Thread: Stephen Paea Moving into Starting Role on Chicago Bears D-Line

Also, if his lower leg strength has gotten better I think we might start the conversation of him being a monster out there if his lower strength can match his upper strength.

Originally Posted by Riczaj01

http://beargoggleson.com/2012/08/03/...-bears-d-line/

Stephen Paea Moving into Starting Role on Chicago Bears D-Line


Aug 3rd, 2012 at 1:27 am by BoomerBears

Home » Bears » Stephen Paea Moving into Starting Role on Chicago Bears D-Line
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Just when you thought Stephen Paea might become the next in a long and dismal string of busted Jerry Angelo draft picks, he’s moving up in the world and into a starting role with the Bears. Paea caught the attention of scouts last season with some ridiculous bench press reps at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis last season.
The Bears thought enough of him that they traded up to move up a few spots to draft to move up and draft him in the second round. He struggled early in his rookie season, getting off to a slow start before finally getting into the regular rotation as the season went on.
Now Paea is healthy and has his legs under him (literally and figuratively) and expects to make some serious contributions this season.
He’s excited but grounded as he takes on a new role as he discussed with reporters after Thursday’s practice.
It would be HUGE if Paea could get a push for the Bears from the Nose Tackle position. Paired with Henry Melton inside, the Bears could actually have a young nucleus to start rebuilding the defensive line from the inside out. Remember back in ’06, they had Tommie Harris and Tank Johnson wreaking havoc up front. Are Paea and Melton the 2012 version?

You know what impressed me the most about Paea? Last year after he set that record at the combine the interviewed him and he was about the most humble down to earth guy you could ever imagine for a guy who just went "where no man had gone before". That was a ridiculous amount of reps for a guy who barely went 300lbs and wasn't exactly a ripped weight room created specimen. It was 90% pure natural strength.

I knew then that I was hoping the Bears would draft him over Marvin Austin especially when he fell into the 2nd round and apparently they thought enough of him to move up to get him and ignored Austin. How often had JA ever done that?

I don't want this to sound politically incorrect but these South Pacific Island guys, Somoan, Tongan, Hawaiian, etc., always seem to possess a lot of natural strength and endurance and typically have productive NFL careers. Look at how well Matt Toeania has done for us since we picked him up from Cincy as a FA, and the list goes on. Seau (RIP), Tatupu (a couple of them), Moeaki, Hemuli, and a few more I know I've over looked.

I was a big Paea fan and it was disappointing to watch him struggle recovering from the inury last year but that safety he caused against the Vikes showed just a glimmer of what he was capable of. I'm really rooting for this kid to take over that NT spot this year and add a half dozen sacks and TFL's as a partner with Melton. They could very easily be the Tank and Tommie show all over again but with even more upside.

I'm also pulling for Harvey Unga to make it. That kid is a real bull of a RB and he can catch. If he can produce in preseason he stands a chance and I hope he makes it. After he left camp last year following a year sitting out injured I figured that we it with the Bears but there must be some reason they brought him back. Bush isn't all that happy with his role as a "battering ram" so who better to maybe take on that role and let Bush have a more flexible role than Unga. If he can prove that he can block as well as he can run and play STteam well I hope they keep him around even if it's on the PS. He may still have eligibility for that.