TAKING HIS GAME TO THE NEXT LEVEL
Second-year cornerback Fuller has been different player than he was early in season
Bears second-year cornerback Kyle Fuller has disappeared — in a good way.
‘‘As a corner, it’s probably a good thing if you don’t hear their name much,’’ safety Chris Prosinski said. ‘‘You don’t see them catching balls on him. You don’t see him getting targeted too much. That’s just a credit to the coverage he’s been playing. He’s been unbelievable.’’ That’s no exaggeration. In the Bears’ loss to the Lions in Week 6, Fuller allowed receptions on eight of nine passes thrown his way for 60 yards and two touchdowns, according to Pro Football Focus. Since then, he has allowed eight receptions on 25 targets for 67 yards.
That’s a staggering development for Fuller, who was benched in Week 2 when defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said he needed to translate his performance from the practice field to Sundays.
Through the Bears’ first six games, the passer rating on balls thrown to Fuller’s man was 137.8. Since then, it’s 39.6.
‘‘His play has definitely elevated,’’ cornerback Tracy Porter said.
But don’t expect a thorough reflection from Fuller, who treats interviews like root canals. Still, he acknowledged the defensive backfield has learned to communicate better, both in the huddle and before the snap.
‘‘When you’re with a group of people for a certain amount of time, you seem to jell together,’’ he said.
Coach John Fox, a former defensive backs coach, said the Bears have improved their pass coverage all season. Statistically, the Bears are elite: Only the Broncos have allowed fewer than their 215 passing yards per game.
That number figures to be even better after next week. The 49ers, the Bears’ opponent Sunday, are third-to-last in the NFL at 198.4 passing yards per game and last at 13.8 points and 295.5 yards per game.
Fox said the Bears have made defensive tweaks during the season but are gaining a greater understanding of Fangio’s scheme as they become more familiar with each other.
‘‘They’re communicating better with each other,’’ Fox said. ‘‘There are a lot of things that happen once they break the huddle as far as how the offense deploys that they’re getting better at.’’
Fox credited Porter with helping his teammates prepare. Porter studies so much that he often makes the defensive call before the safeties do.
‘‘He knows how to study tape,’’ Fox said. ‘‘A lot of guys look at tape, but sometimes I’m not sure what they’re looking at. I think he’s very, very smart that way.
‘‘He’s been around the league, understands route concepts, splits, receiver locations — a lot of things that a young guy might not know — that I think he shares with that whole room.’’
Porter demurred when he was asked whether he has helped Fuller learn a few veteran tricks.
‘‘I can’t sit here and take credit for doing anything,’’ said Porter, who broke up four passes in the Bears’ victory Thursday against the Packers. ‘‘Like I do with him or any other guys in the room, I try my best to give my two cents on what I know about the game.’’
Fuller said he and the Bears only can grow more confident after defeating the Packers. He had only two passes thrown his way in that game, a sign of respect. Both were incomplete.
‘‘Anytime you play well against an opponent like that, things come together — confidence, things like that,’’ Fuller said. ‘‘I feel like the whole team’s getting better.’’
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