Chicago Bears 2011 Position Battles: Linebackers

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Aug 30, 2011 11:00 AM CDT in Roster Analysis

The Bears have two of the best at their position in the NFL in their linebacking unit, but the depth is lacking. I expect them to peruse the waiver wire in the next couple weeks. Finding someone smart and athletic enough to fit their system, and finding someone that can be a core special teamer is a must.

After Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs, I think they have two other solid NFL players in Nick Roach and Brian Iwuh. Roach will get a shot to show he belongs as the starting strong-side OLB, and Iwuh is a special teams stalwart that can play the weak-side OLB if needed. These two will be on the final roster, but the last couple LB spots are up in the air.

I'll assume the Bears will stick with six linebackers, and it's very possible that one if not both roster spots will be filled by someone that isn't even on the roster. After yesterdays release of Tanner Antle, the Bears have 10 LB's remaining on the roster. If I were a betting man, I'd bet that rookie draft choice J.T. Thomas will stick around somehow. If he's not on the 53 man, he might be on injured reserve with a strained coccyx (wink wink). He's a draft pick and Jerry Angelo will give his picks every chance to stick around.

Rookie back up MLB Don DeCiccio, at 6'4", has good size for a Tampa 2 MLB, but his speed isn't on Urlacher's level. That isn't really a fair criticism of him, as few linebackers have 'Lach's speed, but DeCiccio might be a good practice squad candidate if a waiver wire LB can be found.

One likely veteran pickup could be free agent Pisa Tinoisamoa, who the Bears wanted back after being last seasons starter at strong-side OLB, but his off-season knee surgery has Chicago taking a wait and see approach.

The other LB's in camp all should be looking for work in a couple weeks. The Bears may bring one or two back for the practice squad, but I haven't seen anything from Patrick Trahan, Deron Minor, Chris Johnson, or Tressor Baptiste that makes me think they'll be sticking around for the season opener.

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Any news on Jamar Williams

he’s a free agent I think, and if he’s recovered from last season’s injury, I’d think he was worth a look

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by ThorCo on Aug 30, 2011 11:19 AM CDT reply actions

Lofa?

What’s the holdup with him? He visited the Redskins and others, but still has no deal. Is he asking for too much money? Or do Lovie/Angelo feel he won’t fit in this scheme or is an injury risk like Tinoisomoa?

by the_EDJ on Aug 30, 2011 11:21 AM CDT reply actions

I don't think he's a fit

Whenever Mike Ditka boards an aircraft, it changes its call sign to Bear Force One.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Aug 30, 2011 11:28 AM CDT up reply actions

Does J.T. Thomas really have a strained coccyx, or were you just being cute?

I really haven’t seen anything from him to make an informed judgment. Is he really worth keeping (assuming he recovers from whatever injury he has)?

by NorthSideBearsFan on Aug 30, 2011 11:28 AM CDT reply actions

I'm always cute... but didn't this tip you off?

(wink wink)

The redshirt program is alive and well, and the Bears will keep Thomas around somehow

Whenever Mike Ditka boards an aircraft, it changes its call sign to Bear Force One.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Aug 30, 2011 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions

I'm surprised that more teams don't do the Bears Redshirt Program.

It’s quite possibly the FUNNIEST way around the rules since New England placed 11 players on the “questionable” list, even though all of them played that weekend.

NFL injury rules are so silly.

by Doshi on Aug 30, 2011 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions

I didn't know if you we're winking because coccyx is a funny word

or because it was actually a different injury but you just wanted to say coccyx because…it’s a funny word. Or if you’re just one of those guys who likes to wink while writing.

Whatever the case, I hope Thomas gets an ice pack on his injured body part and comes ready to play (though probably not until 2012).

by NorthSideBearsFan on Aug 30, 2011 11:36 AM CDT reply actions

wink wink

That wink is because you reply failed…

Whenever Mike Ditka boards an aircraft, it changes its call sign to Bear Force One.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Aug 30, 2011 12:03 PM CDT up reply actions

i was dropped on my head as a baby

so i can’t handle all this complex reply technology. it’s not my fault

by NorthSideBearsFan on Aug 30, 2011 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions

Who wasn't?

by Doshi on Sep 2, 2011 8:26 AM CDT up reply actions

De Cicco didn’t jump at me as a big talent, or spectacular, JT looked ok.

by transylvanian bear on Aug 30, 2011 2:12 PM CDT reply actions

He's not slow, though

http://nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=69591&draftyear=2011&genpos=SS

And he has safety experience. Lach is going to be verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry hard to replace when that day comes.

by Sound_Automatic on Aug 30, 2011 4:29 PM CDT up reply actions

I guess the real question is can he add 25 pounds and run like that

The answer is no

by Sound_Automatic on Aug 30, 2011 4:33 PM CDT up reply actions

he looks slow on the field

I suppose the more comfortable he becomes the faster he’ll look

Whenever Mike Ditka boards an aircraft, it changes its call sign to Bear Force One.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Aug 30, 2011 10:05 PM CDT via iPhone app up reply actions

What happened to pisa..?

I know he gets hurt but i think we should give him a shot hes a good LB

by tazz34 on Aug 30, 2011 3:09 PM CDT reply actions

One likely veteran pickup could be free agent Pisa Tinoisamoa, who the Bears wanted back after being last seasons starter at strong-side OLB, but his off-season knee surgery has Chicago taking a wait and see approach.

Whenever Mike Ditka boards an aircraft, it changes its call sign to Bear Force One.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Aug 30, 2011 3:33 PM CDT up reply actions

Oh come off it already.

You know no-one actually reads our worthless tripe.

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by Steven Schweickert on Aug 30, 2011 4:26 PM CDT up reply actions

This seems like a bear move

by Sound_Automatic on Aug 30, 2011 4:31 PM CDT up reply actions

lol

Whenever Mike Ditka boards an aircraft, it changes its call sign to Bear Force One.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Aug 30, 2011 10:05 PM CDT via iPhone app up reply actions

I have often debated posting absolute gibberish just to see

but then so few could tell the difference between the gibberish and my actual thoughts so….

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

by Just Dave on Aug 31, 2011 8:59 AM CDT up reply actions

by Steven Schweickert on Aug 31, 2011 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions

LB

I think 1, possibly 2 vet LBs could be added to bolster the ST. DeCicco could be a PS candidate, but I think 1-2 more veterans would really help in case of more injuries.

by walterfan34 on Aug 30, 2011 3:42 PM CDT reply actions