Vic Fangio insists, after a big Bears win, his prevailing emotion is relief (and occasionally satisfaction)
CHICAGO - The question came in early October during Vic Fangio's weekly waltz with the media. A surprising Bears season had come alive with Fangio's defense propelling a 3-1 start. In the previous game - a 48-10 drumming of the Buccaneers - the Bears had recorded four sacks, three interceptions and a forced fumble.
On six of 10 possessions, the defense forced either a three-and-out or a turnover. So here was Fangio, the mastermind of an emerging unit, standing at a lectern in one of his trademark gray sweatsuits with his trademark hard-to-impress tone, trying to articulate his perspective on the Bears' sudden rise.
Fangio was asked if he was allowing himself to get at least a little excited.
"No," he answered quickly, in the most Charlie Brown of tones.
The room broke into a chuckle.
"Sounds like you guys knew the answer to that one," Fangio added, fully aware of his hard-to-satisfy reputation.
Still, Fangio had to be feeling some bursts of exhilaration as he watched this group's ascent, right?
At that time, the Bears had just put together their first three-game winning streak in five years. Wouldn't a run like that have Fangio waking up
