Conte can help solidify position for Bears

The Bears' starting safeties always are written in pencil, given the frequent turnover that has characterized those positions the past seven years.

There have been a total of 51 changes in the starting lineup at free safety and strong safety since Lovie Smith became head coach in 2004.

Rookie free safety Chris Conte has made a favorable impression as a starter the past two games, and he has a chance to bring some consistency to the position.

His goal-line interception in London, his first as a pro, prevented a touchdown. Just as important, the third-round pick helped eliminate big plays by the Bucs' offense.

“He did a good job, like we expected,” coach Lovie Smith said. “Everything you're looking for in a safety he has. Good size (6-feet-2, 203 pounds), speed, range, (and) it's always good to get production.

“Defensive backs go to the Pro Bowl more based on how many interceptions they get. So it was good for him to get that first interception under his belt.

“The last two weeks I've liked everything the guy has done, and he'll just continue to get better.”

Conte has had no significant assignment errors, and his reads have been accurate, which has helped the defense curtail the big plays that undermined it in the loss to the Detroit Lions.

The Bucs' longest gain Sunday was 24 yards, and that was their only pickup of more than 20.

“Just being able to secure the deep half of the field, and to not give up big plays is huge,” Conte said. “You can tell that our pass rush is spectacular, and our rush defense is great.

“We held them to something ridiculous (30 yards on the ground). I thought we did a great job and overall played great defense.”

Conte's interception is the only one this season by a starter in the secondary. Nickel back D.J. Moore and middle linebacker Brian Urlacher have 3 each, and weakside linebacker Lance Briggs has the other.

Conte got his pick just by doing his assignment in the defense.

“Really, I just read the quarterback,” he said. “As a middle-of-the-field safety, especially in the red zone, you try to predetermine because you can't get out to the corners. There's only so much you can really help on.

“As the quarterback looked to his left, I just broke on the ball and took a quick peek at the wide receiver and saw that he was going to get to the ball before me.

“So I was thinking ‘hit.' I saw the ball at the last second bounce off his hands. I was thinking, ‘I can get this ball.' I ended up with the ball in my hands. It may be part luck, but being in the right place at the right time, good things happen.”

Not only was it a huge play for the defense, it was big personally for the 22-year-old, who played just one full season of safety at the University of California after switching from cornerback.

“Tons,” Conte said when asked how much the interception helped his confidence. “I think my strength is my ability to break on the ball, and all the coaches really like the way I can transition and break on the ball.

“To be able to make a play and do what they think I'm good at, it really helps my confidence and makes me believe that I can be a successful player.”

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