Imrem: Fox has Chicago Bears coach moving in right direction
If the Bears had fallen short Sunday, they just might have been called the NFL's most interesting 1-4 team.
Or maybe simply the most respectable.
But a funny thing happened: The Bears won 18-17 at Kansas City with a frantic rally in a really difficult stadium for visitors to play in.
"We won the fourth quarter 15-0," head coach John Fox said. "It's fun to see guys grow and play longer, smarter and tougher than the opponent."
So now the team that some feared would finish 0-16 this season is 2-3 with a two-game winning streak.
Instead of consolation compliments, more substantive honors can be awarded.
How about John Fox as head coach of the first five weeks? How about Vic Fangio as the best defensive coordinator? How about Adam Gase as the best offensive coordinator?
All are in their first season with the Bears and already indicating that this is the franchise's most professional coaching staff in decades.
Yes, we're getting overly giddy here, but these have been 2 exciting victories in two weeks … and also unexpected.
No, the Bears aren't a great team but as Fox said, this "was a very gutsy, good-character victory."
Last week the Bears beat the Raiders by 2 points. This week they beat the Chiefs by 1 point. Next week, well, they might beat the Lions in overtime.
Whatever happens at Detroit, give credit to Fox, who for a while seemed like he would be known best around here for strange answers to familiar questions.
Now Fox looks like the savvy veteran coach he's supposed to be while maneuvering a roster that includes names like Mitch Unrein, Khari Lee, Cameron Meredith, Nick Becton, Lamin Barrow, LeRoy Reynolds and Thomas Gafford.
You probably wouldn't recognize any of them if they spilled beer on you in Wrigleyville after a Cubs playoff victory.
"New people in new positions," is the way running back Matt Forte described the Bears' lineup.
Fox kept this odd brew of Bears together, focused and spirited as they started 0-3.
The Bears' coach isn't nearly as engaging as Cubs manager Joe Maddon, but right now it's difficult to argue with his methods or the results.
Now let's move on to Fangio, who has breathed life into what figured to be a terrible Bears defense for the third straight year.
The Chiefs aren't the most dynamic offense with quarterback Alex Smith, a career game manager. But the Bears did hold them to their lowest point total of the season.
The biggest defensive play of the day was the stop that forced the Chiefs to punt the ball to the Bears with 2:04 left in the game.
In the past that likely would have been a first down that ended the Bears' chances.
That's where Gase's work entered the equation.
For the second straight week, Jay Cutler directed a two-minute drive that culminated in the winning score.
It appears that Gase is on the way to doing what other quality offensive coordinators couldn't: turn Cutler into a legitimate NFL quarterback.
The Bears prevailed again after injuries left Cutler surrounded by a patchwork offensive line and inexperienced corps of wide receivers.
"I couldn't be more pleased," Fox said, "with the way (Cutler) has handled himself since we've been here."
Right back at you, coach.
Bears fans have to be pleased with the way the coaching staff fashioned a 2-3 record that wouldn't be shocking at 1-4 or even 0-5.