AZ54

I may be off track here but I feel Jernigan is more of a NT type and I think he can do that very well. SCS pointed out other smaller NT (even in 3-4 schemes) who have played very well including Ratliff. If that's what the Bears feel they need most I'm ok with that because it's hard to argue with us taking any DT who IMO requires a double team. Jernigan can provide some pass rush but it's not the immediate kind of pressure, at least not what I've seen from him, but he will get off his blockers to make plays. OTOH is pass rush is the priority (this is what I believe) then we go after a guy like Donald first and find a run stuffer later. Donald will require some double team attention due to his quickness into the gap but he can be moved around whereas Jernigan is not going to move. FWIW I've watched Will Sutton the last couple seasons at ASU. He's not anything close to what I see Donald doing on the field although admittedly I've only seen highlight clips. I like Sutton as a later round pick (3rd - 5th depending on how he works out) because he's just not as explosive off the snap and will often get blocked out of the play and doesn't have much of a secondary move to get off blocks. Donald doesn't seem to quit until the whistle blows.

The turnover margin is more a result than a leading indicator. All over the league we hear coaches talking about the need to win the turnover battle every week so it's not some great secret. I will try to explain what I mean. We all know good CBs are good because they can get in position to deflect or even catch the ball. They are even better at it when there is a good pass rush and they know the clock is short for how long they have to cover. Good tacklers tend to force more fumbles than bad tacklers. OTOH good offensive players are that way in part because they protect the football, especially at the QB position. I'm not saying anything we don't already know. I think the media tends to oversimplify it as if a "good" coach gets his players to make INTs and a bad coach doesn't. Millions of people and most likely every football player from high school through college has seen Tillman punch footballs loose for years yet very few can replicate his success. If was as simple as coaching by Lovie, Jennings would be good at it too by now, or our safeties, or at least someone else on the D. For the most part you need the right players on both sides of the ball to win the turnover battle. Get a dominant D and the opponents offense will tend to take more chances late in the game to score points. Get a bad QB who throws like Schaub did last year and no matter how good your defense is you won't win the turnover battle. What I did like about Lovie though is that he actually coached one technique….rally to the ball... very well. One the runner is held up rip out the ball. That sometimes worked well other times it led to missed tackles as players focused too much on ripping out the ball. Again, we were good at it when we had out best players out there Urlacher, Briggs, Peanut, etc. and when guys like Urlacher were injured we weren't so good.

While your statement in an of itself is true it is not fully descriptive of what I'll just call the weighting effect. I'll take the good front 7 over the good back 4 anytime because I believe far more often than not that will give the better result on any given play. Of course we're also talking about 7 vs. 4 so I think it's best to just say given the same LBs I'll take the dominant Dline versus the dominant DBs.

I like how he plays the game but beyond that he's light and he's not that fast IMO. Given that level of competition there are a lot of plays where his speed does not stand out, easily seen on kick coverage. No way would I cut Costanzo for this kid. Some of the blocks he "fought off" looked like high school level blocks. What does stand out is his hustle to the ball.

Sitting in the corner of the end zone where all this happened on Jan 5th 1986. It was very cold but well worth it. http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/85bears/post?id=5480230 In the long and storied history that is New York Giants football, Jan. 5, 1986 is not a date anyone in the organization cares to remember. "It was not," says former Giants center Bart Oates, "my most pleasant day." …... The result was a confused New York offense that didn't know who to block and a harried Simms, who rushed his passes. "This was before you could come to the sideline and look at [still photos] of plays," Oates said, "because I kept coming out and saying, 'Are you guys counting because I'll tell you what, it looks like there are more than 11 Bears out there.' It looked like there were 14 or 15.

Too many bigger needs to go after DAT in the 3rd Rd.

We need to add a speed element to our offense. DAT can fill that void both as a slot type WR and RB and can also replace Hester as our KR/PR. He's small so he's not going to handle many plays but our offense is set for the most part so having him out there for 5-10 plays a game is fine. He is projected to be drafted anywhere from 3rd Rd to as late as the 7th Rd. Durability concerns will likely push him back towards the third day of the draft although an outstanding forty time might move him up higher. I think his skill set is more versatile than Hester's as a WR and he can run with good vision between the tackles, enough that the occasional play inside will keep the defenses honest or catch them off-guard. If he's still on the board in the 5th Rd he should be on our list.

Just cut him and let's get going with absorbing the cap hit. Cut Peppers, sign Bennett and we still have enough change to sign a good DT.

I agree, would like to have Garza around for one more season. I also want his replacement on the roster this season.

I think finding our pass rushers is a higher priority than finding our run stuffers, despite how bad we were against the run. Pass rushers come at a premium price and are harder to find so our money should go there first. Plus I think Raji hasn't done much lately, at least nothing special, but his name is going to generate a higher contract than his play deserves. If he turned down $8mil/yr then he's a fool. I'd rather have the combination of a player like Bennett at DE plus draft a guy like McCullers in the 3rd. http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players...aniel-mccullers STRENGTHS: Despite his inexperience, McCullers' size and ability to disrupt things from the middle often made him the focus of an opponent's blocking scheme. Has been double-teamed on most snaps and has even seen triple-team blocks often. Despite the attention, McCullers' size and strength make him tough to move in the running game. He plays with better leverage than one might expect given his frame, holding up well inside and sliding off blockers to handle two-gap responsibilities when playing the 3-4 nose guard. He was equally impressive against the run when Tennessee switched to a four-man front in 2012.

I thought Peppers was pretty bad in most games. Often blocked by one OT and driven out of the play. Didn't see the hustle he displayed in years past to chase down the LOS. He had a few bright spots here and there but too many games with 0 tackles, 0 sacks, 0 hurries. We can get those zeros for a lot less money.

Not really alone because both are big needs for us. I think our biggest need is to fix the pass rush because no pass rush in the league these days will end your day early. Yet that can come from FA including players like Melton returning to form. I'll assume the edge rush is where our focus in FA will be and we'll let some of our younger guys develop there. That also assumes we switch to a sometimes 3-4 D where we'll still use guys like Bass, SMC, and Washington off the edge. That means the draft focuses on the middle of the D and the backend. Needs matter on draft day but I don't believe you ever fixate on a specific need heading into Rd 1 of a draft, you need to grab the difference maker. If Emery has Mosley rated that much higher than either Donald, Jernigan then we should go there. For the same reason I won't be surprised if we grab a CB in Rd 1 but IMO fixing the defensive front 7 should be our highest priority.

I had the same reaction as when the Bears drafted Shea McClellin…"Who?"

After reading the article on the 3-3-5 I like the concept and can see where that could work well enough in college. For the NFL when we go against the 4 WR offenses it could fill a role but if we go that route it has to be just a part of what we do. There's too many smaller players on the field to make that the base D IMO. I'd say we're most likely headed towards a 3-4 1-gap defense. The new defensive coaches coming in all have focused on attacking the QB out of a 3-man front.

Every single draft the guys who can rush the passer move up and get chosen higher than initially expected at the end of the college season. I don't see any reason Donald will not do the same after his Senior Bowl performance. I certainly don't see him dropping. I wouldn't count on trading down that far and still be able to draft him. CBS has Donald as 20th best player overall. If he's the guy and we think he's going to be a Pro Bowl player (which is clearly the target in Rd 1) we should just take him when our pick comes around like we did with Kyle Long. I thought Long would easily be available in the 2nd Rd yet he played well at Senior Bowl and now he is sitting in Hawaii. I also remember the deal with Dwight Freeney who we were widely rumored to be targeting. The Colts traded up ahead of us and just took him "way early". Everyone said they were crazy to do that but they said he has the talent we need. By the end of his first season there were no more questions on that one. If we trade back to late first round it must be because we have the talent in the early 2nd Rd ranked nearly as high as high as Donald. If there's a significant drop off I'd stay put and grab the potential Pro Bowl player any day even if it's a bit earlier than the pundits think they should have gone. I suppose I could have just stated all this as don't do another JA move and trade down and then miss out on your targeted player.

Part of the equation here is that a guy like Donald must be accounted for immediately at the snap even on plays that are away from. Translation...if you pull the guy blocking him there's still a good chance he gets in the backfield to blow up the play. That alters what an offense can do and the less play options they have the better for us. I don't think Melton has that much short area quickness and I don't recall Melton fighting through double team blocks as well as Donald does in the second highight video. As far as our scheme goes we always here about Lovie's D and the 3-technique. I'm not a coach but I'm pretty sure other schemes, even 3-4 defenses can use a 1-gap scheme and that guy doesn't necessarily have to line up on the outside shoulder of the OG. I remember many here wanting Darnell Dockett to play our 3-tech years ago. He's been very successful getting after the QB for years in a 3-4 scheme. IMO the way offense's are today (pass happy) what matters is having players who can get immediate pressure up the middle as opposed to the old Blache style where the big DTs and DEs just sat back in their 2-gap scheme until they knew it was a pass and then tried to go after the QB. I see guys like Melton, Donald, and others who can fit in as DEs doing this in the right style 3-4 defense.

Now we have 3 Dline coaches: Pasqualoni, Hurtt, and Sinclair? I said before I felt Pasqualoni was an asst. DC hiring more so than a Dline coach. This reaffirms that suspicion and I'd say he's our DC in waiting if Tucker fails again. Ratliff had a great season under Pasqualoni and Herring in Dallas one that earned him a huge contract. I would guess he's more inclined to stay with us if we offer a competitive contract. Every hire we make (still need confirmation on this one) is a coach who improves sacks so we know what is at the top of Trestman's list for qualifications. Hurtt Bio-------------------------- http://www.gocards.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt...tt_clint00.html In 2011, the Cardinals finished 21st in the nation in sacks and 22nd in tackles for loss, as the Cardinals ranked 10th in the nation against the run with a 100.54 average • Helped the Cardinals finish sixth in the nation in sacks and 29th in tackles for loss after the Cardinals were ranked 58th and 63rd, respectively, in 2009 -- the year prior to Hurrt's arrival

Does the freak have a name?

True that… http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Dallas_Cowboys_season After falling to the Minnesota Vikings in the divisional round of the 2009-10 NFL Playoffs, the Cowboys sought to defend their NFC East division title and contend for a Super Bowl Championship, particularly given that Super Bowl XLV would be played at Cowboys Stadium. However, this did not happen and after a 1–7 start Wade Phillips became the first coach in Cowboys history to be fired during the season. He was replaced by offensive coordinator Jason Garrett.[1] The Cowboys finished the season 6–10, 3rd place in the NFC East, and failed to reach the playoffs. However, under Garrett the team's record was 5–3 as compared to the 1–7 start under Phillips. So they fired the head coach and everyone knows Wade Phillips ran the team with a country club atmosphere. But in 2009 they were ranked 2nd in the NFL in defense allowing just 15.6pts/game. Pasqualoni wasn't there in 2009 he was off doing his thing in Miami: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/m-footb...oni_paul00.html He served as defensive coordinator with the Dolphins and his defense allowed just 19.8 points per game in 2008 as the Dolphins won the AFC East Championship. His 2009 defense led the NFL in sacks per pass attempt. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Herring and Pasqualoni have both been around and/or had a lot of success in their careers. Like most of us, it hasn't always been good but in reviewing both of their biographies I see a lot more success than failure. These are small snapshots of their careers but it appears there is one trend for both of these guys….they coach linebackers and their players and defenses get after the QB. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reggie_Herring Although Herring only held the Texans position for two years, he coached the 2003 league-leader in tackles, Jamie Sharper. In 2004, Herring left the NFL to become defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at North Carolina State University. His first year at North Carolina State, the Wolfpack defense led the nation in total defense after ranking 89th in that category the year prior. ...Herring was hired by the Dallas Cowboys on February 8, 2008. He worked as the team's linebacker position coach under head coach Wade Phillips. With the help of his tutelage, the Cowboys led the NFL in quarterback sacks (59) during the 2008 season.[7] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Pasqualoni Pasqualoni's 14-year record with Syracuse was 107–59–1. His only losing season was in 2002 with a 4–8 record. Most seasons of his tenure saw Syracuse competing in the Top 25 in the country. ...In 2006, Pasqualoni became the coach of the linebackers, being influential in Demarcus Ware's success in that position.

http://www.syracuse.com/poliquin/index.ssf..._a_chicago.html http://voices.suntimes.com/sports/inside-t...th-bears-staff/ Sure looks like he was hired. It's odd the Bears didn't make an announcement on it the day it happens. I like his experience level, no clue on whether or not he's a good coach.

It took Tillman 9 seasons to get to the Pro Bowl and Briggs made it there on his 3rd season. Forte made the Pro Bowl in his 4th season. The only players he drafted that went to the Pro Bowl in their first or second season were Hester, Knox as returners. So I'll stand on my point that we haven't seen two players that are starters make the Pro Bowl on either their first or second season. Looking back Angelo really only hit on the 2003 (Tillman, Briggs, Wade, Gage) and 2004 (T. Harris, Berrian, Vasher) drafts, followed by 2008 (Forte, E. Bennett). http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/draft.htm It is surprising how few of his draft picks stayed on the roster into their second contract. There is no expectation for everyone drafted to be a Pro Bowl player but I think we should end up with some solid players that will stick around for more than 3-4 seasons.

Hard to believe we drafted a guy, an Olinemen no less, who went to the Pro Bowl in his rookie season. In the most critical position we needed to hit on in the draft Emery did it, and did it well, even if most of us were saying WTF when he made the pick. He has had his misses in the draft, most notably Hardin (I'll say the book is still out on SMC as I think he is a good football player miscast as a DE), but when we signed him to be our new GM if anyone was asked if he'd be considered a success if he drafted a Pro Bowl player in each of his first two drafts (Jeffrey, Long) I can't think of anyone who would say no. We're doing something different than what we had done the previous 9 seasons.

Seems clear the report was premature. Seems clear though that we are looking at coaches with 3-4 experience. I am also wondering if this guy was going to end up with the title of Asst. DC? Given his experience running defenses is Trestman hedging his bets a bit by pursuing coaches who might be able to step in if Tucker fails again next year? I thought it was odd a former head coach (lots of head coaching experience) would suddenly want to drop back to just a LB coach. That's certainly possible but I'd see it more likely if he had an Asst DC title. I'd like to see the list of other candidates so we can get a better feel for what Trestman is doing but this search has been a very quiet one.

I don't see anything anywhere stating he was hired by the Bears. Here's his bio and he has a pretty good record especially with defense. It is unclear why he was fired mid-season and going from HC at UConn to Bears LB coach seems like an odd transition. http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/m-footb...oni_paul00.html

I don't see where #6 is needed as they have already achieved that level of mediocrity without the injuries to key players.