Bears on the Spot.................

• Bears on the spot
  
  By Mark Potash mpotash@suntimes.com October 31, 2011 11:34PM

Updated: October 31, 2011 11:34PM


ROOKIE: Chris Conte, FS

The third-round pick from California has played well in his first two starts, including a key interception at the goal line against the Buccaneers at Wembley Stadium. But while his speed is an obvious asset, it’s his ability to learn quickly that will make the difference. He faces two top-10 quarterbacks after the bye in the Eagles’ Michael Vick (90.0 rating) and the Lions’ Matthew Stafford (99.1). If he adjusts quickly, he has a chance to be a playmaker in this defense.

VETERAN: Julius Peppers, DE

Just as an already-productive Jay Cutler needs to carry a heavier load for the offense, Peppers is a highly paid difference-maker who needs to raise his game if the rest of his linemates aren’t going to raise theirs. Last season, the difference between Peppers and every other defensive end was obvious when he corraled the Eagles’ Michael Vick in a Bears victory at Soldier Field. He had six of his eight sacks during a four-game stretch. With the Bears 23rd in total defense, Peppers will have to reach even higher this time.

COACH: Mike Tice, offensive line

The offensive line was significantly improved after the bye last season. After allowing 31 sacks in their first seven games in 2010, the Bears allowed 17 in their next seven. After making progress in back-to-back games with the same starting five — J’Marcus Webb, Chris Williams, Roberto Garza, Chris Spencer and Lance Louis — Tice has a key decision to make when rookie Gabe Carimi returns from an injury. Does Louis or Spencer go the bench? Is Williams the odd man out? Or does Tice let this group stay intact and keep Carimi on the bench?

Pretty good summary of where we may have some hope or some trouble.

I guess we'll find out real soon whether or not Chris Conte was a good pick. There's no question he's playing the most important and most vulnerable spot in the Cover-2 scheme. He has to keep plays in front of him while at the same time not give up so much space that QB's can pick him clean in those deeper zones underneath him. His speed which may one of his best assets was Chris Harris' downfall because he didn't have it. Should be real interesting to see how a roation of Conte, Wright and Meriweather do.

I'm in agreement with him about Pep and the pass rush. Melton isn't getting it done inside and Lovie seems lax in making a changeover to Paea and Okoye so both Pep and Izzy need to kick it up a notch. We're getting pressure but we're not getting those drive ending sacks and we've let far too many QB's slip out of one. The DE's and DT's need to do more than just get pressure. We need sacks and this team can't blitz worth a shit.

Tice actually has an easier decision to make than they're making it. The five he's starting are beginning to gel. In this case cohesion trumps out and out talent. They've developed a chemistry with one another without him so let it continue for at least one more game and maybe for the Lions game as well. I don't ever want to see another performance like the last Lions game. The nice thing now is that was have enough depth at OT and OG to make sure OMG never sets foot on the field. Actually he should be asked to turn in his uni and playbook and we bring Horn up from the PS to replace him. A blocking sled can pass block better than OMG.