Safety remains position of need for Bears
The Bears signed four free-agent safeties last off-season and drafted one, yet the position remains in need of improvement.
Veterans Ryan Mundy, M.D. Jennings, Danny McCray and Adrian Wilson were brought in a year ago, and Brock Vereen was drafted in the fourth round.
The Bears wound up 30th in passing yards allowed last year and 31st in average gain per pass play allowed, so there's still much room for improvement.
Of the free agents, Jennings and Wilson didn't make it to opening day, and McCray didn't start a game, although he was a valuable special-teams player. Vereen started five games, but only when free safety Chris Conte was injured.
Conte left as an unrestricted free agent to rejoin Lovie Smith in Tampa, and backup Anthony Walters was released. But Vereen will have to play better than he did as an inconsistent rookie to claim the No. 1 job free-safety spot.
Mundy started all 16 games at strong safety and solidified his reputation as a tough, in-the-box player who is an asset in run defense. He led the team with 85 solo tackles and was second with 108 tackles including assists. Despite tying for the team lead with 4 interceptions, Mundy often was replaced in passing situations.
This time around the Bears added just one safety through free agency - Antrell Rolle - but the 10-year veteran should do more to solidify the back end of the defense than four players did a year ago. The 32-year-old Rolle is a three-time Pro Bowler whose play doesn't appear to have diminished much over time. He has picked off 9 passes over the past two seasons and has missed just one game in eight years.
Rolle has played both free and string safety in the past and will be an upgrade at either spot for the Bears.