when Floyd led with the crown of his helmet rather than keeping his head up and seeing his target. Extensive work has been done since to break him of that bad habit.

“With coach Vic (Fangio), we’ve been working on (dummies), putting our hands and hat in the right places and getting good repetition doing it every day,” Floyd said. “I just had the crown of my helmet a little too low. It needed to be higher.”

So, too does Floyd’s sack total if the Bears’ defense is to make strides.

Early indications are optimistic because Floyd says he’s in better shape, even though he has put a few pounds on his lanky frame, which the Bears have encouraged.

Coaches expect a year of maturity will make a noticeable difference in Floyd’s game.

“With most players, when you go from your rookie year to second year, (the game) slows down,” Bears head coach John Fox said. “They understand it. They’re not thinking; they’re reacting. So I’d expect (improvement), and I’ve seen that already, even in the off-season.

“He’s a really good talent. I’d rather understate and let him overproduce, but I think both mentally and physically he’s going to take a big step.”

The 24-year-old Floyd is more comfortable in the defense and with his role in the scheme.

“Everything was new to me last year,” he said.

“I’m just way more comfortable being out there with the play-calls and my assignments and with the other guys on the field.”

Despite producing some memorable flash plays from last season, Floyd knows he’s capable of more.

“There definitely were a lot of plays I left (on the field),” he said. “I’m going to do a better job this year of making those plays.”

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