One thing that is becoming clear about the Chicago Bears is they will take any opportunity they can get to infiltrate their coaches into staffs during college all-star games. It happened last year when Luke Getsy and other assistants got to coach the Senior Bowl. They’re at it again this off-season. Special teams coordinator Richard Hightower and linebackers coach Dave Borgonzi will work the East-West Shrine Bowl. Shortly after that announcement, it was revealed tight ends coach Jim Dray would run the offensive line room at the Senior Bowl for the National team. It turns out he won’t be alone.
Defensive assistant Kenny Norton III earned the opportunity to run the American team’s defensive back room. The timing of this could be fortuitous for the Bears. They have questions at safety going into this off-season. There is a reasonable chance Eddie Jackson might get cut, opening a void next to Jaquan Brisker. That makes this timing almost perfect because it will give the Bears a close-up look at the best safety in the draft. A player that is drawing comparisons to NFL legend Ed Reed.
Kamren Kinchens.
The Chicago Bears would love Kinchens.
While the comparison to Reed is a lofty one, it’s warranted. He hails from the same school of Miami, plays a physical brand of football against the run, and is at his best playing the centerfielder in coverage. Kinchens had 11 interceptions for the Hurricanes over his last two seasons. Matt Eberflus loves ballhawks, and this young man is the epitome of that. If the Bears wanted to snag him, it would prove tricky. He’s projected to go somewhere late in the 1st round or early in the 2nd. Chicago has no pick in that range.
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It means they would have to get one and hope Kinchens is still on the board when they go on the clock—lots of moving parts. Still, if the Chicago Bears pulled it off it could add another high-end playmaker to an already exciting young secondary. Having Norton III there get a gauge on his personality, leadership, and work ethic is a huge bonus. This team already proved last year it could take advantage of these opportunities. No doubt they hope to do so again.
