At times last season, it was hard to find Mike Brown. As the Bears’ free safety, part of his job is to play center field, preventing the long pass completion. But it sometimes seemed he was lined up in the bullpen.
The result? Statistically, the worst of his four Bears seasons in most categories. And the fewest interceptions–two–since he had one as a rookie.
“That’s the kind of style we were playing, built around the defense–keep the game close, give the offense a chance to win the game at the end, and we have a great kicker who’s great in pressure situations and who’s won a lot of games for us,” Brown said.
Along with Brian Urlacher, Brown is supposed to be a leader on defense. Coach Lovie Smith expects Brown to have the prominent role a leader should have.
“If you say right now who had the captain-type ability, the first guy you’d say is Mike Brown, and you want those guys close to the action,” Smith said.
“That’s what we’re going to do with him. He’s been a good blitzer in the past, so we’ll do that with him too.”
Last summer the Bears signed Brown to a long-term contract extension through 2008, just weeks after signing Urlacher through 2011.
Then when the season began, the big plays were missing. Though Brown didn’t seem to be having a very good year, coach Dick Jauron consistently praised him. Brown was making sure a defense that couldn’t mount a pass rush wasn’t giving up 60-yard touchdown passes and sacrificing stats in the process–taking one for the team, if you will.
“He did,” said defensive backs coach Vance Bedford, a holdover from Jauron’s staff. “That’s the kind of guy Mike Brown is. He’s truly a team player who’ll do whatever you ask him.
“His job last year, because of injuries, was to make sure everyone got lined up right and make sure we didn’t give up big plays, and he did a good job for us. The year before, we were healthier and he was more involved. We have a lot of depth this year, so we’re going to find more ways to use him.
“He’s a playmaker. He’ll be around the ball more. We’ll get him close to the line of scrimmage, maybe blitz him a little more. He’ll be all over the place. People won’t know where he is.”
It’s easier for a defense to make big plays if it’s playing with a lead, which the Bears didn’t often do on their way to a 7-9 finish.
Brown had only two interceptions a year ago, but both mattered. One set up a touchdown at San Francisco; the other was in the end zone at Seattle.
“Last year it was a combination of things,” Brown said. “We didn’t play well and we were pressing, especially when we were losing.”
It may be asking too much to get Brown back to his level of 2001, when he resembled your basic heat-seeking missile as he intercepted five passes, returning three for touchdowns, and had the only three sacks of his career.
Brown’s 2003 season proves stats don’t always tell the story.
“He’s a great player,’ Urlacher said. “He’s played great every year–always makes good plays, always doing something to change the game in our direction. He’s an impact player, and he hasn’t had a bad year yet.”
Then again, Brown wants to make a bigger impact this season.
Even though he’s only 5 feet 10 inches and is down to 205 pounds as part of Smith’s weight-loss program, Brown loves to hit.
“Sometimes they don’t see you coming,” Brown said. “Big hits can motivate your team and cause fumbles.”
But sometimes he has to resist the temptation for the big hit.
“I’m thinking about the hit instead of the ball, but that’s something I’ve tried to work on throughout my career–get to the ball more often instead of going for the hit,” he said.
At the same time, Smith’s defense will let Brown trust his instincts.
“This year we’ll be real aggressive on both sides of the ball,” Brown said. “We’ll be attacking teams.”
