Chicago Bears defense showing signs of life

INDIANAPOLIS — The Chicago Bears defense, overmatched in Wednesday's first practice against the Colts, rebounded Thursday to do a better job against Indy's Pro Bowl quarterback Andrew Luck.

Not that the day would be considered a victory for the defense, as coach John Fox admitted.

“We played well,” he said. “They're a good offense, very accomplished, great young QB, some good weapons. Without going back and looking at every single play on tape it'd be hard for me to say who won something you don't keep score of.”

But the Bears' defensive backs were able to make more plays Thursday after getting the worst of it a day earlier.

“We got our hands on a lot more balls today, and we were able to break up a lot more passes,” veteran safety Antrel Rolle said. “Just overall contesting the passes.”

Sixth-year veteran Sherrick McManis had two of the day's more impressive defensive plays. He recovered nicely to break up a pass that appeared would be a completion to Colts seven-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Andre Johnson.

Seconds later, McManis stripped the ball from the Colts' No. 1 draft pick this year, wide receiver Phillip Dorsett.

A special-teams standout in the past but limited almost exclusively to that role, McManis came to camp this year determined to do more.

“It starts all the way back from OTAs, and even before then, just getting to realize what kind of defensive philosophy they have,” the Northwestern product said of the Bears' new defensive scheme.

“Just having an open mind and being willing to listen and learn was a big key for me and then applying that on the field.”

McManis was second on the Bears in special-teams tackles in each of the previous two seasons, even though he missed four games last year with quad and knee injuries.

He has been getting first-teams reps throughout camp, a lot of them at the nickel corner, covering the slot receiver when the defense faces likely passing situations. The 27-year-old has been making the most of those chances.

“I think I'm on the right track just going out there focused on my job and being asked to do certain things,” he said. “I still have a lot to learn, some things I want to tighten up, but I'm happy with the start I've had.”

At 6-feet-1 and 193 pounds, McManis is taller than most nickel corners, where quickness is usually a quality valued more than length. But he has shown both, making him more versatile.

“It depends on matchups,” Fox said. “Sometimes people's slot receivers are small and quick. Sometimes they're bigger and more physical.

“I've seen outstanding quickness (from McManis), even though he is longer, so that combination is always good.”

In his five previous seasons, McManis had just one start (2013), the year after the Bears acquired him in a trade with Houston. The Texans drafted him in the fifth round in 2010.

He says he's more ready now than he was earlier in his career for a major role on defense.

“You just continue to learn the same things over and over every year, but everything starts to slow down for you as a player,” McManis said. “That's definitely what's happened this year, even though I'm involved in another role, playing the nickel.

“Once you understand the philosophy and where your help is (from teammates) and things like that, it's not too hard to grab onto.”

Rolle says he has seen all he needs from McManis.

“He's a baller,” the 11th-year veteran said. “He's a playmaker, and that's all you need to see right now from a guy in the secondary.”

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