When Pernell McPhee is on the field, the whirling dervish wreaks havoc on offenses. The trouble for the Bears linebacker has been staying healthy.
Knee troubles followed him from Baltimore to Chicago, where the outside linebacker has yet to play a full 16-game slate in two seasons. Last year, McPhee missed nine games, including the first eight while on the physically unable to perform list with the knee issue.
The 28-year-old said Tuesday he has lost 25 pounds in the past year and hopes the weight loss will make it easier on his body.
"I feel great," McPhee said, via ESPN.com. "I look more sexier; you know what I'm saying? So, it's definitely a blessing, and I can't wait until the season starts.
"It was really important (to lose some weight). Usually when I'd get out of bed, it would take me a good second to starting walking. But I can get up and run right now. So, it's a blessing coming from where I was to now."
McPhee lost the weight with a tried and true method: Not eating late.
"I lost 15 pounds going into training camp (last year), and I've lost another 10 pounds since," McPhee said. "Don't eat after 7 o'clock at night. Just pound yourself with water. That's the only way I did it."
The not-eating-late technique is nothing new. Even Oprah preaches not eating after 7:30 p.m., "not even a grape."
McPhee said his shoulder issue, which necessitated surgery last month, is fine and he expects to have a dominant 2017 campaign.
"Dangerous, it's going to be dangerous, because obviously last year wasn't a great year, and the year before wasn't one," McPhee said. "Hopefully by me losing weight and staying focused, we can turn this thing around."
McPhee compiled four sacks in limited snaps last season, displaying the speed off the edge the Bears need. If the outside linebacker can stay healthy and Leonard Floyd makes the leap in Year 2, Chicago will boast a sneaky good pass rush crew. The rest of the defense, however, remains suspect heading into the draft.
