Storm- News » Chicago’s defense imposed its will on other teams

last season Womens Trey Burton Jersey , and Akiem Hicks and Eddie Goldman are hoping to repeat that feat next season, as well." From The Desk Of...Roster AnalysisNFC North Roster Comparisons: Interior Defensive LinemenNew,41commentsChicago’s defense imposed its will on other teams last season, and Akiem Hicks and Eddie Goldman are hoping to repeat that feat next season, as well.CDTShare this storyShare this on FacebookShare this on TwitterShareAll sharing optionsShareAll sharing options for:NFC North Roster Comparisons: Interior Defensive LinemenTwitterFacebookRedditPocketFlipboardEmailPhoto by Rob Leiter/Getty ImagesThis series is looking at the NFC North, also known as the Black and Blue Division. After far too long, the Bears returned to leadership of the division last year—powered by the most dangerous defense in the NFL. However, despite the amazing contributions of Khalil Mack, their edge rushers were not the most dominant part of their defense.It’s time to look at another type of bruiser. Interior Linemen impose their will on the other team. They anchor a defense so that pass-rushers can get home against the quarterback, they clog lanes so that running backs get nowhere, and they disrupt the hopes of offensive coordinators. In 2018, per Football Outsiders, teams played in so-called base personnel only 25% of the time. Chicago actually played Nickel defense 76% of the time, and Dime+ another 5% of the time. Minnesota played with a true Front 7 on only 21% of snaps, and it led the NFC North with those numbers. 1). ChicagoThe Bears were actually 9th in adjusted line yards allowed in 2018, but that was the best in the division. Likewise, the Bears only stuffed 20% of runs last season, but that was still much better than the next-closest divisional contender (the 16% of the Vikings). In short, there are probably stronger defensive interiors in the NFL, but not in the NFC North.Akiem Hicks and Eddie Goldman were the only interior linemen to play at least 50% of defensive snaps for the Bears in 2018, with Roy Robertson-Harris (34%), Bilal Nichols (31%), and Jonathan Bullard (28%) being denied “starter” status while still clocking significant time. A good part of this is because while Chicago technically runs a 3-4 defense, modern defenses aren’t that simple, and an interior defender is frequently removed to make things more flexible elsewhere.Hicks had 21 defeats in 2018 Cody Parkey Jersey , placing him 5th among interior linemen. His relative ability was not a fluke, nor was it the Mack Effect. In 2017, he was 3rd (19), and in 2016 he was 6th (17). The man is a beast, and he is underrated. The only other interior defender to rank in the last three years is Damon Harrison, formerly of the Giants (he tied Hicks in 2018 and was 8th in 2017).Playing in just over half of the available snaps, Goldman was a beast, but Bullard and Robertson-Harris were basically replacement-level players. If I had to pick a pleasant surprise, it would be Bilal Nichols, who forced 2 fumbles and managed 7 quarterback hits (3 sacks) in just 328 snaps. Ultimately, though, this is an interior defined by Goldman and Hicks but with adequate depth and variety to provide a solid rotation.2). DetroitI struggled, mightily, to figure out which team was actually second. Because all of the other interior lines are so ragged, I landed on the remaining team with the strongest pairing of proven talent and potential growth.I previously mentioned Damon Harrison, and the record-holding Harrison* is good, and he is backed up by A’Shawn Robinson (3.5 career sacks, 13 tackles for a loss, and 13 defended passes) along with Da’Shawn Hand (3 career sacks and 4 tackles for a loss in his inaugural season). Robinson is actually a capable player, with an impressive ability to break up passes. Da’Shawn Hand is a pretty good match in a lot of ways for Bilal Nichols.Behind Hand, however, Ray Smith and John Atkins are probably not going to move the needle very much. Until I pulled official rosters for this piece, I didn’t realize Darius Kilgo was still in the NFL. In short, the Lions have Harrison and Robinson to hold down the interior of their line, but after that they are depending on potential. Harrison is good http://www.thebearslockerroom.com/authentic-khalil-mack-jersey , but when a player picked up for a conditional fifth-round pick is the bright spot of a defensive line, it’s hard to say that the line is going to spread terror through a division.*Because he was traded mid-season, Harrison is the first defensive lineman to play in 17 regular season games in the same year.3). MinnesotaLast year, the Vikings’ defensive line was held together by Sheldon Richardson (69% of snaps) and Linval Joseph (64% of snaps). Tom Johnson and Jaleel Johnson were the only other defensive tackles to play even a quarter of the snaps. With Richarson gone to Cleveland, one of those two might get the chance to step up, at least a little. I am actually a little more worried that I am underestimating Shamar Stephen, who is back in Minnesota after a 1-year sojourn to Seattle. He showed last year that he can be an adequate player when given the opportunity, and there is not a lot behind him. Still, even if he plays lights-out (for him), that just gives Minnesota a pair of starters.Hercules Mata’afa was a promising UDFA, but an ACL tear ended his pro career before it began, and while he might turn into some interesting depth, he is not likely to redefine the position. Likewise, 6th-rounder Armon Watts was, in my opinion, a potential steal. That said, I like him more as a developmental project than as a player likely to contribute heavily in 2019. The truth is that this interior will look better than it is, because the rest of the Vikings defense is so solid. However, only Joseph has proven anything so far.4). Green Bay2018 saw the Packers’ defensive line anchored by Kenny Clark (68% of snaps), assisted by Dean Lowry (66% of snaps) and Mike Daniels (39% of snaps). Clark and Lowry are fine, but whenever stat-heads talk about “replace-level players,” guys like Clark and Lowry are who they have in mind. Tyler Lancaster seemed mostly there to give a name-pal to Kyler Fackrell, but Montravius Adams showed that he was finally (probably) past the injuries that slowed down the start of his career. Green Bay drafted Kingsley Keke, but Keke was not even in the top 250-plus players I had scores on for my confidence board--which means that not one of ten draft experts thought to mention him.In brief, Green Bay’s interior defensive line is underwhelming. They count on their edge rushers and defensive backs to get the job done. Next up Gale Sayers Jersey , it’s time to look at the off-the-ball linebackers.Note: All stats come from Football Outsiders and Pro Football Reference unless otherwise noted. When possible, I used roster information directly from the teams’ own websites. With the first two days of the draft having concluded, these players are among the best options for the Bears on Day 3."Being who you thought we were since 2005!Log In or Sign UpLog InSign UpFanpostsFanshotsSectionsBearsOddsAboutMastheadCommunity GuidelinesStubHubMoreAll 322 blogs on Horizontal - WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Latest NewsThe Bears DenNotesXs and OsSuperfansNFL DraftChicago Bears Draft 20192019 NFL Draft: Possible Day 3 options for BearsNew,19commentsWith the first two days of the draft having concluded, these players are among the best options for the Bears on Day 3.CDTShareTweetShareShare2019 NFL Draft: Possible Day 3 options for BearsAmani Oruwariye could be an enticing option for the Bears in the fourth round if available.Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY SportsAfter what seemed like an eternity, the Chicago Bears finally made a draft pick in the form of Iowa State running back David Montgomery.Trading their third-round pick—No. 87 overall—their fifth-round pick and a 2020 fourth-rounder to the New England Patriots for the No. 73 selection and a sixth-round pick, the Bears acquired the running back they envision as the head of their new committee. With Tarik Cohen and Mike Davis complementing the former Cyclone, the team has accomplished their goal of revamping the running back position.So now what?There are several talented players still available in this year’s draft, and some of them could potentially fall to the Bears’ fourth-round selection at No. 126 overall. Coincidentally enough, many of them are defensive backs: one of the team’s biggest needs. These players are among the best players still on the board heading into the third day of the draft.Lester and Jacob break down Bears third-round draft pick, Iowa State running back, David Montgomery Julian Love, CB, Notre DameJulian Love carries a first-round grade on my big board, so the fact that he is still available heading into Day 3 of the draft is pretty surprising.Love is an instinctive, athletic and versatile cornerback who can play on the outside and the slot at a high level. He can accelerate out of his breaks very well, he has good lateral agility and has solid deep speed. As a tackler, he has very good closing speed and takes good angles to the ball carrier. His ball skills are impressive, too, as he can high point the ball well on deep balls and jump routes. Barring some unforeseen off-the-field issue, I really can’t see why Love is still available. He could possibly go off the board before the Bears pick in the fourth round, but he would be a fantastic selection if they were to pick him.Amani Hooker, S, IowaMy draft crush is still available entering the fourth round, and I am going to hyperventilate during every pick until he is selected Womens Walter Payton Jersey , after which I will either cry tears of joy or smash my head through my wall, depending on whether or not the Bears pick him. I’m emotionally stable, guys; I swear.Amani Hooker is the most intelligent safety I’ve watched in the draft process, as he can diagnose very quickly to jump routes or close in on receivers to make a tackle. He has solid hip fluidity in coverage, and he’s a reliable tackler in run support. Hooker is also a versatile defensive back who can cover as a slot cornerback, as well. He’s not a stellar athlete, sure, but he isn’t slow by any means. The Bears need a long-term strong safety if Ha Ha Clinton-Dix leaves after the 2019 season, and the Iowa product would be a perfect fit if he were to be picked.Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, S, FloridaWhile not a pure strong safety like Hooker, Chauncey Gardner-Johnson has the athleticism and the versatility to project as a potential target for the Bears.Gardner-Johnson is a very good athlete with great closing speed, direction-changing abilities and hip fluidity. He has good instincts in space, as he can diagnose plays quickly and accelerate to break up passes or bring down ball carriers. He has very good range, and he has experience in single-high and two-high coverages, as well as a slot cornerback or a blitzing rusher off the edge. On tape, he displays a competitive personality around which teammates can rally. He’s shorter than six feet tall, and he tackles at the legs too often, but his upside in coverage makes him a potential value pick in Round 4.Amani Oruwariye, CB, Penn StateOut of the cornerbacks still available in the draft, Amani Oruwariye is the best at press-man coverage. Coincidentally enough, the Bears need a cornerback who can excel in that role. How convenient!The six-foot-two, 205-pound Oruwariye has length galore for the outside cornerback position. He is physical at the line of scrimmage and delivers a good jab in press coverage. His ball skills are impressive, as he can jump routes http://www.thebearslockerroom.com/authentic-jim-mcmahon-jersey , high point the ball and deflect passes at a high level. For a bigger cornerback, he also has pretty good hip fluidity. While not a standout athlete or a fantastic tackler, his physical tools are similar to those of at least a Day 2 draft pick. He would be an intriguing selection in the long run to replace Prince Amukamara.Christian Miller, EDGE, AlabamaThe Bears also could use some depth at edge rusher, and there happen to be a few talented players still available there.Christian Miller is one of those players, and he projects as a valuable rotational pass rusher early on in his career. He is a very good athlete who explodes off the ball consistently, he packs a solid punch at the initial point of contact, and he is good at bending and turning the corner. He is also pretty solid in coverage, as he has good hip fluidity and acceleration coming out of his breaks. While Miller could add some more pass-rushing moves to his arsenal, he’s an athletic prospect with room to grow.Justin Hollins, EDGE, OregonLike Miller, Justin Hollins is also a raw, yet very athletic edge rusher with promise. He ran a 4.5 40-yard dash and had a 36.5-inch vertical jump at the Combine, and that athleticism is apparent on tape. He accelerates very well off the snap, he can turn the corner and bend underneath offensive tackles, and he is a fluid mover in space. Hollins can also drop back into coverage and even showed promise covering receivers out of the slot. Though he never had truly great sack production and will need to bulk up to compete with NFL offensive linemen, his athleticism gives him a promises future in the pros.