Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2016 2:50:36 GMT -6
What we've learned about the Bears defensive line at the bye
By: Lorin Cox | 15 hours ago
The Chicago Bears are on their bye week at the halfway point of the 2016 season, providing a perfect time to look back at what we’ve learned about each position group on the team through eight games.
The defensive line has been without the big man in the middle, Eddie Goldman, for much of the season, and they have underwhelmed as a unit that was supposed to be a huge part of the rebuilt front seven. This group does have some promise for the future, though.
Here’s what we’ve learned about the defensive linemen.
Akiem Hicks was worth every penny
Defensive end Akiem Hicks (96) has four sacks this season, the second-most on the Chicago Bears (GIF via NFL Game Pass).
The Bears signed Akiem Hicks to a modest two-year, $10 million contract this offseason, and he has been an absolute stud. He is tied for the third-most sacks among 3-4 defensive ends in the league, and he is equally monstrous against the run. He’s still only 26-years old too, just entering his prime.
The Bears really missed Eddie Goldman
Defensive tackle Will Sutton (93) hasn't been able to hold up consistently in place of Eddie Goldman (GIF via NFL Game Pass).
The six-foot, 297-pound Will Sutton took over at nose tackle when Goldman went down with his ankle injury, and he struggled to hold up in the middle. As a result, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio played less and less of his base defense, keeping the group in sub-packages the vast majority of the time. Goldman’s return will be big for the defensive line.
Mitch Unrein is not a starting-quality defensive lineman
Defensive end Mitch Unrein (98) has struggled as a pass-rusher as he took over the starting job this year (GIF via NFL Game Pass).
Despite having two promising defensive ends on the bench, it took the Bears five weeks before they started reducing Mitch Unrein’s snaps, even as he continued to offer little as a pass-rusher. He holds up fine against the run and deserves a role in the rotation, but he is not an every-down, starting caliber defensive end.
Cornelius Washington can be productive, when he’s healthy
Defensive end Cornelius Washington (90) has been a quality pass-rusher this season when he has been able to stay healthy (GIF via NFL Game Pass).
Fangio likes to bring in Cornelius Washington in pass-rushing situations, and the fourth-year defensive end has produced consistently, when he’s not on the trainer’s table. Seemingly every other game, he leaves the field with an injury, and that has limited his opportunities more than anything else.
Jonathan Bullard is growing into his potential
Rookie defensive end Jonathan Bullard has shown flashes of the play-making ability he showed in college (GIF via NFL Game Pass).
The rookie third-round pick isn’t having quite the impact that some were hoping, but Jonathan Bullard has shown flashes of the play-making ability he showed in college. His is still adjusting to the NFL game, but his role is steadily increasing, and he’s well on his way to reaching his full potential on this defensive line.
Link to GIFs; bearswire.usatoday.com/2016/11/08/what-weve-learned-about-the-bears-defensive-line-at-the-bye/#respond
