It’s been a hell of an off-season for the Bears so far.
Poles does in fact know more about football than me.
A ton has been made about the Bears' need to protect Justin Fields and surround him with weapons.
That is definitely true and it has been a focus of the off-season.
What I don’t quite understand is why the offense is more of a talking point that the defense.
The defense finished DEAD last in points allowed last year.
I think that side of the ball is still a lot further away from being competent than the offense.
The interior looks set with Nate Davis, Whitehair moving to center, and Teven Jenkins.
What the Bears do on draft day comes down to what they think about Braxton Jones.
I think perhaps I am more optimistic about Jones than many.
We are talking about a rookie coming in from Southern Utah who played EVERY SINGLE SNAP THE ENTIRE SEASON.
That is an impressive feat just by itself.
There were games where he certainly looked like a rookie and was overmatched.
The Washington game sticks out in my memory.
Probably the Jets game too.
There were other games where he definitely looked like a capable starting NFL left tackle.
I would expect some improvement from Jones in year 1 to year 2.
A full offseason in the Bears strength program.
This blog is more about trying to get inside Poles' brain than using my own.
Poles always talks about drafting premium positions.
Left tackle is certainly a premium position.
Is Right Tackle viewed by him the same way?
He is on the record with saying that the cornerback definitely is.
When you look at that position you could make an argument that it is the weakest on the team.
Vildor just ain’t it.
The Bears need help there and they didn’t do anything at that position in free agency.
That brings me to Devon Witherspoon from Illinois
The guy plays with an infectious intensity.
Nickel has become the new base in today’s NFL.
You need corners like this to have a good defense.
Witherspoon looks like a guy who can help you in every situation on every down.
It allows Gordon to be the nickel.
A secondary with Johnson, Jackson, Brisker, Witherspoon, and Gordon has some serious potential.
You win in the trenches in the NFL.
The Bears added two DLs in free agency.
They still need more help there.
Maybe that North Dakota kid Cody Mauch.
The Bears aren’t that far away from having a pretty good looking group of starters on both sides.
I am fine with Skronski or Witherspoon.
