Chicitysports
  • BEARS
  • BULLS
  • BLACKHAWKS
  • CUBS
  • WHITE SOX
  • MESSAGE BOARD
Navigation
  • About Us
  • Chicago Sports News
  • Chicago Sports Podcasts
  • ChiCity+
  • Get In Touch
  • Join Our Group
  • Newsletter
  • Our Writers
  • Privacy Policy
  • Want to Write for ChiCitySports?
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Trending
  • Chicago Bears fans call for coaching changes in Week 3
  • REPORT: Chicago Bears HR involved in Alan Williams decision to resign
  • From A Distance: Rockies making Cubs well again
  • Marcus Stroman is back to Starting for the Chicago Cubs
  • From A Distance: Two great things happen to Cubs
  • Surprise defender named top graded player on Bears defense
  • Chicago Bears fans react to verified report of major raid at Soldier Field
  • The Depleted and Failing Chicago Cubs Bullpen
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Our Writers
  • Want to Write for ChiCitySports?
ChicitysportsChicitysports
  • BEARS

    Chicago Bears fans call for coaching changes in Week 3

    September 24, 2023

    REPORT: Chicago Bears HR involved in Alan Williams decision to resign

    September 24, 2023

    Surprise defender named top graded player on Bears defense

    September 22, 2023

    Chicago Bears fans react to verified report of major raid at Soldier Field

    September 22, 2023

    Chicago Bears: Matt Eberflus has not addressed team on Alan Williams’ resignation (Report)

    September 21, 2023
  • BULLS

    Rumor: Bulls trying to get in on the Damian Lillard Sweepstakes

    September 20, 2023

    Why is Lonzo Ball promoting Big Baller Brand again?

    September 20, 2023

    Paris Saint-Germain unveils 2023-24 Jordan Brand kit

    September 19, 2023

    The Chicago Bulls season is less than 30 days away, are they ready for the season?

    September 18, 2023

    LOOK: Michael Jordan shows up to Bristol Motor Speedway for NASCAR race

    September 16, 2023
  • BLACKHAWKS

    Blackhawks Lose Associate General Manager before Preseason Begins

    September 21, 2023

    Chicago GM Davidson says Blackhawks focus is on development

    September 19, 2023

    Chicago Blackhawks: Kyle Davidson makes major announcement on 2023-24 team captain

    September 19, 2023

    Connor Bedard puts on a show in his Blackhawks debut

    September 17, 2023

    Blackhawks receive green light on Fifth Third Arena expansion

    September 14, 2023
  • CUBS

    From A Distance: Rockies making Cubs well again

    September 23, 2023

    Marcus Stroman is back to Starting for the Chicago Cubs

    September 23, 2023

    The Depleted and Failing Chicago Cubs Bullpen

    September 22, 2023

    From A Distance: Cubs’ playoff hopes hanging on a highwire

    September 22, 2023

    Blackhawks Lose Associate General Manager before Preseason Begins

    September 21, 2023
  • WHITE SOX

    White Sox Hire New Assistant GM

    September 19, 2023

    White Sox Game Last Night in D.C. has Fans Debating on Social Media

    September 19, 2023

    Mike Clevinger Accomplished a Rare Feat Monday Night

    September 19, 2023

    Chicago White Sox Reliever, Knowingly Pitched Through Injury

    September 14, 2023

    White Sox Fans Grill Team After New General Manager Announcement

    August 31, 2023
  • MESSAGE BOARD
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Chicitysports
Home»Bears»Can Tim Jennings do it again next Season?
Bears

Can Tim Jennings do it again next Season?

Zack PearsonBy Zack PearsonMay 18, 20114 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Reddit Tumblr Email
jennings
jennings
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

There weren’t too many people giving the Bears any kind of credit for picking up free agent cornerback Tim Jennings last season.  During radio interviews and on air appearances I had defended the pickup of Jennings saying that he was a starter in Indianapolis in a similar defense to the Bears so there was something there.  I even predicted that at some point he would be a starter.

jenningsAs it turned out, Jennings would end up being a starter for the Bears early on in the season after starter Zach Bowman proved that he couldn’t play the position well enough to start.  Bowman could not play the run the way that the Bear’s coaching staff wanted him to (he struggled to make tackles in the running game) so Jennings was their man.

Jennings, despite his size, was able to support the run well while making his part of the coverage in the secondary pretty much spot on.  Yes, he did have some breakdowns in coverage at times but for the most part Jennings did his responsibilities well.

With no new cornerbacks on the horizon right now it appears as if Jennings will battle it out with Bowman for that starting spot opposite Tillman this season.  Jennings does have the edge on Bowman thanks to his ability to play the run and his experience (he started games in Indianapolis before coming to the Bears) may dictate that Jennings will beat Bowman out for that starting spot opposite Tillman.

But the Bears could do better at the cornerback position but right now their best option at that position is Jennings.  Chicago didn’t grab any depth at the cornerback position this offseason but did get some help at the safety position although that player, Chris Conte, might be a better fit on special teams for the most part.

So Chicago will walk into the 2011 season with pretty much the same group of players in the secondary that they had last year.

Is that the right scenario?

Charles Tillman is getting older and is not as effective as he once was in covering receivers.  Granted, he’s been excellent at causing fumbles but his coverage skills are waning and he may need to be replaced in a season or two.

Jennings is undersized for the position but still has the skill to cover well and play the run.  He’s probably the Bear’s best bet opposite Tillman right now but he does give up the big play from time to time and has to get better about not missing his assignments in coverage.

Bowman may now be a permanent backup for the Bears especially if he can’t beat Jennings out this summer.  Bowman was thought to be a pretty solid starter at the cornerback position and even though he had been injured in the past and hadn’t seen a ton of time at the cornerback and now he may not see that much.

D.J. Moore had a breakout season of sorts last year and should see himself as the starting nickel back once again in 2011.  He’s small and therefore will struggle defending against the run but he’s not in there during running downs so it won’t matter that much.  He’s an opportunistic player with a good head on his shoulders and should continue to see success on defense for the Bears.

Three are some other players that the Bears have at the cornerback position including last year’s draft pick Joshua Moore and undrafted free agent K.J. Gerard.  Chicago’s coaching staff is said to be high on Moore so he may get a bigger look this offseason (and more playing time in the regular season) while Gerard will make a nice body in training camp that the Bears could sign to the practice squad if he shines.

Special teams superstar Corey Graham may end up remaining with the Bears but his primary role will be as special team’s gunner rather than a cornerback.

So Jennings looks like he is going to remain the starter next season unless the Bears bring in some additional talent through free agency if there is free agency or some semblance of it.

Wouldn’t Nnamdi Asomugha be a nice addition for the Bears?

messagebordbanner

For More Great Chicago Sports Content

Follow us on Twitter at @chicitysports23 for more great content. We appreciate you taking time to read our articles. To interact more with our community and keep up to date on the latest in Chicago sports news, JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK GROUP by CLICKING HERE

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Tumblr Email
The Worst Things Bart Simpson Has Ever Done Ranked
Zack Pearson
  • Twitter

Writer based out of Chicago that loves covering sports as well as history and Americana. Big fan of The Simpsons and reality TV.

Related Posts

Bears September 24, 2023

Chicago Bears fans call for coaching changes in Week 3

Bears September 24, 2023

REPORT: Chicago Bears HR involved in Alan Williams decision to resign

Bears September 22, 2023

Surprise defender named top graded player on Bears defense

Bears September 22, 2023

Chicago Bears fans react to verified report of major raid at Soldier Field

Bears September 21, 2023

Chicago Bears: Matt Eberflus has not addressed team on Alan Williams’ resignation (Report)

Bears September 21, 2023

Justin Fields and OC Luke Getsy Hug at Practice After QB’s Comments

Leave A Reply

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

Team Message Boards

bears TP
bulls TP
cubs TP
sox TP
hawks TP
we want you to write
Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
  • Home
  • Message Board
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Our Writers
  • Want to Write for ChiCitySports?
© 2023 ChiCitySports. Designed by Dope Guys Who Run ChiCitySports.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.