olin Kreutz and Roberto Garza