The Rise And Fall Of Nathan Vasher
Five years ago, Nathan Vasher’s career with the Chicago Bears seemed bright and unbounded. He was a recent fourth-round draft pick, many considered him a steal, and even more were infatuated with the video making rounds on YouTube featuring him blowing up an oblivious Carlos Francis. So, how does it get to the point where a mere five years later, anticipation is no longer forming in regard to his star potential, but instead, for his final days with the club in which it all started?
The obvious, and probably sole, blame in Vasher’s slide is injuries. In 2004 and 2005, Vasher’s first two seasons, he was spectacular; one of a few bright spots in the team’s dismal 2004 campaign, and a Pro Bowler in 2005 after leading the NFC with eight interceptions and setting the, then, NFL record for longest return (108 yards). It’s important to note that Vasher played in all 32 games during the two-year stint, clearly the most productive of his career.
By 2006, Vasher was the bona fide number two corner behind Peanut Tillman, and as importantly, rated 92 overall in Madden ‘07; a clear indicator of how he was revered by the NFL community (kind of serious, actually). But, before the season started–the season that would eventually see the Bears make the Super Bowl–Vasher hurt his back.
Vasher battled the back injury during the offseason, but was seemingly healthy by week one. And, until the month of December came creeping along, with the Bears on the cusp of locking up a first-round bye, he was fine. Then, what was ignited was something we now know to be the start of a horrendous series of events; the beginning of the “Interceptor’s” own career-derailing interception of his starting ability: Nagging injuries to the hamstring, groin, wrist, and hand.
He missed three games that year (hamstring), his first missed games of his short career, but played well enough in the NFC Championship and in Super Bowl XLI. He was rewarded with a lucrative five-year contract extension. And, I mean, let’s be honest: it was well-deserved enough; 16 interceptions in three seasons, and still only 24 years old. Plus, there was hardly anything to suggest that Vasher wouldn’t rebound the following year and continue to play at a Pro Bowl level. Unfortunately, the subsequent 18 months could be summarized as such:
2007: Week X: Doubtful, Groin — Week Y: Doubtful, Groin — Week Z: Out, Groin! … Groin, Groin, Groin!
Not since Lance Briggs had one groin caused as many unforeseen issues.
2008: Week X: Doubtful, Wrist — Week Y: Doubtful: Thumb — Week Z: IR: Wrist and Thumb.
Two years of making big-time money resulting in nine out of 12 games started is … well, problematic to say the least. Consider that you’ve been called out on at least two separate occasions by the head coach, and it turns very, very problematic.
So, here we are: It’s the beginning of the preseason and expectations are… maybe, were … lofty for Vasher. And, why wouldn’t they be? He practiced, and played, through training camp without a hitch. His fellow oft-injured teammate, Peanut, was … injured again, and so was Zack Bowman, another possible candidate for a starting role. But, for whatever reason, he’s not the same. Is he playing safe? Is he rusty? Is he comfortable? All possibilities.
The thing to remember is that one game has been played in the preseason. Vasher will get, at least, three more opportunities to remind coaches, fans, and himself, why he was initially deserved of an extension, and how he aligned himself as a fan favorite early in his career.
For the sake of a secondary already in restiveness, I’m patiently waiting for more of this.
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nice post. let’s all hope vasher can bounce back. unfortunately, i personally think he is done and am praying for bowman and tillman to someone miraculously return for game 1 at gb. im going to the game, and i don’t want to see another shelling like last yr. go bears!
Sounds like the coaches aren’t at all impressed. Oh how I miss the interceptor. Did a Bears CB ever have a more exciting season than he did when he had all those picks and the missed-FG TD return?
It’s just crazy to me how Vasher can all of a sudden now be at risk for not making the team. How does that happen? I guess it can’t said enough how a good pass rush can make any db look better than they are.
Oh 2006, where art thou? When tommie was healthy and mark anderson looked like he belonged in the league…
Does anyone seem to understand Vasher has been hurt. Also you guys act like Tillman is god’s gift from the secondary heaven. He can’t cover, all he can do is let them catch it and try to strip it. If the defense quit playing that soft coverage they wouldnt give up 30 slants a game. I’ve seen Tillman get roasted for 90+ yards have you ever seen Nate get done that way. Steve Smith destroyed Tillman in that game they played. Nate covered him better. All you reporters and DA people writing on these blogs need to get a life.
Craig-
I think people are just going by the news that is coming out of Bears camp on Vasher. I don’t think he’s washed up either. The question is whether or not he is worth the big back loaded contract money he’s getting for a number one shut down corner. He certainely didn’t look like it last year.
Second of all, how lame is it to tell other people to get a life for doing the same thing you are? What are you a rockstar? Do you have like an endless rotisserie of super models parading out of your multi-million dollar penthouse? Freaking Dork…
YA’LL LEAVE ‘MY’ BABY ALONE!
(oops – the “Manic” side of PIPOLAR)
[...] the most rewarding part of penning a post entitled “The Rise And Fall Of Nate Vasher” would be seeing resiliency rewarded. And with that: just when you thought it was safe to [...]
[...] the most rewarding part of penning a post entitled “The Rise And Fall Of Nate Vasher” would be seeing resiliency rewarded. And with that: just when you thought it was safe to [...]
[...] the most rewarding part of penning a post entitled “The Rise And Fall Of Nate Vasher” would be seeing resiliency rewarded. And with that: just when you thought it was safe to [...]
[...] on. On August 21, I wrote “The Rise And Fall Of Nathan Vasher” — a post about the sliding play of Vasher over the last two years. It generated, for [...]
[...] on. On August 21, I wrote “The Rise And Fall Of Nathan Vasher” — a post about the sliding play of Vasher over the last two years. It generated, for [...]
[...] on. On August 21, I wrote “The Rise And Fall Of Nathan Vasher” — a post about the sliding play of Vasher over the last two years. It generated, for [...]
Great article, the D-fence hasn’t been very good this year.. there needs to be some changes made for next year..