Chicago Bears Stat of the Day: Akiem Hicks Run Defense
By Erik Lambert
The NFL remains a pass-first league, but anybody with common sense like Akiem Hicks knows the Chicago Bears’ key to success starts with stopping the run.
He was the man to lead by example last season. On a defense riddled with injuries, Hicks seemed to do everything. He collected seven sacks, which is fairly impressive for a 3-4 defensive end given that’s not his first job. Despite the Bears struggling in run defense last season, ranking 17th, he wasn’t one of those reasons why. In fact Hicks could be directly credited for being the one who made sure it wasn’t worse than it was.
He was by far the best run defender they had according to the Sporting Charts stats. Not only did he lead the team with 11 tackles for loss out of 54 total. He also lead them in “stuff” plays.
"“A ‘stuff’ is defined as the defense denying a running play at (or before) the line of scrimmage. Often, this play occurs on short yardage situations when both teams have jumbo packages in the game and are geared up to attack the middle of the line.”"
Hicks had six such stuffs for the season. That was good enough to tie him for seventh in the league. Further proof that he was the best defensive player they had in 2016.
Ladies and Gentlemen your Chicago Bears defensive player of the year. Akiem Hicks!!! What a pick up. #BearDown pic.twitter.com/osESzzlw2c
— Jeffery L Carter (@jcarter54) February 4, 2017
Getting towards time to pay the man
Hicks was quite the pickup for Bears GM Ryan Pace. Further proof the man knows how to navigate free agency and find value. However, the team is working against the clock now. Hicks is set to become a free agent again in 2018. Their window to sign an extension with him gets a little smaller each day. Thankfully Hicks just signed with a new agent after parting ways with his first one. Presuming his statement about wanting to stay long-term was true, something should get worked out soon.
At age 27 Hicks is in his physical prime. The Bears have a chance to make him one of the key members of their new defensive core. Given the glimpses of what that front seven could do last year, it’s easy to understand the optimism. Hopefully he’ll take the time to show other teammates the value of stopping the run.