Depth, Disruption, and Growth: Bears Defense looks ahead to Chiefs

Ariana Pensy · Correspondent · 1 day ago

CHICAGO - It is only the preseason, and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen already has his defense pitching shutouts after holding the Buffalo Bills scoreless this past Sunday.

Allen is proud of the way his unit performed, although he is looking more toward the future, starting with Chicago’s final preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Fri, Aug. 22 (7:20 p.m. / FOX).

“Defensively, I was proud of the way our first team went out there. On the first drive, we were able to get a three-and-out. I thought it was a really good week overall of just working against a really good football team. I thought we found out a lot about our guys and excited about another opportunity this week against another really good football team to go out there and continue to get better,” Allen said. “So, we’re making progress … We still have a lot of things that we have to work on (and) a lot of areas that we got to improve on, but we’re certainly making some progress.”

Chicago’s performance against Buffalo is promising for both sides of the ball. The offense was surgical going down the field on the opening drive with the starters on the field while Allen’s defense was creating disruption in the backfield.

It also demonstrated his philosophy on the importance of the pass rush.

“I think our pass defense has been pretty good throughout the course of training camp, the preseason and I’ve always said this. I told the players this today - the best example of team defense is pass defense (because) one doesn’t work without the other,” Allen said. “So, if we’re not disrupting the timing of the routes, then it doesn’t really matter how good our rush is and then if we have a great rush, but yet we’re not doing anything in terms of covering the guys, it’s a challenge. So, I think that works together.”

Prior to the start of the preseason, there were some questions about how good Chicago’s interior defensive line was and the quality of the depth they had.

Those questions can probably be put to bed after the performance against the Bills, as the Bears’ defense was dominant, regardless of who was on the field.

“Everybody’s in the rotation and I think the more quality depth that we can have at the defensive line position, keep four fresh bodies out there as much as we possibly can, that helps you when you get late in the game and in the fourth quarter and in particular, start defending these two-minute drives. Being able to keep fresh rushers on the field, I think it’s important,” Allen said. “Having a deep defensive line group that can go rush the passer, you keep coming at them in waves and so, typically, offensive linemen don’t (rotate) in and out. So, when they play, five, six, seven, eight snaps in a row, they’re not as fresh as they were to start the series and you throw a fresh body out there, it’s a different speed coming at them.”

Another positive about Chicago’s game against Buffalo was that it was the first chance Allen had to see safety Jaquan Brisker in a game.

The seasoned defensive coordinator was impressed with what he saw out of Brisker and expects him to play a significant role this season.

“The big thing for me, I knew he’d be good close to the ball. I think the thing that’s been impressive to me is what he’s done away from the ball, playing (whether) it be the deep middle, deep quarter, deep half,” Allen said. “He’s had a lot of range back there. He’s making plays on the football. So, I think he’s had an outstanding camp and excited about the opportunity to work with him because I think he’s primed for doing some good things for us.”