Chicago Bears: Biggest Weakness, Strength
Published by Josh Broudy on June 29, 2010
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
Today, the subject is the Chicago Bears.
Biggest Strength: Linebackers
This group has the potential to be really good if Brian Urlacher is healthy for the 2010 campaign.
Urlacher is a fantastic run defender. Last season, the Bears ranked 23rd against the run. In 2008, the Bears ranked 5th against the run. I’m not going to go into the other stats, but the Bears are a whole lot better with Urlacher in the lineup.
Lance Briggs is a dynamic athlete. For example, here’s a play Briggs made against Seneca Wallace. How many linebackers can dive to the ground and still make the catch?
Starting opposite Briggs is Hunter Hillenmeyer. The guy is a play maker. Hillenmeyer forced four fumbles, and picked a ball off. Perhaps the signature moment of the Bears season was the fumble he created against Adrian Peterson.
Hillenmeyer makes does make mistakes. He doesn’t have the athleticism of his counterparts. But he makes up for it with sound technique and good pad level.
Pisa Tinoisamoa is an excellent backup for Briggs. Pisa is a rangy linebacker who is more adept to stopping the run. He was a former staple of the Rams defense.
Tim Shaw took his lumps last year, partly filling in for Urlacher. Shaw really is undersized for the middle linebacker position.
Nick Roach deserves a mention. Roach played admirably last season. He has solid athleticism, but doesn’t display the necessary awareness at the linebacker position.
Other strengths: RB, C, S, DE
Biggest Weakness: Wide Receiver
Since when is WR not Chicago’s biggest weakness?
Devin Aromashodu. First of all, he sounds like a shampoo company. Second, it should be extremely interesting to see what this kid can do as a primary receiver.
Aromashodu has a lot of talent. He finished the season being Jay Cutler’s favorite target. But until someone else can step up as a consistent number two, defenses will be keying into Aromashodu.
Devin Hester just doesn’t have it as a No. 1 receiver. His height is a detriment to him. Hester had developed into a better route runner, but just couldn’t get it done as a number one.
Johnny Knox had a solid rookie season, hecould be a valuable slot receiver if he continues to improve.
Juaqin Iglesias and Rashied Davis will both be competing for playing time.
Other Weaknesses: QB, T, CB, P
This is the sixth part of a 32-part series where I examine the biggest strength and weakness of every NFL team. To view the previous editions, click on the links:
Read more Chicago Bears news on BleacherReport.com
