2011 Chicago Bears Roster Turnover: Defensive Tackle

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Mar 8, 2011 9:02 AM CST in Roster Analysis

Jerry Angelo loves drafting him some d-linemen, and with Tommie Harris officially gone there is a void at defensive tackle. It would not surprise me at all to see JA go DT in the 1st round. It's not the direction I would go, but considering his track record it's a possibility. In looking at the roster, I'm not seeing that big disruptive force anywhere, and after the jump I'll look at each DT in more detail.

Pro Football Focus is letting us showcase their grading system in these Roster Turnover posts. Not one Bears DT ended the season with a positive grade. I think they have a couple guys that could be effective in a rotation, if there was that one DT that was playing at a high level.

Anthony Adams - free agent - I think the Bears would like to bring Adams back. He's a high motor player that plays a solid nose tackle in the Bears scheme. He's a good player and a good teammate, and I'd like to see him return. Pro Football Focus had him graded out with a -3.9, the 57th rated DT. His 21 defensive stops (solo tackles which constitute an offensive failure) led the Bears DTs.

Matt Toeaina - signed through 2013 - Toeaina beat out Tommie Harris for starting 3-tech tackle, then lost the job back to him later in the season, but he was still a big part of the DT rotation. Personally I think the Bears would be better off with him as a reserve getting snaps in rotation. Toeaina's PFF grade of -0.7 tied with Harris for the best of the Bears DTs with enough plays to qualify.

Marcus Harrison - signed through 2011 - Honestly, I've seen enough of Harrison, but with the Bears thin at the position, he may be allowed to prove his worth in the last year of his contract. He's showed some flashed of being a player, but he's just too inconsistent. In only 95 snaps PFF had him with a 0.0 grade.

Henry Melton - signed through 2012 - If Melton weren't so light in the butt, I think he would be a productive starter at the 3-tech DT. His best asset is his quickness, but he's just to small to be anything more than a situational pass rusher. Now if he could find 20 pounds this off-season he would be a legit option to start. His -7.0 against the run did no favors to his -8.6 overall grade. Even with his horrendous grade, I think Melton has the most upside of the DTs on the roster.

Tank Tyler - signed a reserve/future contract - The former 3rd round draft pick of the Chiefs has starting experience in the NFL. Maybe a change of scenery will jump start his career. Or not...

2011 - OUTLOOK - Angelo should and will draft a defensive tackle. The only way I'd be OK with a defensive tackle in the 1st round would be if all the top offensive tackles were gone. This does look to be a fairly deep draft for defensive linemen, so snagging a quality DT in the 2nd or 3rd round is probable. On the free agency side, the real good ones won't make financial sense for the Bears to pursue, and the others are just blah.

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If the 1st round 5 of Ty Smith, Sherrod, Carimi, Solder, & Castonzo are gone, then

go DT (or CB, or maybe Pouncey), otherwise, I think one of those tackles needs to be drafted if they are available.

by Mike Mueller on Mar 8, 2011 9:31 AM CST reply actions

That would be a sound, logical decision / strategy.

If one of the OT’s you mentioned above is available and drafted at 29, it would also mean that the 3-tech is:

a. Currently on the roster,
b. An existing / soon-to-be FA that can’t be signed yet,
c. Going to be drafted in round 2 or later.

Considering the importance of the position in this defense are the Bears going to be good with that?

"More cowbell" - Bruce Dickinson; "More bell cow" - Lovie Smith

by Pete Dixon on Mar 8, 2011 9:59 AM CST up reply actions

a.) if the draft or F/A doesn’t fall the way the Bears want wrt DT, then it’s possible (although not ideal) that Izzy could be moved back inside. He played very well as a situational pass rushing DT in ’09. DMS rears its ugly head again! DT rotation becomes Adams, Toeaina, Melton, and Izzy. But this leaves a glaring hole at DE then. Plug 1 hole and open an even bigger one is not a good idea (unless Ray Edwards comes south).

b.) Brandon Mebane of Seattle is a nice player & might not break the bank. He’s restricted though, but the new CBA might release all these restricted FAs into unrestricted FAs.

Brandon Mebane, DT, Seahawks. Age: 26.
Brandon Mebane has always been great against the run; this year, he added some pass-rushing skills to his repertoire, allowing him to serve as an every-down player in Seattle’s defense [he actually had 5.5 sacks in ’08].

Brandon Mebane (SEA) – At only 6’1, Mebane has the natural leverage and quickness to give interior linemen fits. He’s as underrated as they come and when you look at his numbers, it’s easy to see why he’s often snubbed when the discussion of the best defensive tackles comes up. Mebane has the work ethic and the tools to be a dominant defensive tackle for next decade and has been instrumental to the Seahawks’ run defense over the last 2 seasons.

He was also drafted by Bears Director of Player Personnel Tim Ruskell in the 3rd round in ’07.

c.) Possible Round 2 DT’s are Marvin Austin and Drake Nevis, two players I like a lot.

Jerry Angelo is not logical or a sound decision maker when it comes to drafting defensive linemen, so everything I just said is moot. DE in the 1st round baby!!

by Mike Mueller on Mar 8, 2011 10:15 AM CST up reply actions

We are sooo trading down.

"More cowbell" - Bruce Dickinson; "More bell cow" - Lovie Smith

by Pete Dixon on Mar 8, 2011 10:21 AM CST up reply actions

It all depends on the top offensive tackles

If one is there I think JA takes one, if not then trade down

If you go in the bathroom, turn off the lights, and say "Da Coach" 5 times while facing the mirror... Ditka will appear and slap the wussy right out of you.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Mar 8, 2011 10:39 AM CST up reply actions

You are correct sir!

by Mike Mueller on Mar 8, 2011 10:39 AM CST up reply actions

I hope not

If the top OTs are gone by #29, I’d want JA to find a premier DT. If we trade down, it’ll be three straight years without a first round draft pick – I almost want to keep the top pick just to remember what it was feels like.

by NorthSideBearsFan on Mar 8, 2011 11:12 AM CST up reply actions

It feels like:

Chris Williams, Greg Olson, Cedric Benson, Tommie Harris, Michael Haynes, Rex Grossman, Marc Colombo, David Terrell….

"More cowbell" - Bruce Dickinson; "More bell cow" - Lovie Smith

by Pete Dixon on Mar 8, 2011 11:43 AM CST up reply actions

I actually just threw up

by l3ig_lvlike_430 on Mar 8, 2011 4:41 PM CST up reply actions

Mebane is a beast.

I suppose it depends on the price tag, but a dominant DT is sorely needed in this defense.

by oripunk3485 on Mar 8, 2011 12:19 PM CST up reply actions

DT is a need, but OL is a bigger need...

Eureka! I’ve got it. Draft a DT who can be converted to OL if he doesn’t work out. Because everyone knows that’s a seamless transition. Extra points for leaping ability, essential on both the O-line and D-line.

by oripunk3485 on Mar 8, 2011 11:42 AM CST reply actions

Can't forget an injury that sidelined them for a significant amount of time.

WILDCARD BITCHES!!! YEEEEHHHAAAAA!!!!!

by Acreman20 on Mar 8, 2011 1:19 PM CST up reply actions

we need a player that can step in and play immediately.

Our Offensive line was the worst in the NFL last season and ranks as our #1 need.
Our Deffensive line was average pass rushing but #1 verse the run.

JA should pick a player that can step in and start, if an offensive lineman who can start is available then that is a no brainer since we have multiple needs there. If there is no offensive line starter available and a player who can start at 3T DT then that makes sense. No wayJA will be able to fill all the teams needs from F/A.

A good yard stick would be “What do we need to beat Green Bay” my answer is an offensive line and a corner.

. "Most football teams are temperamental. That's 90% temper and 10% mental."
--Doug Plank

by ed_brown on Mar 8, 2011 12:38 PM CST reply actions

Bears need starters rite away is true

We should sign 2 OL and a WR via free agencey its our biggest need to start A.S.A.P.Then u can go after what u want in the draft..They just cleared up like 15 like mil..between letting tommy go and peppers restructuring his contract and hunter being cut..And they have cut other players so they have cleared about 20 mil.I’d also bet theres gonna be more cuts..So its not like we dont have money.
Bottom line get it done were close to going to the big show.I would go all offense free agencey and draft my D needs.

by tazz34 on Mar 8, 2011 12:54 PM CST reply actions

well in order to get a legit LT then they need to draft him and that falls on what JA wants to do....

this draft is deep in defense so they can move up or if a good LT prospect falls to them then they should go after him first and then get a DT in the 2nd or vice-versa. I think they should sign 2 Guards and a WR and draft a LT, DT, C and a CB. But it’s all about the front office actually being smart and we all know how that is.

by frenchbears113 on Mar 8, 2011 12:58 PM CST up reply actions

I also think they should move on from Marcus Harrison, but they will give him another shot...

in training camp. If they can get Brandon Mebane in free agency, it should give them a lot more flexibility in the first two rounds in the draft.

by Dominique Blanton on Mar 8, 2011 2:21 PM CST reply actions

I would be okay with

us trading out of the 1st round and picking up a few more picks and picking up Nevis from LSU. Being in SEC country I have gotten the chance to see this guy play alot and he looks, at times, to be just as disruptive as any other DT in this draft.

by l3ig_lvlike_430 on Mar 8, 2011 4:43 PM CST reply actions

Nevis was alright

If he can just work on his motor he would become a fine replacement for Harris.

Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that

by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Mar 8, 2011 6:14 PM CST up reply actions

I would like to see a DT drafted within the first two rounds

Solve our O-Line issues in FA with all the money we have built up, then draft your freak of nature in April.

Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that

by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Mar 8, 2011 6:13 PM CST reply actions

Well, our last freak of nature was able to jump out of a pool…

Acreman20: 127 hours is pretty decent.
awfullyquiet: How long is that movie?
Acreman20: 93 minutes.

by Spongie on Mar 8, 2011 6:17 PM CST up reply actions

Heres a thought...

Phil Taylor from Baylor. He’s 6-4 340 and is expected late 2nd early 3rd. Reasoning is that the Vikings ran a cover-2 base a few years ago that had no classic 3-tech but had two NT. With peppers ability and the middle requiring double teams it would free up pep and Izzy to go after the QB.

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

by scespy12 on Mar 8, 2011 6:30 PM CST via mobile reply actions