Chicago Bears

Ziggy Hood: Playing for the Bears is a 'blessing'

Published Oct. 27, 2015 1:39 p.m. ET

foxsports

Never mind the fact that the Chicago Bears are 2-4 on the season and playoff potential is minimal, newly signed defensive lineman Ziggy Hood is just happy to be back on the field.

After spending a good chunk of the season on injured reserve with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Hood told Bears senior writer Larry Mayer he feels "blessed" just to be playing again.

t was a blessing just to get back on the grass with the team and get back and get that feel. It had been a long, long stretch for six weeks. But I’m glad I got the opportunity to come back and play.

The Bears will need to groom these types of players under head coach John Fox if he wants to establish another winning environment in Chicago, just as he did in Carolina and Denver. As the season nears its midway point, the coaching staff will be closely examining its personnel for next year.

Already, Hood seems to have the heart Fox should be looking for over the next 10 games. He should be a welcomed addition over the player he replaces on the roster, Jeremiah Ratliff, who was released from the team after a threatening confrontation with members of the Bears' organization last week.