Post by JABF on Nov 30, 2016 18:59:52 GMT -6
I'll bet Vic Fangio would dearly love to have an epic day against Kap & the 9ers.
LINK
Chicago Bears' defense prepares for improving Colin Kaepernick and 49ers offense
Bears' D-coordinator knows Kaepernick well from time in San Francisco
LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Vic Fangio saw four years of Colin Kaepernick in San Francisco when he ran the 49ers’ defense and Kaepernick eventually ascended to a franchise quarterback role.
On Sunday, Fangio will be on the opposite sideline against Kaepernick, who is now quarterbacking a 1-10 49ers team.
His performance, and the offense's, has improved over the past few weeks. Kaepernick went off for 113 rushing yards against the Dolphins last Sunday, a reminder of the athleticism that Fangio saw plenty of from 2011-14.
“It's challenging. He's very athletic, very elusive and he's extremely fast,” Fangio said. “Once he gets in the open field he gobbles up ground quickly. So we're going to have to do a good job in the rush, try to keep him hemmed in when we can and make the tackles when we can.”
Marcus Mariota's 46 rushing yards vs. the Bears last week were the most Chicago has allowed from a QB this season, and 29 of those yards came on one play. Kaepernick is the biggest rushing threat at the position the Bears have seen this year.
Facing a player with the speed of Kaepernick highlights the need to have Leonard Floyd back. He participated in Wednesday’s practice, but the first-round pick remains in the concussion protocol after his scary injury against the Giants.
Floyd’s athleticism and playmaking would also help a unit that still isn’t taking the ball away, and Fangio acknowledged what a disappointment that has been.
“It is a problem and we’re not getting enough takeaways, that’s for damn sure,” he said. “It’s one of the reasons we have the record we have. We just have to do a better job of getting playmakers to make plays at the ball and get the ball out. We had one last week. We got it out but we didn’t cover it. We gotta get more than that.”
Kaepernick has lost only two fumbles in 110 carries and he has thrown three interceptions. The Bears’ eight takeaways are tied for 31st in the NFL, one ahead of the Jaguars.
Fuller’s return: The Bears had Kyle Fuller practicing Wednesday in a limited fashion, opening the three-week window when they can activate him from injured reserve. Fuller hasn’t played in a game this season because of a knee injury.
The 2014 first-round pick had two interceptions last season and four as a rookie, including two against the 49ers.
“I was encouraged by what I saw today,” John Fox said. “We’re not going to put him out there if he’s not healthy enough to at least practice. He’s been around, so it’s not like he’s been away and not with us, not in meetings, not paying attention to what we’re doing. So we’ll have to see one day at a time and we’ll see how the week progresses.”
Injury report: Jay Cutler (shoulder), Adrian Amos (foot) and Eddie Royal (toe) did not practice. Josh Sitton, Mitch Unrein, Floyd, Deiondre’ Hall, Tracy Porter and Fuller were limited.
Chicago Bears' defense prepares for improving Colin Kaepernick and 49ers offense
Bears' D-coordinator knows Kaepernick well from time in San Francisco
LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Vic Fangio saw four years of Colin Kaepernick in San Francisco when he ran the 49ers’ defense and Kaepernick eventually ascended to a franchise quarterback role.
On Sunday, Fangio will be on the opposite sideline against Kaepernick, who is now quarterbacking a 1-10 49ers team.
His performance, and the offense's, has improved over the past few weeks. Kaepernick went off for 113 rushing yards against the Dolphins last Sunday, a reminder of the athleticism that Fangio saw plenty of from 2011-14.
“It's challenging. He's very athletic, very elusive and he's extremely fast,” Fangio said. “Once he gets in the open field he gobbles up ground quickly. So we're going to have to do a good job in the rush, try to keep him hemmed in when we can and make the tackles when we can.”
Marcus Mariota's 46 rushing yards vs. the Bears last week were the most Chicago has allowed from a QB this season, and 29 of those yards came on one play. Kaepernick is the biggest rushing threat at the position the Bears have seen this year.
Facing a player with the speed of Kaepernick highlights the need to have Leonard Floyd back. He participated in Wednesday’s practice, but the first-round pick remains in the concussion protocol after his scary injury against the Giants.
Floyd’s athleticism and playmaking would also help a unit that still isn’t taking the ball away, and Fangio acknowledged what a disappointment that has been.
“It is a problem and we’re not getting enough takeaways, that’s for damn sure,” he said. “It’s one of the reasons we have the record we have. We just have to do a better job of getting playmakers to make plays at the ball and get the ball out. We had one last week. We got it out but we didn’t cover it. We gotta get more than that.”
Kaepernick has lost only two fumbles in 110 carries and he has thrown three interceptions. The Bears’ eight takeaways are tied for 31st in the NFL, one ahead of the Jaguars.
Fuller’s return: The Bears had Kyle Fuller practicing Wednesday in a limited fashion, opening the three-week window when they can activate him from injured reserve. Fuller hasn’t played in a game this season because of a knee injury.
The 2014 first-round pick had two interceptions last season and four as a rookie, including two against the 49ers.
“I was encouraged by what I saw today,” John Fox said. “We’re not going to put him out there if he’s not healthy enough to at least practice. He’s been around, so it’s not like he’s been away and not with us, not in meetings, not paying attention to what we’re doing. So we’ll have to see one day at a time and we’ll see how the week progresses.”
Injury report: Jay Cutler (shoulder), Adrian Amos (foot) and Eddie Royal (toe) did not practice. Josh Sitton, Mitch Unrein, Floyd, Deiondre’ Hall, Tracy Porter and Fuller were limited.
