BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – Bears defensive line coach Rod Marinelli shared his thoughts with reporters before Friday’s training camp practice at Olivet Nazarene University:

A week into camp, what’s the main thing you’re focusing on with the defensive line?

It’s the same focus; just fundamentals. It’s the small things that I’m aware of, like the details of pad level: Get a little bit lower here, your hands are a little bit tighter or your rush is a little tighter. There’s no rocket science to it. It’s just base fundamentals every day.

Rod Marinelli works with the Bears defensive line during a recent practice in Bourbonnais.

As a staff we usually watch the film right after practice and make our corrections. We then explain the corrections [to the players], watch film and go from there.

After six straight days in pads, is there anything that’s surprised you about the defensive line?

Not really. I’ve got high expectations for them and those expectations grow each day. But it still comes back to just concentrating on the moment, and the moment is the practice and the fundamentals of that day. I’m repetitive in what I say [to the media] and I’m repetitive to them.

What are your expectations for defensive ends Alex Brown and Adewale Ogunleye?

I’m expecting leadership and their veteran presence. The biggest thing I’ve been pleased with is their effort, attitude and work toward their craft. That’s really important to me, and that’s a great tone to set for the younger players.

What’s the key in ensuing that Tommie Harris remains healthy?

I think we’re very smart with him. The trainers are doing a heck of a job. They’ve got certain days monitored for him.  We want him to get work and then make sure he’s on course to being as healthy as he can be.

Is the tackle position starting to sort itself out with Anthony Adams, Dusty Dvoracek and Marcus Harrison?

As you’re watching men work and battle for positions, you don’t jump to conclusions. Just let it play out. You don’t get too high or too low on a guy early. We’ve got time and I want it to play out. I want to see how guys react today in practice after a very physical practice last night. I want to see who’s mentally tough enough to go in and do it again, concentrate and not make errors, and play the defense the way it’s supposed to be played.

It was believed that Israel Idonije would be playing end in camp, so why is he lining up mostly at tackle?

I like the position flexibility. You always have to give a guy a second position. Sometimes a nose tackle will play a three or a three will play the nose. When you suit up maybe seven players in a game, guys have to play other spots.

What allows Idonije to be such a versatile player?

He’s real smart. He can run. He’s athletic. He can bend real well. With each technique there’s a lot of carryover from a tackle position and an end position in terms of run responsibilities and how you play it.

How would you assess Mark Anderson?

He’s working extremely hard. I think his take-off is excellent. This guy can come off the rock now. He’s got a couple of real good base moves. You want to add to it a little bit, not much more than that, and then we’ll just work from there.

How do you explain Anderson’s sack total going from 12 as a rookie to one last year in his third season?

Sometimes that can be deceiving a little bit because you can have a great rush and the ball’s out early and sometimes you’re going to get a sack when the protection kicks and you’re free. I look at the rush itself. I just like where he’s at right now. I look at the moment where we’re at and how he’s progressing.

Do veterans need coaching as much as young players?

No question. The best way I can relate it to you at our position about skill development is if you play golf and you’ve been doing it for a lot of years. Do you still need skill? Do you still rep it? Do you still go out to the driving range and do it? It’s the same thing. The older they get they should be more exact with their fundamentals. You gain strength with body mechanics. All of a sudden if you don’t touch on these things you look back halfway through the season and you’ve lost your pad level, your hands aren’t as quick. Again, it’s the details, so you have to rep the basic fundamentals of your position every day.

What’s the most important thing about playing the defensive line?

This position is all about fundamentals. The scheme, everything’s important, but it’s how low you can play, and you don’t play low unless you work on playing low. You don’t see what you’re supposed to see unless you work with your eyes every day. Your moves aren’t crisp and fast unless you work on them every day. It’s just like golf. It’s like batting practice. It’s why a baseball player gets in the batting cage every night; to work on his stroke, his fundamentals, no matter how old he is, the swing, not taking swings at bad pitches. It’s the same thing.