Andrew Billings is a tough guy to miss.
At 6-foot-1, 311 pounds, the Chicago Bears’ defensive tackle takes up a lot of space on a defensive line and is a handful to displace in the run game. His voice is equally as noticeable.
Billings has a knack for yelling out the word “move” in his deep voice when he is lined up in his stance on the D-line, and the reason behind it is to cause the offensive linemen to false start. Billings has implemented his move call against his teammates in practice and games, and occasionally has forced the offense to commit a penalty.
Andrew Billings' sheds light on new role in Bears' defense
“It’s still part of the defense,” Billings said. “We’ll see if we can get a free five yards that way. We still have it.”
The veteran defensive tackle has at least one indication of how he can utilize his skill set. However, like many of his teammates, his role has yet to be defined.
“I’m working through everything with everybody else,” Billings said. “Part of what we’re doing here, too, is figuring out our roles. Of course, I had a big role last year, but every year you have to work up to maintaining that. That’s what we’re looking for. I’m still going to be the run stopper. I’m still going to work on pass rush. I’m still going to work on my movement and keeping my energy up.”
With the additions of veteran Grady Jarrett and rookie Shemar Turner, there is plenty of new energy on the D-line. A lot of the focus for all the defensive linemen at this point in the season has been devoted to learning defensive coordinator Dennis Allen's scheme.
“I think what’s really the newest thing for us is the scheme and what we’re seeing out there every day,” Billings said. “It’s a lot of movement, a lot of things we have to anticipate happening. That’s the biggest thing.”
Although Billings will be adapting to the new scheme, he's still going to play the nose guard position. In Allen's defense, he won't be asked to tilt as much as he did last season, but instead will stay more square when engaged with offensive linemen.
It's a change, but Billings didn't make too much of it when he spoke to reporters on the final day of mandatory minicamp at Halas Hall. The veteran defensive tackle liked what he and the team accomplished during the offseason program, setting the team up for what should be a competitive training camp.
“I think what we’ve done great is that we’ve gotten into the playbook,” Billings said. “We gotten through the whole thing. We’ll go through it again for Round 2. I think we’ve set the standard, set the tone. When we get back, we’ll know right where we’re at and what we have to do to get off to a great start.”
One thing is certain, Billings and his move call will be ready when the Bears return in mid-July.