Emma: Bears Defense Has Swagger, But Improvement Will Take Time
By Chris Emma--
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (CBS) -- Each narrative from a long, tiring offseason is set to reveal itself with results. Let's see what this new Bears defense can do.
The Bears have a highly touted defensive leader in coordinator Vic Fangio; promising new pieces in Eddie Goldman, Adrian Amos and the self-described "violent" Pernell McPhee; former star defensive ends like Jared Allen and Lamarr Houston making the move to outside linebacker; and plenty more.
So many stories and questions surround the Bears' rebounding defense, the pride of this franchise that's became a total embarrassment in recent times.
"Obviously, they've been pretty bad here for two straight years defensively," Fangio said.
Finally, real regular-season football is around the corner, with Week 1 finally here. Coach John Fox's debut comes Sunday at Soldier Field, the humble beginnings for a Bears organization -- and, most importantly, that defense -- working for better. Excitement is building as this unit is ready to work.
Oh, and Aaron Rodgers is coming to town with his Packers.
"Hall of Fame -- two words," McPhee said of Rodgers.
Hey, who's going to question him on semantics? McPhee's a leader for this defense, voted a team captain in his first season with the Bears. It's an honor that reflects his poise and confidence off the field and also that swagger he brings to the defense.
If every Bears defender had the demeanor and talent of McPhee, this group would be something dangerous. But it's a unit with many square parts being jammed into round holes, one that still has many holdovers from the 2014 season.
Each of Fangio's defenses in San Francisco carried on common reputation -- violence. His players became better because of their schemes and assignments. This preseason brought the Bears time to learn and grow into their system.
Fangio's demands have gotten the Bears more acclimated in their defense.
"He expects a lot," Allen said. "He's had a great deal of success with his defenses in the past. He expects our best, and we all expect to have great success in it."
During the preseason, Fangio's defense was watered down. There were few exotic blitzes and even fewer secrets revealed. Now, we get to see what it can do.Rodgers is 0-4 against Fangio, but this is a different situation from San Franciso.
These past two seasons, the Bears surrendered a combined 28.8 points and 385.8 yards per game, horrendous marks for a proud franchise tradition. Marc Trestman was dismissed after 2014, along with defensive coordinator Mel Tucker and the rest of his regime.
In Fox, the Bears selected an experienced head coach with a track record of building his teams into a winner. Fox is also a defensive-minded coach, made even better by bringing Fangio over from the 49ers.
The Bears won't truly reflect the hopes of Fox and Fangio until all the proper personnel is brought in, though this unit should be better than the previous two Chicago defenses because of competence in coaching. Fangio puts his players in the right place, in a position to succeed, and his defenses produce as a result.
"They're very well coached, have good scheme recognition, good disguise," Rodgers said of the Bears on a conference call. "They've always had a lot of moving pieces, but they always seem really well prepared."
Countless storylines will converge into one defense, a unit striving toward Fangio's high standard and a longstanding Bears tradition. It's time for some results.
Over time, perhaps this defense comes to fruition as a dominant, physical and violent unit. Fangio has a history of making his players better, and improved personnel will follow in the coming years. But for now, this Bears defense is starting from humble beginnings -- and with the Packers on its doorstep.
"I'm excited for Sunday," McPhee said. "We're going to see how many guys turn it up an extra notch."
Follow Chris on Twitter @CEmma670.
