Roster Projection: DL and LB

[WindyCity]

DL [6]

RE: Nichols, Edwards
NT: Goldman, Tonga
LE: Hicks, Blackson

This is the easiest position group on the team to predict, and the deepest group on the team. The Bears 2nd string line could start games and they would likely be fine.

It will be most interesting to see if Edwards can keep up his pass rush from last year when he was super productive in limited snaps and whether Tonga can get into the rotation, although I expect he will be inactive on many game days.

Short Term: Super deep and talented
Long Term: This is Hicks last year so we need to see if Blackson and Edwards can step in as a starter in 2022 and save the Bears some serious money. I would also like for Nichols to be extended before the season to start and use that last year of his deal to spread the cap hits and get a little more team friendly deal.

LB [9]

OLB: Attouchu, Quinn, Gipson
ILB: Smith, Iggy
ILB: Trevathan, Jones
OLB: Mack, Vaughters

I think the only real battle here is between Iggy and Woods to see who holds on to the ILB4 job, I think it will be Iggy because of special teams. Jones is a huge upgrade at ILB3 over Woods and Iggy who cannot play defense. We just need to hope that Trevathan doesn't stink for half a season again.

Outside, I think that Vaughters, who was sneaky productive and a core special teams player, will make it over Snowdon who the Bears will stash on IR. The real boost could come from Gipson taking a step and building off some good reps last year to be fully in the rotation this season. Attouchu is a pass rushing upgrade over Mingo and I am interested to see what he can do.

Short Term: This group looks okay if Trevathan is healthy and not done.
Long Term: They need an OLB2 and preferably someone cheaper and better, that won't be hard, than Quinn. Attouchu and Gipson are both signed for 2022, so fingers crossed.

 

[maxhatter]

DL [6]

RE: Nichols, Edwards
NT: Goldman, Tonga
LE: Hicks, Blackson

This is the easiest position group on the team to predict, and the deepest group on the team. The Bears 2nd string line could start games and they would likely be fine.

It will be most interesting to see if Edwards can keep up his pass rush from last year when he was super productive in limited snaps and whether Tonga can get into the rotation, although I expect he will be inactive on many game days.

Short Term: Super deep and talented
Long Term: This is Hicks last year so we need to see if Blackson and Edwards can step in as a starter in 2022 and save the Bears some serious money. I would also like for Nichols to be extended before the season to start and use that last year of his deal to spread the cap hits and get a little more team friendly deal.

LB [9]

OLB: Attouchu, Quinn, Gipson
ILB: Smith, Iggy
ILB: Trevathan, Jones
OLB: Mack, Vaughters

I think the only real battle here is between Iggy and Woods to see who holds on to the ILB4 job, I think it will be Iggy because of special teams. Jones is a huge upgrade at ILB3 over Woods and Iggy who cannot play defense. We just need to hope that Trevathan doesn't stink for half a season again.

Outside, I think that Vaughters, who was sneaky productive and a core special teams player, will make it over Snowdon who the Bears will stash on IR. The real boost could come from Gipson taking a step and building off some good reps last year to be fully in the rotation this season. Attouchu is a pass rushing upgrade over Mingo and I am interested to see what he can do.

Short Term: This group looks okay if Trevathan is healthy and not done.
Long Term: They need an OLB2 and preferably someone cheaper and better, that won't be hard, than Quinn. Attouchu and Gipson are both signed for 2022, so fingers crossed.

I don't think that Attouchu will start ahead of Quinn, and while I agree that Attouchu gives you more than Mingo when rushing the passer, Mingo's value came from his ability to also drop into coverage . That versatility is sort of a hallmark of a Fangio defense. I agree that it's a long shot for Snowden to make the team, but he is the type of guy that is more suited for this defense and I can see him pushing Vaughters for reps

 

[ThatGuyRyan]

I would think their base would be: Blackson, Goldman, Hicks. That's a lot of beef up front. Nichols/Edwards on passing downs and Tonga rotational.

 

[WindyCity]

I don't think that Attouchu will start ahead of Quinn, and while I agree that Attouchu gives you more than Mingo when rushing the passer, Mingo's value came from his ability to also drop into coverage . That versatility is sort of a hallmark of a Fangio defense. I agree that it's a long shot for Snowden to make the team, but he is the type of guy that is more suited for this defense and I can see him pushing Vaughters for reps

Quinn is awful and last year was only playing rotationally once they discovered how bad he was.

I expect Attouchu to start in base and Quinn to come in as the world's most expensive pass rush specialist who does not get sacks.

 

[Mikeropod]

I think folks are kinda over-valuing Christian Jones. He was an ok UDFA (from FSU, I think?) who hit, but a lot of his time playing on the Bears was coming off the bench as I recall. He was always terrible in pass coverage, not Timu-level bad, but still not great.

If we're randomly bringing back old Bears LBs, I'd like Nick Roach to wander onto the field!

 

[modo]

DL [6]

RE: Nichols, Edwards
NT: Goldman, Tonga
LE: Hicks, Blackson

This is the easiest position group on the team to predict, and the deepest group on the team. The Bears 2nd string line could start games and they would likely be fine.

It will be most interesting to see if Edwards can keep up his pass rush from last year when he was super productive in limited snaps and whether Tonga can get into the rotation, although I expect he will be inactive on many game days.

Short Term: Super deep and talented
Long Term: This is Hicks last year so we need to see if Blackson and Edwards can step in as a starter in 2022 and save the Bears some serious money. I would also like for Nichols to be extended before the season to start and use that last year of his deal to spread the cap hits and get a little more team friendly deal.

LB [9]

OLB: Attouchu, Quinn, Gipson
ILB: Smith, Iggy
ILB: Trevathan, Jones
OLB: Mack, Vaughters

I think the only real battle here is between Iggy and Woods to see who holds on to the ILB4 job, I think it will be Iggy because of special teams. Jones is a huge upgrade at ILB3 over Woods and Iggy who cannot play defense. We just need to hope that Trevathan doesn't stink for half a season again.

Outside, I think that Vaughters, who was sneaky productive and a core special teams player, will make it over Snowdon who the Bears will stash on IR. The real boost could come from Gipson taking a step and building off some good reps last year to be fully in the rotation this season. Attouchu is a pass rushing upgrade over Mingo and I am interested to see what he can do.

Short Term: This group looks okay if Trevathan is healthy and not done.
Long Term: They need an OLB2 and preferably someone cheaper and better, that won't be hard, than Quinn. Attouchu and Gipson are both signed for 2022, so fingers crossed.

Quinn will be starting

 

[bamainatlanta]

Lol. All the cunting over an injured Quinn.

 

[ThatGuyRyan]

I think folks are kinda over-valuing Christian Jones. He was an ok UDFA (from FSU, I think?) who hit, but a lot of his time playing on the Bears was coming off the bench as I recall. He was always terrible in pass coverage, not Timu-level bad, but still not great.

If we're randomly bringing back old Bears LBs, I'd like Nick Roach to wander onto the field!

He's much better depth than last year though. The depth last year was awful. Josh Woods sucks.

 

[pinkfloydster]

DL [6]

RE: Nichols, Edwards
NT: Goldman, Tonga
LE: Hicks, Blackson

This is the easiest position group on the team to predict, and the deepest group on the team. The Bears 2nd string line could start games and they would likely be fine.

It will be most interesting to see if Edwards can keep up his pass rush from last year when he was super productive in limited snaps and whether Tonga can get into the rotation, although I expect he will be inactive on many game days.

Short Term: Super deep and talented
Long Term: This is Hicks last year so we need to see if Blackson and Edwards can step in as a starter in 2022 and save the Bears some serious money. I would also like for Nichols to be extended before the season to start and use that last year of his deal to spread the cap hits and get a little more team friendly deal.

LB [9]

OLB: Attouchu, Quinn, Gipson
ILB: Smith, Iggy
ILB: Trevathan, Jones
OLB: Mack, Vaughters

I think the only real battle here is between Iggy and Woods to see who holds on to the ILB4 job, I think it will be Iggy because of special teams. Jones is a huge upgrade at ILB3 over Woods and Iggy who cannot play defense. We just need to hope that Trevathan doesn't stink for half a season again.

Outside, I think that Vaughters, who was sneaky productive and a core special teams player, will make it over Snowdon who the Bears will stash on IR. The real boost could come from Gipson taking a step and building off some good reps last year to be fully in the rotation this season. Attouchu is a pass rushing upgrade over Mingo and I am interested to see what he can do.

Short Term: This group looks okay if Trevathan is healthy and not done.
Long Term: They need an OLB2 and preferably someone cheaper and better, that won't be hard, than Quinn. Attouchu and Gipson are both signed for 2022, so fingers crossed.

To my knowledge, Christian Jones has never played an inside linebacker role. I have no idea where he would fit into this defense. Either that, or I lack fundamental knowledge about how defenses work which is possible since I am a spectator.

If Snowden is able to be stashed, then that would mean he performed unimpressively during preseason. And that would be a big problem for the Bears going forward since they've blown up all their draft picks.

If Gipson is a third stringer, that would also spell major trouble. See above.

And if Caleb Johnson isn't in the conversation, it means he was cut because he was not better than Iggy. And that would mean the Bears have a major problem on their hands at ILB.

Vaughters looks real good....against 2nd string tackles.

Linebacker is a royal cluster fuck. The only solution to the problem is if two UDFAs and a 5th round pick exceed expectations. That just isn't going to happen.

And finally, no way the Bears 2nd stringer D linemen could start games and be just fine. Tonga is a 25 year old rookie 7th round pick. Is there something stronger than Kool-aid that you've been drinking?

 

[dabears70]

This is the first time i've seen these video clips from this game and didn't realize that UVA lined Snowden up all over the place. In the first few plays he looks like he's lined up at MLB, S and even CB in one play. The speed he has for his size is pretty ridiculous.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1176602203600982021

 

[NCChiFan]

I wish other area's on the team had these "bad" issues.

 

[WindyCity]

To my knowledge, Christian Jones has never played an inside linebacker role. I have no idea where he would fit into this defense. Either that, or I lack fundamental knowledge about how defenses work which is possible since I am a spectator.

If Snowden is able to be stashed, then that would mean he performed unimpressively during preseason. And that would be a big problem for the Bears going forward since they've blown up all their draft picks.

If Gipson is a third stringer, that would also spell major trouble. See above.

And if Caleb Johnson isn't in the conversation, it means he was cut because he was not better than Iggy. And that would mean the Bears have a major problem on their hands at ILB.

Vaughters looks real good....against 2nd string tackles.

Linebacker is a royal cluster fuck. The only solution to the problem is if two UDFAs and a 5th round pick exceed expectations. That just isn't going to happen.

And finally, no way the Bears 2nd stringer D linemen could start games and be just fine. Tonga is a 25 year old rookie 7th round pick. Is there something stronger than Kool-aid that you've been drinking?

That is what he played in Detroit.

 

[Sculpt]

Quinn is awful and last year was only playing rotationally once they discovered how bad he was.

I expect Attouchu to start in base and Quinn to come in as the world's most expensive pass rush specialist who does not get sacks.

Quinn was awful last year. But he did have 11.5 Sacks, 22 QB Hits the prior year. He was some kind of hurt in 2020, not sure the details... I think I heard his ankle, which is a major impediment for a pass rushing OLB. He's "only" 30 years old. I think it's more likely he'll better this year.

But still, I expect it will be an open competition between Quinn, Attouchu, Gipson and Vaughters. I really hope Gipson makes a development jump. We could really use that kind of luck.

 

[mattb78]

Quinn has had too much production to write him off completely considering the injury. He could be a free agent bust, but the history of production is there.

He was certainly a huge disappointment, but its possible he gets healthy and ends with a 100 sack career. You just cannot count out guys who get near that milestone.

 

[remydat]

Quin's pass rush win rate and double team rate was higher than Floyd's last year. Sometimes guys just get unlucky. It also didn't help that Pagano played his CBs off and so a lot of times despite winning in under 2.5 seconds, the ball was already gone. If Quinn is healthy I think he will have a rebound year. Sacks come in bunches for DEs. So I expect Quinn to still get the bulk of the reps at OLB over JA and Gipson.

At ILB, I think DT will be replaced by the end of the year. I also wouldn't be surprised to see JA or Vaughters play ILB from time to time to improve our blitzing from that spot.

At DE, Edwards was actually are 2nd highest graded player last year at 90 with only Mack higher. We may be looking at a similar emergence that we saw from Hicks. I think Hicks is probably best suited to playing 50-60% of snaps to keep him fresh. A rotation of Nichols, Edwards, Hicks and Blackston should be able to keep everyone fresh and going 100% each snap.

I think Snowden may make the team as a guy that can play both DE and OLB as he is very long at 6-7. SHis long term fit will depend on whether he shows the best to stick at OLB otherwise I think he adds 20-30 pounds on his 6-7 frame and transitions to DE like RRH.

 

[Sculpt]

That is what he played in Detroit.

Quin's pass rush win rate and double team rate was higher than Floyd's last year. Sometimes guys just get unlucky. It also didn't help that Pagano played his CBs off and so a lot of times despite winning in under 2.5 seconds, the ball was already gone. If Quinn is healthy I think he will have a rebound year. Sacks come in bunches for DEs. So I expect Quinn to still get the bulk of the reps at OLB over JA and Gipson.

At ILB, I think DT will be replaced by the end of the year. I also wouldn't be surprised to see JA or Vaughters play ILB from time to time to improve our blitzing from that spot.

At DE, Edwards was actually are 2nd highest graded player last year at 90 with only Mack higher. We may be looking at a similar emergence that we saw from Hicks. I think Hicks is probably best suited to playing 50-60% of snaps to keep him fresh. A rotation of Nichols, Edwards, Hicks and Blackston should be able to keep everyone fresh and going 100% each snap.

I think Snowden may make the team as a guy that can play both DE and OLB as he is very long at 6-7. SHis long term fit will depend on whether he shows the best to stick at OLB otherwise I think he adds 20-30 pounds on his 6-7 frame and transitions to DE like RRH.

Just something a crazy fan says, but...

Did you'll notice how spry Edwards was at 6-3, 280lb ???

If the other OLBs are crap, I wonder if Edwards could play some OLB pass rush snaps?

Mack - Hicks - Goldman - Nichols - Edwards

 

[remydat]

Just something a crazy fan says, but...

Did you'll notice how spry Edwards was at 6-3, 280lb ???

If the other OLBs are crap, I wonder if Edwards could play some OLB pass rush snaps?

Mack - Hicks - Goldman - Nichols - Edwards

Of guys who played at least 20% of snaps at DL (not Edge) Edwards had the 7th highest grade per PFF in the entire NFL. It will be interesting to see if he can sustain that with more snaps.

 

[bamainatlanta]

Of guys who played at least 20% of snaps at DL (not Edge) Edwards had the 7th highest grade per PFF in the entire NFL. It will be interesting to see if he can sustain that with more snaps.

The line definitely looked better with him in the game, and Quinn--who was obviously playing well below 100%

 

[WindyCity]

Of guys who played at least 20% of snaps at DL (not Edge) Edwards had the 7th highest grade per PFF in the entire NFL. It will be interesting to see if he can sustain that with more snaps.

Would make replacing Hicks much easier.

 

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