2012 Bears/2015 Defensive Plan

[Galian Beast]

The 2012 Bears were 3rd in the NFL in points allowed. I believe rather than simply drafting players who need to not only learn how to play in the NFL but also learn Marinelli's system some of our best attempts to get players who can thrive in this system, is to get players who have already played in it. Had we gone after Peppers last year, we would have profited for it tremendously, and not just because he caused the fumble on what should have been a DeMarco Murray touchdown.

A lot of people are down on Henry Melton. I think this is mostly because they are focusing too much on his current option. Let's be clear, we probably aren't picking up that option, that doesn't mean that another team is looking to pay him big money coming off the year he had. This is still the best place for him when it comes to Dollars and Sense. Marinelli is here, and I believe many of his 2012 compatriots may be on their way. He is also from Texas.

Chris Conte - Rod Marinelli drafted this guy, and he has stuck with Chicago. I don't know how good he is to be honest, but it would be interesting to see us bring him in, rather than have Church play free safety. Church and Wilcox can then compete for the Strong Safety position. Major Wright is another safety we might be interested in. He signed with the Buccaneers last year for a one year deal, was cut and then brought back and ended up on the IR. Not sure if they're going to go after him again this year, but you would have to think it would be for less money. I wonder after seeing what we have here for safety in two years if Marinelli doesn't want to upgrade and whether Wright would be an upgrade.

Stephen Paea - Paea was Marinelli's one technique, and we have a need to upgrade this spot pretty badly. He's only 26 years old, and is just now a free agent. You have to think Marinelli would want him over Hayden. Shouldn't be too expensive, and saves us from having to draft a defensive tackle in the draft.

Charles Tillman - Many people will suggest that he is too old, but that hasn't stopped him yet. The only detriment in my eyes is his health, but I don't think you bring him here to be the #1 corner back. Though you release Brandon Carr, I think you still look to upgrade the corner back position in the draft. Won't have to break the bank for him either, and he can be a stop gap for a young corner back learning the NFL. I believe his time in Chicago is at an end, and he wants to play for Marinelli again.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I think if you get Paea and JPP, it'll be an affordable endeavor. One in which will upgrade the defensive line, especially if we can get another pass rusher in the draft, but we won't need to bank on it. We can mostly go BPA here. If not JPP, I'd like to get Hughes.

Defensive Line
Lawrence - Crawford - Paea - JPP
Mincey - Melton - Hayden/Brent/Draft Pick - Draft Pick/Gardener

Linebackers
Lee - McClain - Carter/Hitchens
Durant - C. Lawrence - Wilber

Corner back
Scandrick - Tillman - Draft Pick - Patmon - Moore - (Claiborne)

Safety
FS - Conte - Wilcox - Heath???
SS - Church - Wilcox

I feel like with a better pass rush, this secondary would be okay for a year. In 2016 we could focus the draft more on fixing the secondary.

I feel the key to my moves on defense is not really requiring us to rely on defensive rookies to start. Nor does it take the risk of getting free agents that don't fit our scheme, with the exception of JPP, who I just feel like Marinelli would bring the best out of and because it will weaken New York. At the right price I wouldn't mind freeing Orakpo from Washington at the right price and playing him opposite of JPP. The draft could instead focus on taking our offense to another level, but that is more of a pipe dream.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

It's gonna be expensive keeping all the LBers in tact (McClain, Durant and Carter are free agents), as well as bringing back Melton and adding Paea, Conte, Tillman and probably having to spend a little money to get JPP.

 

[Galian Beast]

It's gonna be expensive keeping all the LBers in tact (McClain, Durant and Carter are free agents), as well as bringing back Melton and adding Paea, Conte, Tillman and probably having to spend a little money to get JPP.

I think we have to wait and see how expensive that really is. Depending on contract length, their 2015 cap hits won't be all that significant. Durant shouldn't be any more expensive than he already was, which was 1.2 million per year. Carter will likely cost 2-2.5 million per year. Maybe he can find someone to pay him 3. I'm not sure how much good tape is out there on him outside of some key plays that we consider. McClain should be in the same range.

None of these are going to bust the bank outside of JPP.

You have to think we're working with anywhere from about 40-50 million for 2015. We can spend some money out there, we just need to spend it wisely.

I think trying to bring back all the linebackers makes sense to a degree. They get hurt. That is the nature of the linebacker position. You can't go into the season with just 3 quality guys. You need 4 or 5.

I think we'll have a good chance to get some people out of Chicago, because honestly... who wants to stay there? And I'm sure they all love Marinelli. We have an opportunity to fast track this defense by bringing in a lot of former Bears starters.

 

[BotchedLobotomy]

It's gonna be expensive keeping all the LBers in tact (McClain, Durant and Carter are free agents), as well as bringing back Melton and adding Paea, Conte, Tillman and probably having to spend a little money to get JPP.

I think early in the season it was looking like the LB's where going to be expensive to keep, but Durant got hurt, McClain tailed off, and Carter is way too inconsistent. Wont be easy, but it also won't be as hard as people thought earlier in the season.

 

[windward]

Paea would be a solid signing. A cheap deal for Tillman I'd accept even though he's an older cb. No to Conte. He isn't an upgrade in coverage. Melton would have to come cheap for us to consider bringing him back.

 

[cowboys1985]

The 2012 Bears were 3rd in the NFL in points allowed. I believe rather than simply drafting players who need to not only learn how to play in the NFL but also learn Marinelli's system some of our best attempts to get players who can thrive in this system, is to get players who have already played in it. Had we gone after Peppers last year, we would have profited for it tremendously, and not just because he caused the fumble on what should have been a DeMarco Murray touchdown.

A lot of people are down on Henry Melton. I think this is mostly because they are focusing too much on his current option. Let's be clear, we probably aren't picking up that option, that doesn't mean that another team is looking to pay him big money coming off the year he had. This is still the best place for him when it comes to Dollars and Sense. Marinelli is here, and I believe many of his 2012 compatriots may be on their way. He is also from Texas.

Chris Conte - Rod Marinelli drafted this guy, and he has stuck with Chicago. I don't know how good he is to be honest, but it would be interesting to see us bring him in, rather than have Church play free safety. Church and Wilcox can then compete for the Strong Safety position. Major Wright is another safety we might be interested in. He signed with the Buccaneers last year for a one year deal, was cut and then brought back and ended up on the IR. Not sure if they're going to go after him again this year, but you would have to think it would be for less money. I wonder after seeing what we have here for safety in two years if Marinelli doesn't want to upgrade and whether Wright would be an upgrade.

Stephen Paea - Paea was Marinelli's one technique, and we have a need to upgrade this spot pretty badly. He's only 26 years old, and is just now a free agent. You have to think Marinelli would want him over Hayden. Shouldn't be too expensive, and saves us from having to draft a defensive tackle in the draft.

Charles Tillman - Many people will suggest that he is too old, but that hasn't stopped him yet. The only detriment in my eyes is his health, but I don't think you bring him here to be the #1 corner back. Though you release Brandon Carr, I think you still look to upgrade the corner back position in the draft. Won't have to break the bank for him either, and he can be a stop gap for a young corner back learning the NFL. I believe his time in Chicago is at an end, and he wants to play for Marinelli again.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I think if you get Paea and JPP, it'll be an affordable endeavor. One in which will upgrade the defensive line, especially if we can get another pass rusher in the draft, but we won't need to bank on it. We can mostly go BPA here. If not JPP, I'd like to get Hughes.

Defensive Line
Lawrence - Crawford - Paea - JPP
Mincey - Melton - Hayden/Brent/Draft Pick - Draft Pick/Gardener

Linebackers
Lee - McClain - Carter/Hitchens
Durant - C. Lawrence - Wilber

Corner back
Scandrick - Tillman - Draft Pick - Patmon - Moore - (Claiborne)

Safety
FS - Conte - Wilcox - Heath???
SS - Church - Wilcox

I feel like with a better pass rush, this secondary would be okay for a year. In 2016 we could focus the draft more on fixing the secondary.

I feel the key to my moves on defense is not really requiring us to rely on defensive rookies to start. Nor does it take the risk of getting free agents that don't fit our scheme, with the exception of JPP, who I just feel like Marinelli would bring the best out of and because it will weaken New York. At the right price I wouldn't mind freeing Orakpo from Washington at the right price and playing him opposite of JPP. The draft could instead focus on taking our offense to another level, but that is more of a pipe dream.

I don't usually post here, but being from Chicago, and liking the Bears, let me say you DO NOT WANT Conte nor Wright. Absolutely not. Church and Wilcox both are much better players. Conte has made a couple nice INTs, but is almost always out of position and can't tackle for the life of him. Major Wright is a worse version of both Church and Wilcox.

Tilman will go down as one of the greatest bears CB of all time. Just a beast. Unfortunately, father time has caught up to him and I don't know what he has left. He's had back to back season ending injuries, both coming on seemingly routine plays. He would be a nice veteran presence (perhaps to get Claiborne right as they are similar physical CBs) but only for a vet min.

However, I do agree with you on Paea. He really came on strong this year and definitely would be a help. Can play both the 1 and 3. Stout against the run and also can collapse the pocket. A very nice player to have in your DT rotation.

 

[Jenky]

Hell no to Conte.

 

[perrykemp]

Galian:

Nice write up. Interesting take.

All seems plausible except the part about Conte. Conte is a blight to defensive backs everywhere. He is the standard bearer for slow Caucasian defensive backs. Just say no to Conte.

 

[Plankton]

Chris Conte has had major concussion issues, and likely needs to retire. He's also not a very good player.

Major Wright is J.J. Wilcox, except that he lacks Wilcox's speed. Not an upgrade at all.

If Tillman hadn't had back to back season's with arm injuries that ended his year, I would agree with adding him, but his durability is a serious question mark.

Stephen Paea is a complete liability against the run, and has had one productive season in his career. I would not consider him at the price tag that he will command.

 

[Galian Beast]

JPP could do for us what Julius Peppers did for Chicago.

 

[d_dub88]

I know RM gets the most out of his players on defense but JPP just seems to play when he wants to. Overpaying for a guy that usually gets under 8 sacks while underpaying, or not paying, guys already on a playoff team may put us right back at 8 and 8.

 

[1LoyalCowboyFan]

The 2012 Bears were 3rd in the NFL in points allowed. I believe rather than simply drafting players who need to not only learn how to play in the NFL but also learn Marinelli's system some of our best attempts to get players who can thrive in this system, is to get players who have already played in it. Had we gone after Peppers last year, we would have profited for it tremendously, and not just because he caused the fumble on what should have been a DeMarco Murray touchdown.

A lot of people are down on Henry Melton. I think this is mostly because they are focusing too much on his current option. Let's be clear, we probably aren't picking up that option, that doesn't mean that another team is looking to pay him big money coming off the year he had. This is still the best place for him when it comes to Dollars and Sense. Marinelli is here, and I believe many of his 2012 compatriots may be on their way. He is also from Texas.

Chris Conte - Rod Marinelli drafted this guy, and he has stuck with Chicago. I don't know how good he is to be honest, but it would be interesting to see us bring him in, rather than have Church play free safety. Church and Wilcox can then compete for the Strong Safety position. Major Wright is another safety we might be interested in. He signed with the Buccaneers last year for a one year deal, was cut and then brought back and ended up on the IR. Not sure if they're going to go after him again this year, but you would have to think it would be for less money. I wonder after seeing what we have here for safety in two years if Marinelli doesn't want to upgrade and whether Wright would be an upgrade.

Stephen Paea - Paea was Marinelli's one technique, and we have a need to upgrade this spot pretty badly. He's only 26 years old, and is just now a free agent. You have to think Marinelli would want him over Hayden. Shouldn't be too expensive, and saves us from having to draft a defensive tackle in the draft.

Charles Tillman - Many people will suggest that he is too old, but that hasn't stopped him yet. The only detriment in my eyes is his health, but I don't think you bring him here to be the #1 corner back. Though you release Brandon Carr, I think you still look to upgrade the corner back position in the draft. Won't have to break the bank for him either, and he can be a stop gap for a young corner back learning the NFL. I believe his time in Chicago is at an end, and he wants to play for Marinelli again.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I think if you get Paea and JPP, it'll be an affordable endeavor. One in which will upgrade the defensive line, especially if we can get another pass rusher in the draft, but we won't need to bank on it. We can mostly go BPA here. If not JPP, I'd like to get Hughes.

Defensive Line
Lawrence - Crawford - Paea - JPP
Mincey - Melton - Hayden/Brent/Draft Pick - Draft Pick/Gardener

Linebackers
Lee - McClain - Carter/Hitchens
Durant - C. Lawrence - Wilber

Corner back
Scandrick - Tillman - Draft Pick - Patmon - Moore - (Claiborne)

Safety
FS - Conte - Wilcox - Heath???
SS - Church - Wilcox

I feel like with a better pass rush, this secondary would be okay for a year. In 2016 we could focus the draft more on fixing the secondary.

I feel the key to my moves on defense is not really requiring us to rely on defensive rookies to start. Nor does it take the risk of getting free agents that don't fit our scheme, with the exception of JPP, who I just feel like Marinelli would bring the best out of and because it will weaken New York. At the right price I wouldn't mind freeing Orakpo from Washington at the right price and playing him opposite of JPP. The draft could instead focus on taking our offense to another level, but that is more of a pipe dream.

Conte and Wright are not very good players. Maybe they were always worried about the run with terrible linebackers, but I didn't like what I saw. Rkg Paea is a monster, they should try really hard to maintain him. We shouldn't get in a bidding war. Tillman does look like a good job fit.

 

[Howboutdemcowboys31]

Conte is garbage. Tillman is interesting. I'm all for the youth movement, he is an exception for me. Turnover machine, physical, knows the system, leader. Yes old and yes has bad triceps, but I'm doing it for a cheapo deal

 

[xwalker]

Chris Conte has had major concussion issues, and likely needs to retire. He's also not a very good player.

Major Wright is J.J. Wilcox, except that he lacks Wilcox's speed. Not an upgrade at all.

If Tillman hadn't had back to back season's with arm injuries that ended his year, I would agree with adding him, but his durability is a serious question mark.

Stephen Paea is a complete liability against the run, and has had one productive season in his career. I would not consider him at the price tag that he will command.

I reviewed Paea from the Cowboys-Bears game. I was not impressed.

 

[Mr Cowboy]

Conte could quite possibly the worst starting safeties in the NFL. He only starts because the other safeties on the team are worse. The Bears maybe the only team that values the safety position less than the Cowboys.

The easiest way to make significant strides on defense next year is with a talent infusion at Safety and DL. The Cowboys can't just re-sign the same over achievers and hope for the best.

 

[Galian Beast]

Conte could quite possibly the worst starting safeties in the NFL. He only starts because the other safeties on the team are worse. The Bears maybe the only team that values the safety position less than the Cowboys.

The easiest way to make significant strides on defense next year is with a talent infusion at Safety and DL. The Cowboys can't just re-sign the same over achievers and hope for the best.

I trust Marinelli knows what he needs to put this defense together. He had a top rated defense with both Conte and Wright. If they aren't upgrades, we don't need to invest in the position. We need to invest in the front seven, specifically the front 4.

 

[Mr Cowboy]

I trust Marinelli knows what he needs to put this defense together. He had a top rated defense with both Conte and Wright. If they aren't upgrades, we don't need to invest in the position. We need to invest in the front seven, specifically the front 4.

No, we need a major upgrade at safety...... Marinelli has been playing with the players available to him. Its not like he's going to turn away Earl Thomas if available to him. We can't continue to overlook the safety position. I don't know where the idea that Maranelli would rather coach up marginal players than to get top of the line players. There's money available this season, no reason not to use it now that we're close.

 

[Galian Beast]

No, we need a major upgrade at safety...... Marinelli has been playing with the players available to him. Its not like he's going to turn away Earl Thomas if available to him. We can't continue to overlook the safety position. I don't know where the idea that Maranelli would rather coach up marginal players than to get top of the line players. There's money available this season, no reason not to use it now that we're close.

You can't have a steak on every plate.

 

[TonyRomo17]

No on Conte, way too injury prone and hes soft.

 

[Nation]

Chris Conte is one of the worst players in the NFL