Ryan Pace has developed a reputation over the past three years for always keeping his eye on players he knows well. Players he helped scout and draft or sign with the New Orleans Saints. Thus far he's actually had a degree of good fortune with this. Tracey Porter was a welcome help to the secondary in 2015, becoming their best cover corner that season. A year later he added defensive end
Akiem Hicks who is now a defensive captain.
As the years progress the number of such players will dwindle but there was still time for Pace to perhaps make one more foray into the pool. That's exactly what he did Thursday, signing Bears practice tryout Kasim Edebali to a contract just in time for him to join the team for training camp this summer.
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The signing of Edebali was more about finding depth at edge rusher than anything else.
Aaron Lynch, their free agent addition back in March is nursing an injured hamstring. While the team insists he'll be ready for camp, hamstrings are a tricky thing that can be hard to heal. Chicago is hedging their bets with Edebali.
So who exactly is this guy?
Ryan Pace got an intriguing motor guy who fits the system
Edebali is a fascinating story. He was actually born in Hamburg, Germany. He came to the U.S. as a foreign exchange student in 2007 and took up football at Boston College. He needed time to adjust but as a senior broke out with 9.5 sacks. He didn't get drafted but it was enough to interest the Saints in signing him as an undrafted free agent.
Eventually, he worked his way into a role as a rotational pass rusher. His best season came in 2015 when he had five sacks. Unfortunately, the defensive coordinator who brought him in, Rob Ryan was fired midseason. With the promotion of Dennis Allen in his place, New Orleans switched from a 3-4 alignment to a 4-3. Edebali, who lacked the needed size and length to play defensive end, couldn't function at the same level in 2016.
Last year he split time between Denver and Detroit but rarely saw the field. The Broncos didn't need him for anything other than depth and the Lions ran a 4-3 alignment. Signing in Chicago marks the first time he lands in a scheme he fits with a depth chart that give him a chance to compete for playing time.
Are they getting an overlooked stud? No, but he can be a big help.
The first things that stick out about Edebali are two-fold: power and effort. He's not a premier athlete when it comes to the edge rush position. Instead he wins with a non-stop motor and a good power base that allows him to fight through blocks.
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Most of his sacks aren't of the "pretty" variety. He has to fight for them but blockers tend to regret it when they underestimate him. He's also faster than people might think. If he gets up a head of steam he can move. Combined with that relentlessness, he's made his share of plays after the throw is already gone.
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It's never a bad thing to have a few guys like that on the team. Role players who push the stars from behind, motivating them to practice and play a little harder. Edebali has a lot of ground to make up before he can be considered a possible permanent roster addition. One thing is for sure. He likely won't have a better shot elsewhere. That reality should only serve as extra motivation.
