Chicago Bears Training Camp Preview: Linebackers
Published by Bryan Dietzler on July 22, 2009
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
Chicago is known for its linebackers. Names like Dick Butkus, Mike Singletary, and Doug Buffone remind us of the great tradition that the Bears have at the position.
Right now, the Bears have someone who may end up as a future hall of famer in middle linebacker Brian Urlacher, who, after signing a contract extension last offseason, still needs to prove that he is worth his large contract. Playing next to him, perennial Pro Bowler Lance Briggs is one of the best players at his position in the NFL, while on the opposite side, three players will battle it out for that starting spot making things interesting in training camp this summer.
The following is a look at the players at the linebacker position currently on the Bears roster as they head into training camp this summer. There is some insight into how they played in 2008, how they have looked so far this offseason, and where they stand for the 2009 season.
Lance Briggs- The only Pro Bowler in this group of linebackers last season, Briggs had his signature outstanding season with the Bears after signing a long-term deal which should keep him in Chicago for the rest of his playing career.
Briggs has had a steady and relatively uneventful offseason (save for the cut he got on his hand with a razor) and looks poised to help lead this defense to greatness in 2009. He needs to take more of a leadership role on this team in 2009, but he is poised to easily have a great season this year.
Brian Urlacher- After signing an extension during training camp last year, Urlacher managed to stay “ordinary” and some are questioning whether or not he is reaching the end of his career. He does still have some playing time left in him but he will have to bring it up a notch or two to help a Bears defense that has struggled at critical moments in the past.
He will be called upon to be an even stronger leader this year than in the past thanks to the departure of safety Mike Brown, and he is always up for this challenge (in being the leader of the defense). Look for Urlacher to have a great 2009 season and quite possibly even make the Pro Bowl in helping to lead the Bears defense to a much better season than they did last year.
Nick Roach- Along with newly acquired linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa and Hunter Hillenmeyer, Roach will battle it out for the spot that has been held by Hillenmeyer over the past few seasons. He may not have the edge in this battle however and really isn’t the best choice for the Bears at this position.
Roach did get some playing time in last season and played decent but not as well as the coaching staff would like to see a player play at that position. If Tinoisamoa stays healthy and has a good training camp, Roach will probably make the squad as his backup. Look for Roach to continue on with the Bears at the end of training camp backing up Tinoisamoa at that linebacker position.
Pisa Tinoisamoa- Tinoisamoa was signed during the offseason after being cut by the St. Louis Rams after they had decided he didn’t fit their new defensive scheme. Tinoisamoa has some experience in head coach Lovie Smith’s defense having played in it when he was in St. Louis and should be able to contribute right out of the gate. It appears as if he will most likely win the battle that he faces against Roach and Hillenmeyer and could be installed opposite Briggs and Urlacher as the starter when the season begins.
The biggest knock on Tinoisamoa is his size. He has the size of a safety more than a linebacker but he is able to get it done at linebacker and could be an improvement over what the Bears have had there the past few seasons with Hillenmeyer.
Hunter Hillenmeyer- Hillenmeyer’s career with the Bears may be coming to an end now as Chicago has made the competition for his tough. With Hillenmeyer going up against Roach and Tinoisamoa, it’s almost assured that he is going to lose the battle and could even wind up off the team in 2009.
He had an injury-filled 2008 season and may not stay healthy enough to last a full season at the position. He is also not as mechanically sound as Tinoisamoa is and will probably get beaten out in training camp. If he does, there may not be a roster spot for him at the end of training camp. Look for Hillenmeyer to be off the team at the start of the 2009 season.
Marcus Freeman- Drafted in the 2009 NFL Draft, Freeman is a promising young talent that could develop into a strong backup in the Bear’s system. In order to make the team, he is going to have to prove his value on special teams first and then prove that he is a viable backup at the linebacker position.
He will have competition as some of the other linebackers (guys like Joey LaRocque and Jamar Williams) have been there for a while and know the system but Chicago appears to be pretty high on Freeman so he has as good of a shot as any to make the team. Look for him to make the final roster as a backup and contribute heavily on special teams.
Jamar Williams- Groomed to be the replacement for Briggs, Williams found himself on the outside looking in last season as Briggs signed and he was basically out of a starting job. Williams did contribute on special teams and saw a few plays here and there on defense and he remains one of the best backups on the team. Look for Williams to remain a backup and a great special teams performer in 2009.
Joey LaRocque- LaRocque may be seeing his final few weeks in a Bears uniform as he heads into training camp this summer. The depth and talent at the linebacker position may not allow the Bears to keep LaRocque so he might be on his way out. Look for him to battle it out for a backup spot with Williams and Freeman but in the end, LaRocque will probably be the odd man out. Look for LaRocque to be looking for another job at the end of training camp this summer.
Kevin Malast- Malast, an undrafted free agent out Rutgers, gives the Bears some competition in training camp but that’s about it. He isn’t a threat to make the active roster but could find himself on the practice squad at the end of training camp.
Mike Rivera- This undrafted rookie out of Kansas will fall into the same category as Malast and become a candidate for the practice squad at the end of training camp. Rivera has a lot of talent but won’t be able to match the talent of the players ahead of him at the position.
The most interesting thing to happen to this group in the offseason, the signing of Tinoisamoa, may be the one thing that was needed to help solidify this group. Getting a productive season out of Urlacher will also be big and if he can revert back to something close to his 2005 form, this group could end up being one of the best in the NFL.
