Nobody disputes that Montez Sweat is the best and most important player on the Chicago Bears’ defensive line. It is why they traded for him. They needed a Pro Bowl presence up front. However, next to him, it is no longer a debate that Gervon Dexter is #2 on that list. He finished last season strong as a rookie despite learning a different way to play defensive tackle from what he knew at Florida. Now he takes over for Justin Jones as the projected starting three-technique, making him their most vital interior pass rusher.
To accomplish that goal, Dexter knew he’d have to totally remake his body this off-season. The top three-techniques must be slimmed down, quick, and explosive. His conditioning last year wasn’t conducive to that. Early reports from OTAs and minicamps hinted Dexter has undergone a breathtaking transformation. Sweat offered an idea of how drastic it was during his press conference on Saturday. Apparently, the second-year defensive tackle chose to do the training camp conditioning test with the defensive ends instead, which is known to be significantly more difficult.
Montez Sweat can already see what awaits Dexter.
The defensive tackle became harder and harder to block as the season went along last year. He got into the backfield much more often, notching 2.5 sacks in his final five games. Things have only gotten better for him since then. He slimmed down and got into top shape. Not only that, but Eric Washington arrived to become the Bears’ new defensive coordinator. He is renowned as one of the best defensive line specialists in the league. Even better? His greatest successes have all been defensive tackles (Henry Melton, Kawaan Short, Ed Oliver). One can only imagine how excited he is to work with Dexter.
If he takes the big step many hope for, the combination of him and Montez Sweat could be devastating. For all the talk about needing a second defensive end, the truth is this defense is often driven by having one great outside guy and one great inside guy. Think John Randle and Chris Doleman in Minnesota. Think Warren Sapp and Simeon Rice in Tampa Bay. Don’t forget Tommie Harris and Adewale Ogunleye in Chicago. Sweat and Dexter have a chance to become that next great combo. Everything hinges on the defensive tackle unlocking his full potential.
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@Dr. Melhus — I believe we all understand the concept of “20/20 hindsight.” But if you believe that I utilized “drafting hindsight” in any of my posted comments — you are mistaken.. Your analysis of my situation ignores the controlling “reality” of ordinal time. I told Lambert’s ardent readers that I would have selected: Tuli Tuipulotu (or Joe Tippmann, or Brian Branch — had they been available) rather than Gervon Dexter Sr.; would have taken De’Von Achane (as well as Trenton Simpson) ahead of Zacch Pickens; and most recently, happily selected Payton Wilson ahead of Kiran Amegadjie. Your example of… Read more »
“The ball was snapped, and out of the corner of my eye, I see Big Gerv eat a guy. I didn’t say he beat a guy. I said eat. E, A, T. I don’t know dude’s name, he was a backup guard. He wasn’t gonna make the team, but he coulda been a practice guy. That ain’t my decision. Anyway, that was the grossest shit I ever seen. Big Gerv just ate dude. 3 MF’ing bites, too. Chomp, Chomp, Chomp. Dude was gone. I think they found one of his shoes after practice. That was some sick shit, man. We… Read more »
Dr. Melhus, you said two relevant points but listed three–a mistake or should I simply assume that the first two are aimed at me? Perhaps the third relates to … Erik should not be so easily faulted by you for the same “ambiguity”? Your third point is an excuse or a context for the other ones? Well, rocketass, not Erik, is part of my context. He has been vicious toward others, so you should not back that snake.
@Dr. Melhus Somebody thinks you hit a walk off, but in my measured opinion, you did not even step on first base. You are totally missing the point and the overall context with rocketass. You have simply catered to him and his ilk followers to score points. I could comment on each of your incorrect points. But why don’t you reread his seemingly innocent statement and know his history of attacks against some of us. He weaponized intelligence and then makes a 7th grade error. He, if anyone, deserved it. You, if anyone, should have stayed out of it, or… Read more »
@Dr. Sallie: There’s two relevant points here. 1) If you’re going to dish out harsh language critiques, you should get your language right. 2) If you’re going to dish out critiques, you should also be able to take them. 3) Lambert bills himself as a professional writer, and as such, should be held to a higher standard than people posting in comments. He has a pretty strong need for a good editor – many of his sentences can be confusing, such as omitting key words like ‘not’ which radically change the meaning. And many of his takes are more than… Read more »