People never really talk about the Leonard Floyd Akiem Hicks relationship. Why should they? Sure they play on the same defense and work towards the same goal. At the same they're two different players. One is a defensive end. The other is a linebacker. Their responsibilities don't line up exactly. So how can one sell people on the fact that Hicks is vital to the success of Floyd?
The truth lay in how defensive coordinator Vic Fangio employs his scheme. Most know by now that the Bears run a variation of the 3-4 scheme. Fangio is the first man to ever employ that system in Chicago. However, his is somewhat different from the tradition 3-4 prevalent across the league. Perhaps the biggest key is in how he employs the pass rush.
During the height of his NFL success in San Francisco, Fangio had two legit studs in his front seven. One was defensive end Justin Smith and the other was linebacker Aldon Smith. Separately they were both great players. Together they were a weapon of mass destruction.
Leonard Floyd Akiem Hicks is already mirroring the Smiths
How exactly? Well it lay with a simple formula. Justin Smith, being the big and powerful player he was, could deliver a fierce bull rush that was often impossible to block one-on-one. This forced offenses to devote an extra blocker to containing him. Fangio knew this was the case. So what he did to take advantage was line him up next to Aldon, essentially guaranteeing the linebacker single blocking in pass rush situations most of a game.
During their first two full seasons together in 2011 and 2012, Aldon Smith had 33.5 sacks. A large majority of them came when he was flanked by Justin.
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Fast forward to present day and it's clear Fangio is turning Floyd and Hicks into the newest version of that unstoppable tandem. Don't believe it? Just watch the tape.
vs. Green Bay (10/20/2016)
This was the Floyd coming out party of sorts. After finally getting healthy from a spat of nagging injuries, the rookie linebacker decided to make the night a memorable one for Aaron Rodgers. Many didn't bother to pay attention that it was Hicks who helped get him started. On the first of two sacks that night, watch how Hicks engages the Packers left guard and center, drawing them to the left.
This leaves Floyd one-on-one with the left tackle and room to go outside or inside. He chooses inside. By the time the guard tries to offer help, it's too late.
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vs. San Francisco (12/04/2016)
This was one of the few fun games for the Bears last year, playing at a snowy Soldier Field and beating down the 49ers. Again Floyd had two sacks on the afternoon and again it was Hicks doing the setup work. This time it came from the right side. Again Hicks eats up the blocks of both the guard and center. Floyd, again, is left one-on-one with the tackle with a choice to go inside or outside. Again he goes inside and again he gets the sack.
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vs. Denver (8/10/2017)
Not much has changed since last year. Word is Floyd is heavier and stronger, which is frightening. This time he only needed one play in the preseason to showcase his coming dominance. You can probably guess what happens at this point. Hicks pulls the blocker down the line, leaving Floyd out in space against the right tackle. After that it's fairly predictable at this point.
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A lot of people have said for weeks and months that the Bears must be careful to not overpay Hicks. Problem is they base this caution on his own personal numbers. To be fair seven sacks last year is good for somebody of his position. What they haven't factored in though is just how essential he's been to the success of the supposed next great pass rusher in Bears history in Floyd.
As yet Chicago hasn't been able to reach agreement with Hicks on a new deal. Here's hoping they pay the man what he's worth rather than trying to sneak by on the cheap.
