Nathan Vasher

Pfft.

-Corner Nathan Vasher was released last week, to no one's real surprise.

Vasher got a hefty contract after one relatively good season, but was never this team's number one corner. He was making too much money to be a dime corner and not physical enough to be a nickel corner. He just didn't fit on this team anymore. That leaves Smith's defense with very little depth at the position, so at least one of the few draft picks we have will be spent in on cornerback.

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Expect to see more Gaines Adams at defensive end and Nathan Vasher filling in at times at the free safety spot.  

Jay Cutler and the offense shouldn’t have much opposition from the Browns. Their dead-last-ranked defense gives up over 400 yards and 25 points a game. If O-Coordinator Ron Turner can’t reach 30 points, it should be considered a bad offensive day. Matt Forte will have no better chance for a break-out game than against Cleveland’s front seven. As much as Turner may love throwing the ball with his new favorite, Matt Forte will have to carry this team to the playoffs.

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Another expected shuffle in the secondary, Zack Bowman will start in place of Nathan Vasher. This is the best secondary line-up I think the Bears can currently put on the field, let's see if it works.

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Cornerback:

Nathan Vasher may not make it to the regular season. He’s struggling to hold onto his starting corner spot opposite Charles Tillman, who hopefully will be back for the season opener. Vasher signed an extension after the Super Bowl run of ’07, but has failed to live up to its value. He’s certainly on the hot seat with promising corners like Zack Bowman, Trumaine McBride and Corey Graham sitting behind him.

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That may not improve Sunday night, as cover corner Nathan Vasher is out indefinitely with a fractured right hand, as well as the re-aggravation of his prior thumb injury from this year. It’s been a miserable year for Vasher, who only has pulled in one interception in his eight games, a few of which he has exited early. Corey Graham is expected to fill-in at the position, bringing better run-stopping ability, but less developed cover skills. Safety Mike Brown’s calf injury is apparently nothing serious, as he is listed as probable on the injury report. Run defense will obviously be the primary focus against Adrian Peterson and the massive offense line of Minnesota as the Bears will forever attempt to ensure no more all-time records are set on their watch. This will open up things downfield for Vikings QB Gus Frerotte, whom the Bears will again challenge to be perfect in the passing game. The secondary will be hoping for a solid pass rush this week, as it could lead to another fun-filled day of Frerotte interceptions.

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ly be matched up with Holt for the bulk of the game, but he’s not the focus in the secondary. Nathan Vasher has looked timid in his attempts to tackle the ball-carrier, so much so that writers around Chicago are calling for his benching. Back-up corner Corey Graham is the better corner for run coverage, and his tackling skills are above average. If Vasher continues to underperform, Smith shouldn’t waste time in showing him the bench for a stretch of time. It won’t fix all of the defense’s issues, but it could be a step in the right direction. 

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