Bears' Fangio realizes there's work to be done

Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio knows there's lot of heavy lifting to be done in rebuilding a Bears defense that has allowed the most and second-most points in franchise history the past two years.

"It's a challenge," Fangio said. "Obviously they've been pretty bad here for two straight years defensively.

"We've made some changes, but that's an ongoing process. It's not an overnight thing. You just have to keep building week to week, not look at the season as whole but look at it one game at a time, one series at a time, one play at a time and make your strides as you go."

Sunday's defense is expected to have nine different starters from last year's opener and neither of the two returning starters, Jared Allen and Shea McClellin, will be playing the same position.

Teaching point:

Defensive end-turned-outside linebacker Jared Allen was asked if players have gotten past thinking about their duties in the new 3-4 scheme and can just react.

"I sure hope so because we've only got about three days until we have to go fire on all cylinders," Allen said. "I think so, and it's a credit to how Vic (Fangio) teaches. It's very 'professor-esque.'

"You've got the information, and we go over it, and the way he presents it, at least for me, it makes sense to me. Then you try to transfer it to the field and the way (outside linebackers coach) Clint Hurtt coaches us, everybody's on the same page.

"So we're at the point where guys each week have to take ownership of each call and go out and make plays."

Talking in the rain:

While Thursday's practice in mostly rainy conditions wasn't without its benefits, coach John Fox was contemplating a different job.

"I think it does prepare you for these conditions," he said, during his daily media conference, which was also conducted in the rain.

"I've found in my short tenure here, that when I come back I'm going to come back as a weather forecaster. I wouldn't be around in my job with some of those success rates."

For the record:

Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy's quote about "kicking Chicago's (butt)," got a lot of attention early in the week, but he put it in perspective in a conference call with Chicago-area media when he was asked if he received a lot of blowback.

"Not really," said McCarthy, who has guided the Packers to a 65.6 winning percentage, third best in the NFL, since he took over in 2006.

"It's really more out of respect for the rivalry and, let's be honest, I was at the chamber of commerce welcome back luncheon, so I think that explains it."

Injury update:

Linebacker Sam Acho (illness) and cornerback Tracy Porter (hamstring) remained out of practice, while wide receivers Alshon Jeffery (calf), Eddie Royal (hip) and Marquess Wilson (hamstring) and linebacker Jon Bostic (ankle) were limited again.

For Green Bay, safety Morgan Burnett (calf) remained out and wide receiver Randall Cobb (shoulder) and linebacker Sam Barrington (ankle) were still limited.

Bob LeGere's NFL picks

WEEK ONE

Sunday

-6½ Packers 34, BEARS 13

-1 TEXANS 24, Chiefs 17

-3 JETS 23, Browns 14

+2½ BILLS 27, Colts 21

-3½ Dolphins 30, WASHINGTON 19

-3 Panthers 21, JAGUARS 13

+4 RAMS 19, Seahawks 16

-2½ Cardinals 27, SAINTS 20

-2½ CHARGERS 24, Lions 21

-3 BUCS 24, Titans 16

+3½ RAIDERS 27, Bengals 23

-4½ BRONCOS 24, Ravens 21

-6 COWBOYS 34, Giants 27

Monday night

+3 FALCONS 30, Eagles 28

-2½ Vikings 21, 49ERS 17

Last year's record: Never mind, as Mike Ditka said: "The past is for cowards and losers."