Ryan Pace hopeful secondary additions enliven Bears defense – Chicago Tribune

Unofficially, Marcus Cooper's big NFL breakthrough came in Week 2 last season on an afternoon in which he aided a 40-7 Cardinals win with two interceptions of Jameis Winston. The first came as Cooper instinctively broke on a pass thrown behind Buccaneers receiver Vincent Jackson.

The second, off a deflection, sent Cooper scampering 60 yards for his first career touchdown.

Those plays showcased the vision Cooper prides himself on. But they also provided a welcome confidence lift for a young cornerback seizing his opportunity to become a difference-making starter.

Now Cooper is pushing to further his development in Chicago, one of the newest additions to a Bears defense that needs an injection of playmaking ability.

"He is a raw player who is still ascending," general manager Ryan Pace said Tuesday at the NFL's league meetings. "When you watch him each year he's gotten better and better the more he's gotten opportunities."

Those are exactly the kinds of bets Pace and the Bears are trying to cash in on as they try to reverse the fortunes of three consecutive last-place seasons. They need young, hungry players who can emerge when given a chance.

After a month in which the Bears have been especially active in free agency, Pace expressed optimism about what has been accomplished. As promised, the 40-year-old general manager used what he terms "a shotgun approach" in free agency. Rather than chasing one or two high-profile and high-priced prospects, the Bears opted to cast a wider net.

Pace has made 17 signings since the league year opened March 9, with 11 of those players new to the organization and three arriving to compete for starting roles in the defensive backfield.

"As a free-agent class in general, I really like the makeup and the character and the intelligence and the intangibles of the class," Pace said.

Now the hope is that the investments will pay dividends, particularly in the secondary, where safety Quintin Demps and cornerback Prince Amukamara will join Cooper, all arriving with designs on becoming impact playmakers.

Demps' six interceptions last season with the Texans were half of what all Bears defensive backs have made over the previous two seasons combined. Texans coach Bill O'Brien praised Demps' attitude and ball skills Tuesday.

"He's a very instinctive player," O'Brien said. "He studies a lot of tape. And he has a very good feel for what the other offense is doing. He was always very prepared going into games."

Amukamara, on the other hand, will join the Bears with heightened scrutiny over his lack of obvious big plays. He has made only seven interceptions in six NFL seasons. Earlier this month, the seventh-year veteran acknowledged that statistically, "I didn't look as sexy as everybody else." But Amukamara promised that a full library of his film would offer "the ultimate eye test." And he found at least one believer in Pace.

"Sometimes," the Bears GM said, "there is a lot of hidden production from him because he has his guy covered and they just don't throw at him."

Cooper will also be given every opportunity to lock down a starting role. Pace relied on defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and defensive backs coach Ed Donatell for extra insight into Cooper's makeup. Fangio and Donatell were part of the 49ers staff that drafted Cooper in the seventh round in 2013. Both coaches laud Cooper's work ethic and shared Pace's belief in his upside.

"He has really natural ball skills," Pace said. "It's very easy for him to make a play on the ball. He has a great ability when he is playing off to read the quarterback but still have vision on the receiver. Some guys can't do that."

Time will tell if Pace's optimism is justified. But the Bears have been active in their efforts to improve the secondary and promise to remain so through next month's draft.

dwiederer@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @danwiederer

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Ryan Pace hopeful secondary additions enliven Bears defense - Chicago Tribune