by Lorin Cox
https://bearswire.usatoday.com/2019/01/ ... ic-fangio/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
It took far too long for Akiem Hicks to get the recognition he deserved.
The defensive end performed a high level from the moment he came to Chicago, but it took until this year to finally earn respect around the NFL.
With his upcoming trip to the Pro Bowl, Hicks is no longer the Bears' most underrated player, but his teammate right next to him on the defensive line is deserving of the title.
Eddie Goldman is having the best season of his young career with performances that should establish him as one of the league's best nose tackles.
General manager Ryan Pace agreed with that assessment of Goldman before the season even started, rewarding him with a four-year, $42 million contract extension with $25 million guaranteed.
His new contract makes him the fifth highest-paid nose tackle in the NFL behind the likes of Marcell Dareus, Ndamukong Suh and Linval Joseph, and Goldman has played as well as any of them this season.
His production doesn't always show up on the stat sheet, but the dirty work he does on the interior is critical to the success Hicks and the rest of the Bears' defense has had this season.
Goldman is most often asked to occupy blocks and take on double teams so his teammates can be free to make the play on the ball-carrier, and his contributions don't go unnoticed by the rest of the front seven.
"He’s a staple in this defense," linebacker Danny Trevathan told NBC Sports Chicago. "A lot of people don’t see it, but I see it."
And when he does shed blocks and make a big tackle in the backfield, it's easy to see.
Chicago Bears nose tackle Eddie Goldman (GIF via NFL Game Pass)
He made more of these types of plays this season than ever before. According to Pro Football Focus, Goldman set career-highs with 27 "stops" and 28 total pressures, with three sacks and 25 quarterback hurries.
He's never going to be a premier pass rusher from the nose tackle position, but he made his presence felt for opposing quarterbacks throughout the season.
He brought down Jared Goff in the endzone for a huge safety against the Los Angeles Rams, and he made Minnesota Vikings right guard Tom Compton look silly in Week 17 to sack Kirk Cousins.
Chicago Bears nose tackle Eddie Goldman sacks Kirk Cousins (GIF via NFL Game Pass)
It'll be even harder for Goldman to receive his due credit than it was for Hicks, who could rely on his flashy pass-rushing to earn attention.
The important thing for the nose tackle is his contract reflects his ability to perform, and he should be plenty satisfied to keep flying under the radar and doing the dirty work in Vic Fangio's defense.
Looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane.