Adrian Fedkiw
Each day leading up to the official start of the NFL football season, I will be providing you with player rankings, team previews, analysis, predictions, opinions and a whole lot more.
The Chicago Bears are still a ways away from being the Monsters of the Midway, but defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s crew have improved dramatically since the Marc Trestman-led regime.
Chicago installed a 3-4 defense last season for the first time in the history of the franchise and while the talent is lacking, the scheme succeeded. What was a feeble unit just a few years ago has already been transformed into a formidable group.
Former Denver Broncos head coach and current Bears head man John Fox plucked three of his former players in the Mile High city, including linebacker Danny Trevathan. Underrated linebacker Jerrell Freeman was the key acquisition on the defensive side of the ball.
Dowell Loggains will take over for Adam Gase at offensive coordinator. The quarterback guru Gase was credited with helping Cutler to his best statistical season during his 10-year career. What will Loggains get out of him?
Grading the Roster
QBs- Jay Cutler (7.4), Brian Hoyer (7.3)
RBs- Jeremy Langford (7.3), Jacquizz Rodgers (7.3), Ka’Deem Carey (7.2)
WRs- Alshon Jeffery (8), Kevin White (7.3), Eddie Royal (7.3), Marquess Wilson (7.2)
TEs- Zach Miller (7.3), Rob Housler (7.2)
Ts- Charles Leno (7.2), Bobbie Massie (7.3), Mike Adams (7.2)
Gs- Josh Sitton (8), Kyle Long (7.8), Cody Whitehair (7.3)
Cs- Ted Larsen (7.3), Hroniss Grasu (7.2)
DEs- Akiem Hicks (7.5), Mitch Unrein (7.3), Will Sutton (7.2), Jonathan Bullard (7.1)
NTs- Eddie Goldman (7.4), Ego Ferguson (7.2)
OLBs- Pernell McPhee (8), Leonard Floyd (7.3), Lamarr Houston (7.4), Willie Young (7.3)
ILBs- Jerrell Freeman (8), Danny Trevathan (7.9), Christian Jones (7.3), Nick Kwiatkoski (7.1)
CBs- Kyle Fuller (7.5), Tracy Porter (7.3), Bryce Callahan (7.1), Deiondre’ Hall (7.1)
Ss- Adrian Amos (7.3), Chris Prosinski (7.2), Omar Bolden (7.2)
K- Robbie Gould (7.4)
P- Pat O’Donnell (7.3)
KR- Deonte Thompson (7.2)
PR- Marc Mariani (7.3)
Team Rankings
Team- 7.345 (29/32)
Offense- 7.353 (24/32)
Defense- 7.36 (25/32)
Quarterbacks-7.35 (26/32)
Running Backs- 7.27 (28/32)
Receivers- 7.38 (19/32)
Offensive Line- 7.41 (11/32)
Defensive Line- 7.26 (15/16)
Linebackers- 7.55 (3/16)
Secondary- 7.24 (30/32)
Special Teams- 7.3
Coaches- 7.3
PREDICTION– 5-11 (3rd NFC North)
QUARTERBACKS
Cutler posted a 92.3 passer rating to go with 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Those stats came with Alshon Jeffery missing the second half of the season.
Cutler is a gunslinger whose decision making has always gotten him in trouble, but not last year. He has one of the strongest arms in the league and doesn’t underthrow anybody. His accuracy can get erratic at times, but when he’s on his game, his anticipation and ball placement is there.
Brian Hoyer will be the backup following an inconsistent 2015 as the starter for the Houston Texans.
RUNNING BACKS
The Bears’ second leading all-time rusher Matt Forte is now in New York with the Jets. Jeremy Langford has some tough shoes to fill.
Langford is a physical back that has showcased breakaway speed to be a home run threat. He was better than most rookies last year in pass protection, but did have a few too many drops in the passing game.
Ka’Deem Carey is an in between the tackles runner, while rookie Jordan Howard should help contribute as well.
RECEIVERS
Jeffery put up 807 yards in just nine games last year. Jeffery has the strongest hands in the game, the fingertip grabs that he makes are insane. And his strength at the catch point makes up for his lack of speed, the guy rarely loses in a jump ball situation. He does lack some explosiveness, which is why he wasn’t a first-round draft pick.
Kevin White’s return should help Jeffery avoid as many double teams if he can stay healthy. White has size, speed and strength with solid run after the catch ability. Eddie Royal is a solid route runner that can play outside or in the slot.
Zach Miller takes over the reigns for Martellus Bennett at tight end and came on strong to conclude the 2015 campaign.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
Kyle Long played a bunch of right tackle last season, but is back to right guard with the free agent acquisition of Bobbie Massie.
He’s a phenomenal athlete and a great pass protector, evidenced by his ability to seamlessly slide over to right tackle, which is a position I can see him playing full time down the line. He has quick feet and is very agile, which aids him when mirroring a defender. He’s also very capable in the running game, being able to get to the second level and block moving targets. Pulling might be where he’s at his best.
Chicago added left guard Josh Sitton on Sunday night after he was released by the Green Bay Packers in a surprising move. He signed a three-year deal.
He’s the best pass protecting guard in the game, and went 37 straight games without allowing one before that streak came to an end last season. He plays with great balance and is very fluid when he changes direction. He knows how to use his length and demonstrates very good patience. His run blocking could use some work, however. I think he can be a lot better in one on one situations. He has the agility, but doesn’t always lock up at the point of attack.
Ted Larsen was brought in during the offseason to start at center and Charles Leno Jr. is the left tackle. Second-round draft pick Cody Whitehair can play tackle or guard.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
Last year’s second-round pick Eddie Goldman appears to be the future of the Bears’ defensive line and showed plenty of promise last year prior to his ankle injury. He’s very strong at the point of attack and flashed some pass-rushing moves, which is something you don’t see often out of nose tackles.
Free-agent acquisition Akiem Hicks provides length and run-stuffing ability at one defensive end spot, while the other starter at defensive end Mitch Unrein is a capable run defender.
LINEBACKERS
Freeman is a monster and nobody knows it. He’s at his best in run defense. He’s strong and stout enough to hold his ground, but also has the agility to clear blockers before closing quickly on the ball. He’s also a very sure tackler, missing just five on the year.
Freeman has really good speed, which helps him close in on the quarterback quickly when he’s blitzing. He had three sacks, four quarterback hits and six hurries which is solid for an inside linebacker. In coverage, Freeman does a solid job in space due to his closing speed against both tight ends and running backs.
Trevathan is a perfect fit for this new era of linebacker, which is athletic and fast. We’re not seeing as many downhill thumpers these days.
Trevathan has a great ability to get into the backfield consistently and make splash plays. He can also stack and shed blockers as well. Trevathan is very good in pass coverage. He can turn and run with both tight ends and running backs and plays the zone well because of his instincts and closing speed on the ball. His awareness is top notch. Although Trevathan didn’t post a sack last year, he’s able to attack the gaps and flush the quarterback.
Outside linebacker Pernell McPhee has been an overlooked stud during his entire career.
The stats don’t really jump out at you, but when you turn on the tape I see a versatile hybrid power rusher who can rush off either side and I love the violent type of style he plays. He really knows how to use his length and strength. He sinks his hips and drives opposing tackles backwards. His run defense is his bread and butter. He locks up blockers using his strength. He does a fantastic job at setting the edge and limiting a ball carrier from bouncing runs along the perimeter. He explodes and closes quickly on tackles and rarely misses. LaMarr Houston will start at the other outside linebacker spot.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Cornerback Kyle Fuller is good in press-man coverage, but at his best in zone. He’s comfortable when the ball is in the air and makes good plays on it. He’s a solid tackler as well. Tracy Porter will start opposite of him and plays with good instincts. Fourth-round corner Deiondre’ Hall of Northern Iowa was a player I really liked at the Senior Bowl and will be someone to keep an eye on. He’s a ball hawk and is instinctive.
Adrian Amos had a solid rookie season at safety, but needs to be better in pass coverage. Harold Jones-Quartey is the other starter at safety.
TEAM PREVIEWS
AFC East: Buffalo Bills | New England Patriots | Miami Dolphins | New York Jets
AFC North: Baltimore Ravens | Cincinnati Bengals | Pittsburgh Steelers | Cleveland Browns
AFC South: Indianapolis Colts | Houston Texans | Jacksonville Jaguars | Tennessee Titans
AFC West: Denver Broncos | Kansas City Chiefs | San Diego Chargers | Oakland Raiders
NFC West: Los Angeles Rams | San Francisco 49ers | Seattle Seahawks | Arizona Cardinals
NFC South: Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Atlanta Falcons | New Orleans Saints | Carolina Panthers
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NFL PLAYER RANKINGS