The improvement of the defense under Vic Fangio in 2017 was obvious. Perhaps nowhere was that clearer than the Chicago Bears safety position. After being a turnstile for older veterans and average youngsters, it felt like they finally got some serious talent at the position. Something that hasn’t been seen in over a decade. Several experts have found it hard not to take notice.
In fact, as rankings have begun to emerge it’s clear the love is serious for them. So here’s the fun part. Ask Bears fans who was the highest rated safety they featured in 2017? There’s a strong likelihood most would say it was rookie Eddie Jackson. It’s not hard to see why. The defense didn’t take its dramatic leap forward until he arrived. He finished the year with two interceptions, three recovered fumbles, one forced fumble and two defensive touchdowns.
Amazingly enough, that wasn’t enough to earn the same grade from the Bleacher Report site-wide ranks as his running mate who claimed top honors.
Adrian Amos grades as best Chicago Bears safety by wide margin
Truly there’s been an unusual lovefest going on with Adrian Amos this year. Pro Football Focus had him among their highest graded safeties for most of the year. Now that infatuation has spread to B/R where two of their top experts pegged him as the highest rated free safety of the 2017 season. They provided their reasons why.
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
“Posey: The Bears have one of the NFL’s better up-and-coming safety duos, and Adrian Amos has a lot to do with that. “Smash” rightfully earned his nickname. Amos had a phenomenal 2017. He was outstanding against the run and a sure tackler. In coverage, he showed the kind of awareness that can make him a league-wide star. The only complaint one might have was his lack of plays on the ball. That should come in time.
Farrar: The first thing that stands out about Amos’ tape is his closing ability. He can cover huge swaths of ground in a big hurry, which allows him to make plays other safeties just can’t. His ball skills will improve as his backpedal gets a bit smoother and he’s able to match receivers with speed and pattern awareness downfield, but he’s shown a tremendous amount of potential in three NFL seasons.”
Amos production not telling the same story
What makes it all the more impressive (and confusing) is the names Amos beat out for the honor. Among include several Pro Bowlers like Devin McCourty, Glover Quin, Antoine Bethea and Earl Thomas. It’s more unusual given his stat line. In 13 games he delivered an interception, a forced fumble, recovered two fumbles and scored a touchdown with 67 tackles. While this is an improvement on his past two seasons, is it worthy of topping those other big names?
Either way, it’s clear Amos took a big step forward this past season. He’s still only just 24-years old. The odds seem to favor him getting even better in 2018 as he and Jackson become even more ingrained in the Vic Fangio defense. This is what fans should focus on the most.
