Chicago Bears Position Battles: DL
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Aug 26, 2010 11:08 AM CDT
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On paper at least, the defensive line should be a strength of the team. Perennial Pro Bowler (note my sarcasm font) Tommie Harris has looked better so far this preseason, and their new Rush Man Julius Peppers looks good. They have some other versatile pieces on the line that may allow them to go with only eight linemen as opposed to the nine they've carried the last couple years.
I think if everyone is healthy before cut down day, they'll roll the dice and only bring eight to the final 53. Leaving them some wiggle room at another position.
After the jump I'll look at all 13 current Bears defensive linemen, and guess as to which lucky 8 will still be employed come week 1.
I'll get right down to the nitty gritty, here's the ocho keepo:
Defensive Ends
Julius Peppers - Duh!
Israel Idonije - Anyone else find it odd that Izzy is still listed as a DT on chicagobears.com?
Mark Anderson - His play towards the end of last year was a pleasant surprise. He's starting to get it.
Corey Wootton - I think there is too much upside with this kid to cut.
Defensive Tackles
Tommie Harris - He's drawn a few double teams so far this preseason, that's a good sign.
Anthony Adams - This guy just produces when he's on the field.
Marcus Harrison - His ability to play both DT spots will keep him around, but he has to keep stepping up his play.
Matt Toeaina - I've been surprised at his game so far. He's gotten some reps with the #1s in the 1st two games.
These guys will be candidates for the practice squad; DEs Maurice Evans and Barry Turner, and DT Mick Williams. Leaving Henry Melton and pool jumper extraordinaire Jarron Gilbert fighting it out for a job. My biggest reasoning in only keeping eight on the D-Line is that of the guys fighting it out for a spot, none has stood out.
Gilbert was kept out of the Raider game because of a stinger. But if I'm fighting for my NFL life, I'm getting on that field, somehow, someway. Maybe he was told his job is safe?
I think Wootton is a prime candidate for a, cough... "injury", thus ending up on IR, because he still needs some polish. And I suppose the Bears could take another chance on both '09 draft picks, Melton and Gilbert, I just haven't seen either one do anything worthy of a spot.
These lest two preseason games will be huge for some of these bubble guys. Maybe one of the unheralded D-Linemen will step up and make the decision tougher for the Bears.
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Nice breakdown.
I think they could keep only 8. I agree that Wootton may be redshirted and I think Melton then gets in. He seems to be playing pretty decently from what I’ve seen this preseason, whereas I just haven’t seen Gilbert do anything… basically, ever. And I’d like to see more guys with Toeaina’s motor out there.
Good assessment.
Wouldn’t be surprised if Wootton gets a hangnail and ends up on IR. Melton has earned more praise in camp than Gilbert and has improved as a 3 tech. Gilbert has been called out a bit, in an un-good way and he and Melton may be/have been victims of DMS. Harrison needs to step it up.
Toeania has looked pretty good so I think he’ll stick. Call me crazy but I would still like to see Melton on offense in short yardage situations.
"More cowbell" - Bruce Dickinson; "More bell cow" - Lovie Smith
You're crazy.
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 Aug 26, 2010 12:10 PM CDT up reply actions
Plenty of youtube stuff out there on the "Hemi".
Seriously, I don’t expect it to ever happen…or do I?
"More cowbell" - Bruce Dickinson; "More bell cow" - Lovie Smith
We agree for the most part...
but I say Gilbert is done. I have not seen one play where I said, “…now that’s why they drafted this kid…”. Not a single play. He has shown nothing of the speed, strength, or tenacity that he’s been scouted as. Conversely, Henry Melton has shown a few flashes in the SD game (albeit against 3rd/4th string guys) of quickness and penetration. I see Melton as a good backup at 3-tech. especially in passing situations. Along with M Harrison, who is looking better each week, I see Gilbert just not having much to offer. Further Toeaina has played well and Adams is solid at NT. I still have grave doubts about Harris, but he’s at least healthy.
At the DE spots, IMHO, Peppers and Izzy are the starters. Anderson is a good 1st guy off the bench, especially as a situational pass rusher, but he’s not an every down guy. The biggest problem is the 4th DE. Wootten seems to fit the bill, but he needs serious development and I agree that IR is calling his name. At the end of the day, I see Melton as being the better choice for the 9th D-Line guy, he has shown more than Gilbert both inside and outside. If Wooten does go to IR, I bet the Bears keep both Gilbert and Melton. Either way, my guess is 9 guys on the d-line
IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO FIRE LOVIE!
I would have no problem if they cut Gilbert
I just don’t know if Angelo will do it.
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 Aug 26, 2010 12:09 PM CDT up reply actions
I think Gilbert is playing out of position at DE.
He doesn’t have the speed to be pass rushing DE in this scheme. I thought they should have kept working with him at the 3 technique.
by Dominique Blanton on Aug 26, 2010 8:26 PM CDT up reply actions
The trouble is, Lovie keeps changing his mind. He is the king of micro-managers.
He’s delayed the development of Israel Idonje by having him gain and drop weight just to experiment, rather than let him get comfortable at a position. And we all know about D Manning. Don’t get me wrong, I like what II has accomplished so far, but he could have gotten to this point a lot sooner. It seems Lovie prefers jacks of all trades, masters of none.
I’ve always said he should be jumping over the interior line. Death From Above!
"44 years of football history and nothing to show for it. I wish I wasn’t banned at the Norseman.." - tfrabotta
"Fellas, what are they, unblockable? Is that the '85 Bears over there?" - overheard at Giants' '06 training camp
~~~ Check my profile for links for SB20 and America's Game: '85 Bears ~~~
You're probably right
But I’d keep 8 so you could squeeze in another at a different position
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 Aug 26, 2010 12:20 PM CDT up reply actions
DL
I think 9 will make the team, the only one I left out was Gilbert. Just haven’t seen him make any plays ever. Izzy should start over Anderson, I think Anderson would be great in the 3rd down pass rush role like he was in 06. Why he was starting over Alex Brown the next year I have no idea. You might be right about Wootton on the cutdown day, I know he had a severe knee injury playing for Northwestern, haven’t heard how close to 100% he is yet. I’d keep Henry Melton and Toeaina, they’ve both been really impressive to this point.
Wootton might be the intangible
I think we have all heard he is a project but his status will probably be determined by Tice. Tice seems to be high on this kid from seeing his statements and comments. Who knows with Tice if he doesn’t expect him to play some this year.
I would have to say a mysterious IR “injury” and a possible cut down of someone else around week 6 (IR rules?) should Wootton start progressing throughout the year.
Thou Shalt Not Mock Lester Wiltfong Jr.
David Taylor's personal hype man. Check out his website unless you're a loser. http://www.cheekymonkeyart.com/
by Ditkavsworld on Aug 26, 2010 8:16 PM CDT up reply actions
Unless he's really setting himself up for it.
But in this case he’s not. Doubt not the Wiltfong.
If you can't laugh at yourself you must not be very funny.
I remain a pessimistically hopeful Bears fan.
I think he had a reply fail
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 Aug 26, 2010 10:55 PM CDT up reply actions
That's the only justification for blasphemy.
David Taylor's personal hype man. Check out his website unless you're a loser. http://www.cheekymonkeyart.com/
by Ditkavsworld on Aug 27, 2010 6:18 AM CDT up reply actions
lol
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 Aug 27, 2010 8:45 AM CDT up reply actions
I asked once in another thread, and was told that we tend to keep about 10 defensive linemen. If that’s true, I can’t see them going below 9… and I can’t see Jerry admitting to a mistake with his first pick of last year’s draft either, so I’m tending towards the “Wooton to IR and both Melton & Gilbert to stay” option.
"44 years of football history and nothing to show for it. I wish I wasn’t banned at the Norseman.." - tfrabotta
"Fellas, what are they, unblockable? Is that the '85 Bears over there?" - overheard at Giants' '06 training camp
~~~ Check my profile for links for SB20 and America's Game: '85 Bears ~~~
someone tweeted a week or so ago
I forget which Bears “insider” it was, that they would keep between 8-10 on the D-Line
I’d keep 8, they’ll probably go with 9
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 Aug 28, 2010 2:35 PM CDT up reply actions
Ayup, forgot to say, I voted 9.
"44 years of football history and nothing to show for it. I wish I wasn’t banned at the Norseman.." - tfrabotta
"Fellas, what are they, unblockable? Is that the '85 Bears over there?" - overheard at Giants' '06 training camp
~~~ Check my profile for links for SB20 and America's Game: '85 Bears ~~~
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