Bears Blitz

If I’m the Bears right now, I really like the look of my linebackers heading into camp—especially with the addition of former Rams starter Pisa Tinoisamoa, who was let go purely based on scheme when new head coach Steve Spagnuolo took over in St. Louis.

He’s a classic version of the Tampa 2 linebacker—built on speed and lateral quickness—and should settle in nicely at the Sam linebacker spot.

Add in the playmaking of Will linebacker Lance Briggs and the hopeful return of Mike ‘backer Brian Urlacher, and the Bears are looking like one of the top units not only in the NFC North but the entire conference—if not the NFL.

But what’s most important, and something I’ve discussed here before, is the defensive line play of the Bears. I doubt they’ll disappoint with new D-line coach Rod Marinelli, who’s gotten rave reviews from former players I’ve talked to as well as Bears GM Jerry Angelo. “The best teaching coach in the league,” I’ve heard more than once.

Most of the attention this offseason has been on the offense and QB Jay Cutler, but if the D-line plays solid football, watch for the Bears linebackers to be playmakers—something expected in the Tampa 2 defensive scheme. Is this team a sleeper to win the NFC North?

The Derrick Mason retirement has to go deeper than the headlines say. There’s a reason that Ravens head coach Jim Harbaugh is getting involved, and most veterans who are thinking about retirement do it in March—not two weeks before camp opens. Something to keep an eye on because, from a football standpoint, it doesn’t make sense.

Do we all agree that Packers QB Aaron Rodgers must be sick of answering questions about Brett Favre? The only solution I see is for Favre to come back and for Rodgers to outplay him twice this season—and win both games. That should put an end to the discussions that have been going on since last summer.

Or, until Favre is completely done with the NFL.

The best thing for Brandon Marshall is to show up for training camp and just play football. I like to joke around about guys in the league when it comes to contract demands, but in all honesty, the best thing for a player who’s upset—or wants a new deal—is to get into training camp and let football take over.

NFL players get lost from the real world once camp begins, and a routine starts that’s all football almost 24 hours a day. There’s no time to sit around and think about how much you’re being paid because practices, weights, and meetings fill up almost all of your day—outside of meals and the occasional 45-minute nap between practice sessions.

Sure, this issue could very well resurface if the media keeps asking about it, but the best bet for Marshall is to keep quiet, practice within the system of his new offense and then produce in the regular season. There is no way Marshall shouldn’t put up numbers in coach Josh McDaniels’ offense.

I’m curious to see how the Falcons play in the first month of the season. They are now expected to win games—unlike the 2008 season—and with the addition of TE Tony Gonzalez, this offense under QB Matt Ryan is not only expected to produce a ton of points but also challenge for the division title in the NFC South.

I love this offense, but I also want to see how the defense progresses over the next month of camp—because the team that plays the best defense in the NFC South should walk away with the division. Everyone can score points down there.

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