Post by JABF on Dec 28, 2016 20:56:33 GMT -6
It's beginning to look like the entire coaching staff could return for next year. Who knew?
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Vic Fangio doubles down on return to Bears
LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio repeated his pledge to return next year, this despite ongoing speculation the veteran coach could leave after the season.
"Nothing's changed," Fangio said. "Yeah ."
Many have wondered about Fangio's future since the Chicago Tribune cited league sources who felt Fangio and coach John Fox could be headed for a split at season's end.
The idea of losing Fangio seems a step in the wrong direction, especially with the defense ranked 12th in total defense and sixth in passing defense. The Bears are also currently tied for 19th in points allowed and 27th in rushing defense, but those numbers tailed off the last two weeks after the team surrendered 30 and 41 points to Green Bay and Washington respectively.
For his part, Fox praised Fangio on Wednesday as the Bears prepare for their season finale at Minnesota.
"I think Vic does a tremendous job," Fox said. "Concept-wise, he does a good job. I think he teaches it to a variety of different levels of experienced players. I think even with all that's happened to us really in both years, I think we've shown steady improvement. I know the last couple of weeks has not been outstanding. But some of that is who you play as well. But I think he's a good teacher and he brings good results."
Far from a complete unit, the defense mostly kept the Bears in games in 2016. A semi-solid foundation exists with linebackers Danny Trevathan, Jerrell Freeman, Leonard Floyd, Willie Young and Pernell McPhee and defensive linemen Akiem Hicks and Eddie Goldman. The secondary is still a major work in progress, but the Bears ranked at or near the bottom of most defensive statistical categories in the two seasons prior to Fangio's arrival in 2015.
"I think on an individual basis some are doing well," Fangio said. "As a unit, we're not there yet obviously. But I think the groundwork has been laid. There's been some foundation laid. And we've gotten a lot of guys playing time. So I think on an individual basis there's some brightness there."
Vic Fangio doubles down on return to Bears
LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio repeated his pledge to return next year, this despite ongoing speculation the veteran coach could leave after the season.
"Nothing's changed," Fangio said. "Yeah ."
Many have wondered about Fangio's future since the Chicago Tribune cited league sources who felt Fangio and coach John Fox could be headed for a split at season's end.
The idea of losing Fangio seems a step in the wrong direction, especially with the defense ranked 12th in total defense and sixth in passing defense. The Bears are also currently tied for 19th in points allowed and 27th in rushing defense, but those numbers tailed off the last two weeks after the team surrendered 30 and 41 points to Green Bay and Washington respectively.
For his part, Fox praised Fangio on Wednesday as the Bears prepare for their season finale at Minnesota.
"I think Vic does a tremendous job," Fox said. "Concept-wise, he does a good job. I think he teaches it to a variety of different levels of experienced players. I think even with all that's happened to us really in both years, I think we've shown steady improvement. I know the last couple of weeks has not been outstanding. But some of that is who you play as well. But I think he's a good teacher and he brings good results."
Far from a complete unit, the defense mostly kept the Bears in games in 2016. A semi-solid foundation exists with linebackers Danny Trevathan, Jerrell Freeman, Leonard Floyd, Willie Young and Pernell McPhee and defensive linemen Akiem Hicks and Eddie Goldman. The secondary is still a major work in progress, but the Bears ranked at or near the bottom of most defensive statistical categories in the two seasons prior to Fangio's arrival in 2015.
"I think on an individual basis some are doing well," Fangio said. "As a unit, we're not there yet obviously. But I think the groundwork has been laid. There's been some foundation laid. And we've gotten a lot of guys playing time. So I think on an individual basis there's some brightness there."
