Thread: Readers' Q&A: Dan Pompei's Bears mailbag

Dan Pompei
On the NFL

1:37 p.m. CDT, August 21, 2012
Do you think Alshon Jeffery will pass Earl Bennett and Devin Hester on the depth chart?
@swagsince81, from Twitter

It’s early to be proclaiming Jeffery the next Calvin Johnson, but he has performed exceptionally well. Certainly, better than I expected at this early stage of his career. He still has a lot to learn, though. He is not a polished receiver by any means. But if he keeps performing the way he has performed, I expect he will be getting a lot of playing time in the near future. The Bears might keep Hester as a starter merely because of his veteran status, but it is conceivable that Jeffery may get more playing time than any receiver other than Brandon Marshall.

Why did Alshon Jeffery drop into the second round? He dominated in the SEC as a sophomore and was still good as a junior despite quarterback issues. @ChrisFJensen, from Twitter

I talked to six NFL talent evaluators about Jeffery before the draft. Not a single one thought he should have been a first-round pick, and a couple would not have picked him in the second round. Their reservations? His weight was an issue with numerous front offices. Jeffery played at about 230 in college, but dropped close to 15 pounds in the offseason. More than one said he had a soft body. When he worked out at his pro day, he ran well (4.47 40-yard dash), but a front office man said he did not play that fast. Jeffery did not impress some NFL teams in interviews. One player personnel director said he didn’t see much separation skill. Some thought he was too similar to former Lions bust Mike Williams. Of course, none of that matters if he keeps catching the football like he has been.

With the Bears continued struggles at the offensive tackle position, could they make a play for Jake Long? Miami is awful and Long is up for a new contract. If the trade could happen, what would it take for the Bears to land him? Scott D., Columbus Junction, Iowa

I’d be shocked if the Bears were able to swing such a trade with the Dolphins. Of course, I was shocked the last time the Bears acquired a big-name player in a trade with the Dolphins. I don’t see how the Dolphins could justify trading one of the better left tackles in the NFL. Long, at 27, isn’t that old. Good offensive tackles can play a long time. So he should be able to help Miami for many more years. In terms of what it would cost to acquire a player of Long’s caliber, I would guess it would take multiple high-round draft picks, including a first-rounder. In 2009, the Eagles gave up first-, fourth- and sixth-round picks for Jason Peters.

Anyone looking for another left tackle that might be a little better than either of our current players? A veteran?? @msh67, from Twitter

Yes, the Bears have looked hard at the free-agent tackle market. In fact, during the course of training camp, they have held a few workouts that have been on the hush-hush. But they haven’t signed anyone, in part because they don’t believe there is anyone available who is better than what they have. Some of that might be because not all of the players they have considered are completely healthy. But this is a situation worth monitoring if the Bears tackles don’t continue to show improvement.

With Chris Williams looking decent the other night at right tackle, and J’Marcus Webb struggling, why isn't anyone talking about Gabe Carimi at left tackle? He dominated at the position for his entire college career, yet they wrote him off over there after two practices, I've never understood why. Brad, Chicago

The Bears drafted Carimi to be a right tackle. They believe he is better suited to play right tackle than left. Even though he played left tackle at Wisconsin, Carimi was not asked to do much traditional pass protecting there because the Badgers didn’t rely on a lot of dropbacks. They were a running team. And run blocking is what he does best. A lot of people doubt that Carimi has the foot quickness to be an outstanding left tackle in the NFL. There is much less doubt that he can be an outstanding right tackle.

Which side of the ball will rank higher this season, defense or offense? @binkthecubfan, from Twitter

Interesting question. Last year the offense ranked 17th in yards while the defense ranked 14th. Based on what we have seen in camp, the Bears' offense has more potential to be excellent than the Bears' defense. But that’s only if the pass protection holds up.

Do you think Brian Urlacher was playing possum with the severity of his injury in the off season, all the while trying to milk the Bears into giving him a contract extension? It sure seems that way now. Paul J., Park Forest

No, I think Urlacher knew the Bears were not giving him a contract extension. They told him they weren’t. I don’t believe he is so foolish that he would risk having a good season on making a play for money he might never see.

All offseason, both Brian Urlacher and the Bears organization assured us his knee would be fine by training camp. Given the class with which Urlacher has handled the business side of football, I hate to even ask, but since I'm also very cynical when it comes to pro athletes, here goes: Do you think he's really hurt, or is there nothing wrong that can't be healed by a visit from Dr. Contract Extension? Mark E., Arlington, Va.

I think anyone who knows Urlacher will tell you he does not operate that way. It’s hard for a player to achieve greatness if money is his primary motivation. He has to play because he loves the game. Urlacher does. He is a warrior and a professional. I think his knee is really hurt.

This is speculative, but with the defense aging and Lovie Smith not under contract past 2013, did Phil Emery draft Shea McClellin to play outside linebacker for an eventual new coach who will run a 3-4 defense? @jonnyringo4, from Twitter

It could work out that way, but I can assure you that was not Emery’s plan. It certainly helps McClellin that he has the versatility to play in either scheme. But if Emery drafted McClellin with a master plan of firing Smith, he should be the first one shown the door. Any general manager who subverts his coach is hurting his team.

How do you assess the pass rush to this point? Will a finally healthy Corey Wootton have a big impact this year? Gabriel, Chicago

Wootton has looked really good in camp, probably better than ever, and he played well in the first preseason game before he strained his groin on a special teams play against the Redskins. Unfortunately, this has been a recurrent theme for Wootton. He starts strong and gets hurt. If he can stay healthy, he has a real chance to help the Bears based on how he has practiced.

It seems the Bears have good depth at DE. Do you see Israel Idonije being moved to DT (I know he plays on nickel rush already) to accommodate the Bears keeping another DE on the roster? Dan H., Woodridge

Not at this point. Idonije is a base end and will remain one barring an unforeseen development. It is very possible that at some point after this season the Bears could ask him to move back to tackle.

With the change in offensive play-calling, do you expect the Bears to take fewer early-game timeouts to avoid play-clock penalties? Ken L., Brownsville, Minn.

Yes I do. One of Mike Martz’s strengths -- and one of his weaknesses -- is he was intent on getting the perfect call on every play. He was very deliberate in his play calls, and he wanted to consider all of the circumstances before pulling the trigger. This sometimes led to big plays. And this sometimes led to delay-of-game penalties.

The best offensive coordinators are innovators and are more of the intellectual type. Mike Tice seems more like a tough guy and perhaps better suited to the offensive line. If the offense isn't deceptive enough, defenses will know what's coming and stop it. Do you think Tice's offense will be deceptive and tricky enough to be successful? How important do you think deception is? Jim P., Chicago

I think you are stereotyping Tice and coaches in general. He is a tough guy. That doesn’t mean he also isn’t “more of the intellectual type.” Tice has a few tricks in his bag. But the most important thing for the Bears' offense is execution, not deception. The best teams in the league aren’t playing shell games with opponents; they are out-hitting and out-blocking them. If players don’t play with good technique and fundamentals and beat the players on the other side of the line, no amount of deception in the NFL could help them. Deception only is valuable when all the basics are covered.



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