Bears coaches move on without disruptive Ratliff

The message Monday from coach John Fox was that the Chicago Bears are better off without Jeremiah Ratliff, an indication - since he was considered their best defensive lineman - of how disruptive the 11th-year veteran's behavior was last week.

Ratliff, 34, started the last two games at nose tackle following a three-game suspension at the start of the season for a DUI conviction, but he was officially terminated Thursday.

That was a day after a stormy couple of hours at Halas Hall that necessitated the involvement of the Bears' security personnel and the Lake Forest police, who were called to the team's practice facility.

The hot-tempered Ratliff became belligerent when he was asked to leave the facility Wednesday. At one point, Ratliff was observed in his truck during a verbal altercation with general manager Ryan Pace near the exit/entrance to the facility.

Fox was asked if the Lake Forest police were called because Halas Hall personnel were worried about their safety.

"That's why you have security," he said. "That's why things are in place. Sometimes if you think you need that, that's what you do for the safety of your building."

Some reports alleged that Ratliff was intoxicated and in no condition to practice Wednesday, the Bears' final practice preceding their open weekend. Other reports and sources have refuted that and say Ratliff was upset over treatment for a neck injury he suffered late in the Week 6 loss at Detroit.

Ratliff has had emotional outbursts before, especially in the final week last season, but none of note with the new regime.

Fox was asked Monday if Ratliff's erratic behavior last week was "unnerving."

"Like everything, you evaluate," said the Bears' first-year head coach. "Every decision we make is what we feel is in the best interest of the football team."

Fox informed Ratliff's ex-teammates of his release when they returned Monday after four days off.

"Like every day, one of the first things we talk about in team meetings are any roster moves or adjustments," Fox said. "So the first they heard about it from me was (Monday) morning."

Pace did not speak to media Monday about Ratliff's release. Last Thursday he issued a statement that read: "We felt moving forward without Jeremiah was in the best interest of our team. We appreciate his contributions and wish him well."

To help fill the void left by Ratliff's departure, the Bears signed free agent Ziggy Hood on Thursday. The seventh-year veteran last played for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2014, when he had 24 tackles and played in all 16 games but didn't start any.

The 6-foot, 300-pound Missouri product played the previous five years for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who drafted him in the first round in 2009. He started 46 games for Pittsburgh with 144 tackles and 11½ sacks.

"For us, it was real simple," Fox said. "We released Jeremiah Ratliff and we added Ziggy Hood and feel that was in the best interest of our football team. (Hood's) performed at a high level when he's been active and healthy, and we expect that moving forward.

"He's got a lot of skins on the wall. He's played a lot in this league at a high level. I (evaluated) him coming out (of college) way back when he was a rookie. Once healthy - I think he's pretty far along in that process - I think he's a front-line defensive lineman."

Hood suffered a foot injury in the preseason and was placed on injured reserve by the Jaguars on Sept. 5, although his injury was not considered season ending.

Even with a healthy Hood, the Bears' defensive line depth is becoming a concern. Ego Ferguson's knee injury landed him on injured reserve Oct. 17. Ferguson was listed as a starter at defensive end.

"Everything's concerning," Fox said. "We haven't been healthy all season. We lost our quarterback for a game-and-a-half. We've been through a variety of offensive linemen, a variety of receivers. I like where we are right now as far as our depth and the people we have available."

Second-round rookie Eddie Goldman already has started three games on the defensive line and will have more responsibility now.

"Eddie's done a good job," Fox said. "Our personnel staff did a great job in selecting him. I think our staff has done a good job coaching him up. I've seen steady growth for a young player, and I think he's got a bright future."

• Follow Bob's Bears reports on Twitter @BobLeGere.