Couldnt agree more

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http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/footb...,4375726.column

 

Rams safety fills bill for Smith’s greatest desire — takeaways

Dan Pompei

 

On the NFL

 

March 7, 2010

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Now that the Bears have a player who can force the opposing quarterback into making bad throws, they need a player who can intercept those passes.

 

O.J. Atogwe, meet Lovie Smith.

 

You might remember Atogwe. When he was playing free safety for the Rams last December, he had two forced fumbles against the Bears.

 

And those forced fumbles are part of a large trend. Since Atogwe came into the league as a third-round pick out of Stanford in 2005, he has had a hand in 41 takeaways — an average of 10.25 per season.

 

No player in the NFL has had more as the Ravens' Ed Reed is second over that period with 39.

 

Atogwe has piled up his numbers playing with a team that has been inept — rarely playing with a lead and never benefiting from a consistent pass rush or solid run defense.

 

The No. 1 priority of Smith's defenses always have been takeaways, so it's logical the Bears coach and restricted free agent would seem a perfect match.

 

Moreover, if another team signs him, the Rams would not be due compensation because of the low tender they used. But the Rams can match any offer to Atogwe until June 1. After that they have to pay him approximately $7 million for one season or lose their right to match.

 

The Bears probably need to offer a creative deal with a poison pill and a big paycheck.

 

The Bears might not have a paycheck big enough to give after Friday. But he could be the player who makes the difference.

 

Don't spare the Rod

 

This is Simeon Rice to the Bucs in 2000 all over again.

 

At the time, Rice was perceived a supremely talented but somewhat inconsistent pass rusher because of a motor that ran hot and cold. But when he signed with the Bucs, then-defensive line coach Rod Marinelli helped make Rice a more consistent player.

 

Rice subsequently played the best football of his life under Marinelli for the Bucs.

 

Julius Peppers, like Rice was, is known for being the most gifted pass rusher in football. And like Rice was, he is reputed as a player who takes too many plays off.

 

Marinelli is no longer a defensive line coach, but everyone knows the Bears new defensive coordinator is going to be spending most of his time with the defensive linemen. If Marinelli can have the same impact on Peppers that he had on Rice, Peppers should have the best season of his career.

 

Treasure for Chester

 

Signing Chester Taylor makes the Bears a better team. In fact, I first suggested the Bears do so in a column Dec. 29.

 

But I don't think Taylor will be a good value, considering he reportedly signed a four-year deal worth up to $12.5 million with $7 million guaranteed.

 

That is too much for a running back who splits time. And that really is all Taylor should be expected to do. That's all he has done for all but one year of his eight NFL seasons.