5 Bears with Most to Prove: No. 3 Zack Bowman

by Dominique Blanton on Jul 14, 2011 7:00 PM CDT in Roster Analysis

I kicked off the ‘5 Bears Most to Prove' series last week with Safety Major Wright and a couple days ago put 4^th year offensive lineman Chris Williams at #4. We're back on the defense side of the field as Cornerback Zackary Bowman comes in at #3 in this series. Bowman is arguably the most athletically gifted corner Lovie Smith has had since he got here in 04. He's quick with decent speed, great agility, very good in man coverage, and is a ball-hawk. All of these attributes were definitely on display in 09 where he lead the team with 6 interceptions and 10 pass defenses.

You have to wonder where it all went wrong for Bowman in 2010. Most fans say the Monday Night Packer game, but I go further back all the way to mini-camp that year when Lovie prematurely gave Bowman the LCB spot over veteran Charles Tillman. Lovie had in mind that if Bowman was covering the opposing teams #1 receiver he will have even more opportunities to make plays on the ball. That plan backfired as Bowman was victimized by the league's best receivers, and it hit its breaking point in week 3 where Bowman struggled mightily in zone coverage and displayed poor tackling. He was benched in that game for Tim Jennings and never saw full time duties again that season.

The good news for Bowman is that he's not entrenched in Lovie doghouse, as Lovie came out in the off-season and said that Bowman will have a chance to win his job back against veteran Jennings and last years 5^th round rookie Joshua Moore. Out of the 3, Bowman is arguably the better talent; he brings a different element to the Bears CB position with his ability to man up on receivers and make plays on the ball. The problem is that Jennings excels best in zone coverage which is what Lovie and Defensive Coordinator Rod Marinelli runs a majority of the time. You also have to factor in that Lovie in the past hasn't been afraid to play CB's with limited experience so Joshua Moore is definitely in play for the starting job. Bowman needs to prove to the coaches that he's not a one dimensional CB. He has to improve a lot on zone coverage assignments and needs to show coaches he's a willing tackler. Bowman is a good talent, but talent only takes you so far. This is the year that Bowman needs to prove he's a starting caliber corner in this league.

Previous 'Most to Prove' Posts

#5 Major Wright

#4 Chris Williams

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Comments

The Joshua Moore-era has arrived. Personally I don't think Zack Bowman is the answer but that's only because I have high hopes for Josh Moore

by frenchbears113 on Jul 14, 2011 8:36 PM CDT reply actions

If it means anything

Joshua Moore is great in Madden, I think he has the second highest man coverage rating on the team! Just sayin..

"Welcome to the place where I lazily threaten people and then everyone laughs."
- Kev H

by chicago030 on Jul 14, 2011 11:22 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

I really hope Bowman can regain his form

He has the tools to be a good CB

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 Jul 14, 2011 8:42 PM CDT reply actions

I'm with you on this Les

I’m not one of those people who believe Tim Jennings lost the NFKCG and we should run out and sign some guy who’s name looks like some kid was playing at the typewriter. But, we miss having the pre-banged up Vasher playing next to Peanut. It would be great if one of our guys decided to play up to his potential and make that spot his own.

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

by ed_brown on Jul 14, 2011 10:35 PM CDT reply actions

I agree ed

the 05-06 pass rusher and corners and a healthy Mike Brown too

by chiguy8506 on Jul 14, 2011 11:09 PM CDT up reply actions

Love you, love your show. And Ed I mean it without being mean but....

Hit the “reply” (at the bottom on every post with the “+” sign to the left of the word to"reply") when “replying” to someone. It makes the threads more legible and easy to follow. But I’m with you on all things other than the things we don’t agree upon. You know what I mean.

Above all; keep 'em guessing, never let them lose their sense of confusion.

by Just Dave on Jul 15, 2011 12:02 AM CDT up reply actions

I do try Dave

perhaps if you live long enough you will have a better perspective on how unuser friendly common things are when you have diminishing capacities

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

by ed_brown on Jul 15, 2011 6:26 PM CDT up reply actions

If you have someone's comment highlighted (you are reading it as a new comment and it is in dark yellow just type "R" and you'll automatically reply.

Maybe that’ll help. I’ve never been an unuser but I like the concept.

Above all; keep 'em guessing, never let them lose their sense of confusion.

by Just Dave on Jul 15, 2011 8:03 PM CDT up reply actions

that's great but, how do you get it to turn yellow?

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

by ed_brown on Jul 15, 2011 9:11 PM CDT up reply actions

You can use "Z" to scroll through new comments (shown in lighter yellow)

The comment you’re currently “on” is in darker yellow. At that point, you can hit “R” to “reply” to the post.

Alternatively, you can click “reply” on the comment that you want to reply to like I’ve just done.

Weekend contributor at Windy City Gridiron

by Steven Schweickert on Jul 15, 2011 10:46 PM CDT up reply actions

When you click on a post all new comments (since you last visited said post) are yellow.

At that point you can follow Steven’s directions above. Just thought it might help. Especially if you are having trouble seeing the screen. Like me. I have to hold my laptop about 2 to 3 feet away from my face to focus on the comments. When you enter a page for the first time all comments are yellow. When you hit “z” or “c” on the keyboard you move to the next new comment. It becomes dark(er) yellow. If you want to reply to it, just touch “r” on your keyboard.

Above all; keep 'em guessing, never let them lose their sense of confusion.

by Just Dave on Jul 15, 2011 11:13 PM CDT up reply actions

I thought the Bears had a gem...

in Zachary Bowman going into last season. I had serious hopes that the Bears had finally found a decent compliment to Tillman, but Bowman took a great opportunity and squandered it. Tim Jennings is a nice back-up and spot starter, but he’s just not going to be more than a role-player going forward. He’s not a bad CB, but neither is he great. If Bowman turns it around he has that tools to be a quality cover-who guy, but I just do not see it happening. My guess is J Moore shows up, but Jennings starts most of the season. The Bears do not seem to be interested in a CB or WR in FA, so I think the current roster is what we’ll see this year at those positions.

by LostInSTL on Jul 15, 2011 4:22 PM CDT reply actions

your right Jennings is not terrible but he is a notch below Tillman

and you may very well be right, but they did pick up Jennings in F/A and why would they sign Fantuz to a futures contract if they are uninterested in large W/R’s. I think they have a plan but stamped it “TOP SECRET” and talk nonsense to the press. They have always been paranoid about anyone finding out what goes on behind the closed doors at Halas Hall.

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

by ed_brown on Jul 15, 2011 9:44 PM CDT up reply actions

Good point...

I have noticed that over the past few seasons. They do seem oddly paranoid about their FA and draft plans. Look at the stupidity of the Ravens draft thing, it reeked of desperation. I’m still not convinced the Bears will go after a star at WR either way (and no I do not believe Fantuz is that star WR) and beyond the line, I think the Bears need to get significantly better talent at the WR position for the offense to improve.

by LostInSTL on Jul 16, 2011 7:06 AM CDT up reply actions

I'm not convinced they will go after a #1 WR this year either.

the problems with the OLine is very serious. On a scale of 0 to 10 here is how I rate our O-line play run/pass

Omniyale 5.0/5.0
williams 5.0/5.0
Kreutz 6.0/6.0
Garza 6.0/6.0
Webb 5.5/5.0

with no changes on the line I would expect some improvements in 2011. Kreutz and Garza will be healthier and I would expect Webb to continue to improve. that leaves both Omniyale and Williams whom I would not expect to improve. Carimi is a rookie and at LT that could easily lead to a very bumpy year for Cutler.

Then there is the question of Rod Wilson as Urlacher’s backup and perhaps getting an upgrade for Pisa.

But, thats the trouble with wish lists, it just seems impossible to ever finish one.

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

by ed_brown on Jul 16, 2011 5:02 PM CDT reply actions