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Emma: 5 Takeaways From Ryan Pace, John Fox As Bears Open Training Camp

By Chris Emma--

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. (CBS) -- Naturally, the feeling as the Bears reported for training camp Wednesday was one of optimism and excitement.

Bears coach John Fox downplayed it, of course, but there's a palpable vibe to his second camp in Bourbonnais. General manager Ryan Pace was at least willing to share that he's excited about his second team.

"Really can't wait to get started," Pace said as he and Fox met with the media. "Year 2 with Coach Fox, I'm fired up about it and fired up about the additions we made."

Pace and Fox broke ground on camp with a media session, in which they discussed the state of their 2016 roster.

Here are some takeaways from the press conference.

1.) McPhee can ease into the season

Last year, the Bears opened training camp with an injury to receiver Kevin White that was supposed to be "day-to-day," as Fox and Pace stated. White would go on to miss the entire season.

Placing linebacker Pernell McPhee on the PUP list brings a different injury situation from a year ago. McPhee is recovering from February surgery to his left knee, an injury that lingered throughout the 2015 season.

The Bears are simply easing McPhee back, starting with guided workouts with the training staff and, eventually, he will return to practice. Fox compared it to situations of edge rushers Lamarr Houston and Willie Young last season, as they were "babied" in camp as they returned from knee injuries. It's expected that McPhee should be ready for Week 1, though his status for participation in preseason games is still uncertain, Pace said.

"We jut got to acclimate him into football activities," Pace said. "So he'll work with the trainers."

Pace was also to quick to point out McPhee's shape. He's down in the 270-pound range, which will combine his strength with a more mobile frame. Additionally, less weight can alleviate pressure on the knee.

When McPhee was healthy last season, it sometimes seemed the only way to stop him was with a hold. The Bears need their mean edge rusher. Fortunately for them, this seems to be just a setback.

2.) Chemistry creates a culture

Pace loves the upgraded talent in his personnel, and he believes in the Bears' coaches. He pointed to the revamped offensive line as a positive and looked toward new health at receiver as a key factor.

But what Pace really believes can make the difference for his Bears is the culture of his team. Much of that starts with new linebacker Danny Trevathan, who's fresh off a Super Bowl championship with the Broncos.

On top of that, players like Jay Cutler, Kyle Long, Tracy Porter and more return from Fox's first season with a renewed swagger that is spreaing throughout the young locker room.

"You just feel the chemistry and the culture," Pace said. "I feel really good where we're at right now as a team and really good where our staff is at. I'm excited to get started."

3.) 'Fired up' about the front seven

To his credit, Pace maintained a sense of reality in his media session.

The Bears weren't able to upgrade their secondary in his second year, because rebuilding is a process. Perhaps that will be addressed in the next offseason.

Pace is hoping that the Bears' rebuilt front seven will make the difference and make life easier on the secondary. Their starting seven will be constructed of mostly Pace-picked players, with newcomers like Trevathan, Jerrell Freeman and Akiem Hicks entering the fold.

"It's a position we've added to really over the last two years," said Pace, "starting with Eddie Goldman and (Mitch) Unrein and Hicks and Bullard and obviously the pass rushers and outside linebackers. We're excited about that group. We all know pressure on the quarterback can equate to turnovers and help the secondary. I'm fired up about that going forward."

4.) Fox, Cutler ready for Year 2

When Fox arrived at Halas Hall, he was eager to meet with Cutler, who was one of many question marks.

While the Bears' receiving core faced a myriad of injuries last season, Cutler played admirably, putting together an efficient season in which he took care of the football. Fox came away pleased with his quarterback.

In turn, Fox was more than comfortable promoting quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains to the position of offensive coordinator in a move that benefits Cutler.

"At the conclusion of a whole season working with Jay, I was very impressed," Fox said. "I feel way more confident about him -- as well as I do with a lot of guys -- coming into Year 2 than I did Year 1, Jay included."

5.) A dose of reality

When a Bears PR rep stepped in and signaled it was time for one more question Wednesday, the most important quote came out.

Pace was asked whether his bolstered roster has what it takes to make the playoffs in 2016. He opted to dance around the question, though his words spoke volumes.

"I just think, from a personnel standpoint, we just got to keep putting good drafts together," he said. "We got to see how this draft unfolds. We got to stack good drafts, we got to be accurate in free agency. I feel good about where we're at right now, but truth will be told as this plays out."

Consider these fair words from a longtime NFL scout. Pace has an offense built around receivers who couldn't stay healthy this season, a reshuffled offensive line that has question marks of its own and a second-year running back who didn't necessarily earn a starting job this season.

The defense could be really good, but a lot is riding on the secondary to take advantage of a strong front seven. Taking the football away just 17 times in 16 games in 2015 isn't good enough.

Pace was candid in his assessment of this team. The potential is there for a playoff berth, though we have to see how the Bears' many variables play out.

Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.

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