Bears' Fangio takes blame for McDonald signing
BOURBONNAIS - Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio took the blame for his off-season recommendation of free agent defensive tackle Ray McDonald, a signing that blew up in the Chicago Bears' faces.
McDonald, who had a history of arrests prior to signing with the Bears, was arrested again over the Memorial Day Weekend on domestic violence and child endangerment charges and was quickly released.
"Obviously I was disappointed for everybody involved; Ray, us, the people on the other side out there in California," said Fangio, who coached McDonald with the 49ers and vouched for him during the Bears' deliberations prior to signing him. "I don't regret trying to vouch for him. At the time I believed it was the right thing to do.
"The only thing I regret is that because it didn't work out, and the club put their faith in my recommendation, (Bears chairman) George (McCaskey) and (GM) Ryan (Pace) and (coach) John (Fox) took some hits from you guys (the media), and you really should've been hitting me and not them. So that's the only part I regret, that the guys above me took the hits for it."
Work in progress:
Fangio, who is converting the defense to a 3-4 scheme, says there's still much to figure out along the line. Many of the key players up front are transitioning from 4-3 schemes, and there is a learning curve to deal with.
"We need to find our D-line," Fangio said. "Coaches don't pick the team, the players do. Somebody's got to step out and be an obvious pick as to who are the starters, who makes the team.
"Right now we have one really good player in Jay Ratliff. The other guys are fighting for that second, third, fourth, fifth and potentially sixth spot. There's a good fight going on right now."
The first team has often lined up with Jarvis Jenkins and Ego Ferguson flanking Ratliff. But Ratliff has also lined up outside with rookie Eddie Goldman at nose tackle, and Will Sutton and Cornelius Washington are fighting for playing time.
Getting to know you:
With a nod toward team-building, GM Ryan Pace and coach John Fox hosted the entire coaching staff and their wives in Cancun, Mexico, early in the off-season.
"You get to know people and be around them," Fox said. "We don't get to spend a lot of time with the wives (during the season), so we made some points in that area as well. Things like that are real important."
Live from Chicago:
Saturday's 11:30 practice at Soldier Field will feature some limited live segments, and coach John Fox is looking forward to the full-speed action.
"It'll be just a snack of what (players) are going to experience next Thursday night (preseason opener at home vs. the Dolphins) as far as play time and it being live.
"I want to see how they respond to game conditions, even though it's only 12 plays (for the ones)."
Health beat:
Running back Ka'Deem Carey (shoulder) and offensive linemen Tayo Fabuluje (asthma, allergies), Michael Ola (knee) and Jermon Bushrod (coaches' decision) did not practice Friday.