Bears: defense
Shea McClellin explains his stat line
April, 27, 2012
Apr 27
7:45
PM CT
By
Jeff Dickerson | ESPNChicago.com
LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- On paper, Shea McClellin's numbers in his final year at Boise State come up short when compared to a few of the other first-round pass rushers, especially Whitney Mercilus, who went seven picks later to the Houston Texans at No. 26.
But McClellin, the Chicago Bears' first-round pick, has a logical explanation as to why he registered seven sacks and 12.5 tackles for a loss, as opposed to Mercilus who had 16 sacks and 22 TFLs in 2011 for Illinois.
"I guess I didn’t have the stats compared to the other guys, but if you look at my stats you know I averaged, what, 35 plays a game compared to other guys getting 60, 70," McClellin said on Friday. "And they’re rushing the passer every down, I was in coverage, I was doing all kinds of things, so it’s hard to compare and that kind of thing. I really think I can be effective, hand in the dirt, standing up, whatever the team wants me to play, needs me to play.”
Read the entire story.
But McClellin, the Chicago Bears' first-round pick, has a logical explanation as to why he registered seven sacks and 12.5 tackles for a loss, as opposed to Mercilus who had 16 sacks and 22 TFLs in 2011 for Illinois.
"I guess I didn’t have the stats compared to the other guys, but if you look at my stats you know I averaged, what, 35 plays a game compared to other guys getting 60, 70," McClellin said on Friday. "And they’re rushing the passer every down, I was in coverage, I was doing all kinds of things, so it’s hard to compare and that kind of thing. I really think I can be effective, hand in the dirt, standing up, whatever the team wants me to play, needs me to play.”
Read the entire story.
Shea McClellin: Only one concussion
April, 27, 2012
Apr 27
6:47
PM CT
By
Jeff Dickerson | ESPNChicago.com
LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Chicago Bears 2012 first-round draft choice Shea McClellin said on Friday there is no truth to rumors he suffered three separate concussions during his four-year collegiate career at Boise State Broncos.
The defensive end, however, did admit to suffering one documented concussion his junior year with the Broncos.
Read the entire story.
The defensive end, however, did admit to suffering one documented concussion his junior year with the Broncos.
Read the entire story.
Was Shea McClellin a reach at No. 19?
April, 27, 2012
Apr 27
1:14
PM CT
By
Michael C. Wright | ESPNChicago.com
A text message from a high-ranking personnel evaluator came through hours after the Chicago Bears selected Boise State defensive end Shea McClellin on Friday with the 19th pick of the draft.
It asked a simple question: “What do you think...about the pick?”
The message seemed tinged with sarcasm, so the wheels started spinning immediately. With so much big-name talent capable of filling needs at multiple positions still available in the first round, did the Bears and new general manager Phil Emery reach by grabbing McClellin? Multiple talent evaluators from both the NFC and AFC say yes -- and no.
The latter seemed to make more sense, given the circumstances the Bears faced.
So, naturally, the response to the original text message was, “What did YOU think of the pick?”
“Horrible, everyone had a second round grade on him,” the original texter replied.
Ok, got that. But that led to another question: “Where did you guys have him on YOUR board.”
“I can’t talk our board. But he would HAVE been there in the 2nd,” the evaluator said, punctuating the message with one of those nice text smiley faces comprised of a colon, followed by a comma.
Another other personnel man from a 2011 playoff participant said McClellin was a “late 2” on his team’s draft board.
But then a conversation with a talent evaluator from another playoff team offered a bit of clarity. Like Chicago, this club was looking for a pass rusher on Friday, but its pick wouldn’t come until after the Bears at No. 19. Between the 15th and 28th selections, seven teams -- counting the Bears -- drafted pass rushers.
The Seattle Seahawks started the run of pass rushers with its surprising selection of West Virginia’s Bruce Irvin. The New York Jets drafted North Carolina’s Quinton Coples with the next pick at 16, before San Diego -- one slot ahead of the Bears -- moved on South Carolina’s Melvin Ingram.
After McClellin came off the board to the Bears, just three top pass rushers (Chandler Jones, Whitney Mercilus and Nick Perry) remained.
The third evaluator said his team graded McClellin “around the same” as the first two personnel men.
“But [were] willing to take [him] with our pick if we got shut out [during the run of pass rushers],” he said.
So at 19, was McClellin really a reach? That doesn’t appear to be the case, considering McClellin probably wouldn’t have been available Friday when it was time for the Bears to pick again at No. 50.
Besides, there’s no way Emery takes a pass on all the promising talent available at 19 for McClellin unless the team’s conviction in him was strong. While the situation is a tad different, Chicago’s decision to select McClellin brings the 2009 NFL Draft back to memory.
Back then, the Buffalo Bills -- enamored with his speed and other measurables -- made Aaron Maybin the No. 11 overall pick, passing on other promising prospects such as Clay Matthews and Brian Orakpo. Two years after drafting him, the Bills cut ties with Maybin -- who didn’t record a single sack -- while Matthews and Orakpo (both similar in size to McClellin) flourished with their respective teams, combining for 43 sacks.
Based on his intangibles, reputation as a hard worker, and relentless playing style, McClellin seems more poised to be like Matthews and Orakpo than Maybin. So if that’s a reach, it’s probably one worth making.
It asked a simple question: “What do you think...about the pick?”
[+] Enlarge
Al Bello/Getty ImagesMichael Wright thinks Bears' first-rounder Shea McClellin seems more poised to be like Clay Matthews than Aaron Maybin.
Al Bello/Getty ImagesMichael Wright thinks Bears' first-rounder Shea McClellin seems more poised to be like Clay Matthews than Aaron Maybin.The latter seemed to make more sense, given the circumstances the Bears faced.
So, naturally, the response to the original text message was, “What did YOU think of the pick?”
“Horrible, everyone had a second round grade on him,” the original texter replied.
Ok, got that. But that led to another question: “Where did you guys have him on YOUR board.”
“I can’t talk our board. But he would HAVE been there in the 2nd,” the evaluator said, punctuating the message with one of those nice text smiley faces comprised of a colon, followed by a comma.
Another other personnel man from a 2011 playoff participant said McClellin was a “late 2” on his team’s draft board.
But then a conversation with a talent evaluator from another playoff team offered a bit of clarity. Like Chicago, this club was looking for a pass rusher on Friday, but its pick wouldn’t come until after the Bears at No. 19. Between the 15th and 28th selections, seven teams -- counting the Bears -- drafted pass rushers.
The Seattle Seahawks started the run of pass rushers with its surprising selection of West Virginia’s Bruce Irvin. The New York Jets drafted North Carolina’s Quinton Coples with the next pick at 16, before San Diego -- one slot ahead of the Bears -- moved on South Carolina’s Melvin Ingram.
After McClellin came off the board to the Bears, just three top pass rushers (Chandler Jones, Whitney Mercilus and Nick Perry) remained.
The third evaluator said his team graded McClellin “around the same” as the first two personnel men.
“But [were] willing to take [him] with our pick if we got shut out [during the run of pass rushers],” he said.
So at 19, was McClellin really a reach? That doesn’t appear to be the case, considering McClellin probably wouldn’t have been available Friday when it was time for the Bears to pick again at No. 50.
Besides, there’s no way Emery takes a pass on all the promising talent available at 19 for McClellin unless the team’s conviction in him was strong. While the situation is a tad different, Chicago’s decision to select McClellin brings the 2009 NFL Draft back to memory.
Back then, the Buffalo Bills -- enamored with his speed and other measurables -- made Aaron Maybin the No. 11 overall pick, passing on other promising prospects such as Clay Matthews and Brian Orakpo. Two years after drafting him, the Bills cut ties with Maybin -- who didn’t record a single sack -- while Matthews and Orakpo (both similar in size to McClellin) flourished with their respective teams, combining for 43 sacks.
Based on his intangibles, reputation as a hard worker, and relentless playing style, McClellin seems more poised to be like Matthews and Orakpo than Maybin. So if that’s a reach, it’s probably one worth making.
Bears draft preview: Linebackers
April, 23, 2012
Apr 23
4:44
PM CT
By
Michael C. Wright | ESPNChicago.com
AP Photo/Dave MartinNotre Dame linebacker Darius Fleming runs a drill at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.The team still needs to prepare for life after Briggs and Urlacher, and could start the process of adding potential successors during the NFL Draft. Urlacher will be 34 once the 2012 season starts and Briggs turns 32 in November, but Bears coach Lovie Smith laughs off the suggestion his star players are aging.
“Every time I bring up getting younger with Brian… I mean, he gets a big chuckle when someone like you bring[s] it up,” Smith said at the NFL Combine. “Just look at what those players have done. I’ve heard that about Lance Briggs getting older, Julius Peppers, [and] Charles Tillman. All four of those guys were in the Pro Bowl this year. For me, we have other concerns. That’s not one of them.”
Perhaps not, but that hasn’t stopped the club from showing interest in a few prospects from the 2012 class of linebackers. The Bears have reportedly scheduled pre-draft visits for North Carolina’s Zach Brown and Notre Dame’s Darius Fleming. Brown, who ran a 4.4-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, could be gone by the start of the third round, while Fleming -- a former St. Rita standout -- is considered somewhat of a tweener teams could take a chance on in the fourth or fifth round.
So while the interest seems to be there for the Bears, it’s unknown whether they will actually spend a pick on a linebacker. The club selected West Virginia linebacker J.T. Thomas last year in the sixth round, and the current roster features several young players such as Dom DeCicco, Patrick Trahan and Jabara Williams.
Besides that Briggs doesn’t appear to be comfortable with the idea of the team playing without him and Urlacher.
“Hopefully we can play until we’re 49 years old if that’s possible,” Briggs joked.
The next 10: 11. OLB Sean Spence, Miami, 6-0, 231; 12. ILB James-Michael Johnson, Nevada, 6-1, 241; 13. OLB Nigel Bradham, Florida State, 6-2, 241; 14. OLB Josh Kaddu, Oregon, 6-0, 239; 15. OLB Olivier Vernon, Miami, 6-2, 261; 16. OLB Demario Davis, Arkansas State, 6-2, 235; 17. OLB Terrell Manning, North Carolina State, 6-2, 237; 18. OLB Travis Lewis, Oklahoma, 6-1, 246; 19. OLB Audie Cole, North Carolina State, 6-4, 246; 20. OLB Miles Burris, San Diego State, 6-2, 246. Note: Some of the prospects listed also project as 4-3 defensive ends.
Position grade: B-.
Analysis: Despite the criticism thrown at the Bears for executing out of the 4-3, one positive about the defense is strong linebacking prospects often fall to the club, in part because of the NFL’s current infatuation with the 3-4 look. Because so many teams have shifted to the 3-4, the talent pool for the run-and-hit types the Bears covet at linebacker opens tremendously. So if the Bears want to plan for the future at the position, plenty of options should be available in the later rounds.
Urlacher on injured knee: It feels good
April, 10, 2012
Apr 10
5:42
PM CT
By
Melissa Isaacson | ESPNChicago.com
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Jerry Lai/US PresswireBrian Urlacher said it's not up to the players to protect other players.
Jerry Lai/US PresswireBrian Urlacher said it's not up to the players to protect other players.Speaking before a luncheon at Maryville Academy, where he was to receive the team's annual Ed Block Courage Award, voted on by his teammates, Urlacher said it is not up to the league's players to make the game safer.
"That's not our job to protect other players," Urlacher said. "It's the NFL's job and the refs' job to protect the players. ... If they think it's illegal, they'll throw a flag or they'll fine you. It's not our job to regulate that.
"I'm not worried about it. It's always touchy and I'm sure it will be even worse after all this stuff went down. You just have to go out there to do the best you can with the rules in place."
As the team looks to its first voluntary offseason workouts on Monday, Urlacher, who damaged ligaments in his knee during last season's final game at Minnesota but did not require surgery, said it "feels good."
"I've had so much time in the offseason to get it right," he said. "I still have four months [until training camp]. I'm definitely not in a big hurry. I've done everything to this point I've been asked to do. I'm sure when the time's right, I'll be ready to play. I have six months before the season starts to get ready. I'll be good to go when the time is right."
In the meantime, Urlacher is not likely to see Forte at Halas Hall as the disgruntled running back cannot participate in team activities until he signs the team's one-year franchise tender that would pay him $7.742 million, a raise of more than $7.1 million over last season.
"[Free agent acquisition] Michael Bush will get a lot of reps then if Matt's not there, and he'll get to know the offense," Urlacher said. "Matt takes care of himself. He knows the offense, he's a smart guy, he's always in shape. He's the least of my concerns. He'll be at training camp when he needs to be. Either way, he'll be there."
Urlacher also commented on the team's somewhat controversial trade for wide receiver Brandon Marshall, saying "Brandon is a good guy. I know he's had some issues. Everyone says that. I've been around him a couple times. Jay (Cutler is) going to handle that situation, so I'm not worried about it.
"Jay is a straightforward guy. He's been around Brandon. I don't think it will be an issue. He's coming to a good situation, he's got a great quarterback, good offensive line, good running game, decent defense, great coaching staff, so I think it's a good situation for him to be in. He's going to get a lot of balls thrown at him, so that should keep him happy."
Source: Amobi Okoye to visit Bengals
March, 26, 2012
Mar 26
6:09
PM CT
By
Jeff Dickerson | ESPNChicago.com
CHICAGO -- Free agent defensive tackle Amobi Okoye is scheduled to visit the Cincinnati Bengals, a league source confirmed on Monday.
Adam Caplan of thesidelineview.com first reported the visit.
Okoye has garnered interest from several teams around the league, but has not ruled out re-signing with the Chicago Bears, per the source.
In his first year with the Bears, Okoye recorded four sacks and 27 quarterback pressures from his three-technique defensive tackle spot. Okoye and starter Henry Melton provided the Bears an inside pass-rushing presence that had been missing in the years since Tommie Harris stopped playing at a Pro Bowl level.
Okoye is still a very young 24 years old after being selected 10th overall by the Houston Texans in the 2007 NFL Draft. After four seasons with the Texans, Okoye got released last summer but was promptly picked up by the Bears on a one-year deal.
Adam Caplan of thesidelineview.com first reported the visit.
Okoye has garnered interest from several teams around the league, but has not ruled out re-signing with the Chicago Bears, per the source.
In his first year with the Bears, Okoye recorded four sacks and 27 quarterback pressures from his three-technique defensive tackle spot. Okoye and starter Henry Melton provided the Bears an inside pass-rushing presence that had been missing in the years since Tommie Harris stopped playing at a Pro Bowl level.
Okoye is still a very young 24 years old after being selected 10th overall by the Houston Texans in the 2007 NFL Draft. After four seasons with the Texans, Okoye got released last summer but was promptly picked up by the Bears on a one-year deal.
Offseason position outlook: Defensive line
February, 14, 2012
Feb 14
8:58
AM CT
By
Michael C. Wright | ESPNChicago.com
AP Photo/Charles Rex ArbogastThe Bears' Israel Idonije has 13 sacks over the past two seasons as the full-time starter at defensive end.The defensive line combined for all but three of the team’s 33 sacks, with defensive end Julius Peppers racking up a team-high 11 for his third double-digit sack campaign in four years.
But the Bears finished 2011 tied for 19th in that statistic, which wasn’t sufficient in the eyes of Bears coach Lovie Smith.
“We got good pressure from our front four,” Smith said. “But to say that we got enough the entire [season], I can’t say that. Each year that I’ve been here, we’ve tried to improve our defensive line; that’s always. You look at our league [and] we’ve got three quarterbacks I think that threw for over 5,000 yards. You need to be able to rush them better. That is an area we need to improve.”
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AP Photo/Charles Rex ArbogastHenry Melton impressed in his first season as a starter, recording seven sacks.
AP Photo/Charles Rex ArbogastHenry Melton impressed in his first season as a starter, recording seven sacks.But the rest of that position group didn’t contribute much to the team’s totals, although it did fare well at stuffing the run.
The Bears ranked No. 5 in the NFL against the run, and according to STATS LLC, tied for the second most “stuffs” -- a tackle of a rusher for negative yards -- in the league in 2011 with 54 for 144 yards in losses. Since 2004, the Bears lead the NFL with 452 stuffs, and the defensive tackle position plays a significant role in the team’s ability to post such numbers.
That doesn’t mean the position group doesn’t need to improve. With Melton and Matt Toeaina set as the starters, the team needs to coax more out of veteran Adams -- who is coming off somewhat of a down year -- as well as Amobi, a free agent, and 2011 second-round pick Stephen Paea, who wasn’t able to crack the rotation until Week 6.
The defensive ends, meanwhile, might be in line for an upgrade opposite Peppers. With opponents devoting so much to neutralize Peppers, his counterpart -- Israel Idonije -- contributed just five sacks in 2011, and is set to become a free agent. The staff considers Idonije a “core player”, but it would seem unlikely the team would be interested in bringing him back as anything more than a rotational player.
THE CURRENT ROSTER
Anthony Adams: Played the first seven games -- starting two -- but was inactive for five of the team’s next eight outings. Adams hadn’t been inactive in that many contests since 2008. Nagging injuries appeared to be a factor in Adams’ struggles, and Smith also cited mediocre practices as one of the reasons for the veteran’s lack of playing time. Adams contributed 17 tackles and eight quarterback pressures, but finished without a sack in 2011 for the first time since the 2008 season. Adams enters the final year of a two-year contract signed just before the start of last year’s training camp, and is scheduled to receive $1.9 million in base salary. He’ll count $2.65 million against the salary cap.
Henry Melton: The coaching staff -- especially Smith -- raved about Melton all offseason, and the three-year veteran justified the team’s position with a promising debut as an NFL starter. Melton notched 16 tackles and seven sacks to go with 34 quarterback pressures. Melton started the season with six tackles, three sacks and 12 quarterback pressures in his first four games, but experienced a lull in production. Melton admitted to pacing himself as an attempt to conserve energy for the duration of games, and thinks that played a role in his inconsistency. With a year of experience as a full-time starter, Melton will be a more consistent performer in 2012.
Jordan Miller: Originally signed as an undrafted free agent out of Southern, Miller caught the staff’s attention in training camp and the preseason, eventually earning a spot on the practice squad. Miller needs to take full advantage of the club’s conditioning program to make a legitimate push to get on the field in 2012.
Amobi Okoye: Signed to a one-year contract last Aug. 1 that included a paltry signing bonus of $82,500, Okoye -- a former first-round pick of the Houston Texans -- appeared to be merely a reclamation project. But Okoye proved much more by contributing four sacks, 27 tackles and 27 quarterback pressures. Keep in mind Okoye came into the 2011 season with just 11 career sacks in 150 career games. Instead of being a bust, Okoye appears to have been miscast in Houston’s 3-4 scheme because his skill set is more conducive to success in an attacking one-gap system. The Bears will likely try to bring back the free agent if the sides can agree to a cap-friendly deal.
Stephen Paea: Paea’s strange inactivity over the first five games conjured “bust” whispers. But the truth is the second-round pick struggled to transition into the pro game, and was also working through the soreness and fatigue associated with recovering from a knee injury suffered prior to the draft. Paea contributed two sacks, 18 tackles and two quarterback pressures as a rookie. The defensive tackle recorded the club’s eighth safety since 2004 when he sacked Donovan McNabb in the end zone in Week 6. Paea spent the majority of last offseason rehabbing from the knee injury. But now that he’s fully healthy, expect Paea to grow tremendously this offseason.
Matt Toeaina: The starting nose tackle, and one of the main reasons the Bears were successful stuffing the run, Toeaina tallied 21 tackles and no sacks, and was inactive four games because of a sprained knee. Toeaina posted a season-high five stops on Dec. 18 against the Seattle Seahawks. Having signed an extension in December 2010, Toeina is under contract through 2013.
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Scott Cunningham/Getty ImagesJulius Peppers recorded a team-high 11 sacks for the Bears last season.
Scott Cunningham/Getty ImagesJulius Peppers recorded a team-high 11 sacks for the Bears last season.Israel Idonije: Contributed five sacks, and now has 13 over the past two seasons as the full-time starter. Idonije also scored a touchdown on a recovered fumble in the end zone in Week 15 against the Seahawks. Although the veteran set career highs in tackles (57), and fumble recoveries (2), Idonije might not be back with the Bears in 2012 as the starter opposite Peppers. Idonije just finished the final season of a three-year contract, and will likely be allowed to test free agency for a more lucrative deal than what the Bears might be inclined to pay.
Corey Wootton: Seemed to be putting together a strong training camp, but nagging injuries derailed what could have been a breakout season. Wootton suffered a knee injury on the opening kickoff of the exhibition opener that required arthroscopic surgery. After sitting out the first three games, Wootton returned in Week 4 to face the Carolina Panthers. In the week of practice leading up to the following game at Detroit, Wootton suffered a broken hand. Wootton possesses the potential to develop into a starter, but needs to find a way to shake the injuries.
Thaddeus Gibson: Signed to the active roster on Dec. 19, Gibson contributed on special teams in the last two games of the season. A former fourth-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2010, Gibson possesses impressive physical attributes, but is raw. Defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli seems to be the ideal coach to aid in Gibson’s development.
Chauncey Davis: Signed with the Bears in November, Davis made three tackles in a loss to the Oakland Raiders in his debut. Davis played the final six games and registered nine tackles and a sack. Prior to joining the Bears, Davis played in 96 games (25 starts) in seven seasons with the Atlanta Falcons.
Bears free agents: Okoye and Idonije
POTENTIAL FREE-AGENT TARGETS
DT Jason Jones, Tennessee Titans, unrestricted
DT Cory Redding, Baltimore Ravens, unrestricted
DT Kendall Langford, Miami Dolphins, unrestricted
DE Mario Williams, Houston Texans, unrestricted
DE Cliff Avril, Detroit Lions, unrestricted
DE Jeremy Mincey, Jacksonville Jaguars, unrestricted
WHY ADDING THROUGH DRAFT MIGHT BE BEST
Unless the team seeks an upgrade at the under-tackle spot currently manned by Melton, it’s unlikely the Bears make any moves at this position during free agency outside of potential backups. But if the team wants to upgrade opposite Peppers, it would have plenty of gifted options, not to mention more than enough cap room to pull off a high-profile acquisition.
Perhaps a significant deterrent to making a move in free agency is the fact the club already has $20.15 million committed in 2012 base salaries to just three players on defense (Peppers, Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs). That number would likely swell to approximately $26 million or more if the team picked up a high-profile pass rusher to play opposite Peppers.
So Williams might be too expensive, and Avril is believed to be a top priority in Detroit. That might make Mincey an intriguing option. Mincey, 28, is coming off a breakout season in which he posted eight sacks, 57 tackles and four forced fumbles playing in a 4-3 system similar to Chicago’s. But the Bears might be apprehensive about how Mincey arrived at those sacks because five came in two games against a struggling Indianapolis Colts offensive line, and he notched three more over 14 other outings.
That could potentially push down Mincey’s asking price to a number closer to what the Bears were paying Idonije.
But with new general manager Phil Emery running the show, the team might feel the safer play is to bring back Idonije or try to boost the pass rush through the draft.
A quick look at Phil Emery's philosophies
January, 30, 2012
Jan 30
4:35
PM CT
By
Jeff Dickerson | ESPNChicago.com
INDIANAPOLIS -- With the Chicago Bears missing the playoffs four of the last five years under former general manager Jerry Angelo and current head coach Lovie Smith, their fans were eager to hear new boss Phil Emery lay out his new vision for the organization moving forward.
"I know we found the right guy," Bears president and CEO Ted Phillips said to kick off the festivities.
Only time will tell if Phillips is right.
Here is a brief overview of Emery's philosophies, or at least the ones he was willing to share to an auditorium full of reporters Monday at Halas Hall.
Lovie Smith: Emery said he was “excited" about being involved with the Bears’ head coach, which was actually a pre-requisite for the job. But he dodged multiple questions about Smith's future, saying on numerous occassions that his “head isn't there right now.” Emery went as far as to say he and Smith will work together to form the final vision of the roster and the draft.
Draft: Emery said he has “a very good feel for the composition of this draft,” which is what you would expect to hear from a veteran college scouting director. The plan, according to Emery, is to "raise your own", building the team through the draft and augmenting the roster via free agency. Perhaps the most interesting part of the media session came when Emery described the differences between the way he approaches the draft compared to Angelo. According to Emery, "how we grade players is different, how we structure the staff, the grading scale is different, how we apply the grading scale, our balance between the pro and college sides [are different].”
Staff: Emery praised the current group of Bears scouts, but plans to hire more talent evaluators following the draft. According to Emery, "we'll have the resources we need to build our staff." Expect the Bears to hire a seperate director of pro personnel and a director of college scouting in the wake of Tim Ruskell leaving the organization on Monday.
Forte's contract: Emery labeled the specifics about Matt Forte "an internal matter", but did call the franchise tag a tool that was collectively bargained and is fair to the players and the teams. "I do know Matt the player and we have evaluated Matt extensively," Emery said. "But that's an internal matter. We don't discuss those things -- contracts, contract statuses. We are not going to show our cards."
Wide receiver: Another "internal matter". Emery said he will not discuss potential players or specific areas of need.
No. 2 quarterback: That also falls under the category of an internal matter.
Current Bears roster: Emery called Jay Cutler "a fine quarterback." He called Brian Urlacher "a player who is still making plays." The age of the defense is not a problem for Emery, as long as the players continue to be "playmakers".
Personal: Emery models himself most after Kansas City Chiefs executive Scott Pioli, who enjoyed tremendous success with Bill Belichick in New England. Emery says he is quite familiar with “the Patriot way,” but that new situations sometimes call for the plan to be altered to a certain degree.
"I know we found the right guy," Bears president and CEO Ted Phillips said to kick off the festivities.
Only time will tell if Phillips is right.
Here is a brief overview of Emery's philosophies, or at least the ones he was willing to share to an auditorium full of reporters Monday at Halas Hall.
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Jonathan Daniel/Getty ImagesLovie Smith will play a role in determining the Bears roster, according to new GM Phil Emery.
Jonathan Daniel/Getty ImagesLovie Smith will play a role in determining the Bears roster, according to new GM Phil Emery.Draft: Emery said he has “a very good feel for the composition of this draft,” which is what you would expect to hear from a veteran college scouting director. The plan, according to Emery, is to "raise your own", building the team through the draft and augmenting the roster via free agency. Perhaps the most interesting part of the media session came when Emery described the differences between the way he approaches the draft compared to Angelo. According to Emery, "how we grade players is different, how we structure the staff, the grading scale is different, how we apply the grading scale, our balance between the pro and college sides [are different].”
Staff: Emery praised the current group of Bears scouts, but plans to hire more talent evaluators following the draft. According to Emery, "we'll have the resources we need to build our staff." Expect the Bears to hire a seperate director of pro personnel and a director of college scouting in the wake of Tim Ruskell leaving the organization on Monday.
Forte's contract: Emery labeled the specifics about Matt Forte "an internal matter", but did call the franchise tag a tool that was collectively bargained and is fair to the players and the teams. "I do know Matt the player and we have evaluated Matt extensively," Emery said. "But that's an internal matter. We don't discuss those things -- contracts, contract statuses. We are not going to show our cards."
Wide receiver: Another "internal matter". Emery said he will not discuss potential players or specific areas of need.
No. 2 quarterback: That also falls under the category of an internal matter.
Current Bears roster: Emery called Jay Cutler "a fine quarterback." He called Brian Urlacher "a player who is still making plays." The age of the defense is not a problem for Emery, as long as the players continue to be "playmakers".
Personal: Emery models himself most after Kansas City Chiefs executive Scott Pioli, who enjoyed tremendous success with Bill Belichick in New England. Emery says he is quite familiar with “the Patriot way,” but that new situations sometimes call for the plan to be altered to a certain degree.
Chris Conte's cast will come off Tuesday
January, 2, 2012
Jan 2
3:13
PM CT
By
Jeff Dickerson | ESPNChicago.com
LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Injured Chicago Bears free safety Chris Conte will have the cast on his right foot removed on Tuesday and plans to fully participate in the club's offseason workout program.
Conte suffered ligament damage in the foot versus the Seattle Seahawks on Dec. 18 and missed the final two games of the regular season.
"I'm going to be fine, going to be back to 100 percent," Conte said on Monday. "I'm probably going to start working out pretty soon. It's important for me, especially not having an offseason last year [due to the lockout] to spend as much time as possible in Chicago during the offseason. That's what I'm planning on doing."
A 2011 third-round draft choice, Conte started nine games his rookie year and finished with 47 tackles and one interception.
Conte suffered ligament damage in the foot versus the Seattle Seahawks on Dec. 18 and missed the final two games of the regular season.
"I'm going to be fine, going to be back to 100 percent," Conte said on Monday. "I'm probably going to start working out pretty soon. It's important for me, especially not having an offseason last year [due to the lockout] to spend as much time as possible in Chicago during the offseason. That's what I'm planning on doing."
A 2011 third-round draft choice, Conte started nine games his rookie year and finished with 47 tackles and one interception.
Jeff Dickerson and Michael C. Wright break down the Bears' loss to the Packers.
AP Photo/Julie JacobsonTim Tebow didn't do much to distinguish himself in the eyes of Bears' defenders.Read the entire story.
Idonije: 'We are better than them'
December, 11, 2011
12/11/11
9:10
PM CT
By
Jeff Dickerson | ESPNChicago.com
AP Photo/Jack DempseyLance Briggs said his offense scored enough to win, but some fans may argue.The genuine feeling of unhappiness in the club's postgame locker room arose from the fact the Bears truly believe they were the better football team on the field Sunday.
"It's frustrating because we are better than them," Bears defensive end Israel Idonije said. "We are better than that. It's just ones those you shake your head. At the end of the day it's on us. We have to find a way to get it done."
Idonije scoffed at the notion Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow was responsible for Denver's late-game victory, the sixth comeback Tebow has led in his short NFL career.
"I don't care about all that," Idonije said. "All that fourth quarter stuff ... it's about us. I don't care who is out there. At the end of the day, fourth quarter, you got to be better and make plays. Bottom line.
"It came down to us. Got to get a stop, got to play better down the stretch. I don't know exactly what happened but we had opportunities, so we just have to finish."
After being held scoreless for the nearly the entire afternoon, Denver put points on the board on each of its final three drives. The Bears' offense, especially running back Marion Barber, needs to shoulder some of the blame for allowing the Broncos back into the game, the defense is supposed to slam the door shut in late fourth-quarter situations.
"They found a way to win it," Bears linebacker Lance Briggs said. "Our offense gave us enough points to win the game. We go into overtime, we're in position and their team made a play."
Perhaps no player summed up the Bears mood following the loss better than safety Craig Steltz, who started in place of the injured Major Wright. Steltz turned in a solid performance versus Denver, but was visibly crushed and one of the last defenders to leave the locker room.
"It's tough to swallow," Steltz said. "We fought our butts off to the end and into overtime. It's going to be a long week."
That's probably an understatement.
The "Sunday NFL Countdown" crew breaks down the Bears' defense against Tim Tebow.
Steltz ready for rematch with Tebow
December, 8, 2011
12/08/11
5:22
PM CT
By
Jeff Dickerson | ESPNChicago.com
[+] Enlarge
Rob Grabowski/US PresswireBears safety Craig Steltz knows what it's like to lose to -- and to beat -- Tim Tebow, dating back to their college days.
Rob Grabowski/US PresswireBears safety Craig Steltz knows what it's like to lose to -- and to beat -- Tim Tebow, dating back to their college days.Tebow, then a freshman at the University of Florida, turned in the best performance of his young collegiate career when he accounted for three touchdowns in a 23-10 victory over Steltz's LSU Tigers. The quarterback ran for a score and passed for two others, including a 35-yard touchdown completion to receiver Louis Murphy.
"I think what happened the time he beat us was that guys were running free down the field," Steltz said. "We had a couple instances of busted coverage and guys not reading their keys. It was big plays, that's what did it to us. You have to limit the big plays. He can hit those big plays if they present themselves."
But Steltz, a 2007 first-team All American, got the last laugh against Tebow the following year when he tallied a career-best 16 tackles in a 28-24 Tiger's win.
Fast forward four years and the two are set to square off Sunday as Steltz is expected to start at strong safety in place of the injured Major Wright. Steltz came off the bench last week versus Kansas City and recorded a season-high nine tackles and one forced fumble.
"He does a really good job running the offense in Denver," Steltz said. "When he runs, he doesn't like to run out of bounds, and he can certainly make plays. We just have to stay disciplined and read our keys. Everybody has to know his assignment on every single play. But this is a smart, veteran group that does a good job with the fundamentals. We need to pay attention to detail and be in the right spot and the right time.'
"He's a tremendous player. It's going to be a huge test for us."
Bears confident vs. mobile Tebow
December, 8, 2011
12/08/11
4:52
PM CT
By
Jeff Dickerson | ESPNChicago.com
LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The last mobile quarterback to inflict damage on the Chicago Bears' defense was Carolina Panthers rookie Cam Newton, who rushed for two touchdowns, passed for another and compiled 409 total yards of offense in a losing Week 4 effort.
Read the entire story.
Read the entire story.



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