Weakside Position Also Key for Bears

Matt Eberflus' defensive scheme requires a weakside linebacker as much as a three-technique tackle and the Bears saw plenty at the combine.

While focus in the draft by the Bears must be on defensive linemen because they are short on both bodies and talent, there is one position just as important where they also need to be looking.

That would be the weakside linebacker. If the three technique is the engine that drives the  The Bears still do not have one, and the next few weeks will be filled with debate whether it's better to get one in free agency or the draft.

"The old school Tampa Bay, Chicago Bears, they would put Lance Briggs, Derrick Brooks behind the three technique," coach Matt Eberflus said at season's end. "They would always travel together. That means you're covered to the hit. It would create a lot of things with that.

"Last place I was at with DeForest (Buckner) and Shaq (Leonard), he was always covered to the hit. Those two positions are really important to us."

The first night of testing at the combine showed they could easily find their weakside in the draft.

"The linebackers in a 4-3 scheme have to be able to play off of the D-linemen in front of them and they have to be able to play downhill," Eberflus said.

If anyone should be able to play downhill it's Clemson linebacker Trenton Simpson. He turned in the second-fastest time among linebackers at 4.43 seconds, behind only Auburn's Owen Pappoe, whose production was not regarded as high by scouts. Pappoe is 228 pounds but Simpson is 240 at that speed.

While he has speed, Simpson is no mere pass rushing outside linebacker.

"That's what I pride myself on, being able to be in the box on first and second down, and then third down, spying any quarterback. I feel like that's my best attribute, being able to spy that quarterback," he said. "If he rolls off that spot, I'll go get him every time."

Playing at all levels is his strength.

"I know I can cover really well," Simpson said to reporters at the combine. "I feel like I can cover any tight end in the NFL, and I take pride in that with my speed and my athletic ability."

The speed Simpson showed is accompanied with an ability to hit that is obvious on game film. At 240 pounds, Simpson's hitting is likely to have greater impact than a player like Pappoe, who is 225.

"I feel like that's what I pride myself on," Simpson said. "I'm very physical and fast and feel that will translate very well in the NFL."

One concern everyone following the Bears at the combine has is a player's ability to fit the Matt Eberflus HITS principle, whether they have the self-discipline and focus required.

Simpson has a built-in advantage here. He was born while his father was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia. Simpson grew up in a military household. His father just retired a few years ago.

"I could say honestly he's disciplined within just being a great teammate, make sure I'm always on time," Simpson said. "That's key in the military, being on time.

"And going to a program like Clemson, that was key, as well. I feel like discipline and just being a great guy, being myself. I've been raised by two amazing parents. Just being myself and being Trent Simpson will always be great for me."

It was great for 23 tackles for loss, 13 sacks and three forced fumbles at Clemson. The Bears could use this from a player who was almost a full tenth of a second faster in the 40 than Roquan Smith was.

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