So now with the offense picked, it's time to pick the defense for the Bears this coming season. The defense looks different from the start with Brian Urlacher retired, but as a whole it's very much the same with almost everyone else (Idonije being another exception) returning. So, instead of blabbing, I'll get right into it.
Defensive Line
On the inside the starting tackles are going to be Paea and Melton. The main reserve as far as rotating goes will be Nate Collins, who has had a very good preseason. Past that, the full time defensive tackle that I think will make the final roster is Zach Minter. He's made a few big plays this preseason and has a ton of upside. He won't be ready to play every down or anything, but he can come in on occasion and has a chance to make things happen.
As for the ends, Peppers will start on one end, and Wootton will probably start on the other end with Shea McClellin rotating in quite often. Cornelius Washington has too much upside and has been too strong this preseason to not make the roster. If they try to put him on the practice squad he is sure to be picked up by another team, and like I said, he's been very good so far.
There's still room for one more defensive lineman. There are already 4 ends and 4 tackles. Since Wootton will be coming in as a tackle on sure pass plays, it would make sense for the next player to be a defensive end. Cheta Ozougwu is one option. Aston Whiteside is another option, an intriguing player out of Abilene Christian, the school that brought the Bears a couple of productive players in Danieal Manning and Johnny Knox. However, I'm going to go against what seems to make sense. Christian Tupou is my pick. He hasn't set the world on fire, but he's done a lot that I've really liked seeing as well. I even think he might be able to step over on end on occasion if he was needed to. I noticed him in the backfield an awful lot against the Raiders, so we know he can at least chase a quarterback.
Linebackers
Lance Briggs will be the starter on the weak side. Another starter will be James Anderson. As for right now it looks like the starter in the middle will be Jon Bostic. DJ Williams would love to get that spot from him, but Bostic has played well in the preseason and has made a lot happen. He could use some more consistency, especially in the pass game, but he is certainly playing above expectations right now. Still, no matter what, both guys will be on the team with Williams ready to return.
The backups bring a little bit more question. Khaseem Greene is pretty much a lock to make it. He has been very solid so far, even if he hasn't been spectacular. He won't be ready to start anytime very soon, but he can be a solid reserve who can come in when called upon and play well. The next linebacker I have making the team is Blake Costanzo. He can be a solid linebacker on defense, but is also a very good special teams player. That will take him a long way. The next, and last linebacker I have making the team is JT Thomas. He was a late round draft pick a couple of years ago. He's got a lot of skill, he just needed time to develop. He's looked solid so far, although he's not a starter by any means. Still, he can play special teams and do a solid job filling in on occasion at linebacker.
That leaves Jerry Franklin as the lone cut. Not an easy cut to make, especially after he had an interception against the Raiders. However, I just don't think that he's the right guy to make the roster ahead of those other guys.
Safeties
Conte and Wright, last year's starters, will be this year's starters as well. Past them, Craig Steltz seems to be a pretty sure thing. I also see Brandon Hardin and Tom Nelson making the team. The one cut I see happening is Anthony Walters, although I'm really not happy to see him go, I just think that this is how it will turn out. Emery will really want to see Hardin get one more year before giving up on him, and Tom Nelson has been very solid.
Cornerbacks
Once again, last year's starters will be this year's starters. Jennings and Tillman were the best duo in the NFL last season, and a lot of people expect them to be the best duo this year as well. The other corners I expect to see make the final cut are Sherrick McManis, Zack Bowman, and Isaiah Frey. Frey will be the main guy in nickel situations, although both of the others can be that guy or a backup corner should Frey go down at any point.
That means that the cuts there are going to be Demontre Hurst and CJ Wilson. Both of those guys are solid and have plenty of upside. It's easily worth trying to hold on to both of them, but they're both just not ready to be on a final roster yet.
Summary
So, on the defensive line we have Peppers, McClellin, Wootton, Paea, Collins, Melton, Minter, Washington and Tupou. Linebackers are Bostic, Briggs, Anderson, Williams, Costanzo, and Thomas. Safeties are Steltz, Conte, Wright, Hardin, and Nelson. Corners are Jennings, Tillman, McManis, Bowman, and Frey.
This puts the roster at 44 men. Now, what this means is that I have been 5 men short (Mannelly, Gould, Hester, and Podlesh only bring the roster to 48 men). So, I will decide who those 5 men are as well as go over the strictly special teams players next. So if you saw someone cut that you didn't want to see cut, don't give up on them. I won't lie, I haven't decided who they are yet.
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