---

How confident are you in the Bears' safeties?

For most of the last decade the safety position has been one of upheaval for the Bears. Not since Mike Brown was in his pre-injury prime have the Bears had one safety spot settled. Since then it's been a long list of players plugged in and out of the defense: Todd Johnson, Mike Green, Bobby Gray, Chris Harris, Danieal Manning, Adam Archuleta, Brandon McGowan, Kevin Payne, Craig Steltz, Al Afalava, and finally Chris Conte and Major Wright.
The Bears have had a ridiculous string of consecutive years drafting a safety; eight straight years to be exact.
However, last year health and good play finally shown through and Conte and Wright established themselves as the starting duo at the back end of the defense. So much so that Phil Emery broke the safety-drafting trend this year.
So, how established are Conte and Wright and how is the depth at the position?

Starting free safety: Chris Conte (3rd NFL Season)

Job Responsibilities: Play deep coverage, helping with the pass coverage of the wide receiver, as well as assisting in the on any given play. In cover-2 coverage, he must keep the play in front of him and cover his side of the field. The free safety must be playing the QBs eyes as much as as any receiver. Must be the last line of defense and stop big plays.
Job so far: Conte had a solid season in 2012, his second in the league. He locked down the starting FS spot, starting 15 games, racking up 51 tackles, 2 interceptions, deflecting nine passes and recovering a fumble. While not a superb talent, he certainly deserves to be the starter this year and be allowed to grow into the position. He's got a lot of promise.
Confidence Level: High. He showed last year that he knew what he was doing out there and made a lot of solid plays. Some staffers had higher expectations for Conte than others, but he certainly has the promise of a Pro-Bowl player in my opinion. If he stays healthy he can be a force for the defense.

Starting strong safety: Major Wright (4th Season)

Job Responsibilities: Play closer to the line of scrimmage and be a force in the run game, while also being able to drop into coverage and stay with players out of the backfield and occasionally a TE.
Job so far: Good not great is how most would summarize it. He finally locked down a starting job last year, his third in the league, stayed healthy and started all 16 games on the strong side. He racked up 4 INTs, 52 tackles, eight pass deflections, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble.
Confidence Level: High. Believe it or not, the Bears are in good shape at the safety spots after so many years of revolving door, injuries and poor play. Not sure if either one of these guys will be perennial All-Pro caliber players but they are dependable, solid starters.

---

---

Back up Safeties: Strongs: Tom Zbikowski, Craig Steltz, Cyhl, Quarles. Frees: Brandon Hardin, Tom Nelson, Anthony Walters

Job Responsibilities: Fill in when called upon at either of the safety spots by fulfilling the duties laid out for the starters. When not filling in for injuries, the back ups at this position must be key players on special teams. Much like the depth at linebacker and wide receiver, the safety depth must have ST coverage ability to earn a spot on the roster.

---

---

Job so far: These guys have all done their part. Zbikowski has 25 career starts to his name with 64 appearances in games, which speaks to his ST ability. Steltz has appeared in 61 games with only seven starts, Walters has 20 games played and only 1 start and Nelson has appeared in 24 games with three starts. Quarles is the new guy on the block as a second-year player with no appearances. The guys are a treasure trove of special teams experience mixed with some starting capabilities.
Confidence Level: High. The depth is surprisingly good at this position. While the lack of starts may concern you (and rightfully so), the fact that the top of the depth, Zibikowski and Steltz, have been around the league long enough that you're comfortable with them if they need to step in for a period of time. Plus, what they bring on special teams makes them worth having around.
Overall confidence level: High. A good mix of youth an experience with career stats that make you feel comfortable with the group as a whole. Now that isn't saying that I believe the Bears have the best safety squad in the league or anything, but certainly Conte and Wright have established themselves in the top half of the league with the ability to move up. For the first time this decade safety isn't a spot of concern for Bears fans.

---

---

Measure of success: What would you consider a successful 2013 season for the Chicago Bears?

We all want a championship... That's what every owner, GM, head coach, player, and fan wants for their team. But sometimes, there are more realistic goals for the season.

The Chicago Bears are, for all intents and purposes, in a rebuilding mode. There is an entire shift in paradigm occuring at Halas Hall, and it's likely the largest one this team has ever experienced.
Throughout the team's history, Chicago has been known for a fearsome defense, and just enough of an offense to get by. Defense wins championships. We get off the bus running. End of story.

There was a little bit of a ripple in that philosophy in 2010, when head coach Lovie Smith hired Mike Martz as his offensive coordinator... A completely different direction from the traditional Ron Turner, who had been, for the most part, nearly every other offensive play-caller the Bears had ever had.
Martz was known as an offensive genius, but unfortunately given the task of running his high-octane system with low-octane players. He never backed off of his shoot-out game plan... Until Lovie Smith stepped in. Balance, Mike... We need more balance. Run the ball more. Let the defense take care of things. Status quo.
Out goes Martz after two seasons, and in comes Mike Tice. He'd never run an offense before, but he knew one thing: be balanced and run the football. That's what we do here. That's what we've always done.
After his first season as General Manager, Phil Emery had seen enough.
Lovie Smith, and the old, traditional Chicago Bears, got the boot. We have to keep up with the rest of the league... We have to be smarter than them. We need measurables, and technology, and dynamic systems with dynamic players. We've got to evolve. (gasp)

Evolve.

Just reading that word will send some folks into a tizzy. The Bears have tradition, but for the last thirty years or so, that tradition hasn't resulted in too much. So it was time for a change.
Enter Marc Trestman.
You want an offense? He's the guy that will give you an offense. And partnered with Phil Emery, we're seeing an entire shift in philosophy. The Bears will be an offensive-minded team. Emery won't neglect to bring talent to the defensive side of the ball, but he wants coach Trestman to build a machine on offense.
Since Trestman has been in town, he's done some evaluations, and already kicked some of his offensive guys to the curb. Out with the old, in with the new. His system. His philosophy. His offense.
And then there's the matter of Jay Cutler. Cutler's in the final year of his contract. He's basically got a one-year job interview that is just beginning. Honestly, though, Trestman will know by the second or third game of the season whether Cutler is his quarterback of the future. That will be interesting to watch.
But, with all of this happening at Halas Hall, we have to keep a level-headed approach. Everyone wants a championship, but for a team that is undergoing one of the largest philosophy changes in history, and with a new head coach and slew of new players, it will likely take some time to be effective.
For 2013, what should our expectations be? Anything short of a Super Bowl is a failure? What if Trestman mirrors Lovie Smith's final season (10-6, no playoffs)? What if the team wins 9 games but makes it as a Wild Card?

This is my question to you: What needs to happen in 2013 for you to consider it a successful season?

Take some time to think about it, and let us know what you think.

---

---

In 2012:

The Chicago Bears finished the season with a 10-6 record, but missed the postseason, this (of all things) cost Lovie Smith his job. While it’s understandable that the Bears were in “playoffs or bust” mode last year, but firing the Head Coach after a 10-6 season begins to transition into overzealous territory.

---

---

Devin Hester no lock for roster spot on Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears don't even allow Devin Hester to wear the same colored jersey as the other Bears wide receivers in practice. He's a return man, and a return man only.
But is a he return man who's guaranteed to make the roster?

CSNChicago.com's John Mullin wrote Sunday night that Hester is just "working to hold on" to the primary return job in offseason practice. Other players like Earl Bennett have been returning kicks in practice. And Bears coach Marc Trestman has said that Hester is "competing" to win the returner job.
The Bears have given up on Hester playing a role on offense. Since he's due $1.85 million this season, the Bears are giving him every chance to earn his worth as a return man only. If Trestman doesn't think Hester can be a difference-maker after watching him in training camp, it's still possible Hester won't even make the team.

---

---

Name:A.J. Lindeman
College: Toledo Number: 60
Height: 6-6 Weight: 307

---

---

LINK to the article


Football: A.J. Lindeman signs three-year deal with Chicago Bears

By Rick Armstrong rarmstrong@stmedianetwork.com June 15, 2013 7:04PM




Goodbye, Cleveland. Hello, Chicago.


A.J. Lindeman may still be walking on cloud nine, but there’s pretty good reason for it. Holy Toledo, the Waubonsie Valley High School graduate is a Bear.


Lindeman signed with the team Thursday after getting a three-day tryout at its mandatory minicamp for veterans.


“It all began earlier this week after they traded (offensive lineman) Gabe Carimi (to Tampa Bay),” said Lindeman, a former preferred walk-on at Toledo who first earned a scholarship and then starting spot on the Rockets’ offensive line.




He was Toledo’s right tackle last season and had hopes of being a late round draft choice or free agent signee this past spring, but it didn’t happen.


“That next morning (Monday) after the Carimi trade, I was off to Cleveland to play in the Arena Football League. I think it’s the Cleveland Gladiators,” said Lindeman, who had attended the Bears’ minicamp for rookies last month but was not offered a contract.


“I got to Cleveland and got a call asking me to a tryout at (Bears) minicamp. Then, my flight (back to Chicago) was delayed six hours. Tuesday morning, though, I was at minicamp.”


Following practice Thursday, Lindeman was told he needed to go upstairs in Halas Hall.





“I was actually pretty nervous,” he said. “My agent said the coaches liked me after the rookie minicamp, but I still wasn’t sure. There was me and another guy there those three days they were trying at fullback.


“They played me at guard at rookie minicamp, but this week they played me at left tackle. I hadn’t played it since my redshirt sophomore year at Toledo. It took me a while, but I thought I got better as the three days went along. I still have a long way to go and I’m thinking they might be moving me back to guard.”


Wherever offensive coordinator and line coach Aaron Kromer wants him, Lindeman will happily go. He may be the 90th man on the current roster, but he’s been there before.


“Doesn’t bother me at all,” he said. “I’m used to it. It gives me a challenge.”


He said Bears head coach Marc Trestman’s emphasis on practicing fast was similar to what he had experienced at Toledo, although, “we went a little faster (last week) than I thought we would. (Trestman) says going full speed makes for shorter practices. You get out of the huddle as fast as you can, but I’m used to it.”


Toledo often used a fast-paced, no-huddle attack on offense.


Thursday afternoon, Lindeman posted the news on his twitter account: “A childhood dreams are about to come true!! I’m going to sign with my home town Chicago Bears!!!!”


His account then exploded with congratulatory messages, the first coming from the Bears first-round draft choice, offensive lineman Kyle Long.


After Lindeman passed a physical Friday morning, he signed a three-year contract early in the afternoon.

---

---

LINK to the article

MARQUESS WILSON BEHIND THE 8-BALL
Written by Brett Solesky


The Chicago Bears are in desperate need of wide receiver with Devin Hester being relegated completely to the return game and only three receivers who have veteran experience in the NFL. Seventh round draft choice Marquess Wilson was seen as a steal in the seventh round of the NFL Draft, a player who could be counted on to potentially make the 53-man roster. However after rookie mini-camp OTAs and the veteran mini-camp it's become apparent early on that Wilson may struggle to make the roster.


Yesterday I had discussion with Jeremy Stoltz of Bear Report magazine and had an opportunity to watch some video he took from mini-camp and it's apparent that Wilson is every part of a seventh round draft choice. While Wilson is big, athletic and talented he struggles running routes, has severe lapses in concentration, and the moment may have one of the worst pairs of hands on the team. The rookie is buried on the depth chart at this point behind Marshall, Jeffery, Bennett, Hester (returner) Eric Weems Joe Anderson and eventually he could be stranded behind Devin Aromashodu who is back for his second stint with the Bears.


During his last stint in Chicago, Bears quarterback Jay Cutler made it clear his fondness for Aromashodu as a player and a weapon. Armoashodu is also one of the Bears' best depth threats on the team which gives him a big advantage over other players who can't stretch the field like he can.


The Bears aren't likely to keep more than six receivers so for Wilson to make the 53-man roster and not wind up on the practice squad he'll have to pull out a very strong mini-camp and set of four preseason games. Wilson also didn't help himself by missing some workouts with a minor hamstring injury with starters Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery also missing time.


In the absence of the two incumbents second year receiver Joe Anderson has stepped up his game immensely and is pushing to be the fourth receiver on the roster. Anderson who spent most of last season wallowing on the practice squad has shown he's for real throughout the off-season. Anderson is a legitimate play maker with solid hands, good ball skills and shown a feel for finding the soft spots in zone coverage.


To this point in the season Anderson is likely the MVP of the off-season schedule and will be the key player to watch in 2013. Even with Wilson not living up to the second day draft prospect label some analysts gave him, he can easily follow the same path as Anderson. The learning curve for a rookie receiver is steep and stressful and Wilson would likely benefit from winding up on the practice squad and then trying to attain what Anderson has this year.

---