Bears Blitz

Published by Michael Rushton on May 16, 2009
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

In a season in which more positions are up for grabs on the Chicago Bears’ defense than in recent memory, the corner-back battle shaping up between Nathan Vasher vs. all comers is quickly becoming the most relevant to the Bears’ success in 2009– and much farther beyond.

The corner-back position has become one of the most coveted and highly regarded positions in all of professional football, for good reason. The corner-back is usually on an island—play after play, game after game—with the most dynamic offensive weapons the NFL has to offer. 

Their athleticism is unrivaled and, because of the numerous and varied responsibilities in pass protection and run support the position demands, their heads needs to be as sharp as their athleticism is unquestioned on every down.

In today’s NFL landscape, having at least one proven Pro Bowl-caliber level corner-back is vital to a team’s success on the defensive side of the ball, but in Nathan Vasher’s case, the importance runs deeper than simple X’s and O’s.

A Little History

Drafted in the fourth round in 2004 from the University of Texas, Vasher quickly found his way into the bears’ starting lineup.

In 2005, Vasher established himself as one of the better young corner-backs in the league- posting a career high eight interceptions while proving himself adequate in run support- despite his relative lack of size at the position.

Vasher followed up his 2005 campaign with another solid season in 2006, posting five interceptions while helping lead the Bears to the Superbowl.

After that season, Vasher and fellow corner-back Charles Tillman were awarded sizable contract extensions due to the solid play exhibited the previous two years.

Then, the injuries began to stack up.  His 2007 season was almost entirely wiped out due to a groin injury.  He didn’t fare much better in 2008—severely hampered by a recurring hand injury which limited his playing time—and his production plummeted.

This, along with the emergence of Corey Graham as a capable option at the position, lead to major questions regarding the long term status of Vasher’s starter status at the position.

The Rub

But that wasn’t the only thing limiting Vasher’s playing time.

According to numerous insiders, the Bears organization was not only disappointed by Vasher’s bouts of injury but were more disappointed by the lack of time spent at Halas Hall during the off season and the condition he showed up in before his injury struck in 2008.

Particularly upsetting was the lack of sustained effort put in after the Bears had awarded him the five year, $28 million extension in 2007.

Recently, the Bears organization has taken heat for their philosophy regarding the handling of personnel- signing their proven performers, especially on the defensive side of the ball, to large contract extensions after one or two successful campaigns.

The reinvigorated play of Nathan Vasher is as important to the Bears organization and basic operational philosphy of the Bears under Jerry Angelo as it is to the individual player.  There’s a lot more riding on his re-emergence than meets the eye.

With the natural decrease in production of Brian Urlacher after negotiating an improved contract in 2008, along with Tommie Harris’ questionable health and decreased play making impact the past two seasons, the role Vasher will play in justifying his paycheck has all eyes at Halas Hall fixed squarely upon him.

2009: A Philosophical Renaissance?

All the more reason for Vasher to shine once again. 

His success can allow the Bears breathing room on a number of levels- only one of which is improved play at the corner-back position.

More importantly, it can quell the growing unrest in Bears nation that the lucrative signings of a player after one or two seasons of Pro Bowl production is warranted as the “way we do business” at Halas Hall.

Jerry Angelo has shown some signs of radically altering his philosophy of primacy to drafted players.  Allowing them ample time to develop and then signing them to long term deals—along with his aversion to free agency and willingness to look past sustained production before contract negotiations. 

The problems cited with this philosphy include the fact that a number of Angelo’s draft picks, particularly in the first round, haven’t met with expectations and are often allowed an inordinate amount of time to develop before being cut by the team.

The second problem is the premature signing of players who have shown fantastic production—over the short haul.  It’s the old, “counting your chickens before they hatch” conundrum—at what point is awarding a drafted player who has shown legitimate signs of production too early?

This doesn’t even begin to address how important his return is in freeing up players such as Zachary Bowman and Corey Graham—two naturally gifted athletes at the cornerback position—to compete for the starter’s role at free safety.

The bottom line is that a lot is riding on Nathan Vasher’s renewed contribution and dedication to being an all around play maker this season.  His ball hawking skills are unquestioned—his demonstrated ability to re-emphasize physical conditioning and tackling is. 

With a new coach taking the reigns of the secondary and the eyes in the sky, Jerry Angelo and Ted Phillips, wondering where their investment went; this could either be a return to glory for an old fan favorite or the beginning of the end of a once promising young player’s—and philosphy’s—career.