Dec. 17--Media encircled John Timu moments after his weightlifting session Wednesday after Bears practice. That was rather unusual. For the last 10 weeks, the undrafted rookie had toiled in relative anonymity as a member of the practice squad.
Wednesday, though, marked a new opportunity. The Bears want to get everything they can out of their final three games. That means evaluating certain players at certain positions, including one clouded in uncertainty as 2015 comes to a close -- inside linebacker.
If the position were stabilized, perhaps Timu would have strolled through the locker room unnoticed Wednesday. But Shea McClellin's contract expires at the end of this season and fellow starter Christian Jones has ceded playing time to undrafted rookie Jonathan Anderson. Overall, consistency has eluded them.
"It hasn't been perfect," Jones said Wednesday, "but I feel like we're really making strides every week.
Sunday's 24-21 loss to the Redskins didn't provide enough evidence of that. The Bears surrendered 374 yards and conversions on 7 of 12 third downs.
Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has been one of McClellin's biggest supporters, citing his diagnostic skills and ability to organize the defense. But Fangio honestly assessed Sunday's performance, in which McClellin was credited with nine tackles (five solo).
"He didn't play as well as he had been," Fangio said. "The game just didn't work good for him. He was off kilter a little a bit."
Fangio referenced the sprained left knee that sidelined McClellin from Weeks 6 through 9, indicating he still might be affected. McClellin, for his part, said he put the Redskins game out of memory.
"Just working on improving and ... being more consistent," he said.
Fangio, however, did express his desire to continue overseeing McClellin's development. The 2012 first-round pick is on his third position in four NFL seasons, and Fangio sees potential if McClellin is re-signed.
While continuing to praise McClellin's contributions before the snap, he said he has seen McClellin's playmaking ability "at times."
"He'll keep growing and growing and eventually be that player," Fangio said. "It's a new position, and the Mike linebacker is a very hard position to adapt to and learn, particularly (after spending) most of his career up on the ball."
Fangio believes McClellin can learn the physicality and explosiveness required to win at the point of attack.
"It's all keying and diagnosing and reaction and instincts and repetitions," Fangio said. "The more he plays, the more he'll do better at that."
At the other inside linebacker spot, the new regime tabbed Jones a first-stringer from the outset because of his size (6-foot-3, 248 pounds) and athleticism. But coaches want more assertiveness from him after the snap.
"He has been inconsistent," Fangio said, citing a growing process similar to McClellin's. "But he has had his share of good plays and ones that he would like to do over."
In the five games since McClellin returned, Jones has played 56 percent of the defensive snaps while Anderson has played 40. Anderson plays mostly in the nickel defense (passing situations) and Jones plays in base.
Jones, who is under contract for next season at a $600,000 base salary, believes he has had an "OK" season.
"I've done a better job of knowing what everybody else is doing on the field," he said.
Anderson has demonstrated burst and made some convincing tackles in his eight games. But Redskins tight end Jordan Reed juked him and separated from him on several pass routes Sunday.
It remains to be seen whether all of that results in Timu playing defense over the next three weeks. Coach John Fox indicated Wednesday he's interested in that after seeing Timu play exclusively on special teams in the first four games. Timu flashed enough power and instincts during the preseason to make the initial 53-man roster.
With cameras and microphones switched on Wednesday, the newly-promoted rookie assessed the chance he has earned.
"It all starts in the meeting rooms to make sure I get everything dialed in as far as being aligned and then knowing my assignment," Timu said. "After that, it's just see ball, get ball."
The Bears want inside linebackers who can do exactly that.
rcampbell@tribpub.com
