Bears Blitz

Published by Andrew Chadwick on November 3, 2010
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

With a healthy Brian Urlacher back in command, the Chicago Bears run defense has rebounded following a disappointing 2009 season.  Other Bears defenders, most notably Julius Peppers and Lance Briggs, have contributed significantly to this turnaround.  However, another less-heralded player has had a central role in the defense’s improvement: Matt Toeaina.

The third-year defensive tackle out of Oregon is enjoying a productive season, as he has unexpectedly supplanted the former Pro Bowler Tommie Harris in the starting lineup. 

With Toeaina anchoring the middle of the line, the Bears defense has stymied opposing rushers.  Through seven games, Chicago‘s defense has allowed a mere 89.3 rushing yards per game (fifth place in the NFL). Contrast this with the 126.6 rushing yards per game the Bears defense surrendered last season.

This 30 percent decrease in opposing rushing yards has helped reinvigorate the Bears defense, which has been mostly inconsistent since December 2006.  Moreover, strong defensive performances have enabled the Bears to keep games close, as the offense continues to suffer through growing pains in the Mike Martz system. 

Toeaina’s Journey from Obscurity to Starter

The Bears snatched Matt Toeaina from the Bengals’ practice squad in 2007 during his rookie year.  In his first game as a Bear, Toeaina made an immediate impact against the rival Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football.  Under the bright lights of prime time, Toeaina tore through the Minnesota offensive line on two occasions to corral an elusive Adrian Peterson for losses of two and three yards. 

Despite his early success, Toeaina struggled to see action the following two seasons, producing only one tackle in one start during this span.  Many fans and analysts speculated Toeaina was on his way to the chopping block or the practice squad.  Toeaina would prove his doubters wrong.

Throughout the 2010 training camp and preseason, Toeaina excelled in drills and practice.  His determination and consistent productivity earned him playing time with starters in camp and preseason.   

As the off-season concluded, defensive coordinator Ron Marinelli remarked, “[Toeaina] has had a really solid camp…[he’s] been working.  He’s very consistent.  That’s what I like about him.”

Toeaina had to prove his value in the regular season, which was supposed to be the year Tommie Harris returned to Pro Bowl form.  The former first-round pick was healthy and participated fully in off-season programs for the first time since the devastating knee injury he suffered late in 2006. Unfortunately, Harris played his way out of the starting lineup with two underwhelming performances in Weeks 1 and 2.

Harris’ disappointing decline, however, created an opportunity for Toeaina. In Week 3, Marinelli tapped Toeaina to start against the Green Bay Packers in a crucial division matchup on MNF, and the Packers were limited to a paltry 2.8 yards per carry on inside runs against Toeaina. 

Since becoming a starter, Toeaina has recorded 13 tackles, two pass deflections and several quarterback hurries.  Save the New York Giants, opposing teams have struggled running against the Bears with Toeaina holding down the line.

Although he lacks the name recognition of Brian Urlacher or Julius Peppers, Matt Toeaina gets the job done.  Toeaina’s emergence as a reliable run stuffer is one of many reasons the Bears defense is, once again, formidable.

Question to Bears Fans

Who do you think has played the most important role in the Bears’ defensive resurgence? 

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