It's not unusual for a team like the Bears to interview a prospect they have little or no chance of getting with the 20th pick of the first round of the NFL draft. But the fact that Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones -- projected to go anywhere from fifth overall to 15th in most mock drafts -- listed the Bears as one of the four teams to talk to him Saturday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis is at least a little intriguing.
Regardless of Brian Urlacher's status for 2013, the Bears need a linebacker. And more than any other position, the possible selection of a linebacker in the first or second round would tell more about the direction the Bears are going on defense under Mel Tucker than any other position.
With Urlacher and Lance Briggs entrenched as anchors in Lovie Smith's Cover-2 defense, the Bears have been content to fill the other spot with a generic, cost-effective strongside linebacker -- Hunter Hillenmeyer, Nick Roach, Pisa Tinoisamoa. The Bears have never even been tempted to draft a young, dynamic, playmaking linebacker. And they all but gave up on the idea of drafting any linebackers since striking out with Jamar Williams (fourth round in 2006) and Michael Okwo (third-round in 2007).
That figures to change under Marc Trestman. When Tucker said, ''Right now, we're going to be a 4-3 [alignment],'' last week, the operative phrase was ''right now.'' It sure sounded like Tucker has big plans for eventual change, perhaps sooner than later.
An the place to start with big plans on defense in today's NFL is with versatile linebackers -- the best of whom seem to be either converted safeties or converted defensive ends who provide defenses with the element of surprise that seems to make the difference at the highest level.
The Bears were the polar opposite of that in Lovie Smith's Cover-2. They did what they do and it's up to opponents to figure out a way to beat it. That worked tremendously against the Rams and Cowboys and Jaguars and Panthers and Titans and Cardinals. But not against the 49ers, who tore it to the Bears to shreds with a first-time starting quarterback. And not against Aaron Rodgers, who was more than willing to take what the Bears were giving and avoid the big mistakes that Sam Bradford and Tony Romo and Blaine Gabbert and Cam Newton and Matt Hasselbeck and Ryan Lindley could not.
Briggs is still one of the best linebackers in the NFL. But he's a dinosaur as a linebacker who is primarily a tackling machine. That he had one of his best seasons in 2012 and did not make the Pro Bowl for the first time since 2004 in favor of three pass-rushing linebackers with a combined 44 sacks (Aldon Smith, DeMarcus Ware and Clay Matthews) was an injustice, but perhaps also a signal that there is a new standard for defensive prowess in the NFL.
We'll know in April if the Bears' new coaching staff already has gotten that message. Regardless of whether they get the next Aldon Smith, Brian Urlacher or Lance Briggs, they need something. With that in mind, here are some of the more intriguing possibilities if the Bears decide to upgrade their linebacker corps:
Jarvis Jones, 6-3, 240, Georgia -- a superior athlete with great one-on-one skills, he thrived as a pass rusher in Georgia's 3-4 defense but also is suited for a 4-3. He has a medical issue -- he was diagnosed with spinal stenosis as a freshman at USC and was barred from playing football for health reasons. But he got the OK at Georgia and played two standout seasons without incident.
''I think I bring versatility to the team,'' Jones said. ''I can play Sam linebacker. I can play Will linebacker. I can play 4-3. I can play a 3-4. I'm just gonna get after you. I'm gonna get after the QB every play.''
Alec Ogletree, 6-3, 235, Georgia -- Scouts agree he has superstar potential as an athletic inside linebacker with great coverage ability. He played safety as a freshman.
The character issue might be the only thing that drops him far enough in the first round for the Bears to have a shot. Ogletree was suspended four games in 2012 for failing a drug test. He added a DUI arrest two weeks ago to an already checkered past. But he sounded contrite and like a changed man in his media interview at the Combine on Saturday.
''I'm a good person at heart,'' Ogletree said. ''Everybody makes mistakes. I feel real bad about the situation. I'm learning from it and I'm moving forward.
Ogletree has the athleticism to combat the mobility of quarterbacks like Colin Kaepernick and Russell Wilson.
''I think that's a big part of my game,'' Ogletree said. ''I like to play sideline to sideline. I try to use my speed to my advantage. When I can strike somebody, I do that.''
Manti Te'o, 6-1, 248, Notre Dame -- Not a show-stopper, but his versatility, instincts and range give him a chance to excel at any linebacker position. The character flaw exposed by the girlfriend hoax episode is unlikely to be an issue for NFL teams. His performance against Alabama in the National Championship Game is a bigger issue. Te'o was unprepared to face Alabama's speed and aggressiveness, but he learns well and figures to adjust better when he faces it on a regular basis in the NFL.
''I think what I bring to the table is a lot of heart, a lot of energy and somebody that works hard. Somebody who hates to lose,'' Te'o said. ''I always say, 'I hate losing more than I love to win.' The reason why I love to win is because I don't have to go through that feeling of losing. It's those times where I lose that feeling that will stick with me.
''I tell [NFL teams], 'You'll always get somebody who's humble, works hard, doesn't say much and will do everything it takes to win.'''
Other possibilities include Kevin Minter (6-2, 240), LSU; Dion Jordan (6-6, 239), Oregon; Khaseem Greene (6-1, 230), Rutgers; Arthur Brown (6-1, 224), Kansas State; and Kevin Riddick (6-2, 246), North Carolina.
Briggs had his best season? Maybe if you just look at stats, but he was obviously a step slower to the ball, and did a lot of diving at ankles, where before he was striking and wrapping up ballcarriers. If he was injured or playing with leg or hip problems, it would make sense, but I don't recall seeing anything like that reported.
The issue with Lance, and it is the same issue that has always been there, is that he is not a typical weak side linebacker compared to what you saw in Tampa with Derrick Brooks, and the parade of average talents we saw in Indy. Briggs really does not have the speed to chase the play down any more, and when Urlacher is not in the game, he is average most of the time. When you don't have the safety speed, you have to make up for it in read and react time, where Lance has been superior, but he is starting to get caught up in traffic, like Urlacher. He has his moments, especially when he is sent on a run blitz, but he is losing guys in coverage now, and only makes big plays when the QB makes bad decisions. When you lose a step, and you were already half a step slower than you should have been, it becomes noticeable.
I agree that we need to get younger and faster at linebacker, and our recent attempts have been nothing short of sad. J.T. Thomas was the only one we drafted that had a chance physically, and he proceeded to get busted for weed. Way to go, Jerry and Lovie
Jarvis Jones is probably the most talented pass rusher from a pure ability standpoint, but what do we do with him? McClellin, Wootton, and Peppers would all be on the field in nickel, and either Melton, Paea, or a re-signed Idonije would likely be the 4th DL. Do you scrap McClellin for Jones? It would seem to be an upgrade, but you would need to use a pretty high draft pick to get him, and that would hurt the rest of the team. Unless you are planning to make McClellin a full time LB, I wouldn't make that move.
Ogletree might be the best fit, but his off-field issues make him a very risky pick at 20. I don't think he makes it to 50. Te'o is not especially good if he is not covered up by the DTs, and if we are still utilizing the penetrating front, one of the interior OL should be free to run and block Te'o. Urlacher has struggled to get off blocks throughout his career, but he looks like a monster compared to Manti in that regard. Brown, Greene, Minter, and Riddick would also be decent fits, and could be had in the middle rounds (maybe)
The best fits for us are guys that we should not draft, because we have more needs to address when they would be slotted to go. If we are not able to bring back Urlacher, I suggest moving Briggs to the middle, and try and get a younger, faster player in on the weak side. You can find them in the later rounds, or even UDFA, if you know where to look and what to look for.
Before we do any of that, however, I think we need to make up our minds on where we focus the youth movement on the team. We can safely say that offense will be more of a focus than it was under Lovie, so that would tell me that you plug holes through FA on the defense, and you spend your draft picks on offense, unless someone falls in your lap that you can't pass on.
We need to come out of this offseason with at least 2 new OL, a TE, a backup QB, maybe 1 more WR, and restock the DT position, on top of the LB needs. That's a lot to do with 6 draft picks, and not very much cap room. Add in that you need at least 2 CB, and you are in a tough spot. Don't think we can spend a high pick on a LB this year.
While either of these players would have been a coup for the previous regime, one must look at the new sheriff in Lake Forest. To think the top picks this April will be anything other than offensive players is betting on a long shot. As is following the fool's logic that the offensive player chosen at 20 will be a lineman. Trestman has made his career nurturing big-play offenses. Tavon Austin has playmaker written all over him, as does Patton from Louisiana Tech and Taylor Eifert. While the Notre Dame end is a little skinny right now, he has a great toolbox and can be moved around the field to fit Trestman's schemes and create mismatches. Last year Phil Emery listened to what his head coach wanted and made the first round pick accordingly...and that was for a guy who he inherited from the old general manager. What do you really think he'll do for the head coach of his own choosing? I would not be surprised if two thirds of the free agents brought in are on offense, and the first two picks in the draft are used on best available offensive players, linemen or not.
I have no idea where the Bears will emphasize in their draft picks and neither does anyone else. The Bears have several areas where help is needed, and Trestman is not offering any clues regarding his focus. I still think offensive linemen are the primary need, although an Urlacher replacement is becoming more pressing.Certainly a versatile tight end would be nice, but I'm not yet ready to give up on what the Bears already have there. The draft should be interesting if not out and out absorbing, providing clues to Trestman's mindset.