LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Bears coach Lovie Smith answers email questions from fans:

I was so happy to see you thinking out of the box and taking over play-calling duties on defense. With that being said, what kind of changes can we expect to see? For example, will there be less blitzing, more cover-two, etc.?

Ron N.
Norfolk, Virginia

First off, I believe in our defense. We haven’t played our defense the way it should be played the last few years. It’s as simple as that. As far as me changing up what I believe in, we’re not going to do that. We’re going to do what we believe in better. So I’m just going to leave it at that. It’s not like we’re going to all of a sudden become a team that blitzes 90 percent of the time.

In what way has new defensive line coach Rod Marinelli made the biggest impact upon the Bears this offseason?

You can say that the defensive line is the engine of our defense, so you need an expert teaching there and that’s definitely Rod. I’ve made the statement that Rod’s the best defensive line coach in the game. He brings credibility to the group. He has a track record. Now that he’s had a chance to work with the guys, I think you could go to any one of our defensive linemen and they would voice the same things I’m saying right now about how much he’s helped them in terms of the expertise of playing the defensive line position.

Will the acquisition of Jay Cutler change the Bears’ offensive philosophy in terms of becoming more of a passing team because of Cutler’s arm?

Jacob M.
Pawnee, Illinois

Absolutely not. We’re a running football team. We feel like getting Jay Cutler will help us with our running game, No. 1. But when we have to pass, we have an All-Pro throwing the football to our receivers. No, it will not change our philosophy.

What type of role do you envision Garrett Wolfe filling this season?

Kevin
Sycamore, Illinois

The same role that we envisioned for him when we drafted him. We knew that he wasn’t a power back. But if you look at our running backs, you need different flavors from them and I feel we have that. Matt Forte has a combination of speed, quickness and size. He has everything that you’re looking for. Kevin Jones is more of a power runner; inside the tackles more than outside. And then Garrett brings quickness that neither one of the other two has. So we feel like we can use him in some of those situations in terms of screens and throwing the ball out of the backfield.

How much of an impact do you expect rookie Jarron Gilbert to make this season? Do you see him as a special teams standout or as part of the rotation at defensive tackle or end?

Darin

I would hope he could be part of the rotation, but he’ll tell us once we get to training camp and we get into pads. We like what we’ve seen out of him in [non-contact drills], but he’ll tell us in training camp. I just know that he’s a talented athlete. He’s very smart with a lot of upside. As you talk about a defensive lineman, he won’t make the squad or be a contributor based on him being a special teams player. It has to be with his defensive line play.

What is the feeling of the coaching staff as to the development of tight end Kellen Davis? Do you see him seeing passes thrown his way in the near future?

Darin S.
New Paris, Indiana

I see a lot of passes thrown first off to Greg Olsen and Dez Clark and then some to Kellen possibly. Kellen’s a talented athlete. We expect a big jump, not only as a pass catcher but as a blocker too. That’s what we need. Dez is a combination of the two. The best thing that Greg does is catch the football. We need a guy that we can really feel good about as a blocker, and hopefully Kellen can move into that role.

Have you ever contemplated running a 3-4 defense, or at least a cover-two version of it?

Brad B.
Downers Grove, Illinois

Why would we? We’re a 4-3 team. I believe strongly in the 4-3 and I believe strongly in what we do. Defense is about gap control. Whether you play a 3-4 or a 4-3, you’re talking about seven guys. What’s the difference? I think you have more flexibility putting guys in a position to do the things that they spend the most time doing. In a 3-4, you have three linemen and you rush one of the other players, so he’s a part-time rusher as opposed to having four guys that work on just rushing the passer and things that a defensive lineman does every down. So as you can see I’m a strong proponent of the 4-3.

What are the chances of the Bears adding a veteran wide receiver before training camp?

Frans M.
Baltimore, Maryland

First off, I like the current receiver group. If we didn’t add anyone, we feel comfortable with Devin Hester in the No. 1 role and the rest of our receivers stepping up. So we’re comfortable with that, but we always keep our options open. I know there are a couple of veteran receivers that are still available out there and we’ll continue to evaluate them.

I have read nothing but good things about Jay Cutler so far. What has impressed you about him?

John S.
Marion, Illinois

You have to be impressed No. 1 with him throwing the football. You assume that, but it’s not a given. All the quarterbacks in the league can’t throw the ball the way Jay can. You will be impressed seeing the throws that he can make. Getting a chance to know him, I’ve also been impressed with his leadership skills. He’s one of the guys. He knows how to come into a locker room and get accepted, not by talking and saying “hey, look at me,” but by what he’s done. He’s been here every second he could be at the facility working to gain that trust, pick up the system and move into that leadership role.

How do you see rookie cornerback D.J. Moore fitting into the plans this season?

Derrick F.
Itasca, Illinois

You don’t really know until training camp, but there’s a reason we drafted him. We drafted him because we thought he could eventually be a starting corner in the National Football League. We drafted him because he has played the nickel in college, so he can do that. I know he has unbelievable instincts. We’re getting a unique athlete with great instincts. That’s a good combination. I’m anxious to see what role he ends up in.