Smith very familiar with Tinoisamoa from Rams days
 
David Haugh | On the Bears
May 31, 2009


Clearly, the Bears and Lovie Smith want to do everything possible to make their new defensive coordinator look good.

Adding strong-side linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa to the defense gives Smith -- who appointed himself the defensive play-caller in January -- no obvious depth concerns or inexperience among the Bears' front seven. Expect Tinoisamoa, the Rams' leading tackler four times in his first six seasons, to beat out question marks Nick Roach and Hunter Hillenmeyer, who could battle for a roster spot.

Tinoisamoa (pronounced Tino-EE-sah-moe-AH) is as difficult on offensive linemen as he is on play-by-play announcers. A salary cap casualty in St. Louis, he is strong, smart, quick and motivated by a one-year deal that will make the entire season a salary drive. Beyond that, Tinoisamoa has a believer in Smith, who was his rookie-year defensive coordinator in St. Louis and is known to favor smallish, speedy linebackers. Smith had a lot to do with the Rams taking a chance on drafting Tinoisamoa, who had a felony assault conviction on his record, and probably was the biggest reason Tinoisamoa picked the Bears over the Bills.

Here are 10 other things I know.


1. I know it would be hard to argue with anybody objectively labeling this the best off-season in Bears history -- finding a franchise quarterback, rebuilding the offensive line, plugging holes on defense with proven veterans such as Tinoisamoa, shoring up the coaching staff with experienced assistants such as Rod Marinelli and Jon Hoke ...is Jerry Angelo done or can he finagle a wide receiver to help Jay Cutler?

2. I know the position battle on defense that intrigues me most pits Craig Steltz against Corey Graham at free safety. Steltz could be the Bears' most instinctive player at the position but Graham, a converted cornerback, has better athletic ability and perhaps range. It could come down to who is the best communicator in getting the secondary lined up, as well as which guy works best alongside strong safety Kevin Payne, who will get pushed at that spot by veteran Josh Bullocks.

3. I know that if I want to follow the saga of a troubled wide receiver who eventually might help the Bears, it won't be the tired tales of either Plaxico Burress or Matt Jones . Brandon Marshall of the Broncos may also fit in that category, given a troubling history with domestic violence. But Marshall also has a history with Cutler that would make the Bears logical suitors if the big-play threat hits free agency next winter, as many in Denver fear after the Broncos turned down Marshall's request for contract extension last week.

4. I know that Marvin Harrison might not be the best influence on a group of receivers as young as the Bears' the first time he doesn't catch as many passes as he thinks he should. That said, he's still a Hall of Fame-bound wide receiver who caught 60 passes last year and possesses skills that haven't fully eroded at 37. At this point of the off-season, with few other smart options available for the Bears, they should call Harrison's agent to gauge interest.

5. I know Cutler already has alienated enough small pockets of fans at various appearances in Chicago to produce a flurry of furious e-mails, such as the one from a guy at Wrigley Field last week who criticized the quarterback for waving off autograph seekers. "His lack of appreciation for fans will be his undoing in Chicago," Glen. R. wrote me.

We'll see, but if Cutler experiences an undoing in Chicago it will have more to do with the people on the field than in the stands. Generally speaking, the same folks complaining about Cutler's insouciant behavior will be cheering him on his first 350-yard Sunday.

Sure, Cutler could do himself some favors by exuding more charm or suffering the occasional fool with a little less outward disdain. But those who have been Bears fans for two decades, or two generations, need to remember Cutler has been here for two months. There will be -- and has been -- a degree of culture shock. Denver isn't Chicago. Eventually, Cutler will adjust because he will learn life is easier that way in this tradition-rich football city. If he doesn't, then he will get what he deserves.

But it's too early in his tenure to predict that.

6. I know that more than one voice at Halas Hall, during different conversations, has mentioned the same name first when talking about what player's conditioning level has impressed them most during the team's optional conditioning workouts: Brian Urlacher.

7. I know Rex Grossman should stay away from any United Football League tryouts next week. He's better than that. You can't tell me there are 96 quarterbacks on NFL rosters more qualified than Grossman.

8. I know Fran Tarkenton calling Brett Favre's toying with the Vikings "despicable" sounded a lot like Dick Butkus did a few years back when he criticized the way Urlacher took on blockers: petty, out of touch and older than the quarterback sneak.

9. I know defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek has two newspaper stories hanging in his locker that question whether the Bears can afford to count on him given three straight injury-plagued seasons. "I love proving people wrong," Dvoracek told ChicagoBears.com. Thanks for reading, Dusty, but motivation has never been the problem for Dvoracek, a high-character, high-energy guy. Staying healthy has been. If he can stay on the field for an entire season, a lot of people will be surprised.

10. I know Israel Idonije signing a two-year contract extension Friday with $7 million in new money still rates as one of the biggest bargains on the Bears' payroll. Idonije has more uses than your cell phone. His willingness to cut weight to move between defensive end and tackle on nickel downs will improve the Bears' pass rush, and more important, make him more effective on special teams than he was lugging 300 pounds around in 2008.