What Will Mel Tucker’s Defense Look Like? and Other Bullets

MelTuckerApologies for the absence; I’ve been sick again since yesterday afternoon. After about 24 hours, I began feeling a bit better, so I’m guessing it was one of those things. This has pushed the offseason review for today (offensive line) back to tomorrow, and I obviously wasn’t able to get a bullets post up this morning. My apologies for that. So here are a few quick afternoon/evening bullets, and then things should be back to normal tomorrow.

  • There had been a lot of speculation centered on Chargers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt, but Whisenhunt accepted the Titans coaching position on Monday. Pro Football Talk reported that the Lions had indeed offered Whisenhunt the position, but the Titans beat the offer by $1 million per season.
  • The Lions wasted no time hiring Jim Caldwell, an offensive-minded coach who received a lot of credit for the Ravens Super Bowl run last year after he took over coordinator duties from Cam Cameron late in the season. Of course, the Ravens offense regressed this year, and I can once again call on my Indiana resident Colts viewing experience to say that I’m not exactly scared by the hire. He never struck me as a master strategist. But if he can get the Lions to play with any sort of discipline, he could very well be an upgrade.
  • Brad Biggs had a fascinating look at what we might expect from Mel Tucker in 2014. Included is Biggs saying the defense won’t switch to a 3-4, because the personnel isn’t there to make the transition. I sort of agree with this; other than McClellin, there aren’t a lot of players who seem like natural fits in a 3-4 front, and as Biggs notes Tucker had previously worked within a 4-3 scheme. Brad has some good stuff on just how well Jacksonville’s defense played in prior years under Tucker. He also touches on one of the main reasons (in my opinion) that Mel is getting another shot: he wasn’t truly allowed to run his defense. He basically had Lovie Smith’s defense forced upon him, and while that system had obviously worked well, it wasn’t ideal for the personnel in 2013.
  • I wrote about Corey Wootton on Monday afternoon as part of the offseason review, and then the Bears announced that he had undergone hip surgery last week. Tough for Corey as he enters free agency, but given the versatility he possesses, I still think he’s someone the Bears would like to have back. (That story by Jeff Dickerson includes some glowing quotes from Phil Emery’s end-of-season press conference, also praising Wootton’s ability to play multiple positions.)
  • Remember the weird play to end the Saints game? At the time, I thought it must have been a called play; why in the world would Marques Colston throw a cross-field pass of his own volition? And indeed, as Mike Triplett writes for ESPN.com, it was a called play, although one that Sean Payton apparently regrets calling.
  • ESPN.com has this look at the first-round draft order, for picks 1-28. (The order of the final four picks won’t be decided until after the playoffs are finished, of course.) At first glance, I count five teams that might be interested in a quarterback (Texans, Jags, Browns, Vikings, Titans) although that’s obviously just a guess. I mention that only because every team that takes a quarterback is a team that doesn’t take a player in whom the Bears might be interested at #14.
  • written by

    Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

    more bears news

    Rome Odunze Missed Saturday’s Bears Rookie Minicamp Practice

    I was rounding up this morning's set of Bears Bullets when I saw this note from the Chicago Tribune's Dan Wiederer on rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze sitting out Saturday's practice with hamstring tightness and I knew I had to...

    A New Tight End, Day 2 Camp Pics and Vids, Edge Market Developing, and Other Bears Bullets

    It's Mother's Day today. And while my mother passed away in 2017, I try to use this day to remember and honor her memory. Do something nice for the moms in your life today. You only get one. Chicago Bears...

    Caleb to Rome, First Day Notes, Big LSU Bet Is Off, and Other Bears Bullets

    I'm off to Springfield to play the role of Uncle Lu this weekend, so we'll have an abridged version of Bears Bullets today. Caleb Williams survived his first practice as Chicago Bears QB1. And all was right with the football...

    Tory Taylor is the First Bears Draft Pick to Sign Their Rookie Deal

    There will be no punter hold out this summer. Tory Taylor is officially locked in: https://twitter.com/chicagobears/status/1789283410294321438?s=46&t=9_XcB6r0ywNyv4WuAOFkLA The Chicago Bears announced Tory Taylor’s signing on Saturday morning. And in doing so, made him the first of the team’s five 2024 NFL...

    REPORT: Bo Nix Will Be the First of the 2024 NFL Draft First-Round QBs to Sign

    Caleb Williams might've gone first overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, but it looks like Bo Nix will be the the first of the first-round quarterbacks to sign their NFL contract. Nix, who the Denver Broncos selected with the 12th...

    WATCH: Bears Rookie Camp Highlights With Caleb Williams, Rome Odunze, Tory Taylor

    It's never too early to share Chicago Bears highlights. And while I realize it is probably a stretch to call these "highlights" but I'm not going to turn down an opportunity to share Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze clips when...

    Around the NFL: Jared Goff Extension High Priority for the Lions, Rookie Camps, WRs on the Move, More

    The Lions are making an extension for quarterback Jared Goff a "high priority." The Cardinals, Texans, and Giants added wide receivers this week. More in today's NFL Notes. Lions Making Jared Goff Extension a "High Priority" Two weeks after securing...

    I Love This Caleb Williams Quote About Leadership

    The first Caleb Williams minicamp press conference is in the books, and without a glitch. Whew! Limiting the drama this season is atop of my Chicago Bears 2024 wishlist. Caleb Williams had some interesting things to say in his first...

    EA Sports College Football 25 Cover Leaked

    I've written about this a few times since EA Sports first announced the return of the long-awaited College Football Video game. And while part of me is keeping my hopes tempered until that game is actually downloaded onto my XBOX...

    Don’t Freak Out, But Bears Rookie Kiran Amegadjie Will Miss Offseason Practices

    I am going to preface this by saying there isn't a reason to freak out over news that Kiran Amegadjie will miss the Chicago Bears upcoming rookie minicamp practices. And there is definitely no reason to be alarmed about a...

    Latest News

    Rome Odunze Missed Saturday’s Bears Rookie Minicamp Practice

    I was rounding up this morning's set of Bears Bullets when I saw this note from the Chicago Tribune's Dan Wiederer on rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze sitting out Saturday's practice with hamstring tightness and I knew I had to...

    Cubs Roster Move: Kyle Hendricks Activated to Start Today

    No surprises here, as the decision to start Kyle Hendricks this afternoon against the Pirates was made yesterday, but the news has officially hit the wire, and here it is. Kyle Hendricks Activated Kyle Hendricks is returning from his short...

    Braves vs. Mets Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Sunday, May 12, 2024

    The Atlanta Braves (24-12) visit the New York Mets (18-20) at 7:10 PM ET Sunday for a sluggers' duel between two of the best home-run hitters in baseball. Marcell Ozuna has racked up 12 homers this season (No. 1 in...

    What are the 2024 NBA Draft Lottery Odds?

    The NBA Draft Lottery has arrived. Despite the lackluster nature of this year's prospect pool, this remains a highly-anticipated day for teams around the league. The truth of the matter is that the opportunity to snag a high pick is...

    Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Pirates (12:35 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    CUBS LINEUP — The Cubs have played thirteen series so far this season, and this is already their eighth rubber match. Let's see if Kyle Hendricks and the Cubs can bring this one in. Chicago Cubs Lineup: Nico Hoerner, SS...

    A New Tight End, Day 2 Camp Pics and Vids, Edge Market Developing, and Other Bears Bullets

    It's Mother's Day today. And while my mother passed away in 2017, I try to use this day to remember and honor her memory. Do something nice for the moms in your life today. You only get one. Chicago Bears...

    Top Player Prop Bets for Pacers vs. Knicks Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 4 on May 12, 2024

    Player props are listed for Pascal Siakam and Jalen Brunson, among others, when the Indiana Pacers host the New York Knicks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday at 3:30 PM ET.How to Watch Pacers vs. KnicksDate: Sunday, May 12, 2024Time: 3:30...

    Braves vs. Mets Probable Starting Pitchers – May 12

    After winning their past four games, the Atlanta Braves (24-12) visit the New York Mets (18-20) at Citi Field on Sunday at 7:10 PM ET.The Braves will call on Bryce Elder (1-1) against the Mets and Luis Severino (2-2).Braves vs....

    Avalanche vs. Stars NHL Playoffs Second Round Game 4 Prediction: Picks, Live Odds and Moneyline – Monday, May 13, 2024

    The Colorado Avalanche are -135 favorites over the Dallas Stars (+114) playing on home ice on Monday at Ball Arena in Denver.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Avalanche vs. Stars Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Avalanche (-135)Underdog: Stars (+114)Total: 6.5Best Avalanche vs. Stars Promo...

    Release the Ping Pong Balls, Second Round Picks, MJ’s 3-Point Shooting, and Other Bulls Bullets

    If there was an Equipment Manager of the Year award, I think my aunt might deserve it. Having to leave at about 5 a.m. to drive to my sibling's college graduation on Saturday, I may have kinda sorta broken my...

    more bears news