Bears OLB Jared Allen has options in Vic Fangio’s defense

Jared Allen still loves to plant his hand in the grass. It still feels right after months of learning how to play in an upright two-point stance in coordinator Vic Fangio’s 3-4 defense.

“I love the three-point stance,” Allen said. “I feel at home with my hand in the grass. It’s nostalgic. I start misting up and I’m late off the ball. I’ve got to work on that.”

Jokes aside, Allen needs to improve in Week 2 against the Arizona Cardinals. He’s a main cog of a pass rush that pressured Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers just once, according to the Bears’ own reviews.

The Packers’ personnel groupings forced the Bears to use their nickel defense for most of the game. But Allen remained upright for all but a few plays.

Fangio said Allen has the option to move to a three-point in nickel, but in some situations, he’s better off standing. So it depends on the call.

More leeway could be beneficial, though. Allen, the active leader in sacks for his work at right end, struggled to beat Packers left tackle David Bakhtiari one-on-one.

“There are different things and times where the two-point stance is more effective,” said Allen, who enjoys having the flexibility. “If it’s crunch time, comes down to 3rd-and-long and I know I’m rushing, I’m probably going to have my hand in the ground and get to it.

“It’s one of those things, too, I’ve worked so hard to get comfortable in a two-point stance, I’ve got to make sure I don’t get uncomfortable in a 3-point stance for when I can use it.”

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