LeGere: Young defense bright spot for Bears' future
The Bears' defense might be just as bad this year as it was last year, when it allowed the most points in franchise history … but at least it's younger.
That's not exactly a motto the team can build an advertising campaign around. But with the entire operation teetering on the verge of collapse, it's one of the few bright spots with an eye toward whatever the future brings.
Four rookies could start on defense Monday night against the New Orleans Saints, and as many as seven could get playing time.
Injuries have eliminated aging veterans from the lineup. Cornerback Charles Tillman (33), linebackers Lance Briggs (34) and D.J. Williams (32) are all on injured reserve.
First-round cornerback Kyle Fuller (22) moved into the starting lineup in Week 3 after Tillman went down and Monday will be his 12th start.
Undrafted rookie Christian Jones (23) has started once at strongside linebacker and is expected to make his second start on the weak side against the Saints.
Third-round pick Will Sutton (23) has started five times at the 3-technique tackle when Jeremiah Ratliff was out with a concussion and then a knee injury. Ratliff did not practice Saturday is questionable for Monday.
Fourth-round pick Brock Vereen (22) has started twice at free safety and could make his third start if Chris Conte (back) cannot play. Conte also did not practice Saturday and is doubtful.
All four of those rookies have each played in all 13 games, as has 23-year-old defensive tackle Ego Ferguson.
First-year nickel cornerback DeMontre Hurst (23) is practically a starter but isn't technically a rookie because he spent 2013 on the Bears' practice squad.
Undrafted cornerback Al Louis-Jean, who didn't turn 21 until September, has played in eight games. Another undrafted rookie, 22-year-old defensive tackle Brandon Dunn, played in the past two games.
"Guys are going to step up to the challenge," defensive coordinator Mel Tucker said. "We're working hard with them each and every day in the meetings and on the practice field.
"The veteran guys are leading the way. We're just preparing (for the Saints), and we'll go play."
Seven-year veteran safety Ryan Mundy is one of those veterans who is passing on what he has learned.
"It's important for me to do that because I had people who stressed that to me when I was a younger guy," said Mundy, who grew up in the Pittsburgh Steelers' organization.
"Now that I'm the older guy in the locker room, I try to do my best to set an example for guys like Kyle (Fuller) and Brock (Vereen) and other rookies and second-year players on the team of just how to be a pro."
The few remaining veterans may be leading the way and offering the wisdom of their experience, but they also have expectations of the youngsters. After 13 games, the Bears can't afford for them to play like rookies anymore.
"They're still rookies, and they're still young, but I never bought into that," said 32-year-old defensive end Jared Allen. "That's an excuse.
"You're in the NFL. By the time I got to the NFL, I'd been playing football every year since I was 8. That's a lot of years of football.
"These guys have had high school and college. They're young for the NFL, but it's still football. You still have to go out and make plays. You're here for a reason. It's a great opportunity."
Fuller already has gotten a season's worth of on-the-job training, frequently having to deal with the opponent's biggest and best wide receiver.
But he has battled the best and played through injuries and is tied for fourth on the team with 65 total tackles, second with 48 solos and tied for first with 3 interceptions and 7 pass breakups.
He clearly has learned something from Tillman, leading the team with 3 forced fumbles.
Despite just two starts, Jones is seventh on the team with 58 tackles and has been an impact player on special teams.
"You have to look at it like you have an opportunity," said Allen, who knows what he's talking about. "I remember when I beat out Vonnie Holliday for the starting job my rookie year in Kansas City (2004).
"Vonnie called me on the phone and said: 'You got my job. Don't let me have it back.' That's the mindset I had."
Allen wants to see the same attitude from the Bears' bevy of youngsters.
"I'm expecting them to play at a level that is acceptable, making a play and getting the job done," Allen said. "I'm not going to come in at the end of the game and say, 'Well, we almost won, but we're young.'
"That's not an excuse. The only thing that's acceptable is winning."
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