The series continues…
3. Good Coordinators Matter
So much of the credit for the Eagles success has gone to their offensive coaching staff, but they also have one of the five best defenses in the league. A defense that harassed Case Keenum again and again. I have a strong dislike for Jim Schwartz and the constant sour puss face he has on. The guy threw a fit because Jim Harbaugh shook his hand too hard. But he built a bully defense and they are fun to watch.
Say what you will about Keenum, but the Vikings offense was legitimately good this year. And Schwartz’s defense just pushed them around.
The Bears hope they have this same formula with Vic Fangio and they may be right. Fangio built defenses that pushed good offenses around in the playoffs. The 2017 Bears defense was better than the 2016 Eagles defense so it isn’t unreasonable to think they could have a similar leap into the top five. Especially if…
2. Keep Adding Pass Rushers
The Bears had one of the best pass rushes in the league in 2017. I don’t care. Add more guys who can get the quarterback.
The Eagles didn’t need to improve their defensive line after the 2016 season because they were certainly good enough. Then they added Timmy Jernigan, Chris Long and Derek Barnett. Jernigan helped them completely shut down the Vikings run game while Long and Barnett both help create takeaways.
With the eighth pick in the draft, the Bears could have a chance to add another premier edge rusher. While I doubt Bradley Chubb will be available, they could grab a player like Marcus Davenport from Texas San Antonio or Harold Landry from Boston College. Or they could look at improving the rush from the defensive line and grab Michigan’s Maurice Hurst.
They could make a big push for DeMarcus Lawrence in free agency or sign a couple of lesser-known guys like Aaron Lynch and bring back Lamarr Houston.
It doesn’t matter how they do it, but they need to keep adding guys who can harass the quarterback.
1. Stack The Deck for Your QB
This entire list could’ve been made up of things the Eagles did to help their quarterback. It’s why we saw Carson Wentz become an MVP candidate and why we saw Nick Foles torch the best defense in the league.
Start with the coach. Doug Pederson has designed an incredibly quarterback-friendly offense and is a brilliant play caller. He added a former QB as his OC and has a highly-regarded QB coach.
Then, look at the offensive line. The Eagles have one of the best lines in the league, even without Jason Peters. Lane Johnson plays on the right side but he’s one of the best tackles you’re going to find.
They have a top-15 wide receiver in Alshon Jeffery and two other guys who can make plays in Nelson Agholor and Torrey Smith. Mack Hollins would play a lot on most other teams. They also have one of the five best tight ends (Ertz) in the league and another guy who can make plays in Trey Burton.
Their top three running backs combined for nearly 1,500 yards with an average well over 4.5 yards per carry.
They’re just stacked across the board. If the Bears want put Mitch Trubisky in the most ideal situation, they’re going to look hard at what the Eagles did. Don’t target one specific player, just stockpile as much talent as you can.
