Chuck Pagano is not Vic Fangio. We all know this. His job is, of course, to make sure the Chicago Bears defense remains dominant. However, he’s going to do it his own way. Fangio is simply a different coordinator. He not only runs a game differently, but he specializes in different personnel too. Fangio was known for his conservative style where he rarely blitzed and wanted offenses to work their way down the field without making a mistake.
Pagano is not that guy. He’s known for being aggressive. He likes to stay on the attack, using creatively disguised blitzes to force quarterbacks into ill-advised throws. Fangio was a linebackers specialist and it showed with the outstanding play of guys like Khalil Mack, Danny Trevathan, Roquan Smith, and Leonard Floyd. Pagano? He’s been lauded many times as a defensive backs expert. Something that’s been true since his college days in the 1990s.
So one can surmise his presence might actually be a big help to the Bears secondary. Fans may not have noticed, but this is already proving true. The first preseason game showed signs that his knowledge and experience are having a profound effect. One that could have valuable consequences in the upcoming season if the talent he’s in charge of remains healthy.
Chuck Pagano secondary was unforgiving despite Panthers loss
The Carolina Panthers may have won against the Bears on opening night of the preseason, but it wasn’t because they had an easy time of it against the secondary. All told, Bears defensive backs were targeted 22 times on the evening. They allowed just 10 catches for 94 yards with two pass deflections and an interception. That works out to a collective passer rating of 38.83 whenever Carolina threw against the Bears secondary.
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That’s pretty good.
Especially considering Kyle Fuller, Prince Amukamara, and Eddie Jackson weren’t on the field. The biggest indicator of Pagano’s touch may be Deon Bush. The former 4th round pick was a non-factor outside of special teams through the first three seasons of his career. Now all of a sudden it looks like he could be a starter. His training camp exploits have garnered a considerable buzz and that carried over to Soldier Field where he had a pass breakup and his first career interception.
Keep in mind Bush had two pass breakups in the previous three preseasons combined. So for him to get his hands on the ball twice in one game? That is significant and nothing new to Pagano. He has a long history of maximizing defensive backs. If the Bears front seven is as good as it was last year, and there’s no reason to think it won’t be, then this could be a landmark season for their secondary.
