Bears Blitz

Published by Bryan Dietzler on May 25, 2011
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

Let’s be honest. There weren’t too many people that thought that the Bears defense would be as good as it was last season. The addition of defensive end Julius Peppers was projected to be huge but there were those that questioned whether or not he would be the impact player that he had been in the past.

No one knew just how middle linebacker Brian Urlacher would play after missing almost the entire 2009 season. And would Tommie Harris be able to regain some of the form that he has exhibited during his earlier years?

The secondary was suspect, particularly at the safety position, and it was thought to be the weakest group of positions on the team.

But the Bear’s defense stepped up and was one of the top ten units during the 2010 season.  Peppers lived up to expectations, Urlacher played like he did when he first came into the NFL and although the secondary did have some breakdowns, they played pretty well overall.

But can the Bears defense play as well or better in 2011? So far, the only losses to the defense have been Harris and Hunter Hillenmeyer (who missed almost the entire season). Outside linebackers Nick Roach and Pisa Tinoisamoa, along with defensive tackle Anthony Adams and safety Josh Bullocks do not have contracts right now, leaving some gaps on defense heading into next season (depending on how things work out with the NFL lockout). 

Chicago did draft three rookies in the draft. They ended up with defensive tackle Stephen Paea with their second-round pick, safety Chris Conte with their third-round pick and outside linebacker J.T. Thomas with their sixth-round pick.

Paea is going to come in and replace Harris and is the ideal fit for this defense. He will work in rotation with the other defensive lineman and will help improve their defensive line. Conte and Thomas will probably not get to start this season (and Thomas may be lucky to even make the team) so the Bears defense is going to remain pretty much the same providing that they can sign the unsigned free agents (at least those that they wish to bring back).

But will it be better?

Taking last year’s performance and improving on it is a tall task but the Bears, a defensive-minded team with a good group of defensive coaches that can make the necessary chances to help keep this defense going. For the most part, the Bears will feature many of the same starters all across the defense (except possibly at the defensive tackle spot, the outside linebacker position opposite Lance Briggs and maybe the safety position) so there will be some continuity.

And that is important.

The players that stepped up last year need to be ready to do so again next season and we can expect those players that led the defensive (Urlacher and Peppers among others) to have solid seasons once again.

As long as the Bears aren’t best by injuries and sign those free agents that can still contribute and be a part of the defense things should be all right on defense next season.

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