Sky's The Limit For Henry Melton.............

Tommie Harris: 'Sky's the limit for Henry Melton'

Ex-teammate Harris, Bears coaching staff high on defensive tackle


http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/...8/63725710.jpg Defensive end Henry Melton (69) during the first training camp practice of the season. (Brian Cassella, Chicago Tribune / July 30, 2011)



http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/...7-03172512.jpg Photos: Bears training camp in Bourbonnais
http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/...7-03210941.jpg Poll: Who should start at tight end for Bears?
http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/...334-187105.jpg Story: Tight end Spaeth steps out of Miller's shadow in Pittsburgh
http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/...414-187105.jpg Story: Crash course on NFL life has QB Enderle ready to crash

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/...0-03144639.jpg Story: Ex-Bear Aromashodu unsure why he didn't click with Martz

• By Vaughn McClure, Chicago Tribune reporter 6:47 p.m. CDT, August 3, 2011

A text message popped up on Henry Melton's cell phone even before he could wish Tommie Harris good luck.
It was just two days after the Bears released the three-time Pro Bowler Harris in February. Melton figured he'd give his ex-teammate a few days to digest the bad news. Instead, Harris reached out to Melton and offered words of encouragement.

"He sent me a text that read, 'The ball's in your court now. You just have to go get it.' I appreciated that," Melton said. "I look up to him. He's one of the most positive people you could ever meet. And long before he was released, he told me I was the future of the team."

The future is now.

When asked this offseason about Melton, coach Lovie Smith boldly responded, "He's going to be great." Defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli gushed just as much over the third-year defensive tackle who has yet to start an NFL game.

"He's going to be a good one," Marinelli said. "Quietly, he did a great job for us last year. He's got great, great speed, athleticism. He's a tough kid. And he played close to 500 snaps last year. Now, he's got to go out and do it in camp."

Melton played in all 16 games last season and tied for second on the team with nine quarterback pressures. He also recorded 21/2 sacks as an inside rusher in the nickel defense.

Obviously, Melton showed enough to warrant high praise from his coaches. Now, he'll have to live up to those lofty expectations as potentially Harris' replacement.

"Do I feel pressure? A little bit," he said. "But I like pressure. I like that my coaches believe in me and trust me. I mean, I've always had upside, always have been really athletic and have played and worked hard."

He might have to work a little harder now.

Melton won't be handed the starting job after the Bears signed Amobi Okoye, a former first-round pick of the Texans. Melton has been with the first-team defense through the first five practices, but Okoye will suit up for the first time Thursday night.

Not to mention the Bears also have Matt Toeaina and rookie Stephen Paea in the defensive tackle mix along with starting nose tackle Anthony Adams.

"It doesn't bother me," Melton said of Okoye's arrival. "That's what this game is about; bringing in the best guys to bolster the defensive line. Competition is great."

Although the lockout kept Melton from establishing himself as the unquestioned starter, he used his offseason wisely. He bulked up to 295 pounds after ending last season at 275. He came to the Bears as a 255-pound rookie defensive end and former college running back.

Melton spent the offseason working out with his uncle, former Bronco and Super Bowl champ Ray Crockett. Melton went through combine-like workouts outside his old middle school in Texas.

"All we needed was a ladder, some tennis balls and a timer," Melton said. "My uncle is old-school."

Melton tracked his performance from March until he gained the 20 pounds in June and noticed no drop-off in speed or quickness. He hopes that translates into a highly productive 2011 season, and he has already targeted double-digit sacks.

One former Bear certainly believes he can achieve that goal.

"Henry Melton is one of the most explosive guys I've ever seen," said Harris, now with the Colts. "When you look at John Randle, they have similarities. To have ability to be so fast and so quick as a defensive lineman, the sky's the limit for Henry Melton."

vxmcclure@tribune.com

Twitter @vxmcclure23

Copyright © 2011, Chicago Tribune
ct-spt-0804-bears-melton--20110804 http://www.chicagotribune.com/hive/i.../rating_on.jpghttp://www.chicagotribune.com/hive/i.../rating_on.jpghttp://www.chicagotribune.com/hive/i.../rating_on.jpghttp://www.chicagotribune.com/hive/i.../rating_on.jpghttp://www.chicagotribune.com/hive/i...rating_off.jpg

Couple of things worth commenting on here.

Look at that photo of him in camp. He's now 295lbs and by the look of it there isn't an ounce of fat in any of them. The guy looks trim and fast and the fact that he's been able to add 40lbs since he was drafted without losing that is pretty incredible.

I didn't realize that he had that many pressures last year to go with this 2 1/2 sacks. With that kind of play just as a nickle rusher imagine what he could do as a bulked up 3 down player. When you look at Melton, Okoye and Paea all sharing that 3t DT spot it looks like we may have turned the corner as far as an inside rush to go with Pep and Izzy.

I like how Harris compares him with John Randle. If he's anywhere close to tha quick and explosive the guy will be hard as hell to ever block one on one. John Randle was the greatest gap shooting DT I ever saw play. He could absolutely dominate a game.

Even if we can't get overly excited about the lack of perceived improvement on the offensive side of the ball the Bears have steadily gotten younger and better on the Dline this year. Along with the additions at DT if Wootton continues to improve behind Peppers and Gholston can recover his pass rushing game behind Izzy we'll at least have one hell of a defense again. And we may need it again!

If he's that quick, and Paea is as quick as advertised .... opposing Olinemen are going to have alot of trouble double-teaming anybody on the Bears Dline. At the very least that means many more QB pressures this year; at best it means alot more sacks and interceptions . This d-line has me really excited this year. Add in the blitzes and the potential is awesome. 3rd downs this season should be fun to watch.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Blue Horse-shoe

If he's that quick, and Paea is as quick as advertised .... opposing Olinemen are going to have alot of trouble double-teaming anybody on the Bears Dline. At the very least that means many more QB pressures this year; at best it means alot more sacks and interceptions . This d-line has me really excited this year. Add in the blitzes and the potential is awesome. 3rd downs this season should be fun to watch.

---

....provided that the quick slant and cover 1 don't kill us. I remain worried about our CB's.

Quote:

---

Sky's The Limit For Henry Melton

---

unless Marcus Harrison eats it

Melton has ideal traits to excel


Posted: 8/4/2011 1:57:00 PM
The Bears have high hopes this season for Henry Melton, a third-year pro who appears to possess the prototypical traits to play the three-technique defensive tackle position in their system.

“I’m not saying he’s not a fit at end,” said defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli. “But what you look for inside is movement and speed. He’s about 295 [pounds] right now, so he’s filled out. He’s got tailback speed. He’s built. I like guys inside a little bit shorter. Your natural knee bend is a little bit easier.”

Melton has been lining up with the No. 1 defense in training camp on a line that also includes ends Julius Peppers and Israel Idonije and nose tackle Anthony Adams. Playing as a reserve in all 16 games last season, Melton recorded 17 tackles, 2½ sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

At the University of Texas, Melton was shifted from running back to defense after rushing for 432 yards and 10 touchdowns as a freshman on a Longhorns team that won the national championship.

“He’s an athlete who can bend,” Marinelli said. “And then it’s about speed and quickness over a guard because you have to win inside. You have to win inside and you have to win it with speed, not with so much power. To get there, you’ve got to win it with quickness. He’s got that nice blend.

“I want to keep him inside. Could he go outside and play some end? Oh yeah. But I think it’s too much to learn for a young player.”

Marinelli is sure getting fired up about Melton and has him playing with the #1 D. When you look at the way he describes him he sounds exactly like a young Tommie Harris. Melton, Paea and Okoye all have that quickness off the snap and good short field speed. I'm real excited about finally getting the prospects of an inside pass rush back again.

If these guys are able to do what I think they can team will have to choose whether to double them or Peppers. On obvious passing downs we can rest AA and put either Paea or Okoye in his place. We may finally get back to those old Buddy Ryan days when we put a time clock on QB's. :woot: