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2007 Bears Camp Dates
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August 9, 2007 Chicago Bears position previews: Defensive ends, tackles
DEFENSIVE ENDS Adewale Ogunleye Height: 6-4 Weight: 260 College: Indiana Years of Experience: 7 Despite being sidelined for a hamstring injury for two games, Ogunleye pieced together another solid season with 58 tackles and 6.5 sacks. With consistent production from then-rookie Mark Anderson, the Bears were able to get consistent quarterback pressure from both sides of the defensive line. Ogunleye was something of a late bloomer and was not drafted in the NFL draft. Two non-descript seasons led to 2002 where he went through an impressive two-year stretch where he recorded nearly 25 sacks. Since coming to the Bears he has recorded 24.5 sacks in 45 games.
Mark Anderson Height: 6-4 Weight: 255 College: Alabama Years of Experience: 1 A lot of personnel men were scratching their heads after watching Anderson's breakout rookie campaign. Somehow Anderson lasted until the fifth round of the 2006 draft and in a league where finding defensive ends that can pressure the quarterback consistently has become a very precious commodity, the Bears fifth round pick of Anderson looks genius. Anderson will be asked to evolve in his game and be more than simply a pass-rush specialist. But if Anderson evolves as quickly as he did last season to an every-down role, look out.
Alex Brown Height: 6-3 Weight: 260 College: Florida Years of Experience: 6 Brown is possibly the only Bear that isn't exactly relishing the emergence of Anderson. Brown had been a starter for every game of the last four seasons for the Bears, but it appears that as of this moment he might be losing his starting gig to Anderson. Rightfully, Brown isn't thrilled with the development because he didn't exactly do anything to warrant the demotion. He had 71 tackles and seven sacks last season and probably deserves a starting role. Rumors had Brown exploring trade options to better his situation, but none materialized.
Dan Bazuin Height: 6-3 Weight: 260 College: Central Michigan Years of Experience: Rookie The Bears are hoping that they can convert Bazuin's high motor into some instant pass rush. Bazuin might evolve into a pass-rush specialist similar to Anderson's emergence. This is not to say Bazuin is likely to make the impact that Anderson did, but that Bazuin might be better suited for a limited role until he catches up with NFL game speed. He has spent most of his time on the sidelines with a leg injury, so seeing exactly what the Bears got with a second round pick has yet to be established.
Copeland Bryan Height: 6-4 Weight: 253 College: Arizona Years of Experience: 1 Bryan was scouted as both a defensive end and an outside linebacker coming out of college but he doesn't seem suited for either position. For Bryan to be successful, he needs to demonstrate the ability to get off the edge. Otherwise, Bryan shows tendencies of being overpowered at the point of attack. Bryan does seem to play with high energy, but hasn't been able to find the best place to utilize his skill set, and might not be able to with the Bears.
Chris Frome Height: 6-4 Weight: 260 College: Notre Dame Years of Experience: Rookie Frome didn't post spectacular numbers in college and it is hard to imagine a scenario that would have him moving up the depth chart, barring several injuries. Frome made just 45 tackles in 31 games in his college career and doesn't seem to have a noticeable skill that would be above and beyond anyone else currently ahead of him on the depth chart.
DEFENSIVE TACKLES Tommie Harris Height: 6-3 Weight: 295 College: Oklahoma Years of Experience: 4 A hamstring injury slowed Harris' ascension to the top of the league's defensive tackle position rankings but that will probably come this season if Harris stays healthy. While the Bears still managed to reach the Super Bowl without Harris mucking up things in the trenches, it is not hard to fathom the Bears defense being worlds better in the playoff run had Harris been available. Harris has the precious blend of speed and power than makes him a tough player to block and occasionally commands double teams which only makes the work easy for his defensive teammates.
Darwin Walker Height: 6-3 Weight: 294 College: Tennessee Years of Experience: 8 Embroiled in a contentious contract situation with the Buffalo Bills, it didn't look like anyone was going to be happy with the situation between the two stalemated sides. Enter the Bears who offered a fifth round pick for Walker and the offer was accepted. It didn't take long for the Bears and Walker to see eye-to-eye either as he agreed to a contract that will keep him in a Bear uniform for several years. That's probably a good thing as Walker has established himself as one of the league's more sound defensive tackles and his signing stabilizes a position that had a big question mark over it to start the season.
Anthony Adams Height: 6-0 Weight: 300 College: Penn State Years of Experience: 5 This was a very low-key offseason signing (Adams signed a four-year deal in the offseason) when the Bears grabbed Adams via the San Francisco 49ers. Adams gives the Bears some much needed depth in their defensive tackle rotation. Considering the Bears lost three tackles from last year's rotation with Alfonso Boone and Ian Scott leaving via free agency, and Tank Johnson was released due to personal issues, Adams addition was a welcome and needed one. Adams is not an overwhelming player, but he is solid, and has even filled in for spot duty at fullback in his NFL career.
Dusty Dvoracek Height: 6-3 Weight: 303 College: Oklahoma Years of Experience: 1 Dvoracek appeared to have the inside track on a starting position on the defensive line before the trade that brought Walker to town. It probably wasn't a bad decision by the Bears to give Dvoracek a little more time to grow either, considering he missed all of last season with an injured foot. Dvoracek was a productive college player, especially when teamed with now Bear teammate Tommie Harris in the trenches. Dvoracek needs to show more consistency to earn more playing time, but appears to be headed in the right direction toward making that happen.
Antonio Garay Height: 6-3 Weight: 303 College: Boston College Years of Experience: 3 Garay's career has been something of a disappointment to nearly everyone involved. Entering his senior season at Boston College, Garay was one of the most highly-regarded draft prospects at defensive tackle in the nation. Several draft publications for 2002-2003 college football season with him ranked first at the position. But five weeks into the season, Garay broke an ankle and his draft prospects skidded down into the sixth round where Cleveland selected him. A knee injury ended his rookie season and then he spent 13 weeks of 2004 on the physically unable to perform list. Garay landed on the Bears practice squad for the entire 2005 season then played sparingly in 2006. All in all, Garay looks like one of those guys who is going to come awfully close to breaking through but won't quite do it in the end.
Israel Idonije Height: 6-6 Weight: 270 College: Manitoba Years of Experience: 4 Idonije has slowly become a trusted member of Chicago's defensive line unit. Cleveland originally had his services before the Bears claimed him off waivers. Despite not playing at a high collegiate level, the Bears believed he had potential for growth and have nurtured his efforts thus far. Apparently Buffalo agreed with Chicago's thoughts that Idonije has potential as they attempted to sign him to an offer sheet in the offseason, but the Bears matched that offer almost insuring that Idonije is in the Bears long-term plan at the position.
Tory Collins Height: 6-2 Weight: 285 College: Northwestern State Years of Experience: Rookie Collins is truly a project tackle for the Bears. He plays the three-technique position, which is always a plus when playing in the Bears scheme. But he might not be able to play it to the standard necessary to make it in the league. He will occasionally use his quickness to his advantage to make a play behind the line of scrimmage, but more often than not he can get tied up and neutralized by offensive line, negating his flashes of big plays. |
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