John Fox Would Solve Chicago Bears Linebacker Problem
By Erik Lambert
Aug 7, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos head coach John Fox reacts to a penalty in the first quarter of a preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
The days of Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs slamming running backs and intercepting passes seem so distant now for Chicago Bears fans. The past two years have been difficult to watch in terms of linebacker play, which is why so many are screaming for the team to invest significant money, draft pick and coaching into getting it back to the level they’ve grown accustomed to seeing for decades.
The good news is, if the rumors are true, their pending head coaching hire may have the answer. John Fox is a defensive-minded coach steeped in a rich tradition of strong front sevens and perhaps his most successful position group has been the linebackers. While he has never had a player the caliber of an Urlacher, he has been able to churn out a number of quality names. Here are a few of the ones that played under him who reached at least one Pro Bowl.
- Jessie Fields (Giants)
- Dan Morgan (Panthers)
- Mark Fields (Panthers)
- Jon Beason (Panthers)
- Von Miller (Broncos)
That isn’t even counting the other quality seasons he’s gotten from other linebackers who didn’t reach Hawaii. Fox has been around defense since the 1980s. He knows what those types of players look like and has proven it for years by digging up quality players from unexpected places and getting the most from them.
Perhaps he may be the one to figure out what to do with Jon Bostic, Christian Jones, Shea McClellin and the rest of the rabble currently calling themselves Chicago Bears linebackers.