BOURBONNAIS, Ill. (AP) — On the hottest, most humid day of Chicago Bears training camp, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio wore a sweatshirt.
"So why not just try to go and catch the ball?"
The biggest change came in the front seven, with the addition of 336-pound free agent defensive end Akiem Hicks, backed by free agent inside linebacker acquisitions Freeman and Trevathan.
"For a big guy he's got a lot of energy," Fangio said. "We've just got to get him honed up a little bit better in his techniques."
"But they're two different body types. Aldon was 25-30 pounds heavier and Aldon wasn't the athlete that this guy is in open space. They're similar in height, but they're very different in style."
"I like to have a big D-lineman in front of me, a hungry guy who's just a mauler," Trevathan said about Hicks. "The man's a mountain who is hard to move."
"It's a concern for sure, but until I see him out on the field I'm really not thinking about it as much," Fangio said.
On draft day, Floyd drew comparisons to former 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith, who flourished under Fangio as a pass rusher.
"He's a mastermind," Trevathan said. "He likes to put you in the right situations to make plays.
"I think we have a chance to be a better defense than we were last year, but the proof will be in the pudding," Fangio said Thursday at training camp. "Practice is the quiz,nfl jerseys authentic cheap, the games are the final exam."
Hicks put his talents on display Thursday when he helped the first-team defense make a goal-line stand in scrimmage.
"I don't sweat that much," he said. "I'm not a sweater."
Trevathan,cheap jerseys from china, who came over from the Super Bowl champion Broncos in free agency, also raved about Fangio's defensive system.
"He has some experience with that with other linebackers and other teams. But here he's just doing a good job of feeling his players and knowing what they're good at and putting you in certain situations to make plays."

Before Fangio becomes more convinced of improvement, though, he'll need to see the type of impact additions such as linebackers Danny Trevathan, Jerrell Freeman and first-round draft pick Leonard Floyd will have for a defense that rose in rankings last season from 30th to 14th.
It could take a while.
Cornerback Tracy Porter said more turnovers will come with better pass rush pressure, but also from one simple coverage approach.
"You know we've got veteran guys,cheap authentic jerseys, but they're not veteran in our system yet," Fangio said.
For secondary coverage to improve, Fangio said the pass rush pressure must also increase. Not having outside linebacker Pernell McPhee, who is on the preseason PUP list after knee surgery, is slowing progress.
NOTES: Right guard Kyle Long went through his first full padded practice after suffering a July 28 calf injury. ... Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, who left Wednesday's practice, also missed Thursday's practice with what Fox called a "slight" hamstring injury. ... Offensive lineman Amini Silatolu, who started training camp on the physically unable to perform list, was moved to the active roster and began practicing.
The potential exists to stop the run more effectively than last season, when Chicago ranked 22nd.
The more pressing concern is getting Floyd, an undersized, speedy pass rush linebacker,NFL Jerseys China, to a level where he contributes sacks.
"He's not like Aldon at all," Fangio said. "The only thing that he's similar to Aldon is they're both tall. They're both kind of long.
Despite overall statistical improvement last season, the Bears defense set a franchise record for fewest interceptions (eight) and allowed the second-most touchdown passes (31) in their history.
Hicks, whose career started with New Orleans and New England,Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping, said he feels comfortable in the Bears' defensive scheme. Teammates are noticing.
"To just go after the ball when it's in the air," he said. "Yeah, we want to knock passes down when you can. I've been told some of the wisest words: You just try to catch every ball. Whether you miss it or you knock it down, it's still a PBU (pass breakup).
The only change Fangio has dealt with in the secondary is Harold Jones-Quartey as a starting safety alongside safety Adrian Amos. Jones-Quartey started three games last season after being claimed off waivers.
In another sense, Fangio did have to sweat through a first year in Chicago with an inconsisten