Bilal Nichols

[Enasic]

He flashed last season. Does he propel himself into starter/core player or is he just another guy? With all the pieces around him, I think he could really do well. He seems to be on the upward projectory. What you think?

 

[Novoitus]

no, what do you think, idiot?

 

[JoJoBoxer]

He flashed last season. Does he propel himself into starter/core player or is he just another guy? With all the pieces around him, I think he could really do well. He seems to be on the upward projectory. What you think?

He has been working on strength so I hope he nails down the 3rd offensive (defensive) line spot and does even better this year.

 

[Ej63090]

I mean, learning from guys like Hicks and Mack doesn’t hurt. I think Hicks took him under his wing.

 

[Spunky Porkstacker]

He has been working on strength so I hope he nails down the 3rd offensive line spot and does even better this year.

Nichols plays defense.

 

[iueyedoc]

He has been working on strength so I hope he nails down the 3rd offensive line spot and does even better this year.

 

[JoJoBoxer]

He has been working on strength so I hope he nails down the 3rd offensive line spot and does even better this year.

Ok, so I messed up and said offensive line instead of defensive line.

What is worse, me accidentally saying the 3rd offensive line spot or you thinking I meant offensive line when there are 5 offensive (and 3 defensive line spots)?

 

[JoJoBoxer]

Nichols plays defense.

Read my later post.

 

[JoJoBoxer]

Read my later post.

 

[NCChiFan]

You have to look at Nichols and understand why Bullard was cut.

 

[Noonthirtyjoe]

I think he is a up and coming player that has real promise. He is just scratching his potential right now.

 

[Noonthirtyjoe]

You have to look at Nichols and understand why Bullard was cut.

Bullard was cut for his own play and reasons.

 

[The Big Grabowski]

If he can improve his run defense, we’re going to have a beastly DL. Crazy that this D still has so much upside in players like Bilal and Roquan.

 

[NCChiFan]

Bullard was cut for his own play and reasons.

I don't disagree but Bilal made the cut a lot easier.

 

[xer0h0ur]

I'm pretty sure the last time I saw the depth chart on the Bears' site it listed Bilal as the starting DE.

 

[Chris Sojka]

This guy made some really big plays last year. He's explosive off the snap.

 

[xer0h0ur]

Oh for sure. The knock on him was inconsistency against the run game. Teams were targeting him in the run game. But remember, Akiem took this kid under his wing since he was drafted. I expect another step in Nichols' development.

 

[Chris Sojka]

Oh for sure. The knock on him was inconsistency against the run game. Teams were targeting him in the run game. But remember, Akiem took this kid under his wing since he was drafted. I expect another step in Nichols' development.

I was actually impressed with his run defense last year. He may have been asked to be a two gap guy or use techniques that didnt agree with his abilities. He diced into the backfield violently and seemed to overwhelm his offensive counterparts with a great show of hand speed and finesse. A very violent initial punch and the he just puts his weight forward and penetrates. My guess is he has figured out how to get lineman off balance using his initial punch and just keeps using that to surprise them.

This could be because the o linemen see him as just a backup and underestimate him or because he does some studying and picks on a weak tired player at the right time fresh in the rotation.

Either way he played his part exceptionally well and i expect him to be that perfect rotational piece into the future.

 

[Bearfanuk]

The rotation of RRH and Nichols will be Nasty this year. To let up for guards