Kyle Fuller missed the entire 2016 season. Whether he is healthy or not, the Bears need big time cornerback help. His injury exposed the back end of the cornerback depth. [TRACY PORTER] got destroyed in coverage, and subs such as Crevon Le’Blanc and Bryce Callahan showed that they cannot be trusted as potential starting threats.
Ryan is a great addition because while he can play outside, but his best bet may be as a nickel cornerback. The NFL is moving more towards a three-wide receiver vs. nickel type of base schemes. Without a strong cornerback who can come in and play the slot, teams are going to get carved apart on the inside.
Ryan has the experience of making a deep playoff run with the Patriots. However, the Pats are a team that is not known for overpaying anyone, even their own. The Bears have a lot of cap space, and Ryan could see a lot more money from the Bears than he would if he wanted to stay in New England. Ryan has experience, versatility and fits a position of dire need for the Bears. He should be one of the first players the Bears look at to revamp the back end of their defense
1. A.J. Bouye
On paper, the Bears defensive front can be solid in 2017. Akiem Hicks is coming off of a strong season, and while Eddie Goldman has been hurt, he has major upside. Jonathan Bullard looked good as a rookie, and Mitch Unrein is a depth addition.
At linebacker, Leonard Floyd showed promise as a rookie. Pernell McPhee came back from injury and proved why he was recently given a long term deal. Both Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman had issues last season, but if those four can come back and stay together, it is a young and talented core of linebackers that can be a threat.
With that in mind, this team needs to clean up the back end of their secondary in the worst way. Bouye is coming off of his real breakout season. It can be questionable about a cornerback breaking out in a contract year, but Bouye has good speed and instincts to take a shot on. He is likely the top cornerback on the market. He can play outside and inside, zone or man. If any team is going to spend even more than they have to secure Bouye, it should be the Bears.
I was just thinking, which CB should the Bears go after? Bouye, Gilmore, or (if the Rams don't tag him again) Johnson? I would hope Pace is looking into all 3 of these guys.
Bouye worries me a little. Who is he, is he for real? Sure, he ended a starter on the league's stingiest D, but last season was his most starts with 11 and only 1 int. Obviously ints aren't the only way to judge a CB, but we need turnovers, though a lock down guy would be nice.
Gilmore is flawed,as he was often exploited in coverage last season, but he has plenty of starting experience, has obvious physical gifts, and 14 ints in his career (5 last season).
Johnson is likely to be tagged again, but if not, he is the long, strong type of CB Fangio prefers.
EDIT: I still have some faith in Bryce Callahan to develop into a nice NB, so idk if spending money on Ryan is needed. I also expect one of our draft picks to be a CB. Hall should hopefully develop/stay healthy. I have faith that one of Leblanc, Glenn, or Bausby to step up and make the roster in a positive way (my money is on Leblanc). We have no real idea what is going to happen with Fuller, he could be our hero of the secondary next season.
I agree with all except for 2 and maybe 3. Without weapons Tyrod Taylor will be here what he was in Buffalo. And he's not nearly an accurate enough passer IMO.
+1 You have to wonder if the team has the coaching and players for any QB to be able to reach his true ceiling here. This may still be QB hell for a quarterback to come to. I could be dead wrong, but I have this sick feeling that the Bears QB woes will continue.
I think talent will be fine, if not improved for any Qb who lines up behind Center....coaching is the question mark imo.
Pace and Fox have been bringing in some pretty decent talent, while trying to flush out the old people(Forte/BM) and headcases(Bennett/BM)...Doubt we'll ever know which influence(Pace or Fox) was more powerful in pickingup and removing these players, even though the two will be coupled together like normal. But if they sign AJ and get him to come back, then you have a team that is very sufficient in talent on the offensive side of the ball imo
QB - ? RB - Howard...i'm confident he will make defenses creep up and bite on play-action which should take pressure off the passing game Wr - Aj, Kw as 1-2 is nice talent if they can stay healthy O-line - is improving and could get better at T this FA/Draft Te - could use an upgrade but i'm not worried about that position too much...there are options in FA/Draft like O-line
Sure i'm buzzed like usual and always drink the kool-aide before FA and the Draft lol, but even when i'm sober it boils down to coaching with a roster like that imo. And of course if they can shore up the back-end of that defense and not put the offense in a 2+ score hole constantly, then i would imagine any Qb can come in and have a great opportunity to craft his talents and have success instead of ruining his confidence.
