Chicago Bears: Defense’s Front 7 Could Be a Game-Changer
By David Mamola
With several strong offseason additions to the defensive line and linebacking corps, the Chicago Bears could have one of the best front sevens in the league.
When you think about the great 1985 Chicago Bears’ defense, who comes to mind first? Is it Mike Singletary? Dan Hampton? How about Super Bowl XX MVP Richard Dent?
There are several other greats that could come to mind, but the point here is that most of the players that come to mind first are part of the defense’s front seven (the defensive line and linebacker corps).
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Front sevens can dominate games, just like that of the 1985 Bears’ did. Sure, there’s been some dominate defenses in year’s past that have been built with a stellar secondary (Seattle’s “Legion of Boom” quickly comes to mind), but historically, great defenses have been built upfront.
That’s the path that the current Bears team is trying to follow. After watching their front seven get gashed consistently last season, general manager Ryan Pace was focused on improving the defenses’ front line this offseason.
It started in free agency, as the team dolled-out big contracts to lineman Akiem Hicks and linebackers Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman. Pace didn’t stop there, though. After watching the Denver Broncos steamroll the Carolina Panthers in the Super Bowl with a strong pass rush, the Bears decided to trade up in the draft for outside linebacker Leonard Floyd, a dynamic pass rusher that brings a new element to the defense—speed.
Couple the offseason moves with the continued development of nose tackle Eddie Goldman, and players such as Willie Young (6.5 sacks in 2015), Pernell McPhee (6.0 sacks), and Lamarr Houston (8.0 sacks) further removed from injuries, and you have the makings of a front seven that could be as good as anyone in the league.
The defensive line alone should be greatly improved with the signing of Hicks. A mountain of a man (6’5”, 335 lbs.), Hicks has been a standout in training camp, consistently absorbing double teams and showing quick, nimble feet to get after the quarterback. Hicks is only 26 years old, so his best should still be ahead of him. If Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots tried to resign him during the offseason, he must be good, right?
The ascension of second-year player Eddie Goldman (22 tackles, 4.5 sacks in 2015) is also a very promising sign. Goldman finished last season strong, and after improving his conditioning in the offseason, he should be primed to take a massive step-forward in the upcoming campaign.
Hicks’ arrival and Goldman’s rise is also a pleasant sign for the linebacking corps. With those two big guys occupying blockers, Trevathan (110 tackles in 2015 with Denver) and Freeman (112 tackles in 2015 with Indianapolis) should have no trouble freely running from sideline to sideline taking down ball carriers.
Unlike Shea McClellin and Christian Jones last year, Trevathan and Freeman are experienced linebackers that have the instincts, speed, and football IQ that are required out of starting NFL linebackers. While McClellin and Jones were just “guys” last season, Trevathan and Freeman are true difference makers that should make everyone around them better.
Furthermore, the Bears’ pass rush has the potential to be special. If everyone can stay healthy (which has been a big problem over recent years), Young, Houston, McPhee, and Floyd create a formidable group that should complement one another pretty well.
Young, who just received a two-year contract extension, is a situational pass rusher that has slid into his outside linebacker position seamlessly; Houston, who set a career-high in sacks last year, brings a little more grit and toughness to the defense; McPhee, if he can ever stay healthy, brings leadership and a nasty on-field demeanor; and Floyd, if all goes well, should be the speed rusher off the edge that chases down more mobile quarterbacks such as Aaron Rodgers and Teddy Bridgewater.
In addition, with all this talent at the disposal of defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, the Bears’ defense should feature some more exotic looks this season than last. “A” gap blitzes with the linebackers and tackle-end stunts are just some of the plays Fangio can dial-up with a group that he trusts more.
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Now, it’s pretty safe to say that the 2016 Chicago Bears’ defense won’t be anything close to the 1985 defense, but when you compare last year’s talent to this year’s, it’s a pretty dramatic bump-up. If healthy, this front seven has the potential to be a force to be reckoned with for many years to come.