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Emma: Goldman, Hicks Strengthen Identity Of Bears' Budding Defense

By Chris Emma--

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (CBS) -- The Bears' wrecking balls are reunited again, and so is the identity of this budding defense.

Defensive lineman Akiem Hicks has played just one full regular-season game alongside nose tackle Eddie Goldman. The tandem was to create a dynamic pass rush for the Bears' young defense, battering through opposing offensive lines. In Hicks and Goldman, the Bears have two ideal complements to front Vic Fangio's 3-4 defense.

So when Goldman was carted off Soldier Field in Week 2 with an ankle sprain, a hush went through Soldier Field. He's back and ready to hit people.

"I just want to get out there, make a couple of plays and celebrate with the team," Goldman said Monday.

General manager Ryan Pace envisioned a physical, nasty defense that started up front. The secondary is young, and the linebackers are versatile. This defense needed its push up front. Pace slected Goldman in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft, then he signed Hicks this March to a two-year deal. Hicks said they would be wrecking balls.

Backup nose tackle Will Sutton emerged in lieu of Goldman, but the presence of big No. 91 in the face of the center changes the game.

"I've been excited to play with Eddie since I saw him in training camp muscling guys over," said Hicks, who also credited Sutton's emergence. "He's just a big, strong, everything you want in a nose and them some."

Goldman still isn't quite 100 percent, Fangio admitted Wednesday, but he could be ready to play on Sunday in Tampa Bay after six weeks of recovery to his ankle.

What could come of this defense when Goldman is healthy? That's the question Fangio must be wondering, like so many others.

The Bears were built for success with the big bulldozers up front. They're similarly built with statures -- large and quick -- and can play off each other, with Hicks mostly lining up in the 5-technique and Goldman in the nose. Hicks has played well without Goldman, recording four sacks.

Goldman's presence means better from Hicks, Mitch Unrein, Pernell McPhee, Leonard Floyd, Danny Trevathan and the entire defensive front, which provides the secondary more of a chance to holds its own.

"Now we're going to have a level of depth," Hicks said, "so when one guy gets tired and has to get off the field, the next guy coming in has the same amount of punch.

"This front seven is nasty."

Though Goldman has been limited in work this week, he's still closer to taking the field. Final determinations of game statuses will be made by coach John Fox on Friday afternoon at Halas Hall.

During this offseason, Goldman committed himself to losing weight, dropping nearly 20 pounds to 325. This allows him to be more of a force with his rush. While off his feet, Goldman maintained a healthy diet, eating plenty of vegetables, he says.

Goldman is surely more eager to be at his best, but just taking the field again -- whether that's this Sunday or the next -- will be a major step.

"As long as I can contribute to the team and bring what I can to the table, then that'll be the most I can do -- give what I can," Goldman stated.

Fangio's 3-4 defense calls for players like Goldman and Hicks to move bodies up front, allowing the inside linebackers seams and the edge rushers room to disrupt. Goldman played well in his rookie season, while Hicks has high potential he's getting closer to reaching.

Any defensive lineman can pride himself on bull-rushing through two linemen or using a quick move to get through and crush the quarterback. Hicks has shown he can do both.

Now reunited with Goldman up front, Hicks is ready to wreck.

"It's gritty up there," he said. "If there's one thing we're not going to do, we're not going to let people run the ball on us."

Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.

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