Leonard Floyd Key Piece in Bears Defensive Resurgence

After a disappointing 2015 season for the Chicago Bears’ defense, it came as no surprise when they made linebacker Leonard Floyd their first pick in the NFL Draft.  The 6-6 star out of Georgia set the SEC on fire last season, finishing with 10.5 tackles for loss, and was later named a Butkus Award finalist for best linebacker in college football.  Despite the impressive numbers, draft analysts were up in the air about what they thought about the young linebacker due to his wire-thin frame. Bears Defensive Coordinator, Vic Fangio, looks past the minor blemish when looking at what he likes about Floyd’s overall game.

“He’s very athletic. He’s long. He can run. He’s got good instincts. (Georgia) used him all over the place, so I think he has good football instincts, which we’ll see if that translates here.” Fangio added, “So there were a lot of things to like from his athletic ability, movement, he’s got some pass rush talent, he can play in coverage, he’s got talent for that.  So his versatility, along with his athleticism and length.”

The versatile linebacker got his first taste of what the NFL has to offer during rookie mini-camp as he joined the rest of the Bears rookie class at Halas Hall Field.  While Floyd is comfortable playing inside linebacker, the Bears already have him penciled into the outside linebacker position as a pass rusher.  Floyd appreciates the time it allows him to focus on improving at the position prior to the start of the season.

“It’s going to help me a lot only focusing on one thing, because I’m used to focusing on more than one,” said Floyd. “Focusing on one position really helps me a lot. I was playing a whole lot faster, just having to worry about my one position and my keys.  It’s allowed me to play fast.” Floyd stated.

Playing fast is what Floyd is known for, and with his slight build he has been able to maintain that playing speed throughout his college career.  Unfortunately the same weight issues that clouded his draft stock are creeping into the discussion today as Floyd does not fit the build of a prototypical outside linebacker.  While Floyd will ultimately put on some weight prior to the start of the 2016 season, Bears GM Ryan Pace wants to make sure that the gains won’t impact what made him a star in the first place.

“The last thing you want to do is bulk this guy up and then you’re taking away what he does best.  You see some guys put on too much weight too fast and they look stiff and they lose some of that twitch that makes them a special player.  We’ve got to do it the right way.  I’ve got a lot of confidence in our strength and conditioning coaches, our sports science director Jen Gibson, to get Leonard at an optimal playing weight to maximize his talent.”

The Bears already have their first round pick on an eating regimen in order to get him closer to that optimal weight.

“I’ve got prompts set up on my phone of times in the day that I’m supposed to eat,” Floyd said. I (have to) make sure I eat at the times when I get the alarm.

With a weight closer to 250 pounds, Floyd will be closer to that prototypical size while still maintaining his explosiveness.

Floyd will join his fellow linebackers Pernell McPhee, Jerrell Freeman, and Danny Trevathan in what could be one of the most imposing linebacker cores in the NFL. An improved linebacker core, in addition to the 5 other defensive players added in the 2016 NFL Draft, should make for a much improved defensive unit for the Chicago Bears this season.