Chicago Bears 2016 Team Preview: It’s Cutler Time
By Erik Lambert
Defense
Improvement was seen by wide margins last year with the defense managing to finish 4th in the NFL against the pass. However, there were still plenty of holes. For one, the pass rush managed just 35 sacks. They also gave up 120 yards per game on the ground and forced just 17 turnovers. It’s no surprise they struggled mightily to get stops on key downs most of the year. Opponents managed to convert 44.3% of their third downs, ranking the Bears 29th in the league. They also gave up points on 36.6% of the total offensive drives they faced.
Clearly that wasn’t good enough. So it’s no surprise the team invested a great deal of money and draft picks this off-season trying to find upgrades. The overall plan of attack? Get faster and more athletic. On paper, they accomplished this with even greater success than many experts thought possible. Headlining the arrivals are Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman, two of the highest rated inside linebackers in football last season. They’re joined by explosive rookie outside linebacker Leonard Floyd.
Up front saw plenty of turnover as well. Mammoth defensive end Akiem Hicks arrives from New England to help suck up more blocks. Then there is 3rd round pick Jonathan Bullard. Though slightly undersized, his burst off the snap is impossible to ignore, making him highly effective at blowing up offensive plays in the backfield. All these speed upgrades has made the front seven one of the most talked about groups the entire off-season, even on a national scale.
Conversely, the secondary remains the primary reason many experts just can’t get on board with the idea the defense will be much better in 2016. Kyle Fuller, Tracy Porter and Adrian Amos are expected to be back as starters. This is the same group that underwhelmed in the turnover department last year and this isn’t even involving the other safety spot which has no definitive starter. Lots of question marks on the back end.
Next: Special Teams