Chicago Bears beat 49ers: A Changing of the Guard
By John Vassar
Sep 7, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears defensive tackle Will Sutton (93) during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Defensive Line: Ratliff out. When Ratliff when out in the fourth quarter, we got to see Will Sutton and Ego Ferguson get some snaps and in a critical part of the game. They do rotate in but this time they got some serious playing time. Both played well and showed why they were drafted and gave us a preview of the future.
I was impressed how Ferguson controls his point of attack, and really jammed up the middle of the line on running plays. That freed up Sutton to penetrate and show his skills. I can easily envision a Young, Sutton, Ferguson, Houston front four by the end of the season and certainly next year. Both need time to develop but with Coach P teaching them, and getting better each game, we are in good shape there.
Defensive Backs: You never want to see a key player go down, forcing a rookie to step in against a solid football team. Sadly with Tillman’s injury it did just that! We know what Fuller did, and his play on Crabtree was an All Pro play. He was drafted to be there and now he is. We need to be realistic though, he will have good games and troubling ones too.
While we have probably seen the last of Peanut, we now get to see the future. What is interesting and in a quirky way may finally put the right pieces into play with Tillman out. With Fuller at corner, it puts Jennings back outside. He never looked comfortable at nickel, and now going back to his natural place with Fuller, the corners are better for it.
I was impressed how Vereen jumped into the Nickel with 5 minutes of coaching. I expect the Bears to bring someone, like Hayden in, but for me, let Vereen play it and learn. If we do that then it is Conte and Mundy at S with McCray rotating in. Not a bad Dback setup and young and much faster. I am not forgetting McManis either.
Emery has a plan, and while the plan can be long term, the game of football can change them quickly, and sometimes for the better. The Bears still have a long way to go, but it is exciting to see the future a bit earlier than later.