LINEBACKERS EVERYWHERE - Bears sign another OLB

[emperorjones]

Bears sign Sam Acho, OLB from ARZ - http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/bears/

As it stands now, here are the 13(at least) LBs on the roster:

OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS
----------------------
Pernel McPhee
Lamarr Houston
Sam Acho
Jared Allen
Willie Young
David Bass

INSIDE LINEBACKERS
-----------------------
Mason Foster
Jon Bostic
Shea McClellin
Christian Jones
DeDe Lattimore
Khaseem Greene
Jonathan Brown


I see 3 cuts coming at ILB, not OLB. But I do think Young will go back to/stay at DE

Thoughts?

[NZB2323]

Is it confirmed we're running a 3-4?

[emperorjones]

yep. confirmed by the coaching staff

[RedBulls23]

I would think Shea is a goner unless he just comes out of no where.

[City of Trees]

Another OLB? I doubt Allen plays OLB now.

[heir_jordan22]

I like how they're stocking up on LBs with short contracts. If they earn the starting spot then we release the underachieving guys that have sat on our roster without being pushed the past couple seasons. Or these really talented guys that we have drafted will progress and they will finally take a step forward because there's quality competition

[emperorjones]

I'm really hopeful that David bass will emerge as a difference maker. Mel Tucker was a boob and I never thought he got a good shot. Not even in practices I attended.

[emperorjones]

What I think will really happen:

OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS in 3-4 SETS
----------------------
Pernel McPhee<----Sam Acho
Willie Young<------Christian Jones<----David Bass

DEs IN 4-3 SETS
----------------------
Pernel McPhee<------Jared Allen
Lamarr Houston<----Willie Young


INSIDE LINEBACKERS -----------------------
Mike Linebackers

Mason Foster<---Christian Jones<----Khaseem Greene

Jack Linebackers

Jon Bostic<------Shea McClellin

[heir_jordan22]

I thought Foster said he likes the freedom of a a jack LB in a 3-4?

[emperorjones]

The jack is more responsible for coverage which he is supposedly pretty bad at. But I've never followed a team that plays the 3-4 - so what the heck do I know

[heir_jordan22]

Lol I thought the mike was more responsible for coverage. I guess we'll figure all that out once the season starts.

Either way, if the Bears signed Foster with the intention of starting him then I think Jones has a better shot at winning a starting job than Bostic. Jones is probably our best coverage linebacker and Foster and Bostic are both pretty bad in coverage.

[emperorjones]

Here's a bit from a very good article covering the Bears defense & LB responsibilities from Windy City gridiron:

The two inside linebackers in new Chicago defensive coordinator Vic Fangio's 3-4 defense are called the Mike and the Jack. When I spoke with the fellas over at Niners Nation, our sister site that covers the San Francisco 49ers, they explained to me that Fangio's Mike is more of the downhill run plugger and often lines up on the strong side of the formation. The Jack will often line up on the weak (or open) side of the formation and have more coverage responsibilities.

Another thing to keep in mind about Fangio's linebackers, we may see them lining up in various places along the line of scrimmage. His ILBs may rush from the edge or run stunts, his OLBs may slide inside and attack the interior of an offense. Expect multiple looks in 2015 from the Bears.

Full article here: http://www.windycitygridiron.com/2015/3 ... gio-scheme

[heir_jordan22]

Ah good find. I guess I mis-remembered. I still think it will be Jones as one starter with Bostic and Foster pushing each other for the other spot

[RedBulls23]

I'm still holding out hope that Vic Beasley falls to 7.

[johnnyvann840]

Here's a bit from a very good article covering the Bears defense & LB responsibilities from Windy City gridiron:

The two inside linebackers in new Chicago defensive coordinator Vic Fangio's 3-4 defense are called the Mike and the Jack. When I spoke with the fellas over at Niners Nation, our sister site that covers the San Francisco 49ers, they explained to me that Fangio's Mike is more of the downhill run plugger and often lines up on the strong side of the formation. The Jack will often line up on the weak (or open) side of the formation and have more coverage responsibilities.

Another thing to keep in mind about Fangio's linebackers, we may see them lining up in various places along the line of scrimmage. His ILBs may rush from the edge or run stunts, his OLBs may slide inside and attack the interior of an offense. Expect multiple looks in 2015 from the Bears.

Full article here: http://www.windycitygridiron.com/2015/3 ... gio-scheme

I like it.

[ptpablo]

Isn't Houston going to play a 3-4 end? I thought that is what he did with Raiders.

[emperorjones]

Isn't Houston going to play a 3-4 end? I thought that is what he did with Raiders.

I assumed he would be playing end too - but I guess he's too small - even though he's listed at 300lbs. Why don't they change that?

From the Suntimes: http://chicago.suntimes.com/bears-football/7/71/504899/bears-lamarr-houston-says-2015-will-bring-animal

...Part of Houston’s frustration was attributable to his position. He was signed as an end but often played tackle.

There were reasons for it. For starters, the Bears simply weren’t deep up front. Houston, though, said there’s a misconception that he can be a full-time NFL defensive tackle. He only weighed 265 pounds last year despite being listed at 300.

“It just blows my mind,” he said.

In 2010, Houston proudly said he learned from playing behind ends Richard Seymour and Tommy Kelly as the Oakland Raiders’ backup end and third tackle. That was his rookie season. In 2012 and 2013, Houston was primarily a 3-4 outside linebacker.

In Chicago, he was back to facing double teams. But Houston isn’t complaining. He was on board with everything former general manager Phil Emery and former coach Marc Trestman had planned for him.

“I’m a team guy,’’ he said. ‘‘If you want me to play D-tackle and we can win that way, then I’m going to go in there and bust my butt, and I’m going to play D-tackle. Do I feel like I could have done better elsewhere? Yes, I believe that.”

Houston accepted doing the dirty work as he was asked, but fans still sought sacks.

“It sucked because I was the new guy,” he said. “I got this big contract, and everybody was all excited, and they wanted to see me just get sacks. But, in reality, I was never in the position to do that.”

That will change this season. He believes in all the moves Pace and Fox have made, and he’s elated about playing for defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, whom he watched closely while in the Bay Area.

Houston said he plans to weigh between 270 and 275 pounds. It’s his understanding that outside linebacker will be his primary position. With his experience, he’s willing to help others out with their transitions.

“Now I have the opportunity to go back to strictly playing outside linebacker and rushing on the edge,” he said. “I don’t have to necessarily put last year behind me because when I start playing this year, it’s going to be gone.”

[ptpablo]

Isn't Houston going to play a 3-4 end? I thought that is what he did with Raiders.

I assumed he would be playing end too - but I guess he's too small - even though he's listed at 300lbs. Why don't they change that?

From the Suntimes: http://chicago.suntimes.com/bears-football/7/71/504899/bears-lamarr-houston-says-2015-will-bring-animal

...Part of Houston’s frustration was attributable to his position. He was signed as an end but often played tackle.

There were reasons for it. For starters, the Bears simply weren’t deep up front. Houston, though, said there’s a misconception that he can be a full-time NFL defensive tackle. He only weighed 265 pounds last year despite being listed at 300.

“It just blows my mind,” he said.

In 2010, Houston proudly said he learned from playing behind ends Richard Seymour and Tommy Kelly as the Oakland Raiders’ backup end and third tackle. That was his rookie season. In 2012 and 2013, Houston was primarily a 3-4 outside linebacker.

In Chicago, he was back to facing double teams. But Houston isn’t complaining. He was on board with everything former general manager Phil Emery and former coach Marc Trestman had planned for him.

“I’m a team guy,’’ he said. ‘‘If you want me to play D-tackle and we can win that way, then I’m going to go in there and bust my butt, and I’m going to play D-tackle. Do I feel like I could have done better elsewhere? Yes, I believe that.”

Houston accepted doing the dirty work as he was asked, but fans still sought sacks.

“It sucked because I was the new guy,” he said. “I got this big contract, and everybody was all excited, and they wanted to see me just get sacks. But, in reality, I was never in the position to do that.”

That will change this season. He believes in all the moves Pace and Fox have made, and he’s elated about playing for defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, whom he watched closely while in the Bay Area.

Houston said he plans to weigh between 270 and 275 pounds. It’s his understanding that outside linebacker will be his primary position. With his experience, he’s willing to help others out with their transitions.

“Now I have the opportunity to go back to strictly playing outside linebacker and rushing on the edge,” he said. “I don’t have to necessarily put last year behind me because when I start playing this year, it’s going to be gone.”

Thanks for the clarification. I find it very funny that he is making excuses after blowing his knee out the way he did. I am going on a limb to say that he did not get sacks because he injured himself celebrating.

[FNQ]

Sorry to just jump in, but that article is drastically mistaken. Never was Houston ever primarily a 3-4 backer. We never even primarily ran the 3-4 when he was here. We were consistently a base 4-3 team, and he was primarily a 4-3 end.

He played some snaps at 3-4 OLB, but certainly not primarily, and the results weren't encouraging. That said, nothing on our team was encouraging, so he could certainly do better there with you guys.

[emperorjones]

Thanks FireNellieQuick. I was confused a bit because I remember him being touted as a 4-3 end. And he was not playing DT for the Bears last year he was a DE - maybe thats the issue, Houston didn't know what he was playing. But in reality - he just didn't play.