National Football League

NFL analyst identifies Antrel Rolle, Eddie Goldman as keys to Chicago's success

Published May. 21, 2015 9:40 a.m. ET

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The Chicago Bears fielded an uncharacteristically lousy defense last season, so the focus this offseason was to bolster that side of the ball. Analysts seem to agree that the Bears did an "above average" rebuilding job since the Super Bowl, according to ESPN's Jeff Dickerson.

NFL analyst Louis Riddick was able to break down the team's moves and point to two players who must come up big for the Bears on on defense.

"The coaching staff is star-studded with a lot of brain power in Vic Fangio and Adam Gase," Riddick said, according to Dickerson. "Whether Antrel Rolle can be the jack of all trades at strong safety in that 3-4, that is key. Eddie Goldman, if he can stabilize the nose, that is key. They are building it strong down the middle. I like how they have done it from the top down, GM to coach to coordinators and then strengthening the roster down the middle. Now, we'll see if it works."

Rolle comes over from the New York Giants, where he was a Super Bowl-winning safety. While he was a key addition in free agency, Goldman was the defense's prized draft pick. Selected in the second round out of Florida State, Goldman anchored a national championship-winning defense in college.

The pedigree is present in Chicago, but future performances will matter more to the Bears than past accomplishments.

(h/t ESPN)

Photo Credit: Ron Antonelli/Getty Images

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