Bears Edge Rush Picture Looks Much Different

When training camp started, some Bears roster spots looked more hotly contested than others.

The last few battles for cornerback jobs seemed likely to produce strong competition and have, but defensive end looked more like a case of accepting players they already had and hoping for development.

Then came the signing of Yannick Ngakoue.

It has transformed edge rusher into one of the more interesting battles by reducing the number of available spots. It's now a game of musical chairs. Players are being forced into going all out simply to have a job, and that has to be what GM Ryan Poles wanted.

Until the Ngakoue trade, it seemed they were counting on Rasheem Green and DeMarcus Walker at end with Domnique Robinson and Trevis Gipson as backups who rotate in during some passing downs. Robinson has the project tag on him still as a fifth-rounder last year.

Terrell Lewis has become the X-factor in this battle, and even with Gipson producing in both preseason games the former Los Angeles Rams outside linebacker has made it clear he wants a job in Chicago. Three sacks and two strip-sacks in two games have announced his intention.

"Those are the game-changer plays," Lewis said. "I've been around a lot of great players and it’s easy to get a sack, but when you take it to the next level I feel like sack-fumbles, those are the ways you impact the game and help your team win and flip the field. Those are big plays."

A team with 20 sacks total last year and only 6 1/2 from defensive ends must decide between Lewis, Gipson, Green, second-year defensive end Dominique Robinson and undrafted rookies Jalen Harris and D'Anthony Jones for the spots on the roster after Ngakoue and Walker. It could be two or three positions.

Lewis' play in the two preseason games could have him in a strong position going into the preseason finale with Buffalo. In fact, he doesn't mind admitting he'd be surprised not to make the team.

"I would be surprised but at the same time I know how the business goes," Lewis said. "So that's why I just continue to focus on what can I do and control day-in and day-out.

"Because at the end of the day, especially during the preseason, you're not only playing for yourself and the organization you're with, but you're also playing for every other team in the league."

Lewis doesn't simply view himself as a pass rusher, even if this is where most assessments of his skills have pointed.

"I don't try to make it too (much) bigger than what it is. I think day-in and day-out I just try to continue to put my best foot forward, even in practice, trying to just basically make it an effort to always get to the quarterback, but also play the run and do everything," he said. "Continue to complete my game and not just only be labeled as a pass rusher either."

The Bears would be happy with any contribution from defensive ends stopping the run but need the pass rush heat above all else after being led by safety Jaquan Brisker in sacks last year with four. Ngakoue should take care of this but they need more help.

Walker and Green are supposed to be more stout against the run. Like Ngakoue, Lewis has a reputation for edge rushing dating back to when he was a potential early draft pick for Alabama prior to injuring his knee.

"Definitely. I think with all the guys that we have in our (defensive line) room, we got a lot of explosive guys," Lewis said. "Even Justin Jones, guys like that man, Dex (Gervon Dexter Sr.) and Zacch (Pickens), I feel like those are young guys that as they continue to keep playing, they got the talent to produce not only in the

run game, but then also in the passing game, too."

The competition will go on through this week of practices and then Saturday. Even one of the winners might not play much, according to the game-day plans revealed by defensive line coach Travis Smith.

"As you see with the history of our defenses, there's eight guys active on game day and all eight play," Smith said. "Sometimes, some guys are asked to do something that's a little bit different, but bottom line, they're there to stop the run and affect the quarterback."

The assessment of the group Bears coach Matt Eberflus gave doesn't tip off much about who's in a favorite's role.

"I think Dom Rob has done a really good job of enhancing his skill set, you know, in stopping the run and rushing the passer," Eberflus said. "I'm excited bout that. Haven't had a really good chance to see Walker this training camp so it will be good to get him back shortly, hopefully as we get going. You know, and then Rasheem, he's done a really good job, he's gotten better. I really like where he is you know so those guys have done a good job.

"Gipson keeps working his tail off and then you know then Lewis, you know he's done a really good job of rushing the passer. He's got some opportunities, you know some good sacks, a couple strip-sacks in the last two games. He's rushed our guys (in practice), you know the front liners and the backups. He's rushed those guys pretty good in terms of the one-on-one pass rush. So, you know, those are the guys we have."

Except for the one who makes it all go.

"And then having Yannick, you know Yannick's getting himself wrapped up and we're certainly excited about what he can bring as a pass rusher and an every down end," Eberflus said. "So you know there's a lot of things to be figured out yet with that position in terms of how many guys we have for the game, you know, who is going to be up for the game and then what our combinations are for pass rush."

It's a much different picture than the one they brought to camp.

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