2012 Chicago Bears Roster Turnover: Defensive Tackle

He’d be a fun guy to plug in at NT

He played the pass rushing DT roll very well in previous seasons. If the Bears go out and get real DE opposite Pep, then having Izzy go back to rush DT on passing downs isn’t a bad idea. His length in the middle can really disrupt the opposing QBs passing lanes.

Both Melton and Okoye were ranked in the top 10 in the NFL amongst DTs statistically, and both are young as well as healthy. Paea will only continue to grow as well as bulk up and getting stronger (scary huh?). I feel that Okoye will be re-signed this year, and the Bears will add a young NT type player into the rotation. Sadly, I don’t see Anthony Adams returning, as he didn’t play too much last year and I forsee the Bears gradually move toward getting younger on defense, starting from the inside out, from DT on out.

If money really isn’t an issue this season.

unless we let go of AA and Okoye. Melton and OKOYE with paea and toeana works well with just 4 DTs. Melton okoye and paea will only get better and our resources are better suited in the draft in other positions. Combine these 4 with 3 DEs we should have 7 instead of the 9 or 10 we had last year. Could instead focus on LB or SECONDARY depth.

A guy I’d love to see in a Bears uniform is Mike Martin. I’ve watched him for the past couple years, even seen him live, and have been very impressed. His numbers don’t tell the whole story due to the fact he has been playing out of position the past two years at NT, but he showed his true potential at the senior bowl. If he’s there when we pick in the 5th (that’s a big if) then he would make for a great value pick IMO.

But we do need one big body up the middle to play the run. Paea is kind of a ‘tweener’ in that he can play both 3 techique and NT.

Also, for those of you assuming that Okoye is a lock to stay a Bear— Well, I hope he does but he’s an FA now and he was playing for this new contract. So, don’t be so sure he’s going to get resigned at this point.

and hopefully Okoye can be re-signed to keep him in the rotation at DT. Adams, Toeaina, and Paea have not impressed me that much. Paea doesn’t seem to be a good fit at NT or 3-tech., so I don’t know what to think of him. He’s got a season under his belt, so perhaps he can find his place in the rotation and contribute next year. Adams is the best overall NT, and a good team guy (by all accounts), but having a NT that can be more of a factor in both run and pass defense should be somewhat of a priority for the Bears. I believe DE is a higher priority, but for the front-four to be more than mediocre, the Bears need an improvement at NT. Maybe Emery can convince Lovie that undersized NTs are not necessarily better or faster, just smaller.

Use the money to lock up Okoye. He was a pleasant surprise this last season. Nothing against AA just performance and as mentioned, cap casualty.

if we don’t get him i won’t be shocked. but with him 3/4 of our DL would be under 30. though Mathis, Abraham, wouldn’t be bad ones either. in the games ive watched i have liked Melton and Okoye so far.

Peps