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Top 5 Most Likely Picks For Bulls In 2017 NBA Draft

By
Matt Peck
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The 2017 NBA draft has finally arrived. The Chicago Bulls have the 16th pick in the first round and the 38th pick in the second round tonight in New York. As rumors swirl around a potential Jimmy Butler trade, he and teammate Dwyane Wade are hanging out in Paris. Earlier this week, Wade informed Bulls management he’s picking up his $23.8 million player option to return next season. As for the Butler rumors, plenty of teams are trying to come up with an offer good enough to suit the high demands of Gar Forman and John Paxson. Right now, it looks unlikely that such an offer will materialize.

So let’s focus on tonight’s draft, assuming the Bulls stay put and pick 16th in the first round.

Draft Strategy

Forman and Paxson have a track record of drafting “best available” as opposed to drafting to fit the roster’s specific needs. However, we might see them stray from that course a bit this time around. Paxson made note several times that this roster seriously lacked shooting threats last season, and they’ll try to add a shooter in some way. That could mean a guard, a wing or even a stretch power forward with potential as an NBA three point shooter.

The other common denominator among previous GarPax picks is age and experience. The only two “one-and-done” players they’ve drafted in recent history are Derrick Rose and Marquis Teague. One of those worked out great (at least in the beginning) and the other was a total bust. Will we see them draft another player with several years of college experience? That might be difficult in this draft, as this class is very heavily saturated with one-year guys. If the best player available only has one year (either overseas or in college) under his belt, look for GarPax to take a chance.

With that – and given our latest information about certain prospects’ draft stocks – here’s my updated list of the top five most likely candidates for the Bulls to select with the 16th pick.

Top 5 Most Likely Bulls Draft Picks In 2017

5. OG Anunoby – Indiana

Image result for og anunoby

Year: Sophomore      Position: SF/PF      Meet/Workout with Bulls: No

Anunoby is one of the more fascinating unknowns in this draft. He burst onto the scene with a dominant defensive performance against Kentucky’s Jamal Murray in the 2016 Tournament his freshman year. Then OG hit a huge roadblock midway through his sophomore season with a torn ACL.

The kid is an athletic freak of nature in every perfect way for today’s NBA. The combo forward is long (6’8, 7’2 wingspan), strong and confident on the defensive end. He could very well turn into a Draymond Green/Kawhi Leonard type, capable of guarding 4 or 5 positions on the floor. He still needs a lot of work on the offensive end, but that can come with time. Draymond wasn’t the confident three point shooter he is now when he came out of Michigan State. Kawhi had virtually no offensive versatility when he got drafted from San Diego State. Look at them now.

If the Bulls want young, athletic guys who can guard multiple positions while developing a better NBA stroke, Anunoby would be a great option at 16. But with a different torn ACL so fresh in their memory, GarPax might shy away from him.

*DRAFT DAY UPDATE: According to my source who spoke with Anunoby earlier this week, the Indiana product believes he is falling down most teams’ draft boards. If the Bulls lose out on some of their targeted shooters projected to go from 10-15, Anunoby could very likely still be available.

4. Justin Patton – Creighton

Image result for justin patton

Year: Freshman      Position: C      Meet/Workout with Bulls: Yes

When chatting with Bulls scouts at the NBA Combine, Patton expressed confidence in his ability to contribute offensively around the perimeter at the NBA level. Smart kid, knowing that’s the answer they were looking for. But is it true? Let’s pump the brakes. His eye-popping 57.1% shooting from deep last season falls flat when you realize he only attempted 0.4 threes per game. He does have the size (7’0, 7’2.5 wingspan) and quickness to be an effective NBA center. He runs the floor well in transition and can play above the rim.

I wouldn’t necessarily take Patton over Jarrett Allen (Texas) or Ike Anigbogu (UCLA) if you’re talking about NBA potential at the center position, but we can’t forget the Gar Factor (patent pending). Patton played at Creighton under whom? Coach Greg McDermott. The Ames, Iowa connection might strike again in the 2017 draft.

*DRAFT DAY UPDATE: As much as Gar loves his little bubble of Iowa State and Creighton connections, I’m under the impression that the Bulls have been more impressed by Jarrett Allen of Texas. If they decide to go big, I give Allen a slight edge over Patton if both are available.

3. Jarrett Allen – Texas

Image result for jarrett allen

Year: Freshman      Position: C      Meet/Workout with Bulls: Yes

Allen had a private workout with the Bulls earlier this week, according to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune. The center from Texas was a one-man wrecking crew through the Big 12 last season. Like Ike Anigbogu, he will need time to develop his offensive game at the NBA level, but he has more in his arsenal coming into the draft. He’s decent executing the pick and roll, and his enormous hands make him a great rim runner and lob target. Allen’s physique is top notch, standing 6’10 with a whopping 7’5.5 wingspan. The defensive skills are ready for the NBA.

Downside? Virtually zero chance at developing perimeter offense. While he converted 68% of his shots around rim for Texas, he played enough minutes at the four to prove he has no business playing the four in the NBA. If the Bulls insist on drafting a shooter, Allen’s out.

*DRAFT DAY UPDATE: Allen has begun to fall in several final versions of mock drafts, even as far as 26th in Chad Ford’s updated column this morning. The big knock on Allen is his “lack of focus” and similar character flaws. If that talk grows louder today, the Bulls might think twice about taking him. After all, young player development is *supposedly* this team’s focus moving forward. They don’t want to draft a kid who won’t put in the work.

2. Justin Jackson – UNC

Image result for justin jackson

Year: Junior      Position: SF      Meet/Workout with Bulls: Yes

Jackson might be the prospect most frequently paired with the Bulls in mock drafts going back several months. The junior forward helped the Tar Heels reach back to back championship games in the NCAA Tournament. His strong play through UNC’s triumph this spring vaulted him up several draft boards from late first rounder to potential lottery pick.

Fun fact: Jackson is from Tomball, Texas. Yeah, Jimmy Butler’s hometown.

Jackson is a stereotypical pick for GarPax. He’s older (already 22) and has three years of college experience. He’s not the most athletic guy or the most skilled guy in the draft, but he’s a well-rounded player ready for the NBA. Jackson saw great improvement in his three point production as a junior, setting a Tar Heels record with 105 made threes at a 37% clip. His defensive versatility is limited, but his high basketball IQ should attract Hoiberg and the Bulls.

Jackson felt confident in his performance after working out for the Bulls last week:

“IT WAS PROBABLY ONE OF MY BEST WORKOUTS AS FAR AS LEARNING AND COMPETITION. I LOVED IT. IT WAS INTENSE. I FEEL I SHOT THE BALL REALLY WELL.” – JUSTIN JACKSON

*DRAFT DAY UPDATE: After a surge into the lottery picks in some mock drafts, Jackson has cooled off a bit. I’d say there’s above a 50% chance that he’s still on the board when the Bulls pick at 16. The big question will be whether or not GarPax stray from their traditional methods and follow through on drafting somebody “younger and more athletic.” If they chicken out, Jackson will be the pick.

1. Terrance Ferguson – Adelaide (Australia)

Image result for terrance ferguson

Year: 1 year pro (NBL)      Position: SG/SF      Meet/Workout with Bulls: Yes

Ferguson is a wildcard. The five-star recruit out of high school turned down Arizona to play his one pre-NBA year professionally in Australia. He served as a role player off the bench for the Adelaide 36ers, so his stats are nothing special. However, in his meeting with the Bulls at the NBA combine he talked about the benefits of playing against “grown men” in Australia’s pro league.

Terrance could be a great fit for Fred Hoiberg’s system in Chicago. He has the necessary physicality and skillset to develop into a great 3-and-D wing in the NBA. He mostly played shooting guard in Australia but has the size (6’7, 6’9 wingspan) to play minutes at small forward as well. Ferguson can get hot from three point range, and is also a very smart passer. In Fred’s pace and space offense, he’d be ready and willing to make the extra pass. His athletic ability is among the best in this draft class, and he just turned 19. “Younger and more athletic”? This kid definitely checks those boxes for GarPax.

*DRAFT DAY UPDATE: Unless a team ahead of the Bulls pulls a surprise move, I believe Ferguson will be available at 16. If GarPax are firm in their desire to add a shooter/athlete, this is the pick to make. Ferguson will need time to develop an NBA-ready game, but he’s only 19. I’m crossing all fingers that the Bulls finally adjust their draft strategy and take a player with raw athleticism and a high ceiling.

Too Late

Here are a few names the Bulls would love to get their hands on, but will likely be gone at 16. If they’re somehow still on the board, the Bulls should pounce: Donovan Mitchell (SG – Louisville), Luke Kennard (SG – Duke), Zach Collins (C – Gonzaga), Lauri Markkanen (PF – Arizona)

Honorable Mentions

If it’s not one of the five guys detailed above, here are a few more names Bulls fans should be aware of as possible alternative picks: Harry Giles (PF – Duke), Bam Adebayo (PF/C – Kentucky), John Collins (PF – Wake Forest), DJ Wilson (PF – Michigan)

Trade Up?

This is the last and – in my opinion – least likely scenario for the Bulls tonight. There have been reports that the Bulls are trying to trade up into the lottery. Kentucky point guard De’Aaron Fox and NC State point guard Dennis Smith Jr are rumored to be their targets. To get a chance at Fox, GarPax would need to trade into the top five. Phoenix picks 4th and have been mentioned in Jimmy Butler trade rumors. Smith is projected to go in the top ten. If the Bulls were to pull off a Butler trade with Minnesota, the Wolves’ #7 pick could probably land Smith. Another option would be somehow acquiring Sacramento’s #10 pick and hoping Smith falls that far.

That just about covers all the bases. Enjoy the draft tonight, everybody!

Experts State Bears Made One of the Top One-Year Signings of 2017

By
Erik Lambert
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chicago bears training camp
Credit: Chicagobears.com

Chicago Bears 2017 free agency felt like a mixed bag of results. While GM Ryan Pace was able to bring in a number of solid veteran players to help improve team depth, it felt like he’d failed to land any big fish. Every notable name considered a top guy that the Bears targeted went elsewhere. Fans were disappointed. Especially later on when the team ended up making just five draft picks in total.

In essence they were left with few sure things about this upcoming season. It would be largely based on hope. The hope that some of their additions would outdistance expectations. Otherwise this has the look of a roster that will need one more offseason before it’s ready to compete. Yes it’s a rebuild, but it’s also generally expected that results should be seen by the third year.

ESPN insider Field Yates believes at least one name might surprise some people. He listed his top 10 one-year flier deals that teams handed out in free agency. Pace has proven himself the king of such contracts the past three years. True to form one of his moves ended up making the list.

Chicago Bears 2017 free agency could rest with Prince Amukamara

Prince Amukamara has had an interesting career. A former first round pick, he’s intermixed periods of big success with ones of struggle. More often than not the struggles were with nagging injuries. Most believe he quietly had a strong 2016 season with the Jacksonville Jaguars and could be poised for something bigger in Chicago.

“The value of cornerbacks took another leap forward this offseason, as free-agent signings Stephon Gilmore (New England) and A.J. Bouye (Jacksonville) got a combined $66 million in guarantees, and it was a record-setting year for defensive backs in the draft, with 19 picked in the first two rounds.

And yet Amukamara, the former first-round pick who was steady but unspectacular in Jacksonville last season, had to sign yet another prove-it deal. Positional economics are important to be mindful of, and the Bears landed a projected starter on a below-market deal who’s only 28. Amukamara is a low-risk option who could pay off for Chicago down the road.”

Put simply Amukamara has a chance to be a slightly more talented version of what Tracey Porter was for Chicago in 2015. Porter became a lynch pin for the secondary that year and the team finished fourth against the pass. Amukamara is younger than Porter at that time. So indeed the potential upside is hard to ignore. Provided the front seven plays up to expectations, there’s a chance he could end up having a surprisingly good year.

 

NHL Video Tribute To Bryan Bickell Will Bring You To Tears

By
Marc-Louis Paprzyca
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Bryan Bickell’s battle with MS and his return to hockey have been well-documented. The disease forced Bickell into retirement but it hasn’t stopped him from being a hero.

The NHL chose to honor Bicks for his perseverance at the NHL awards tonight. Part of that honor was a video tribute that will bring the toughest of men to tears.

After the video highlighted Bickell’s fight to come back, he made a profound statement. “There’s a hockey life and a life after hockey. I have no regrets.”

He now has time to spend with his daughters, hang out on his boat back in Canada and raise awareness for MS.

Bickell along with his wife Amanda, followed the video with a speech to the crowd in attendance. The two of them could barely keep it together but found the time to thank the Chicago Blackhawks. I’m sure we’ll see Bicks back in Chicago one day for “One More Shift.”

Trevor Van Riemsdyk Is Officially Going To Las Vegas

By
Marc-Louis Paprzyca
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We have heard for weeks that Marcus Kruger and Trevor van Riemsdyk would be headed to Las Vegas. No one was really sure who would go through the expansion draft or via trade.

Well the first one to go is officially final. Trevor van  Riemsdyk is headed there via the draft.

The next question is, what about Marcus Kruger? The unprotected forward with the $3.083 million cap hit who was also rumored to go to the Golden Knights.

If there is in fact a deal, it will most likely be announced tomorrow morning.

Las Vegas was the only team able to make trades with the rest of the NHL during the trading freeze but decided to hold back that information.  The Golden Knights said they wouldn’t announce any trades until the expansion draft.

Follow @Pappy_Hour on Twitter for more Blackhawks news and musings.

Bears Insider Confirms Trubisky Pick Won’t Save John Fox If 2017 Flops

By
Erik Lambert
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john fox start mitch trubisky

There is a long-standing myth in the NFL that drafting a quarterback high can protect a head coach from being fired. The reason being the importance of continuity for the sake of the player. Why it’s such an effective idea is based on its logic. Few things can destroy the career of a young player more than lack of consistent coaching. That’s why most felt that the John Fox job security got a bump when Mitch Trubisky was drafted in April.

Is it true though? According to some research, I went back and looked at every quarterback drafted in the first round who saw his head coach get fired after his first year. Here is the list of names involved:

  • Chad Pennington
  • Rex Grossman
  • Aaron Rodgers
  • Matt Leinart
  • Tim Tebow
  • Blaine Gabbert
  • Brandon Weeden
  • Jameis Winston
  • Marcus Mariota
  • Jared Goff
  • Paxton Lynch

As with most lists there are definitely some names involved that give the argument some credence. However, the fact is guys like Grossman and Leinart were done in more by injuries than by coaching issues. Meanwhile guys like Pennington, Mariota, Winston and of course Aaron Rodgers had good to great success despite the change.

So the bottom line remains. Does the pick warrant Fox staying put even if the season is bad?

John Fox job security is tied to his record, not his new QB

Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune was posed that very question during one of his mailbag sessions. His answer was rather straightforward with little room for interpretation.

“I see where you are going with this but I tend to disagree. I think Fox and his staff are going to do whatever they think gives the team the best chance to win every single week of the season. Ultimately, coaches are judged by wins and losses in a bottom line business. If and when Trubisky plays and he plays well, that will bode well for Fox, Loggains and the rest of the staff. To address the second half of your question, I have a hard time believing Fox would keep his job if the Bears win only three games. They’re 9-23 over the last two season and in today’s NFL 12 victories over a three-year period doesn’t get it done for a head coach.

Can you imagine the public reaction if the Bears were to go 3-13 and not make significant changes at Halas Hall? The other key element you’re overlooking here is that Fox is signed through the 2018 season. It’s rare in the NFL for a coach to be given a lame duck season so the Bears are likely going to have to extend Fox at the end of this season or replace him. I personally don’t believe it’s a good idea to keep a coaching staff for continuity’s sake if the results don’t justify continued employment.”

There’s really no getting around that argument. Continuity is a fine idea but it’s also a gray area. That’s because there can be good continuity and bad continuity. The only thing that can be worse than putting a young player under multiple head coaches in a short span is putting him under a bad head coach for a long span. Therein lay the big issue for the Bears.

Eventually they have to make the decision to fish or cut bait. Can they trust Trubisky to work his way into a new offensive system after just one year? Given the storied work habits about the young man, it shouldn’t be a problem if that’s what it comes to. So in truth Biggs is right. The only way Fox keeps his job is if he wins more games than he did last year.

Chicago Native Linked To Bulls In Recent Trade Rumor

By
Matthew Milakovich
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Well folks, the craziness has officially begun. It’s a beautiful Wednesday afternoon here in Chicago and, in case you forgot, it’s not just the summer solstice that makes today the longest day of the year. We are just over 24 hours away from the NBA draft and, as expected, there are rumors aplenty — hot as the season they’re ushering in. Happy summer everyone. Happy NBA off-season.

As of now, even the most casual Bulls fan has heard the rumors swirling around Jimmy Butler. BUT, just in case you’re one of the few who isn’t privy to these aforementioned rumors allow me to fill you in…

Our beloved Jimmy Butler may be on his way out.

However, as sure as the fact tonight we’ll enjoy the latest sunset of the year, the rumors continue to grow as the day is long.

Enter Chicago native Patrick Beverley.

Welcome Home?

Once upon a time, Beverley, now a very serviceable point guard well known for his defensive prowess, was (believe it or not) lighting up W. Adams St. to the tune of 37 points per game around the corner at John Marshall Metropolitan.

Nowadays, the Houston point guard, who actually started his professional career playing in Ukraine, may find himself in familiar territory. Still wearing red, but not any red.

Bulls red.

Originally reported by Sportingnews.com — Houston, now an offensive powerhouse under the tutelage of run and gun wizard Mike D’Antoni, is reportedly shopping the 28-year-old point guard in hopes to clear cap space to possibly lure Chris Paul out of L.A. or Kyle Lowry from the far north.

The goal?

To have a punching chance against the behemoth that is the Golden State Warriors. Duh.

So, where do the Bulls come in?

Well, they happen to have cheap trade pieces that would likely make such a deal possible, as detailed below by Sean Highkin of @TheAthleticChi.

If Butler is truly leaving, Beverley would surely help to fill the defensive void left by his departure. However, in the event the Bulls lose their All-Star wing. Beverley, along with likely another cap space casualty such as Trevor Ariza, may help to keep the Bulls from being completely irrelevant, albeit still mediocre.

Be sure to continue following Sports Mockery as details continue to unfold.

The Bears Crushed the NFL Top 30 Special Teams in 30 Years Rankings

By
Erik Lambert
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There was a time when the Chicago Bears special teams was the envy of the entire NFL. It got to be so good at times that teams actually had to game plan how they’d play Chicago. Needless to say many fans miss those days, having lived through the past few years of general mediocrity. Then again that’s just how life in football can go.

ESPN has conducted a research experiment of late to look back through the past 30 years in the NFL. They wanted to breakdown the 30 best offenses and 30 best defenses. Chicago failed to crack the first list and somehow had only one unit on the second. Surprisingly it was the third phases of these lists where they’d shine the brightest.

According to the numbers, Chicago had no fewer than four of the 30 best special teams units since 1987.

Chicago Bears special teams changed the game

One could say that the sheer dominance of the Bears special teams during that era changed the game forever. The NFL changed their kickoff rules not long after. Special teams value was dampened in the name of player safety. There’s truth to that, but it’s still such a shame. There can be no doubt that those units made football exciting to watch. More so than any other special teams maybe in history.

The best of the bunch, the 2007 unit, was the perfect example of the machine they’d built.

“What’s better than a Devin Hester season with five touchdown returns? How about a Devin Hester season with six touchdown returns? Hester had four punt returns for touchdowns and a remarkable average of 15.5 yards per return, plus he added two more touchdowns on kickoff returns. But this was no one-man show. The Bears were third in field goal value, with Robbie Gould hitting 31 of 36 opportunities, and the Bears blocked three punts, four field goals and an extra point. (Demonstrating the somewhat random nature of such plays, the Bears blocked a field goal in the first four weeks of the season, then didn’t do so again the rest of the season.)

By the way, this is the seventh team on this top 30 coached in some way by Dave Toub. He was the coordinator for the four Chicago teams on this list as well as the 2013 and 2016 Kansas City Chiefs, and he was John Harbaugh’s special-teams assistant on the 2001 Philadelphia Eagles.”

Hester and Toub show

There were plenty of prime time players in that successful run. Robbie Gould was obvious. Underrated punter Brad Maynard and long snapper Patrick Mannelly. Then there were Johnny Knox, Corey Graham and Brendon Ayanbadejo all going to Pro Bowls for their contributions. However, anybody could see that the greatness centered on two men:  coordinator Dave Toub and return man Devin Hester.

Toub was and still is considered the great special teams mastermind of the age. Nobody has broken down coaching that phase to such a science like him. He’s had success everywhere he’s been and remains a hot head coaching name for it. Of course the superstar will always be Hester. People thought they knew what great return skill looked like. Then they saw him. His speed, his quickness, and his vision were on levels that just didn’t seem human.

He broke the NFL record for most return touchdowns in a career at the age of 28. It took him just five seasons to break a mark the previous holder had built across 13. Giving him to a man of Toub’s coaching prowess? It was a match made in football heaven and Bears fans got to live it each and every Sunday.

WATCH: Top 5 Marian Hossa Blackhawks Moments

By
Marc-Louis Paprzyca
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Marian Hossa has been nothing but steady through his whole career which makes it sad that it is over so abruptly. He was a consistent scorer, relentless forechecker, five-time all-star and three-time Stanley Cup winner. One day he should have a spot in Toronto at the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Hossa didn’t play with flash and was never under fire with the media, because he let his play do the talking. The Blackhawks organization and fans could always count on him. He scored 20 or more goals six times in 8 seasons with the Hawks and provided fans with endless enjoyment. As a result, the Sports Mockery staff picked these as the most memorable moments of Marian Hossa’s Blackhawks career.

5. Hossa Catches Puck and Bats It In

This is as about as flashy as Hossa ever got on the ice and it was only out of necessity. He caught a deflected puck with his hand and soft tossed it to himself to bat it in for a goal. An amazing display of hand-eye coordination.

4. Coast-To-Coast Wraparound Goal

This goals just exemplifies the two-way player that Hossa was, even in his 16th season. He steals the puck, takes it from opposite blue line and all the way in for the wraparound goal.

3. Crushes Dustin Brown In 2014 Western Conference Final

Hossa wasn’t known for his overly physical play, but at 6’1″ and 210 lbs “Big Hoss” could lay the wood. Example: Dustin Brown

2. 500th Goal

On October 18, 2016 Marian Hossa became only the 44th player in NHL history to score his 500th goal. A true testament to his steady play, Hossa scored 20 or more goals in 15 of his 19 seasons. Five times he scored 30 or more and three times scored at least 40.

1. Beginning Of The Blackhawks Dynasty

On April 24, 2010 Hossa scored one of the most important goals in Blackhawks history. The first round series was tied 2-2 and the Hawks had been struggling. Enter…err exit Marian Hossa from the penalty box and straight to the net for the OT winner. The rest is history.

Follow @Pappy_Hour on Twitter for more Blackhawks news and musings.

This Is The Receiver John Fox Is Most Impressed With So Far

By
Erik Lambert
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There is no doubt the Chicago Bears wide receiver position is under the microscope. Most agree how this ragtag group plays in 2017 will be a huge factor in the fate of the season. Especially given the massive turnover at quarterback. There are plenty of question marks. Kevin White has his health issues. Is Cameron Meredith a flash in the pan? Markus Wheaton wants to show his ascent in 2015 wasn’t a fluke. Does Victor Cruz have any gas left in the tank?

All valid concerns. If they can step up to overcome them, then the Bears are in business. As it turns out though, none of those guys have garnered much attention in practice. At least not from head coach John Fox. The 62-year old has seen some great receivers in his time from Steve Smith to Demaryius Thomas. He knows what good ones look like.

That’s why it was a little surprising when he singled out Kendall Wright. During an interview with the Daily Herald, Fox wasn’t bashful in his praise of the former first round pick.

Kendall Wright a surprise positive in Bears wide receiver position

“Kendall’s had good production in this league, primarily as a slot,” Fox said. “He’s got outstanding quickness. He’s blended in pretty well with us. He’s got a good feel for the game. He’s had good production in our league, albeit not real recently. I like what I’ve seen from him.”

Wright started out strong in his NFL career. He posted 1,000 yards in just his second season back in 2013. Then he slowly started to regress, unable to top 500 in each of the past two. The 26-year old wasn’t shy putting much of the blame for that on how he was used by the coaches. Not trying to get him the ball enough and such. That explains why he came to Chicago. His best run came when Dowell Loggains was offensive coordinator in Tennessee.

It would make sense that he’d want to recapture that chemistry. The two just seemed to fit together. That much was evident both from the tape and the stat sheet.

Nobody is saying that Wright should morph back into an emerging superstar. At the same time, he’s still young. The guy was drafted in the first round for a reason. He has talent. If put in the right situation there’s reason to believe he can produce. That would be most welcome for sure.

Bears Snubbed Big Time in Best Defenses of Past 30 Years Rankings

By
Erik Lambert
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chicago bears
CHICAGO - SEPTEMBER 17: Tommie Harris #91 (c), Brian Urlacher #54 (L) and Lance Briggs #55 (R) of the Chicago Bears celebrate after Harris recorded a sack against the Detroit Lions September 17, 2006 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears won 34-7. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

To the shock of absolutely nobody, ESPN seems to delight in finding ways to poke at Chicago whenever they have a chance. How else can they explain their rankings of the 30 best defenses in the past 30 years? Just one Bears defense made the list. That in itself was an eye opener considering they’ve had several great ones since the late 1980s.

In collaboration with Football Outsiders, it was determined that the 2012 defense was the ninth-best group in the past three decades. That was the group headlined by the veteran core of Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs, Julius Peppers, and Charles Tillman. The explanation for their inclusion wasn’t an issue. In fact it was acceptable.

“For nearly a decade, Lovie Smith’s Bears had excellent defenses built around linebackers Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs along with cornerback Charles Tillman. This was the last gasp of that multiyear run — and surprisingly, according to DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average), the best. The Bears led the league with 44 takeaways and were tied for fourth at 4.95 yards allowed per play, despite playing one of the 10 toughest defensive schedules in the league.

The next year, Urlacher retired and Briggs and Tillman combined to play just 17 games, and the Bears’ defense plummeted from first to 25th in DVOA.”

1988 and 2005 Bears defense incarnations robbed

While the numbers junkies have their way of explaining why each of the defenses are great, the fact of the matter is it’s flawed. There is just no way they can justify putting the 2012 defense on that list without including either the 1988 or 2005 versions on there. One could make a very convincing argument that they were better.

The 1988 defense allowed just 4.46 yards per play for starter, considerably better than 2012. They also allowed 62 fewer points that season (215 to 277). On top of that they helped produce 26 interceptions (24 in 2012) and had a 12-4 record despite their offense scoring fewer points overall that year (315 to 375). So tell us again how the hell that works.

Then there’s the 2005 unit. The actual best Lovie Smith defense of his Bears tenure. They gave up even fewer points (202) than the 1988 version with an offense that scored just 260. Yet they somehow had an 11-5 record, besting the 2012 version by one game. They allowed just 4.36 yards per game and had the same number of interceptions at 24.

With respect to the fancied up stat machine, it’s hard to find any justification for the 2012 defense, fun as it was to watch, was better than those groups.

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