Fox getting early look at Chicago Bears' defensive front

Bears coach John Fox says there isn't a great deal that can be learned from the unpadded, noncontact minicamp practices that he refers to as guys "playing in their underwear."

But when the big-boy pads come out next month in training camp and the intensity level is bumped up a couple of notches, Fox will be focused on defensive players up front and how they fit into the new 3-4 scheme.

"Really, (it's) just strength at the point (of attack)," Fox said. "And some of the transition from run to pass. How well can a guy convert to a pass rush? How stout are they? Pad level always has a little bit to do with that.

"So a lot of the things we're teaching here in the underwear, we see if they translate into pads."

Even though he's listed as a linebacker, Pernell McPhee will be one of the players in the front seven who will have a big impact on how well the Bears make the transition from their old 4-3 alignment to the new scheme.

He commanded a five-year $38.75 million from the Bears in free agency and is considered their prize addition.

At 6-feet-3 and 280 pounds, McPhee has the size and strength to do battle in the trenches if the Bears line up in a four-man front in nickel situations.

But he also can provide pressure on the quarterback as an edge rusher at outside linebacker.

Although some 3-4 outside linebackers are sometimes required to drop into coverage, that isn't why the Bears went after McPhee.

"He's a powerful man," Fox said. "When you put him over a tight end, or even put him over a tackle, I think he matches up well. What I've seen (as) his strengths are more going forward than going backwards."

Despite playing just 49 percent of the snaps last season for the Baltimore Ravens, the 26-year-old McPhee had 7½ sacks, lining up everywhere from outside linebacker to nose tackle.

With additional playing time, the Bears expect his sack numbers to increase.

"I see a big, powerful guy that's got some flexibility," Fox said, "whether it's in a 30 scheme (3-4 alignment) where he's a penetrating rusher inside, or even off the edge."

Defensive end Jarvis Jenkins is another of the Bears' key free-agent acquisitions. He's never quite lived up to his second-round (2011) draft status, mostly due to a lack of production as a pass rusher.

But the 6-4, 315-pound Jenkins gained extensive experience in Washington's 3-4 defense, starting 33 games the previous three years, and he can anchor vs. the run.

Like everyone else, Jenkins gets a fresh start under the Fox regime.

"I don't care who it is, my experience is when you come in, people have preconceived ideas," the Bears' coach said. "When I come in, typically you just try to keep an open slate for everybody. Sometimes players will fall into ruts, too.

"(Jenkins) has been given an opportunity. What he does with it is up to him. As far as expectations, I've always been of the adage that people live up or down to expectations.

"If you expect a lot, you get a lot. If you don't expect much, you don't get much."

For now, Fox and his staff aren't elevating their expectations. But that will change when training camp gets underway.

"We're too early in the process," Fox said Wednesday after the second of three days of minicamp. "Once you get into pads and play real football - not underwear football - you get a better feel for that.

"Part of coaching is putting guys in position to have success, and hopefully we get that figured out."

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