Emma: Kyle Fuller Striving For Better
By Chris Emma—
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (CBS) – Elite cornerbacks in the NFL tend to be loud. It seems to be in their nature.
Look at Deion Sanders, the polarizing former Cowboys star, whose "Primetime" nickname was so fitting. The Jets' Darrelle Revis trademarked "Revis Island," marking his place on the field with a top wide receiver. Oh, and there's Richard Sherman, the compelling Seahawks cornerback who has turned the meaning "loud" up a few octaves.
Kyle Fuller is anything but loud. The Bears' 23-year-old cornerback shares very few words, and in the most quiet of tones.
"I'm just going out there and competing, making plays to help us win," said Fuller on Monday.
But within Fuller's soft-spoken persona is a deep desire to be great—to be considered among the NFL's best corners in the years to come. Chicago selected Fuller with its 14th-overall pick in 2014 with the hopes he could become that top-tier cornerback. It hasn't happened yet.
Nearing the start of his second season, Fuller has shown inconsistencies. He has proven to be a serviceable cornerback, but hasn't shown he can be a shutdown cornerback. Those are two very different levels.
"When you're a No. 1 corner pick for that team, those are the expectations," said Bears safety Antrel Rolle, a former first-round pick, too. "You have to grow up overnight."
In Fuller's defense, he's still so young in the NFL. He has just one year of experience under his belt, and so much time for growth. But the Bears have accelerated the clock a bit. Charles Tillman is gone, and Tim Jennings was cut on Sunday. Two cornerstones for the Bears' defenses of recent years are out of the picture.
All the Bears need from Fuller is for him to handle top opposing receivers. When Calvin Johnson comes to town, they want somebody to count on keeping him in check. Fuller has his sights set on being great.
"That's something all defensive backs are out there working for," Fuller said.
In 2014, Fuller played in each of the Bears' 16 games, assuming the starting role when Charles Tillman's season came to an end. He finished the year with four picks and three forced fumbles, to go with 64 total tackles. It was a respectable run, though one which can be built upon for better.
Following years of Tillman matching with "Megatron" and so many more—with the steady Jennings lined up on the opposite end since 2010—the Bears have now turned to Fuller and veteran Alan Ball as their two cornerbacks, with special teams standout Sherrick McManis likely serving a role, too.
The spotlight will be on Fuller, a promising young player with plenty of potential. Can he manage the task of being a starting NFL cornerback?
"He's a guy that can handle it," Rolle said. "He understands his position, his role for us."
Fuller's role comes with expectations, those now greater than ever. He must perform to the level of starting NFL cornerbacks.
The goal for Fuller is to become better than that—when his game is doing the loud talking.
Follow Chris on Twitter @CEmma670.
