The Bears should do quite well when Pro Bowl rosters are revealed Tuesday. In the latest fan ballot totals the NFL released, four players led voting at their positions in the NFC: cornerback Kyle Fuller, free safety Eddie Jackson, outside linebacker Khalil Mack and return specialist Tarik Cohen. Those four are deserving, and the Bears could have a couple of more players in the mix. Defensive lineman Akiem Hicks is deserving of a Pro Bowl nod. Nose tackle Eddie Goldman is one of the best at his position, but it’s tough for run stoppers to get acknowledged because players who generate sacks are more popular. Left tackle Charles Leno has had a strong season. Keep in mind the Pro Bowl rosters remain in flux as players drop out of the game and alternates are added.
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McManis is clearly the first choice to replace Callahan, who is out for the season with a broken foot, as the nickel back. McManis has experience and savvy playing in the slot. It’s a position that requires a lot of a defensive back, and experience is often paramount. That’s why it’s unusual to see a rookie cornerback excelling as a slot defender. There are a ton of moving parts and it takes time to grow into that role. Callahan is much better now than he was two years ago as a second-year pro. I don’t know that Toliver has the lateral quickness the Bears want in that position. I wouldn’t rule out a slightly expanded role for Toliver, and perhaps he could begin to figure in the dime package, which defensive coordinator Vic Fangio uses from time to time. McManis had been filling that role. We could see the Bears rely a little less on their sub package and keep bigger defenders on the field. Of course, against the Packers, who like to spread out the field, you can expect to see a lot of nickel personnel.
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