Can Nick Kwiatkoski end the Bears’ bad run of drafted LBs?

SHARE Can Nick Kwiatkoski end the Bears’ bad run of drafted LBs?
kwia.jpg

Bears LB Nick Kwiatkoski in colleget at West Virginia. (AP)

The reminders hang from the walls at Halas Hall. From Dick Butkus to Mike Singletary to Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs, Bears rookie linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski gets to see the fraternity he has joined every day.

“It’s a linebacker town,” Kwiatkoski said. “It’s definitely a privilege [to play here]. … You see the pictures everywhere.”

Kwiatkoski has watched Urlacher film since playing at West Virginia, but, for now, any poster, jersey or memorabilia he sees is merely a reminder of what has been. Kwiatkoski, whom the Bears traded up to select in the fourth round, has to show what’s to come from him.

Linebackers define the Bears, but the franchise hasn’t drafted a quality starter since Briggs in 2003. Defensive end-turned-linebacker Shea McClellin, the 19th overall pick in 2012, didn’t meet high expectations and needed a fresh start after his third position switch. Jon Bostic and Khaseem Greene, the Bears’ second- and fourth-round selections in 2013, flamed out fast and are playing elsewhere. Before them, Michael Okwo (third round, 2007) was the big miss worth mentioning.

The Bears see Kwiatkoski as a future starter. General manager Ryan Pace views him as a hard-nosed, throwback player with good instincts. But his development at inside linebacker in a 3-4 defense won’t be rushed.

In that sense, Kwiatkoski said he’s happy and fortunate to begin his NFL career behind veterans Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman, two free-agent additions.

“They’re very helpful,” said Kwiatkoski, a productive, three-year starter in college. “Just going out there and you make a mistake, they’re there to correct you. Even if you have a good play, they can help you. It’s the small things and tricks that can help you get that much better. Having that from people who have done it for years, it’s a great thing.”

It also helps because Kwiatkoski said “everything is new” for him in the Bears’ defense – particularly, the language and calls – compared to what he did at West Virginia.

“It’s definitely different than what I’m used to,” he said. “But for the most part, it’s coming to me. It’s all stuff that we’ve been learning since before [organized team activities]. Right now, it’s starting to really, really make sense. It’s just part of the learning process.”

Kwiatkoski is learning the responsibilities of both inside linebacker spots, known as “Mike” and “Jack.” But handling various roles isn’t foreign to him. He joined West Virginia as a safety and played three different linebacker positions by the end of his career. The Bears believe the switches enhanced his instincts.

“He was exposed to a lot, which is the instinct thing,” inside linebackers coach Glenn Pires said. “He’s seen a lot. He’s played a lot of different positions and that’s allowing him to be productive because he has a pretty good idea of what’s going on around him. He’s a big picture kind of guy, and that’s allowed him to have a lot of production. He’s a very versatile guy.”

Kwiatoski can only show so much without pads, but the Bears are eager to see more.

“He’s a diligent guy,” Pires said. “He’s a very conscientious guy. And he’s a team kind of a guy. You can tell that he’s a leader.”

The Latest
With Easter around the corner, chocolate makers and food businesses are feeling the impact of soaring global cocoa prices and it’s also hitting consumers.
Despite getting into foul trouble, which limited him to just six minutes in the second half, Shannon finished with 29 points, five rebounds and two assists.
Cowboy hats, bell-bottoms and boots were on full display Thursday night as fans lined up for the first of his three sold-out shows.
The incident occurred about 3:40 p.m. near Minooka. The horse was successfully placed back into the trailer, and the highway reopened about 40 minutes later. No injuries were reported.