Feb. 18--INDIANAPOLIS -- John Fox has yet to finalize details of the new 3-4 defense he's installing as Chicago Bears coach, but his vision for it is in place, and he shared a bit of it Wednesday morning at the NFL scouting combine.
"We're going to be out of a 3-4 terminology-wise," Fox said. "We haven't had our players on the grass yet. ... They'll help us define what we're going to be and how we're going to use the pieces."
The Bears have never played a 3-4 front as their base defense, but the current 4-3 unit hasn't exactly made a strong case for maintaining the status quo. In 2013, the Bears set a single-season franchise record for points allowed. Last year's group ranks second on that list.
That said, Fox believes in what the group can accomplish.
"Off of tape, I'm confident we can piece together a good defense," he said. "It's still too early in the process. Like I said, we've not had a practice or been on the grass yet, and typically in my experience players define that when you get to that point."
Moving to a 3-4 defense will require a transition for players such as defensive ends Jared Allen, Willie Young and Lamarr Houston, to whom the Bears guaranteed a total of $34.35 million in free agency last March.
Fox was asked specifically about whether Allen and Young fit as outside linebackers in a 3-4.
"We'll line them both up there," Fox said. "What they become will be up to them. In Willie's case he's coming off an Achilles surgery. You know, same thing with Lamarr Houston, coming off an ACL. I had two guys a year ago, Chris Harris and Von Miller, they were coming off ACL's and they had Pro Bowl seasons. So again that's all part of the process -- getting guys healthy, their rehab, medically getting them ready to play. We're working on that as we speak daily."
Fox was short on specifics. He said the staff has discussed playing linebacker Shea McClellin inside or outside but likely won't decide until they see him on the field during the offseason program. Fox singled out cornerback Kyle Fuller, the 2014 first-round pick, and veteran tackle Jeremiah Ratliff when asked about players he could build a defense around.
"It's about explosion, change of direction," he said. "People look at arm length, length as a player, when you rush the passer. Really those guys are your 4-3 ends that happen to stand up and drop some. So you're looking for very similar traits and then how much they love football and how competitive they are."
