Bears have plugged holes in leaky defensive line

Aug 22, 2017 - 12:55 AM LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- When the Chicago Bears failed to draft help on the defensive line, it appeared they neglected an area where lack of depth severely damaged their chances last season.

However, a few free agent signings, including defensive end Jaye Howard, and natural development of younger players seems to have made a difference. The depth showed up against Arizona on Saturday when several starters were injured.

"I feel like we're deeper at that position than we were this time a year ago," coach John Fox said.

The Bears held Arizona to 40 yards rushing, and applied consistent pass rush pressure in Saturday's 24-23 preseason victory. The first two defenses had also performed well against Denver in the preseason-opening loss.

Two young players stood out in particular throughout training camp and the first two preseason games. Second-year defensive end Jonathan Bullard and undrafted free agent Roy Robertson-Harris both have made plays rushing the passer and defending the run.

Bullard was a non-factor as a third-round draft pick out of Florida last year.

"He's definitely stronger, faster," defensive end Akiem Hicks said. "He was already explosive, right? He has picked up the game to a point where he can play within the scheme now and see things come and be able to predict the play in order to get a step on the guard or the tackle, whoever he's playing against. It's just the things that come with getting more reps.

"I can say that I've seen growth in him in all aspects of his game, just as far as mentally and physically. I've seen growth in all of them. I've seen growth in (linebacker Leonard) Floyd, as well. That's the kind of the thing that you'd expect from a player going from his first year to his second year. He's going to be more comfortable."

Robertson-Harris had no chance to disappoint or surprise last season. A heat exhaustion-related illness in camp caused him to go on injured reserve after the Bears signed him coming out of UTEP.

Robertson-Harris was a 4-3 defensive end who made 23 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks his final college season, but gained 20 pounds to 285 due to his inactivity. So the Bears switched his position to outside linebacker at first.

Now, he's moved up to 3-4 end and made two sacks against the Cardinals.

"So once the weight came on, the coaches, they really thought it was a good idea to put me on the D-line," Robertson-Harris said. "I was about 280 at the time. Talking to Jaye (Howard), coach (Jeff) Rodgers, he was just telling me, 'Come in for OTAs at 285 and that'll help with playing in the trenches.'

"I'm 290 right now and so far it feels pretty good."

Defensive linemen aren't the only players who noticed Robertson-Harris' improvement.

"The offensive line has made comments," Fox said. "Of course, we (coaches) evaluate the tape. So he has had some good practices. He's a guy that we feel really good about the move. He has gained weight, gained strength. The young man is not afraid of work, so he has gotten better."

With most defensive players in their second or third year within the defense, better knowledge of the scheme has been a factor in overall improvement, as well.

Coordinator Vic Fangio spent the offseason devising new ways to put pressure on opponents and force turnovers, and it's helped.

Players say he's demanding they learn more of the scheme in camp than in the past. Hicks phrased it as "throwing everything" at them.

"Everything," Hicks said. "And I appreciate him for it because I think that he wants me to play well. He wants me to take another step forward. And I'll always be willing to get hard coaching in order to improve my game."

Safety Quintin Demps said the defense isn't an easy one to process as it stands.

"It's been taking me a while, too," Demps said. "The defense is not easy.

"There's a lot of stuff, a lot of different terminology, a lot of little things we've got to be alert on, a lot of communication that goes on too. So it's just part of a defense; got to come in, learn it, and execute."

Demps called it a challenge even for a veteran who is with his fifth team.

"Just more install, way more install," Demps said. "That's the biggest difference; just way more volume than what I've been used to. But it's fine. I love it."

NOTES: C Cody Whitehair started Saturday's win over Arizona at left guard in place of Kyle Long, who the Bears still hope will be ready for the opener after ankle surgery. Hroniss Grasu started at center. Long remained on the sidelines at Monday's practice while Whitehair continued at guard. ... S Chris Prosinski (hamstring) was injured during Saturday's game and is day-to-day. ... DE Jonathan Bullard (glute) suffered a muscle injury during Saturday's game. ... RB Jordan Howard (eye) did not make the trip to Arizona due to a cornea issue suffered when he was poked in the eye during a walk-through practice. "We felt safer just leaving him back and not get the pressure on his eye ball," Fox said. "The young backs did good without bringing Jordan." Howard was back practicing on Monday. ... CB Prince Amukamara (hamstring) missed Saturday's game because of an injury sustained during practice the previous week. Amukamara was replaced in the starting lineup by Kyle Fuller. Amukamara is day-to-day and missed practice on Monday as well. ... -CB Bryce Callahan (ankle) missed Saturday's game with an injury which bothered him last week in practice. Callahan was replaced at nickel corner by Cre'Von LeBlanc. ... LB Pernell McPhee (knee) probably will not be activated from preseason PUP this week after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery at the start of camp. "But we'll just kind of evaluate that as we go," coach John Fox said. "When he's cleared medically, he'll be out there." ... WR Victor Cruz seems to be getting a real battle for the slot receiver spot from Kendall Wright. Cruz was targeted six times in the first preseason game with two catches for 11 yards, but not at all in the second game. Meanwhile, Wright had two catches in the last game and has three total for 23 yards.