| Believe it or not, the Bears have the right
idea. With a potential All-World talent in MLB Brian Urlacher, the Bears have spent a
good portion of the free-agency period searching for defensive tackles to protect him.
They signed former Broncos DT Keith Traylor last week, and they remain in hot pursuit of
former Bills DT Ted Washington.
The Bears are taking a page out of the Super Bowl-champion Ravens’ playbook, which
helped give Baltimore one of the best defenses in NFL history last season. The ability of
DTs Sam Adams and Tony Siragusa to maintain their blocks allowed the LB corps, especially
Defensive MVP Ray Lewis, to flow freely to the football.
Chicago is looking for a DT tandem of its own to keeping blockers off Urlacher. At the
owners meetings in Palm Desert, Calif., Bears head coach Dick Jauron spoke of the
team’s desire to "play in waves" on the defensive line. Hence, adding depth
is essential.
So it should surprise no one if the Bears continue to stockpile tackles in the draft,
even if they come away from free agency with two quality tackles. Some mock drafts have
the Bears selecting a running back or a wide receiver in Round One, and both positions are
top needs. But the best move would be to add to their DL rotation.
Insiders say the Bears don’t believe either of the top two running backs on the
board — Texas Christian’s LaDainian Tomlinson and Mississippi’s Deuce
McAllister — are worthy of the team’s No. 8 pick. And first-round wide receivers
have proved to be busts or late bloomers more times than not.
And though both positions are top needs, either could be addressed in Round Two. But
the best of the best position, defensive tackle, won’t be around in the second round.
So why not take a top player when you can? In PFW personnel expert Joel Buchsbaum’s
most recent mock draft, the Bears are predicted to take Georgia DL Richard Seymour in
Round One.
Seymour has the ability to play over the center and prevent him from reaching the
second level of defense, but he might not be big enough or powerful enough to play like
Adams or Siragusa — at least for now. Seymour is versatile enough to play any
position on the line.
Regardless of which tackle the Bears choose, addressing that position would be a wise
move. Protecting Urlacher is like protecting a quarterback. He has big-time ability, and
the arrow on him is still pointed up.
Urlacher won Defensive Rookie of the Year honors last season, setting a team record for
most tackles by a rookie (165). He also had a team-best eight sacks.
The Bears like the direction their defense is headed. Adding size, strength and ability
up front will keep the unit headed the right way. |
