Bears Ink Linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa

In 2003, Pisa Tinoisamoa led the 12-4 St. Louis Rams in total tackles as a 22-year-old rookie. His defensive coordinator was Lovie Smith. After five seasons apart, the two will once again be working together in 2009, as the Chicago Bears have agreed to a one-year deal with the linebacker.

At first glance, due to the hulking presence of Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs, you might think there's no way the Bears need a linebacker. Tinoisamoa does, however, represent an upgrade to the serviceable yet unspectacular duo of Hunter Hillenmeyer and Nick Roach at the strong side linebacker position. It will be a two-down job on many possessions, as Urlacher and Briggs never leave the field.

What Tinoisamoa brings the Bears is a better tackling ability on the strong side. The Bears were pretty stout against the run last season, but it came at the expense of the pass coverage. If Tinoisamoa does what the Bears expect on the first two downs, they'll be able to keep their safeties back -- instead of creeping one up into the box for run support. Considering Tinoisamoa led the Rams in tackles in all four of his healthy seasons, and that he now has a much better supporting cast, he should find his niche rather easily.

The addition of Tinoisamoa -- along with the drafting of Marcus Freeman -- likely means the end of the road for Hillenmeyer, who has been a Bear since 2003.

This is a very solid move by the Bears. With so much attention being paid to the lack of receiving talent, the general public has had a tendency to forget the defense had its fair share of shortcomings last season. With the addition of several draft picks, Tinoisamoa and good coaching shifts (such as adding Rod Marinelli and demoting Bob Babich), the defense looks to be rounding into form -- Bears fans are hoping that means 2006 form.