BOURBONNAIS, Ill. — The intrigue playing out at linebacker in the Bears’ emerging 3-4 scheme — Jared Allen at linebacker? Shea McClellin? Christian Jones? — is being matched or exceeded by the position competitions going on in front of that group, the defensive line that is the starting point for a successful defense.
Linebacker, the question mark in the scheme appears to be considerably further toward resolution, however, than the defensive line.
Rookie nose tackle Eddie Goldman is getting more time with top units. Ego Ferguson has settled into the new scheme nicely, moving from a 4-3 nose tackle to a potential five-technique working farther from the ball.