Bears' Willie Young has always exhibited team-first attitude

The Bears' “other” free-agent defensive end, Willie Young — the one who doesn't start but plays behind Jared Allen and Lamarr Houston — leads the NFL with 7 sacks.

Coach Marc Trestman says Young's attitude has been as impressive as his performance since he was signed on March 13.

“No. 1, when he came in here, he was a projected starter before we got Jared (two weeks later),” Trestman said. “When Jared came in, (Young) never flinched. He really embraced the opportunity to play with Jared and learn from Jared.

“(Young's) reps, because of the way we're moving people around, are not as much as they probably would have been when he initially got here. But he's been all about team.”

Entering this season, the 6-foot-4, 251-pound Young had 6 career sacks in his previous four seasons, all with the Detroit Lions, who drafted him in the seventh round (213th overall) out of North Carolina State.

After Young's 2 sacks against the Falcons, he has at least 1 sack in five of the first six games.

“His energy is consistent each and every day,” Trestman said. “He's got a smile on his face, he's alive and, when he plays, he plays all out. He's a charismatic guy (and) his play and his energy resonate throughout the defensive meeting rooms and on the field.”

He's also got a lively sense of humor.

When Young was asked immediately after the game if the the Falcons had given their offensive linemen help in blocking him, he said: “I could show you my rib cage. Thirty-two (running back Jacquizz Rodgers) chipped me good. He was so good one time I told him ‘You could get a fine for that.'

“Coach gave us (Monday) off, but I'm gonna be in there, I need some cold tub.”

Poise in the noise:

Late in the game, after many of the fair-weather Falcons fans had left in disgust, the several thousand Bears fans who made the tip to Atlanta drowned out the home crowd.

In the first half, the Falcons' “faithful” created an annoying din, but it didn't seem to affect the Bears, who have played better on the road this season than at Soldier Field.

“For some reason we're 3-1 in away games this year, I don't know if any other team has done that,” defensive tackle Stephen Paea said. “But we practice in the noise all the time. Coach Trestman always talks about ‘Poise in the noise,' and that's what we did.”

The Cowboys (3-0) are the only other NFL team with 3 road victories. Going into Monday night's game, there were five teams who were 2-1 on the road.

Coming and going:

Cornerback Terrance Mitchell was promoted from the practice squad to the 53-man roster from the practice squad, and linebacker Terrell Manning was waived.

Safety Shamiel Gary and tight end Jacob Maxwell were signed to the practice squad.

Mitchell has been on the Bears' practice squad the entire season after he was waived by the Cowboys, who drafted him in the seventh round (254th overall) this year out of Oregon.

Gary was on the Bears 53-man roster last week before being waived Saturday.