| 22 April 2010
One of the strategies the Chicago Bears have consistently followed has been to add depth along the defensive line and to draft players that fit into Lovie Smith's system. That system as has been stated before is a 4-3 one gap scheme with a Cover-2 zone scheme. The scheme you hear most associated with the Bears is the Tampa-2. So when people talk Bears defense they most often think of the Tampa-2 and most often forget about the other important aspect, the one gap scheme. With the one gap scheme Lovie Smith prefers slightly smaller but extremely quick and explosive defensive linemen. It's a defense predicated on speed first and big size and strength second speed to attack the gap and get disruption into the backfield .
This is why players like Albert Haynesworth, former Bear Ted Washington, or Casey Hampton of the Steelers don't fit into the Bears' defensive scheme. These players are two gap scheme players meaning their jobs are to occupy two gaps and multiple blockers to let the linebackers run free to make the tackles.
The Bears prefer quick and fast players like Tommie Harris, Warren Sapp or in the case of this year's draft Gerald McCoy. However since McCoy is going to be off the board about 72 picks before the Bears select the Bears have to target other players to help add depth to the defensive line.
Players that fit the one-gap DT other than McCoy that may be in the Bears' range, Geno Atkins from Georgia, and Lamarr Houston from Texas. These are two third to fourth round level prospects that the Bears could target, but likely may not given the greater need at safety and on the offensive line. So the question is who do the Bears target if they want to add defensive line depth. One of the quickest risers in this draft has been little known DT prospect Nate Collins from Virginia. Collins would likely be even higher rated had he not played out of position at Virginia. Collins' role as a senior was to play as a two gap nose tackle which didn't play to his strengths at all.
Collins is the prototype three-technique one gap attacking defensive tackle who gets up the field and disrupts plays in the back field. At 6-foot-2 290-pounds he is strong enough to hold up in the run game, but quick enough to get into the backfield to rush the quarterback. The scouting report from NFLDraftScout states the following regarding Collins:
Good initial burst to slip through gaps and create havoc before the play has really begun. Uses his hands well to slap away the blocker's attempts to control him. Active feet. Constantly bouncing from side to side to counter the blocker's attempts and get his opponent off balance. Good acceleration through the gap once he has one. Has a late burst to close. Good use of upper-body strength, leg drive and his natural leverage for the bull rush, but his best pass-rush technique is a swim move. Lacks the height to consistently disrupt passing lanes. Active defender used on loops and stunts to help create pressure.
Explosion: Good initial burst, especially laterally, to slide through gaps. Flashes an explosive pop with his hands to slap away the blocker's attempts at controlling him. Arrives with a thud as a hitter.
Reading up on Collins you find out why the Bears like him as a prospect because he fits into the scheme that they run. He may not project as a high level prospect, but the point is to find value in the later rounds for players that fit into your defensive scheme. Collins does this to a T and it's the reason the Bears brought him in for a workout to better find out where he fits. It would not surprise me at all to see the Bears take Collins in the fifth round even though he is slated by some draft sites as a sixth round or later prospect.
If you look strictly at the Collins' projection and the fact that he wasn't invited to the NFL scouting combine you may be concerned about the Bears reaching to draft him. But when you scout his strengths and weaknesses and where he best fits into the Bears' needs you see that he may be ideal fit for the Bears and likely will end up being a Chicago Bear in 2010.
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