Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio isn’t typically a coach who liked to take high risks. Sure he’ll call a blitz in certain situations when the game is on the line, but normally he chooses to play the percentages. It’s why his Chicago Bears defense is among the best in the league. However, based on how things have gone this week it looks like he’s about to take the biggest calculated risk of the young season.
Most of the news has centered on the health of starting cornerback Prince Amukamara. The veteran has been the best Bears have in pass coverage this year so far, allowing just nine catches despite being targeted 17 times with a pick-six. He, unfortunately, tweaked his hamstring in the win over Arizona and couldn’t finish the game.
Head coach Matt Nagy declared him day-to-day so his status for the game is officially questionable. That said, most with common sense don’t think Amukamara will play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Not with the bye week around the corner. Why risk further injury when they can give him three full weeks to rest and be 100% for the next game?
Logical as that sounds, it puts the defense in a bind. Some have thought the team might seek out some cornerback depth in free agency to cover the loss. Instead, it appears they’re going to ride it out with who they have.
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The Viper Vic on Kevin Tolliver (his potential future with the Bears): from r/CHIBears
Vic Fangio shows confidence in both Kevin Toliver and Sherrick McManis
This is a bold decision. While the Bears reserves did fine in Arizona when Amukamara went down, the Buccaneers are a whole different animal. Their quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has thrown for over 400 yards in three-straight games. No doubt he’d salivate at the idea of going after a 31-year old special teams ace like McManis or an undrafted rookie like Toliver with Mike Evans or Desean Jackson.
Toliver gave up four catches against the Cardinals including a 38-yard bomb where, as Fangio stated, he got caught by a double move. That’s a classic rookie mistake. The good news is he’ll have a chance to be part of the game plan this week and won’t be thrown into the fire cold this time. Toliver doesn’t seem to phased by this new reality. He believes he’s ready.
“If I was at any team, as long as I’m out there I know they’re going to throw my way. I just have to be ready, be prepared…
…I embrace that challenge. I love that challenge. I love this stage of my career, just guys trying me. Got to make a name for myself.”
Toliver was considered among the more coveted undrafted players this year. An LSU cornerback who probably should’ve been drafted given his considerable talent. For whatever reason, he wasn’t. The Bears were fortunate enough to get him and he did enough in training camp and preseason to make the team.
They have high hopes for him. This is about as big a first test as any corner could ever face. If he does well, it could lead to big things in the future.
