Defensive linemen are the tone setters on game day. The war daddies who battle in confined areas against blockers trying to redirect them against their will. If they can successfully stop the run on early downs, they earn the right to rush the passer. If they successfully rush the passer, their team gets off the field on third down. Defenses that do that more often than not give their team a chance to win.
Last season began the Bears’ transition from a 4-3 (or “40-front”) to a 3-4 (or “30-front”) defense. While defenses are becoming more hybridized in principles, alignments and assignments, there is a difference in personnel.