BOURBONNAIS — The image etched across Mark Anderson’s left hand is hard to decipher upon first glance, but a closer look makes clear its meaning.
The initials “G.A.” are surrounded by a halo and angel wings as a tribute to Gaines Adams, the Bears defensive end who died of a heart attack in January. Defensive tackle Marcus Harrison has the same tattoo on his left hand.
“With Gaines, it’s a sad situation that happened,” Anderson said. “This season is kind of for him. I know he was working hard. I know he was a good guy, a good teammate, a good friend off the field.
“I just want to go out there and go hard because I know he’d be doing the same thing.”
The previous descriptions of Adams, an undersized but promising young talent who never reached his full potential, could characterize Anderson as he heads into his fifth season. The Bears signed the restricted free agent to a one-year, $1.759 million tender, figuring Anderson, 27, had more to offer as a complement to Julius Peppers than Adewale Ogunleye and Alex Brown.
“The Bears have a lot of confidence in me,” Anderson said. “I’ve got a lot of confidence in myself. I felt good about this offseason. I think it’s going to be a big year.”
Since exploding onto the scene in 2006 with a 12-sack rookie season despite only one start, Anderson has only 9 1/2 sacks in 46 games with 16 starts.
The Bears need the rookie version of Anderson back as they attempt to re-establish a strong pass rush. They had only 35 sacks last season, 24 by the line. Peppers brings 81 career sacks from his years in Carolina but can’t do it alone.
So why will this year be different for Anderson? Well, the arrival of five-time Pro Bowl selection Peppers should make Anderson’s work off the other edge a lot easier.
“He’s always asking questions, just thirsty for knowledge,” Peppers said of Anderson. “As far as the maturity level and the professionalism, I see those things. And that’s where it starts. Once he starts doing all those things, that’s when it translates into numbers and success on the field.”
Anderson tried to explain why his production has fallen off since his rookie season.
“I’ve been trying to do a lot of different things instead of sticking to what I do best,” he said. “Now I’m going back to the basics.”
Anderson admitted he tried too hard to incorporate other players’ moves into his game the last two years.
“Take the spin, for example. I tried to use the spin,” Anderson said. “That’s not really my game. I mean, I can do it, but it’s not like what I do. I have a certain move I like to do — straight, basic speed rush and counter inside move — and now I’m just going to stick with it. That’s what got me my 12 sacks.”
Defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli agreed Anderson was pressing a bit.
“You don’t have to have 20 things,” Marinelli said. “Three things and then a counter. Coming off the ball correctly and the footwork. It’s more about concepts than moves.
“I feel real good about Mark this season. I feel good about Izzy (Idonije) and Corey Wootton, this big young horse. They know the emphasis. We’ve got to find a way to get a four-man rush.”
And if Anderson needs any added motivation, all he needs to do is glance at his left hand.
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