2012 NFL Training Camp Preview: Chicago Bears’ Defensive Line
Published by Jake Perper on July 23, 2012
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
The Bears‘ defensive line was pretty solid at times last season. They didn’t get consistent pressure, but they were one of the better units in the NFL.
Defensive end Julius Peppers racked up 11 sacks, while defensive tackle Henry Melton added seven sacks in his first season as a starter.
Defensive end Israel Idonije contributed five sacks. Defensive tackle Amobi Okoye recorded four sacks, but was not re-signed this offseason.
Rookie Stephen Paea added two sacks and will likely take over the role that Okoye had in 2011.
Chauncey Davis appeared in six games adding one sack after signing halfway through the season.
No defensive tackles were added through the draft and to be honest the depth isn’t great at the position.
Shea McClellin was chosen out of Boise State in the first round by the Bears and should make an instant impact for this defense.
The entire line should be better with the addition of McClellin and maturation of Melton and Paea.
Here are the career stats for each defensive lineman on the Bears’ current roster.
Defensive end:
Julius Peppers: (154 games, 152 starts), 391 tackles, 100 sacks, eight interceptions, 37 forced fumbles.
Israel Idonije: (118 games, 39 starts), 167 tackles, 21 sacks, seven forced fumbles.
Shea McClellin: N/A.
Corey Wootton: 13 games, six tackles, one sack.
Chauncey Davis: (102 games, 25 starts), 148 tackles, 11 sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, eight fumble recoveries.
Thaddeus Gibson: Four games.
Cheta Ozougwu: N/A.
Projected starters: Peppers, Idonije.
Projected bench: McClellin, Wootton, Davis
Defensive tackle:
Henry Melton: (31 games, 15 starts), 28 tackles, 9.5 sacks.
Matt Toeaina: (34 games, 22 starts) 28 tackles, two sacks.
Stephen Paea: 10 games, eight tackles, two sacks.
DeMario Pressley: Eight games, 18 tackles.
John McCargo: (44 games, one start), 34 tackles, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble.
Nate Collins: 13 games, 0.5 sacks.
Ronnie Cameron, Jordan Miller: N/A.
Projected starters: Melton, Toeaina.
Projected bench: Paea
The good thing about this line is that their versatile. Starters Melton, Idonije and Peppers can play multiple positions.
Peppers moved inside on many occasions a season ago. Melton moved outside often as well.
With the addition of McClellin expect to see Idonije move inside, especially on the third downs.
The depth at defensive end is better than last year. Davis proved to be a solid end in his short time with the team.
Wootton is back and healthy and has much to prove. Peppers, Idonije and McClellin could be one of the better trios in the league.
At defensive tackle, Henry Melton leads the way once again, with nose tackle Matt Toeaina alongside him.
Stephen Paea will be asked to contribute often. It will be interesting to see if the Bears decide to keep a fourth defensive tackle.
Veterans McCargo and Pressley were signed to one-year deals. The Bears could opt to keep one of them or go with a younger tackles like Miller or Cameron.
Training camp will help sort out the depth at both defensive tackle and defensive end.
Next Up: Linebacker Position
Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Bears.
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