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Chicago Bears: Addition of Jaye Howard takes run defense to the next level

By Dan Schmelzer

Oct 18, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Jaye Howard (96) lines up against the Minnesota Vikings in the third quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings win 16-10. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Jaye Howard (96) lines up against the Minnesota Vikings in the third quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings win 16-10. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Chicago Bears made a strong addition to their defensive front. Jaye Howard will immediately take their run defense to the next level.

On Thursday, the Chicago Bears announced the free agent signing of defensive lineman Jaye Howard. Signing a free agent this late in the offseason is not typically an addition that will move the needle much. However, Howard is an extremely talented player who will undoubtedly help the Bears up front.

Howard is a five-year NFL veteran who was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft. Howard only played for one season with the Seahawks but has thrived with the Kansas City Chiefs the past two years.

He is listed at 6-foot-3, 301 pounds and primarily played five-tech defensive end with the Chiefs. Howard is not a quick attacking defensive lineman who creates pressure on the quarterback but he is an extremely tough and dependable run defender.

The University of Florida product is an extremely powerful player who can move people at the point of attack. He does an incredible job of two-gapping and allowing his teammates to make plays around him. Howard will be a perfect fit for the Bears’ defense and should be the overwhelming favorite to start up front next to Eddie Goldman and Akiem Hicks.

As a whole, the Bears are starting to put together a nice defensive front seven. That being said, they struggled mightily against the run last season. Their 121.9 rushing yards allowed per game last was the sixth highest in the entire NFL. Howard is not the most exciting player but he will undoubtedly help that obvious issue for the Bears.

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A three-man front of Howard, Goldman and Hicks will be an issue for opposing offenses to deal with. Those are three big and powerful men who can plug up the middle of the line of scrimmage. The Bears were easy to run on last year but if these three linemen stay healthy, it will not be the same in 2017.

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