Generating a more consistent pass rush with their front four remains a top priority for the Bears this week as they prepare for Sunday's road game against the Washington Redskins.
"I think we've got to get more continuity in our rushes," coach Marc Trestman said Monday at Halas Hall. "We're trying to find ways to improve our techniques and fundamentals and coordinate different ways of getting to the quarterback."
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| Corey Wootton and Shea McClellin team up to sack the Packers' Aaron Rodgers last season. |
Linebackers Lance Briggs and D.J. Williams, who suffered a season-ending chest injury in last Thursday night's win over the Giants, lead the Bears with two sacks apiece. The defensive line has accounted for only four sacks, with no individual recording more than one.
Although Briggs registered the Bears' only sack of the Giants' Eli Manning, Trestman feels that the pass rush was better than it had been in back-to-back losses to the Lions and Saints.
"The energy's there," Trestman said. "We got a lot closer last week than we did the two previous weeks. We were around [Manning], but not enough. We've just got to continue working it."
The Bears have been decimated by injuries at the tackle position. Henry Melton and Nate Collins are out for the season with torn ACLs and Stephen Paea has missed the last two games with a toe injury. But Trestman feels the team still has enough talent to rush the quarterback effectively.
"I believe the talent is there and we've just got to keep working on it," Trestman said. "Quarterbacks are throwing the ball a lot earlier than ever before and it's hard to get to them.
"We've gotten close, we've redirected passes, we've inhibited throws and got Eli to hold a little bit in the pocket, disrupted his rhythm. We've got to continue to work at it, but I certainly believe the talent is there."
Paea practiced Monday and could play Sunday against the Redskins. His return would allow the Bears to move Corey Wootton, who has been filling in at tackle, back to his natural end position.
"[Paea] worked out here today, so we're optimistic," Trestman said. "He'll have the rest of the day off [Monday] and [Tuesday] and be ready to go."
Roster addition: The Bears on Monday signed defensive end Tracy Robertson to their practice squad. The 6-4, 300-pounder entered the NFL with the Texans in 2012 as an undrafted free agent from Baylor. He has also spent time with the Lions, Patriots and Dolphins, but has not appeared in a regular-season game.
Robertson fills the spot that belonged to defensive tackle Christian Tupou, who was promoted to the 53-man roster last Wednesday.
