Shea McClellin feels comfortable calling plays at linebacker

Shea McClellin feels comfortable calling plays as linebacker

By Blair Sheade

Miami Dolphins running back Lamar Miller (26) gets past Chicago Bears outside linebacker Shea McClellin (50) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game in Chicago, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast

Bears’ Shea McClellin will be the starting middle linebacker for the first time in his four-year career. In his mind, the only difference is calling plays.

McClellin said learning how to call the plays is one of the most important aspects of being the middle linebacker.

You have to be into it because you’re in control of the defense and you have to get everyone on the same page, McClellin said. I’m definitely in tune to everything.

The Bears middle linebacker said the defense was tested after the microphone didn’t work on the first play of the first series.

We had to do all signals, McClellin said. It was an experience, especially for the first game, but it went well overall.

In McClellin’s first preseason game at middle linebacker, he said he gained confidence calling the plays.

From the start, I definitely feel more comfortable than any year that I’ve started with, McClellin said. And even going into the game, my comfort level was definitely higher than it’s been the last three years.

McClellin had two tackles during the two series he played against the Miami Dolphins on Thursday.

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