LDN - Sports

Bears would like to re-sign CB Fuller

[December 27, 2017] The Sports Xchange

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The Chicago Bears could have well over $50 million in available cap space if they were to cut Mike Glennon, Pernell McPhee and Marcus Cooper.

They may need every available penny now to bring back cornerback Kyle Fuller after the impressive season he has fashioned.

With 67 tackles, 24 passes defensed and two interceptions this season, Fuller has proved the Bears made a mistake when they failed to pick up the fifth-year option on his contract before this season. Only Darius Slay has more passes defensed than Fuller this year.

Then again, Fuller hadn't shown much his second year after the switch in defensive styles to more man-to-man coverage, and last year he had a knee injury. So this was really his second year in the system.

"I think even in Philadelphia, even though that wasn't one of our best efforts, you know I thought he flashed some plays there," coach John Fox said. "He's just getting better because he's out there practicing more and he's getting more playing time. That typically comes with a young player when he's in Year 2."

Fuller had an interception of a DeShone Kizer pass on Sunday and said film study of the rookie had much to do with it.

"Wherever on the field, he likes to take some risks," Fuller said of Kizer. "Coming in we were just telling ourselves to be in position and I think we did a good job."

The big game against Cleveland earned high praise from Fox.

"That's as good a game by a corner that I've seen since I've been here," Fox said. "My hat's off to him because last year was a very frustrating year, especially for him being injured."

--Fuller isn't the only Bears cornerback free agent, or the only one earning praise for his play.

Prince Amukamara doesn't have an interception, but has spent much of the year holding down opposing quarterbacks' passer ratings.

Fox said it might be time to start signing their own rather than looking outside.

"We've done plenty of erasing around here since we got here. I think the way you get better is you start adding," Fox said. "I think going out and getting those two -- if you look at our starting group a year ago I think two of them are out of football, one of them's a backup on our team. I think we've made strides at that position, so I would hope to continue that moving forward."

--All-purpose linebacker Christian Jones might be the next-best Bears free agent in 2018, and he is a player they will look to retain. Jones has proved he can play inside, or else go out and rush the passer.

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"One of the good things about Christian is he's been versatile as far as inside, outside," Fox said. "He plays on fourth down quite a bit, a very reliable guy in the special teams phase of it. I think Christian has had a good year both with the injuries we've had at inside linebacker going all the way back to Jerrell (Freeman), and (Nick Kwiatkoski) missed time, Danny (Trevathan) missed time. He kept things together as an inside backer.

"Now we've gotten nicked up a little bit outside in the last couple of weeks and he's been able to help us in that area."

--The snow the Bears played in against Cleveland gave many players their first chance to play in such conditions.

"I'm from Texas, right? I'm from Texas, and my parents were born in Nigeria," linebacker Sam Acho said. "So heat is my thing. But crazy enough, you get a chance to play in games like these when it's snowing, and it's cold. You almost have a chance to reminisce in that moment, you're like, man, this is what people dream of. To be able to play in the NFL, at Soldier Field, in Chicago, in the snow, get a win -- it's what you dream of.

"You're cold for a little bit, but the joy outlasts the physical ailments."

Mitchell Trubisky is from Cleveland and knows about cold-weather games, but had to make a few changes.

"It was fun to play in the snow," he said. "I took my glove off early 'cause it slipped out of my hand. So it was just better in the snow to go with bare hands."

NOTES: G Tom Compton (concussion) missed Sunday's game with Cleveland and remains in the NFL concussion protocol. ... G Josh Sitton (ankle) missed Sunday's game with Cleveland due to an injury suffered against Detroit. ... T Bobby Massie (knee) suffered an injury during Sunday's game and left, returned and played into the fourth quarter before leaving again. Head coach John Fox called it a "minor" knee injury and said Massie could have returned if needed. When Massie left, Bradley Sowell moved from guard to tackle and Cameron Lee came in at guard. ... G Cameron Lee got into his first NFL game when tackle Bobby Massie went out with a knee injury against Cleveland. ... S Chris Prosinski (concussion) missed Sunday's game while in the NFL concussion protocol. ... S Adrian Amos (hamstring) returned to the starting lineup after missing three games and made two tackles. ... -TE Adam Shaheen (chest) missed his second straight game.

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