Will adding Mack put us in the top 3-5 defensively?

[Lake Shore Drive]

It may take a few weeks to get Mack and Roquan Smith for that matter to get fully integrated in the D, but once they are at that level, does anyone else think we will become a truly elite def, as in a top 5, maybe even a top 3? I for one think so, but it could also be the gallon of Bears kool aid I just polished off kicking in. What say my fellow homers?

 

[noonthirtyjoe]

YES yes it will. If we stay healthy.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

YES yes it will. If we stay healthy.

The million dollar word when it comes to the Bears, who since 2013 has been in total the most injured team in the NFL.

 

[noonthirtyjoe]

The million dollar word when it comes to the Bears, who since 2013 has been in total the most injured team in the NFL.

Bad and injured is no way to go thu life. Hopefully this has changed with everything else that has changed.

 

[Beengay fudgepackers]

Well we have a very good dline. Probably the best linebacking group in the nfl. A solid young secondary and a proven defensive coordinator. We could have the best defense in the league.

 

[beardown07]

No more doubles on Akiem Hicks.


This D could be special.

 

[Beengay fudgepackers]

No more doubles on Akiem Hicks.


This D could be special.

If Floyd stays healthy, he’s going to have a humongous year too. I was worried about our pass rush. Now I’m excited to see Cousins, Stafford, and Rodgers sprawled on the turf viewing the world through the ear hole of their helmet.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

No more doubles on Akiem Hicks.

This D could be special.

Think about it. Who do you cover with a 2nd man? Hicks? Mack? Floyd? Goldman? Smith when he blitzes? Fangio is going to have a field day coming up with various schemes to get to the QB.

 

[Beengay fudgepackers]

Think about it. Who do you cover with a 2nd man? Hicks? Mack? Floyd? Goldman? Smith when he blitzes? Fangio is going to have a field day coming up with various schemes to get to the QB.

You double team Mack, no doubt.

 

[Fountain City Blues]

Probably not; a year away, imo. It firmly puts us in the top 10 and gives a shot at top 5 though. The pace of the offense going up will eat into what was an inflated PPG/yardage ranking last year for the Bears, imo.

 

[BsGenius]

Yes. Mack had very little defensive help in Oakland. Here he will have a lot of help. Mack also had the highest pressure % statistic in the league last year. You build a great defense from the line out. Mack is also going to make Roquan's job a whole lot easier. This defense is going to be special, real special. Roquan and Hicks I think are going to have big big years.

 

[Nelly]

Pretty easily top 5, IMO. The only hole on this defense was pass rusher and we got the best in the game. He should make the entire D line more effective which just filters back to the backers and the secondary.

For all the improvements made on the offensive side of the ball, the defense is going to be what carries us this year. I wouldn't be surprised to see us basically be the NFC version of Jacksonville last year but with more upside at QB.

 

[richig07]

Probably not; a year away, imo. It firmly puts us in the top 10 and gives a shot at top 5 though. The pace of the offense going up will eat into what was an inflated PPG/yardage ranking last year for the Bears, imo.

I mean, the Bears were 28th in average time of possession last year. The offense didn't do them much favors. Quite the contrary, really. Even with an increased offensive tempo - I think we'll improve on TOP. We'll probably be improved in our opposition's average starting position as well.

 

[richig07]

You double team Mack, no doubt.

Yeah. Seriously, that's not hard. lol

 

[Fountain City Blues]

I mean, the Bears were 28th in average time of possession last year. The offense didn't do them much favors. Quite the contrary, really. Even with an increased offensive tempo - I think we'll improve on TOP. We'll probably be improved in our opposition's average starting position as well.

It's definitely going to be a much healthier relationship. Even if I put a lot of stock into DVOA (14th last year) I can't deny the Bears O was a total shitshow last year; and John Fox didn't help anything. Maybe it's my natural conservatism kicking in, but usually some things went right for a D to be top 5 besides talent, health being the first thing to come to mind.

If it's not top 5, it'll be threatening though I think. That should do just fine; It'll probably get better throughout the year. At the macro level, I think most all the questions are gonna be on offense which has more speculative, albeit promising, assets.

 

[noonthirtyjoe]

D is top 5 talent wise. D coaching is top 5 too. But it's a team sport and top 5 D means offense needs to help and put them in a good position. As a Bear fan I have heard rumors the O can help the D. I'll put it this way, if Howard is top 5 the D will be too. If Howard and Trubs both are top 10 the D will be top 3.

 

[RobBase]

Where was the Raiders D ranked with Mack?

 

[beardown07]

Where was the Raiders D ranked with Mack?

weak troll is weak

 

[Beengay fudgepackers]

Where was the Raiders D ranked with Mack?

Who else on the Raiders D had the impact of Hicks, Goldman, Floyd, Trevathan, Amos, or Fuller? The bears were top ten without the best pass rusher in the league. They’ll be even better adding a player that will take all the double teams and still get to the QB. I didn’t even include Smith, who might be the best defensive rookie.

 

[RobBase]

weak troll is weak

Dude, I picked up the Bears D in my one and only FF league. I'm counting on you fegs.