BOURBONNAIS, Ill. What is the biggest difference in the 2017 Chicago Bears since we left them at 3-13 last January? <\/p>\n
Over the last six months, it has become crystal clear to anyone paying close attention the Chicago Bears are now general manager Ryan Paces team, while head coach John Fox just works there. <\/p>\n
In the past two-and-a-half years, we can count on one hand the number of times Pace has spoken publicly without Fox by his side, and until last January it was always Fox who dominated those occasions, at times feeling the need to add to Paces comments and even finish answers for him. <\/p>\n
Meeting with Pace and Fox Wednesday at the opening of the Bears' 2017 training camp, it was clearly Ryan Paces show, completing the turnaround in control hes been asserting this offseason. <\/p>\n
For anyone keeping score, after each gave a brief opening statement, the first 12 questions were all directed at Pace with Fox only weighing in on two of them because Pace asked him to, and many of them were about how Pace was handling the quarterback position, playing time and other decisions often left to the head coach. <\/p>\n
Asked how he will measure the progress of this years Bears, Pace replied, I know that the culture and the vibe of the locker room is really good right now. <\/p>\n
When we talk about playing with toughness and intelligence and passion and all those traits we strive for, I feel like weve got a team that embodies those traits. <\/p>\n
Asked about the pressure on Fox to perform well enough to keep his job entering the third year of his four-year deal, Pace was careful to accept some of the pressure to win on himself while acknowledging it is time to win more, and he also offered a second measuring stick through which Fox will be evaluated. <\/p>\n
I hear theres pressure on this theres pressure on all of us. Theres a lot of pressure on me, and we all know what we signed up for,\" he said. \"I think the focus now is winning games, but if theres one thing I can stress with John and things I appreciate every day its look, its very difficult to change a culture. <\/p>\n
John is doing that and he has done that while also getting younger as a team. And doing that together has been difficult, and I appreciate that with him. <\/p>\n
Asked how Fox is changing the culture, Pace explained, I think you guys know when you can feel a team that has come together, you can feel the locker room. <\/p>\n
\"Guys, this is just the very beginning, but you just feel a lot of good teammates. A lot of unselfish, team-first type of players, which I think is really important. <\/p>\n
I think weve all seen good teams ascend, and I think it starts with the quality of the character in the locker room, and I think we have good character in our locker room. <\/p>\n
How much pressure is on Fox to win now ultimately remains unclear, but Pace did acknowledge the ultimate judgments come from the McCaskeys ownership perch and he did talk about what he believes they expect. <\/p>\n
That conversation is always ongoing. I just think they want to see continued improvement,\" he said. \"I think they know theres no quick fix. We talked about that. Its about building this team the right way, with the right kind of guys. And weve just got to show progress. <\/p>\n
I think as we go forward, our fans are going to see a tough, blue collar, grind-it-out kind of team thats on the ascension and its something they can be part of. <\/p>\n
I suspect Pace is right about how he will be evaluated and that he remains very safe in the eyes of the McCaskeys. <\/p>\n
But while the culture may be improving, 2016 was a regression from six wins to three rather than progress, and whether Fox can expect that same leeway as Pace remains a serious question as practices begin Thursday. <\/p>\n
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