REBUILD: WHERE TO START (PT 2: D-LINE)
As we make our way through the offseason with a new regime of GM and head coach starting to build their hopeful dynasty, we look into what positions should be focused on; the why's and why not's. I'm going to try to stay neutral and focus on the Bears' history.
PART TWO:
Defensive Line
Where do I start? Richard Dent, Steve "Mongo" McMichael, Doug Atkins, William "Fridge" Perry, Dan Hampton, Tommy Harris, Julius Peppers, and Robert Quinn (I could keep going). The 46 defense never happens if Buddy Ryan hadn't had such a solid and dependable four-man front. With the Bears switching from a 3-4 to a 4-3 front there's going to need to be some personnel changes because of the responsibilities that go with the differences in positions. Here is an interview with, former Bears' and the newest Texans' head coach, Lovie Smith, where he explains why he loves the 4-3 front.
As I had mentioned in the first installment of this discussion with offensive line, if they don't do their job, no one else is able to accomplish theirs. Quarterbacks don't have time to make reads, receivers don't have time to run effective routes, and running backs have no holes to run through. With that in mind, would it not make sense to focus your attention on the guys who disrupt the offensive linemen every single play? Load up with a team of Aaron Donalds that disrupt plays and are a quarterback's nightmare.
On the other hand, if all the defensive line has to do is plug holes and pressure the quarterback from time to time couldn't they just find a few Albert Haynesworth's, oversized and immovable bodies, used that won't let anyone run in their gap? Then they can get some athletes in the linebacker and defensive backs positions to clean house.
The outlook for this position could go a couple of ways. Right now there are seven defensive linemen on the Bears' roster and only three of them have multiple years of full-season starts; Angelo Blackson, Justin Jones, and Al-Quadin-Muhammad. They also have last year's rookie Khyiris Tonga who started two games last year but played in 15 of them. Poles tried to bring in a veteran lineman in Larry Oganjobi, who may still be an option. So does Poles keep searching for free agents like Oganjobi or Danny Shelton? Or does he look at a couple of freak athletes coming out of Georgia in Jordan Davis and Travon Walker?
