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Chicago Bears Training Camp Preview: Linebackers
Published: July 22, 2009
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Chicago is known for its linebackers. Names like Dick Butkus, Mike Singletary, and Doug Buffone remind us of the great tradition that the Bears have at the position.
Right now, the Bears have someone who may end up as a future hall of famer in middle linebacker Brian Urlacher, who, after signing a contract extension last offseason, still needs to prove that he is worth his large contract. Playing next to him, perennial Pro Bowler Lance Briggs is one of the best players at his position in the NFL, while on the opposite side, three players will battle it out for that starting spot making things interesting in training camp this summer.
The following is a look at the players at the linebacker position currently on the Bears roster as they head into training camp this summer. There is some insight into how they played in 2008, how they have looked so far this offseason, and where they stand for the 2009 season.
Lance Briggs- The only Pro Bowler in this group of linebackers last season, Briggs had his signature outstanding season with the Bears after signing a long-term deal which should keep him in Chicago for the rest of his playing career.
Briggs has had a steady and relatively uneventful offseason (save for the cut he got on his hand with a razor) and looks poised to help lead this defense to greatness in 2009. He needs to take more of a leadership role on this team in 2009, but he is poised to easily have a great season this year.
Brian Urlacher- After signing an extension during training camp last year, Urlacher managed to stay “ordinary” and some are questioning whether or not he is reaching the end of his career. He does still have some playing time left in him but he will have to bring it up a notch or two to help a Bears defense that has struggled at critical moments in the past.
He will be called upon to be an even stronger leader this year than in the past thanks to the departure of safety Mike Brown, and he is always up for this challenge (in being the leader of the defense). Look for Urlacher to have a great 2009 season and quite possibly even make the Pro Bowl in helping to lead the Bears defense to a much better season than they did last year.
Nick Roach- Along with newly acquired linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa and Hunter Hillenmeyer, Roach will battle it out for the spot that has been held by Hillenmeyer over the past few seasons. He may not have the edge in this battle however and really isn’t the best choice for the Bears at this position.
Roach did get some playing time in last season and played decent but not as well as the coaching staff would like to see a player play at that position. If Tinoisamoa stays healthy and has a good training camp, Roach will probably make the squad as his backup. Look for Roach to continue on with the Bears at the end of training camp backing up Tinoisamoa at that linebacker position.
Pisa Tinoisamoa- Tinoisamoa was signed during the offseason after being cut by the St. Louis Rams after they had decided he didn’t fit their new defensive scheme. Tinoisamoa has some experience in head coach Lovie Smith’s defense having played in it when he was in St. Louis and should be able to contribute right out of the gate. It appears as if he will most likely win the battle that he faces against Roach and Hillenmeyer and could be installed opposite Briggs and Urlacher as the starter when the season begins.
The biggest knock on Tinoisamoa is his size. He has the size of a safety more than a linebacker but he is able to get it done at linebacker and could be an improvement over what the Bears have had there the past few seasons with Hillenmeyer.
Hunter Hillenmeyer- Hillenmeyer’s career with the Bears may be coming to an end now as Chicago has made the competition for his tough. With Hillenmeyer going up against Roach and Tinoisamoa, it’s almost assured that he is going to lose the battle and could even wind up off the team in 2009.
He had an injury-filled 2008 season and may not stay healthy enough to last a full season at the position. He is also not as mechanically sound as Tinoisamoa is and will probably get beaten out in training camp. If he does, there may not be a roster spot for him at the end of training camp. Look for Hillenmeyer to be off the team at the start of the 2009 season.
Marcus Freeman- Drafted in the 2009 NFL Draft, Freeman is a promising young talent that could develop into a strong backup in the Bear’s system. In order to make the team, he is going to have to prove his value on special teams first and then prove that he is a viable backup at the linebacker position.
He will have competition as some of the other linebackers (guys like Joey LaRocque and Jamar Williams) have been there for a while and know the system but Chicago appears to be pretty high on Freeman so he has as good of a shot as any to make the team. Look for him to make the final roster as a backup and contribute heavily on special teams.
Jamar Williams- Groomed to be the replacement for Briggs, Williams found himself on the outside looking in last season as Briggs signed and he was basically out of a starting job. Williams did contribute on special teams and saw a few plays here and there on defense and he remains one of the best backups on the team. Look for Williams to remain a backup and a great special teams performer in 2009.
Joey LaRocque- LaRocque may be seeing his final few weeks in a Bears uniform as he heads into training camp this summer. The depth and talent at the linebacker position may not allow the Bears to keep LaRocque so he might be on his way out. Look for him to battle it out for a backup spot with Williams and Freeman but in the end, LaRocque will probably be the odd man out. Look for LaRocque to be looking for another job at the end of training camp this summer.
Kevin Malast- Malast, an undrafted free agent out Rutgers, gives the Bears some competition in training camp but that’s about it. He isn’t a threat to make the active roster but could find himself on the practice squad at the end of training camp.
Mike Rivera- This undrafted rookie out of Kansas will fall into the same category as Malast and become a candidate for the practice squad at the end of training camp. Rivera has a lot of talent but won’t be able to match the talent of the players ahead of him at the position.
The most interesting thing to happen to this group in the offseason, the signing of Tinoisamoa, may be the one thing that was needed to help solidify this group. Getting a productive season out of Urlacher will also be big and if he can revert back to something close to his 2005 form, this group could end up being one of the best in the NFL.
The Chicago Bears Training Camp Preview: Offensive Tackles and Centers
Published: June 24, 2009
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Offensive Tackles
Following the 2008 season, many people felt that the Bears offensive line was looking somewhat stable going into the offseason. Then, without much warning, right tackle Jon Tait decided to retire leaving a gaping hole at the right tackle position. The Bears also needed to get John St. Clair signed due to his versatility and starting experience. That didn’t happen.
What did happen was that the Bears signed veteran Kevin Shaffer to compete at the right tackle spot and quite possibly take over there. A few weeks later, they signed former St. Louis Rams All-Pro offensive tackle Orlando Pace. Things looked like they were really shaping up for the Bears on the O-line.
The following is a look at each player at the offensive tackle and center position that the Bears will carry into training camp this July. There is a quick look back at where they left off in 2008, how their offseason has gone so far, and how they look going into training camp this July.
Orlando Pace
If the Jay Cutler trade was Chicago’s biggest offseason acquisition, then the signing of Orlando Pace was their second biggest. Even if Kyle Orton had remained a part of the team, he would have still needed someone to protect his blind side, and with Chris Williams untested, it would have still been beneficial to bring him in.
In 2008, Pace was injured often but is coming into this season fully healthy and ready to go for probably two more seasons. His experience and ability will be vital in helping Chicago’s offense move the ball and if he stays healthy, he should help the Bears’ offense excel.
Chris Williams
Williams, last year’s first-round pick comes back to fight for the starting job at right tackle now thanks to the acquisition of Pace. In training camp last year, it was discovered that Williams had a herniated disc in his back that would require surgery, so he missed half the season and didn’t see much time the remainder of it.
Williams will battle with new free-agent acquisition Kevin Shaffer for the starting right tackle spot, and if he can hold up (with his health), he will probably win and remain a fixture at that position for several years to come.
Kevin Shaffer
Before the acquisition of Pace, it was thought that Shaffer would be able to compete for and win the starting right tackle job. Now that the Bears have Pace, Williams was moved over to the right tackle position and now Shaffer must battle with Williams for the starting right tackle spot.
Who has the edge? While Shaffer might have more experience playing the position than Williams does, Williams has better intangibles and is more athletic than Shaffer. Look for Williams to win that battle and for Shaffer to end up as the backup at the right and left tackle position.
Cody Balogh
Balogh has been with the Bears for one season now, mainly as a reserve player. He will most likely make the team as a backup due to the Bears’ lack of talent at the position. Balogh is a solid backup, but he doesn’t have the ability to be a consistent starting tackle. He may come into a game in a pinch, but he will probably ride the pine in 2009.
The Final Outlook
As can be seen, there is a serious lack of depth at the offensive tackle position for the Bears. While newly acquired Frank Omiyale is listed as a tackle, he is gunning for a starting role as a guard (going against Josh Beekman), but he could step in at the tackle position if needed. With the age of Pace, it’s going to be vital that the Bears get some depth at the position in next year’s draft or get someone through free agency.
It is possible that Chicago could get some help with the position before the season starts by picking up some players who are cut by other teams. One injury may cause problems on this unit due to its lack of depth, but if the starters remain healthy, it could be a good year for this offensive line.
Centers
The Bears list just two people at the center position, Olin Kruetz and Josh Beekman. Beekman also plays guard and will be covered in our next segment. Here are some news and notes on Kruetz.
Olin Kruetz
The Bears longtime center showed his age last season and missed the Pro Bowl. While this is not necessarily an indication that he is in decline, his play has suffered a little the last two seasons. So, the Bears may start thinking about replacing him soon. He still has it in him, however, and he is still a leader on offense, tough, and always ready to play. He won’t have any problems making the roster, but his time with the Bears may soon be coming to an end.
