McClure: Roach looks to keep place with first team

[DaDitka]

Bears LB Roach looks to keep place with first team
May 20, 2010 2:53 PM | No Comments
By Vaughn McClure

The 2010 season opener against the Detroit Lions is more than three months away, so it's too early to say exactly how the Bears will line up this season. But voluntary workouts have given at least some sort of indication of the position battles at this juncture.

Although Lance Briggs publicly campaigned for Pisa Tinoisamoa to be the starter at strong-side linebacker, Nick Roach has maintained his spot with the first team during workouts and could remain there when the Bears begin minicamp Friday.

Remember Roach, who re-signed with the team as a restricted free agent, started 15 of 16 games last season, stepping in at strong-side linebacker after Tinoisamoa went down with a knee injury then moving to middle linebacker for a few games when Hunter Hillenmeyer suffered cracked ribs. And Roach was solid, tying for the team lead in tackles for a loss (10) while finishing fourth on the team in tackles.

Several teammates said Roach has been a "beast'' during workouts, so he won't lose his place with the starters without a fight. But Tinoisamoa, who continues to recover from a serious knee injury, showed flashes of his ability in two brief game-day appearances last season. He made a tremendous play to force a fumble against the Falcons, and his quickness was evident from the start.

Despite trading reserve linebacker Jamar Williams to Carolina, the Bears still have good depth at linebacker. Middle linebacker Brian Urlacher, now healthy and back in the mix, said his group has six starters, referring to himself, Briggs, Roach, Tinoisamoa, Hillenmeyer, and up-and-coming Tim Shaw. We'll see if that translates into more success on the field for a defense that labored throughout the 2009 season