Brian Hoyer big addition for Chicago Bears

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The Chicago Bears went through the season without an experienced backup to quarterback Jay Cutler and got away with it.

Having added Bryan Hoyer has proven a benefit in more ways than one.

"He gives you an established backup, a veteran guy," offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains said. "There's competition and we haven't set a depth chart. But he gives us a guy who has played in the league and has a winning record as a starter, so it just creates competition."

The communication lines among quarterbacks improves, according to Cutler.

"Having a veteran guy back there definitely helps," Cutler said. "He can say things to the quarterbacks coach (Dave Ragone) or Dowell for me. He can talk to the receivers, the O-line. It doesn't have to always be me and it takes some of the pressure off my shoulders."

--The Bears are not a team that relies extensively on a fullback for blocking, but will do it in short yardage or occasionally in their base offense.

Trouble is, they really don't have a fullback or even a proven dependable blocking tight end who can move into the backfield.

"We're going to see if we can find a fullback somewhere," Cutler said. "Throughout training camp, we're going to try to figure that out."

--With receivers Alshon Jeffery and Kevin White healthy, it only makes sense the Bears would throw more downfield this season.

If anyone expected coach John Fox to announce this, they haven't paid attention to the way he passes along information - or doesn't.

"Again I can't predict that," he said. "We'll do what we feel like it takes to win and that varies week to week depending on matchups and who we are and who they are."

--Defensive end Ego Ferguson is among numerous Bears coming off surgeries, but is being counted on to be in the mix.

Through OTAs and minicamp, the starters on the defensive line have been Akiem Hicks, Eddie Goldman and Mitch Unrein.

Ferguson admitted his right knee probably won't be 100 percent this year after he had surgery to repair a torn patella tendon.

"Not really, but regardless, you're not ever going to ever be 100 percent in this game," Ferguson said. "Just one of them things."

Ferguson also failed a performance enhancing drug test and was suspended four games last season.

"I don't have to explain it," he said. "I failed a PED test and was suspended four games."

Ferguson said he learned a lesson.

"Just going through adversity, understanding what you can and can't do, and taking more responsibility in myself -- I'm researching stuff better."

--Although only in his fourth season, guard Kyle Long has inherited the leadership job with the offensive line after veterans Roberto Garza and Matt Slauson left over the course of a two-year period.

It's an especially important role since offensive linemen always tend to be among a team's closest knit groups.

"Obviously without Matt, we kind of looked around and were like 'who's going to do this?'" Long said. "And (tackle Charles) Leno was like, 'You got it dude. You can organize the group text.' We've got a great group of guys and we've got a coach that's fired up about football every day and treats us like family. That's all you can ask for.

"We'll go get something to eat, we'll go watch a basketball game. I've had the guys over to my house. And they clean up, which is nice. (Rookie) Cody Whitehair is a gentleman. He always does the dishes. It's been good."

--Cornerback Tracy Porter generally drew praise as one of general manager Ryan Pace's real finds in free agency, but he expects to get better at one thing this season.

"I definitely want to have more interceptions," he said. "I only had one. That's the key thing, not only me but the entire secondary. We want to get our hands on the ball more."

The Bears had only three interceptions by cornerbacks last season.