By rights Chicago Bears fans should be giddy about the prospects for 2017 regarding the defense. For the first time in years it feels like they have something going with the pass rush. Leonard Floyd is a freaky fast threat off the edge. Akiem Hick was a bulldozer most of last season. Why can’t people get excited? Most of it centers around health questions. Few draw more of than than Pernell McPhee.
When he is healthy, the outside linebacker has been a force off the edge for the Bears. Not only can he get pressure on the quarterback, he’s also considered one of the best run defenders in the league as well.
Of course staying on the field remains his issue. McPhee has suffered a number of lower leg injuries in his career. The most recent was a knee ailment in 2015 that required surgery, robbing him of a third of last season. There is no doubt the front seven could be lethal in 2017. Much of it hinges on his health though. It seems McPhee understands that and has taken drastic steps to ensure he’s ready. Topping that list? A drastic drop in his weight.
Pernell McPhee is feeling sexy
McPhee says he's lost 25 pounds since this time last year. Also says he's healthy, but when asked if we'd see him in OTAs, he didn't commit.
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) April 4, 2017
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
Pernell McPhee says he's lost 25 pounds since the end of 20-5. Feels 'sexier'
— Patrick Finley (@patrickfinley) April 4, 2017
Pernell McPhee was listed at 273 lbs. last season. So with his reported 25-pound loss, that will put him at 248. Better for his knees #Bears
— Jake Perper (@BearsBacker) April 4, 2017
One of the primary concerns with McPhee was indeed his weight. Not because he was fat. It was more about the nature of the position he played. Outside linebackers in a 3-4 are required to do a lot more athletically than a 4-3 defensive end. They must move backwards and forwards in space. That kind of constant change of direction can put serious torque on the knees. Thus the heavier the player, the more the joints feel that torque.
It’s especially bad for a guy who already has a history of knee problems. He can’t afford further setbacks or it’s liable to really affect his ability to impact games. Dropping that weight will ease the pressure on his knees. Not only that it might also make him a tick faster and quicker. Two things that are never bad on that side of the ball.
Just imagine if the Bears got a healthy McPhee for 16 games alongside Floyd and Hicks. That pass rush would put the fear of the Almighty in quarterbacks everywhere. As if McPhee already weren’t a scary human being by himself. A man who is feeling good and feeling sexy can do great things. No doubt Chicago should be excited about these prospects going into such an important season.
