Dennis Allen: Bears defense still has “long way to go” despite strong camp

Ariana Pensy · Correspondent · 11 hours ago

CHICAGO - It seems the defense has consistently performed better than the offense in training camp.

Nonetheless, defensive coordinator Dennis Allen feels the defense has a lot to do to be ready for the season and that the joint practice with the Miami Dolphins will help with that preparation.

“Guys are out here working. They continue to get better. I’m pleased with the progress that we’re making. We still have a long way to go, but guys are buying into what we’re selling and I think we’re getting better,” Allen said. “So, we’re excited about the Dolphins coming in here for a joint practice. (So), it’ll (be) good for us to see something different, some new formations, some new motions, shifts, all those kinds of things, test out our rules and so, we’re excited about that opportunity.”

Training camp provides the opportunity to work out numerous communication errors before they appear in the regular season when it counts. One example is the four-minute drill.

Being able to practice this is something Allen sees a lot of value in for the offense to learn to navigate, as well as the defense.

“Anytime we take the field in a four-minute, our number one objective is to get the ball back for the offense. That’s what we have to do. So, and you have to have some feel for the playcaller offensively, things that they like to do,” Allen said. “But ultimately, (there’s) actually a benefit that they got the first down on the first play. So, now it’s first and 10 again. We got to stop them. We knew we had two minutes there. So, I thought it was a good drill for us to go through (for) both sides of the ball.”

Many people on Chicago’s coaching staff this year were not with the team last year. Furthermore, this is Ben Johnson’s first year as a head coach. Thus, the preseason allows the coaching staff to experience a real game and improve their communication as well.

Especially for a staff that has not worked together in a previous season, Allen sees a lot of value in these preseason games.

“For us as a new staff, I think this is important. I think it’s important for all of us. It’s important for me as a defensive coordinator. It’s all dress rehearsal for the regular season. So, I think all of us will learn - players, coaches, everybody alike,” Allen said. “We’ll have to make sure that we’re good on our communication from the booth down to the sideline, whoever that is and whoever we’re having to communicate with. So, we’re excited about having our first preseason game and we’ll have to sort out some of the kinks and try to improve for week two.”

Chicago will face off against the Buffalo Bills on Sun, Aug. 10 (7 p.m. / FOX).

They will conclude their preseason on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs on Fri, Aug. 22 (7:20 p.m. / FOX). The Bears’ first regular-season game will be against the Minnesota Vikings on Mon. Sept. 8 (7:15 p.m. / ABC), where Dennis Allen’s defense will have the chance to face Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy in his first NFL regular-season game.