After three days of rainy, soggy conditions down in Bourbonnais, the Chicago Bears training camp finally got a turn of perfect weather for their Monday practice. Reports coming out where that right guard Kyle Long and wide receiver Allen Robinson were both deactivated for the day in order to rest as they continue working back from their offseason surgeries. It’s a shame too because, by the sound of things, they missed a fun time.
Guys like Tarik Cohen and Mitch Trubisky are confident dudes. They believe in themselves and that if they, as an offense, can execute properly there isn’t a defense in the world that can stop them. That’s been especially true of late after the team made it’s new additions to the depth chart. Cohen hasn’t been afraid to talk trash with the defense.
The problem is there haven’t been enough instances to back it up as his unit continues to suffer through growing pains. As a result, the defense has shined most during drills. Finally, after a rocky start to camp, that seems to be changing.
Reports out of Day 4 was a tale of two halves. The first half taking place in the early morning was punctuated by the defense. Most of training camp thus far was a showcase for the continued standout play of Vic Fangio’s top 10 unit, particularly the secondary. Matt Nagy’s new offense, in the midst of installation, was just trying to catch up.
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Chicago Bears training camp Day 4 began with defense in control
Kyle Fuller. All Business. pic.twitter.com/d0QeeUo8XH
— Greg Braggs Jr. (@GBraggsJr) July 23, 2018
Things got started early on, as they seem to lately with Kyle Fuller. The young cornerback may have his new contract but that hasn’t seemed to affect him at all. He’s still playing with the same energy and confidence he was last season. If anything he looks even better. Watch how almost casually stepped in front of Marlon Brown on this place play, seizing the inside position and picking off the pass. He wasn’t alone though.
Interception by @PrinceAmukamara! pic.twitter.com/ahEn3VHQE8
— Greg Braggs Jr. (@GBraggsJr) July 23, 2018
Later on during team drills, Mitch Trubisky felt the sting of the defense again. This time it was Prince Amukamara who jumped the receiver’s route to pick off the pass. Under game conditions, this looks like it would’ve like been a pick-six. It wasn’t just the secondary though. They were getting a big assist from the pass rush, which was active for much of the morning. None more so than Leonard Floyd.
@Leonard90Flo having a day. pic.twitter.com/aL93Q39tV2
— Greg Braggs Jr. (@GBraggsJr) July 23, 2018
It doesn’t seem like there’s anything wrong with that surgically-repaired knee. Floyd reportedly arrived at camp in shape and 100% recovered. He also sported a new hairdo. Perhaps it was his way of saying things were going to be different this year. Based on how active he’s been on the pass rush, it bodes well for this season. That’s welcome news given the somewhat decrepit state of outside linebacker position in general.
Things seemed to be stuck for the Bears offense, still trying to sort through its new personnel and massive playbook. Then, ever so suddenly, things seemed to start clicking.
Bears offense turned up the juice towards the end of practice
After practice, Matt Nagy spoke to the media and sounded in good spirits. A big part of why was he saw results beginning to show up from his offense. Not just occasional good plays but actual sustained series of production sequences.
Matt Nagy: "Offensively, we're starting to challenge [the defense] now in install."
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) July 23, 2018
The evidence available from practice seems to reflect this. Trubisky not only started to connect on passes more consistently, but he was also gashing the defense for big plays. That included this pretty pass to Dion Sims in which he dropped the ball between defensive backs while going towards the sideline. Sims has had a good camp by all indications, to the shock of many who thought he would be cut back in March.
Bisquit in the basket! Mitch to Sims! pic.twitter.com/NynB0mCumh
— Greg Braggs Jr. (@GBraggsJr) July 23, 2018
It wasn’t just the passing game that benefitted though. The Bears also began to unveil some of their more exotic looks in the running game. This gem exemplified it. On the play, Trubisky appears to hand the ball to Tarik Cohen on a jet sweep to the right. It’s a fake though. As the defense drifts towards Cohen in the flat, Trubisky instead hands to Howard who finds plenty of space up the middle.
Fake the jet sweep to Cohen and hand it up the middle to Howard. pic.twitter.com/tfsQXRm11V
— Da Bears Brothers (@DaBearsBros) July 23, 2018
How often did the Bears run a play like that in 2017? Better question. Did they ever run a play like that? The fact it’s difficult to recall tells you all you need to know. Last but not least was wide receiver Taylor Gabriel. The Bears brought him in with the hope he’d become a deep threat in their new system, something they’ve sorely lacked. It would appear he’s settling into that role quite nicely.
Turbo! 🚀🚀🚀 pic.twitter.com/fVQeixapnS
— Da Bears Brothers (@DaBearsBros) July 23, 2018
Again, keep this in mind. The Bears offense made that sort of progress while two of their best players, Long and Robinson, were standing in street clothes on the sideline. Yes, it’s early and there’s a long way to go but it’s hard not to feel encouraged that they’ve made this kind of progress already. One didn’t even mention rookie receiver Anthony Miller who reportedly had moments where he abused both Fuller and Amukamara during drills.
The competition is getting fierce, and it’s the first sign that the Bears are building something. Something good. There’s still a ton of work to do and they need some luck to go their way, but the signs are there.
