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So let's pretend he's right. Lets say:

(1) Anderson returns to rookie form under new coaching,
(2) bennet steps up and becomes a decent possession man to counter Hester's improvement as the deep threat,
(3) Steltz steps in and doesn't get blasted on a goal line stance ala 2nd Vikings game and
(4) That the new defensive backs coach understands that if you keep lining up 8 yards off the line, opposing QB's will keep throwing the quick slant (add other coaching idiot moves here).

Now was that so hard to imagine?

Now that mini camp is done, one thing, IMO seems clear. JA is completely rolling the dice on the new coaches to figure out exactly what he has on defense and would answer this post's question by stating - #1 is an incomplete assumption - he is expecting the entire D-Line to return to form under the new coaching and if they do everything else falls into place on defense. Thus, I wouldn't be surprised if the only defensive player we take on day one (our top 5) picks is a safety (ex: OT, WR S, OG WR)

I PREDICT PART A:

JA will use this draft (and immediate post draft FA) to:

1) solidify the O-Line for years to come by drafting an OT, OG and signing a veteran OT
2) create competition at WR by signing one in FA (or trade) and drafting two (one high, one low)
3) signing a veteran who understands the word "backup" QB at the conclusion of the draft (i.e.not Garcia).

These moves will put the offense in a position to succeed - and if they do not at QB or WR, leave the Bears in a position to plug in those spots in FA next season with impact players. The Bears do spend money and in retrospect, this FA class does look pretty mediocre RELATIVE to the money they got.

DEFENSE

If JA's roll of the dice on Marinelli comes up 7/11 then he looks like a genius. The D-Line finally gets pressure on the QB, which means we don't need to blitz like crazy - which takes the pressure off the DBs. That would mean he's got a top defense completely under contract. If his roll of the dice craps out? Then this team will have a sub .500 record and....

I PREDICT BART B:

1) Next years draft or will focus on getting an elite DE to bring pressure
2) FA will focus on bringing in a solid Safety for Lovie's cover 2
3) We will draft a MLB to replace #54

Either way, by not going into FA this year and having most the overwhelming majority of the team under contract, JA has the money put aside as insurance against being wrong on his assumptions in a FA year without a salary cap.

1) Well, I'll agree that Angelo is putting it on the coaches to make the defense better 'cause it certainly isn't going to happen via the change in personnel. Let's see how Angelo is going to shake up the lineup after a 2008 that saw our defense ranked 21st in yard per game which includes 30th in passing yds/gm. To boot, we were 22nd in sacks despite being forced to blitz more than any other team in the league. With that, your '08 starters and probable '09 starters :

2008 -----------------> 2009
DE: A Brown ------> A Brown
DE: A Ogunleye ------> A Ogunleye
DT: T Harris -------> T Harris
DT: Dvoracek/Adams ---> Dvoracek/Adams
OLB: Briggs -----------> Briggs
OLB: Roach ----------> Roach
ILB: Urlacher ----------> Urlacher
CB: Tillman ----------> Tillman
CB: Vasher/Graham -------> Graham/Vasher
S: Payne ----------> Payne
S: Brown ------------> Bullocks

Saaa-aaay....you can see why should be getting our season tickets now, right? To say it's been put on the "new and improved" coaching staff is an understatement.

2) I'll agree that OT, OG, and a vet OT is the way to go though if we go OT in the first two rounds, you may see the OG pick slip until later in Day 2. I think a DE will be selected among the first 4 rounds.

3) Also agree that we should draft 2 WRs and find a vet WR via trade or FA.

4) I think the plan all along is to wait until after the draft to see what's out there in free agency for the primary backup QB. If they happen to draft a QB within the first 2 rounds, though, they may not look for a vet at all. If they don't - and they probably won't - then Leftwich time. Get used to the faithful chanting "By-ron, By-ron" after every Orton INT.