Freeman out to make presence felt for Chicago Bears

Jerrell Freeman is the other veteran inside linebacker the Chicago Bears signed to be in the middle of what they're counting on to be an improved defense.

Not that Freeman is an afterthought, but he doesn't come with the Super Bowl ring that accompanied his running mate Danny Trevathan.

What the 6-foot, 236-pound Freeman does bring is production, including an average of more than 9 tackles per game in 57 starts over four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts.

During that time, the 30-year-old Freeman also had 12 sacks and 9 forced fumbles.

His interception in the Bears' preseason opener was the highlight of what was otherwise a disappointing performance by the first-team defense.

"We gave up (an opening-drive) touchdown we shouldn't have given up, (but) we'll be all right," said Freeman, who was pleased with the turnover but said he had a lot to work on, including "run defense, coverage, everything."

The Bears in the off-season acquired Freeman for $12 million over three years and Trevathan for $24.5 million over four years to upgrade the guts of their defense.

Both players bring traits that general manager Ryan Pace values, and the two have bonded in their quest to give the defense more big plays.

"They've really connected and become close friends on and off the field which I think is good," Pace said. "They're both natural leaders and naturally vocal guys. It's not forced. It's very easy for them to be that way.

"We knew that a little more about Danny because of the relationship John (Fox) had with him (in Denver), but I would say Jerrell has maybe exceeded expectations as far as the natural leader that he is.

"That's in addition to the physical talent they bring. Those are two good additions to the defense."

Both players have risen to their current level from humble beginnings, especially Freeman.

Trevathan somehow fell to the sixth round in 2012 despite leading the Southeastern Conference in tackles in each of his final two seasons at Kentucky.

Freeman's ascension was much more unrealistic.

He attended Division-III Mary Hardin-Baylor near his hometown of Waco, Texas, went undrafted and played three years in the Canadian Football League before he got his chance in the NFL with the Colts.

Freeman hasn't forgotten the difficult path or the hard work that led him to the Bears.

"I'm going to bring my lunch pail and my hard hat and go to work," he said during training camp. "You always feel like you have something to prove. I still feel like I'm a rookie free agent.

"They might come knock on my door tonight and cut me. So I'm going to be out here working, doing what I need to do to make this team."

Freeman did not make the climb by himself.

"What I appreciate is my people who were around me, my parents and a small circle of friends who stuck with me and worked out with me," he said. "When I didn't know (if I would make it), and I was sleeping on couches, guys took me in. I appreciate them helping me along.

"You've got to have that support system. That helped me be where I am. If I didn't have that love and support, I wouldn't be here."

On paper, Freeman and Trevathan automatically make the Bears better defensively, but that's of no concern to Freeman.

"I'm not trying to be anything on paper," he said. "I'm trying to get out here and work and do whatever I can to get better."

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