| 09 June 2010
The 2010 Chicago Bears will be defined by the success of their defense any Bears fan that’s watched games over the last three seasons realizes this. Brian Urlacher’s and Tommie Harris’ health, the addition of Julius Peppers and getting production out of him post contract jackpot year. Finding a defensive end opposite Peppers to help apply pressure to the QB, all legitimate concerns for the defense in 2010.
But possibly an aspect of the defense that is so often overlooked in the nose tackle position and the player who mans that spot. In the one gap scheme the nose doesn’t have to be the big fat two gap defender, but he has to have enough power and strength to be the focal point of the offensive line. The Bears don’t need Gilbert Brown or Ted Washington manning the NT spot, they simply need someone to make life on Tommie Harris easier.
While much criticism and talk has been surrounding Tommie Harris the last three seasons, the fact of the matter is Harris remains the best defensive tackle on the roster and the focal point of opposing offensive lines. There were countless times last year, on average about 52-percent of the time that Tommie Harris was on the field that he was double teamed, chipped, scraped, combo blocked or any other variety of two man blocking schemes thrown his way. This in turn made Tommie Harris less than effective and wore him down a lot quicker than it may have had he only had to deal with one blocker at a time.
So then why is Harris the focal point of the opposing offense? Simple, Anthony Adams is not a starting level nose tackle and should not be considered one, nor should he take on the responsibilities that a solid nose tackle should in order to make the defense better. Adams is like the Rashied Davis of the Bears’ defensive line, only no one else thinks of him that way. Adams does just enough like one game out of the year or makes one play in all 16 games that keeps him on the roster as the starting nose tackle. 
The reason Adams was available in free agency from the 49ers is because he wasn’t a nose tackle and they were transitioning into a 3-4 defense. We must realize of course the difference in the NT roles between the two gap and the one gap, but they still need to share some of the same traits. Adams doesn’t share those traits, he’s under-sized, under strength and his game has always been based on quickness not power or the ability to hold up at the point of attack.
As Mike Tice stated in obvious fashion in order to run the football or in this case stop the run you have to deal with the nose tackle. Dealing with Anthony Adams has become rather simple, he can be blocked by one player and is usually put completely out of the play.
The criticism of Adams may seem harsh, but the fact of the matter is the Bears are in serious need of an upgrade at this position. Adams is nothing more than a three technique backup and should likely be the fifth best DT on the team.
Evidence that the Bears as a team want to do better than Adams comes no further than their desire to see Marcus Harrison move into the starting one technique role. Harrison however is the opposite of Adams, he lacks Adams’ passion and work ethic. Harrison has better overall size and talent than Adams, but then again he too isn’t best suited for the one technique position.
Harrison’s best production came backing up Tommie Harris in the three technique role, but also around 15 to 20 pounds lighter where he had the ability to use his quick first step to penetrate and cause problems.
The question however still remains, can the Bears find a player to fit the NT spot in this defense? Stopping the run and forcing things outside to where the Bears’ defense can use the speed of the linebackers to make plays is what is ideal for the overall success of the 2010 defense. I don’t think there needs to be a more stronger sense of urgency for the defense to be better for the Bears to win, and win NOW.
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