The fourth day in a row of practice at Bourbonnais, and there were some notable names not participating:
Chris Conte and Craig Steltz (both still on the PUP list after surgery).
Tim Jennings (quad strain that's been bothering him for a few days now).
Kyle Long wasn't present (at doctor's, being re-evaluated for his viral infection).
Terrence Toliver (toe injury).
Jeremiah Ratliff (unknown veteran day off).
Alshon Jeffery was in uniform, but took off his pads at the start of session that was open to the public and didn't warm up. Dan Durkin reported he was playing catch on the sidelines with Martellus Bennett.
Update: After the conclusion of practice:
Alshon Jeffery has a sore foot. Ratliff just got a day off.
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) July 28, 2014
On to today's action and... hey, no mention of a false start to get things underway!
Evidently Tress Way wasn't intimidated by the crowd-pleasing display that Pat O'Donnell put on yesterday, and Megapunt* (*name yet to be finalized) wasn't on his A-game today. The competition isn't over yet:
Pat O'Donnell not crushing punts this morning. Some wobblers but last one was solid.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) July 28, 2014
Punter Tress Way is booming the ball in current special teams period. #Bears
— Jeff Dickerson (@ESPNChiBears) July 28, 2014
Special teams drills didn't all go smoothly:
Low snap by Brandon Hartson in FG drill. Didn't bounce but it was close
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) July 28, 2014
The coaches take advantage of two of the starters not being involved today to take a look at backups:
This will be an important day for Eric Weems and Will Sutton, who opened with the 1's in place of Jeffery and Ratliff, respectively.
— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) July 28, 2014
And, in the trenches...
Brian de la puente at RG w/ 1s. Eben britton struggled in prev practices. #BearsTalk
— John Mullin (@CSNMoonMullin) July 28, 2014
...followed by yet another change:
Michael Ola, who stood out in 1-on-1 line drills Sunday, is first-team right guard today. Eben Britton second-team right tackle.
— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) July 28, 2014
...though, at this stage, they're likely simply swapping guys in to see how it looks, and to give them some reps in case they're ever called upon.
brian de la puente is getting first team reps at right guard in red zone drill. #bears
— dan durkin (@djdurkin) July 28, 2014
Michael Ola getting some reps with 1s at LG with Matt Slauson sidelined. Unclear why Slauson is out.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) July 28, 2014
While we're on the O-line:
Backup C Taylor Boggs snapped one into Palmer while he was audibling. Next play, snaps a grounder. Trestman furious w 'wasted' plays
— Patrick Finley (@patrickfinley) July 28, 2014
Sounds like Fuller's in the best situation he could be in to develop, this preseason:
Poor Kyle Fuller. One day he's up against Pro Bowl WR Alshon Jeffery. The next it's Pro Bowl WR Brandon Marshall. Games will be easier.
— Zach Zaidman (@ZachZaidman) July 28, 2014
Is the offense finding its groove, or is the back end of the defense still ironing things out at this stage?
#Bears TE Martellus Bennett 2 TD catches from Jay Cutler in red zone; first was tipped by safeties Ryan Mundy and Brock Vereen.
— Bob LeGere (@BobLeGere) July 28, 2014
Remember how this got blown out of all proportion (and then some) by the media last training camp?
Lots of batted balls at line this camp without defensive linemen leaving their feet. It's a much taller line than last year.
— Zach Zaidman (@ZachZaidman) July 28, 2014
Hayden shows why he was the intended starter at nickel last season, before injury placed him on IR:
Kelvin Hayden intercepts a deflected Jay Cutler pass in full team. #Bears
— Jeff Dickerson (@ESPNChiBears) July 28, 2014
Another strong day for Kelvin Hayden, who has pick of Cutler and blew up TE screen to 83 by getting inside block of Marshall. #Bears
— Arthur Arkush (@ArthurArkush) July 28, 2014
Trestman wanted there to be an edge at camp. He's getting it:
Eben Britton and Austen Lane engage in a football skirmish. Highlight: a coach telling Willie Young to 'get out of there'
— Patrick Finley (@patrickfinley) July 28, 2014
Latest scrum between Cornelius Washington and Joe Long. On the ground.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) July 28, 2014
Still better than Roy "big brown thing" Williams:
Brandon Marshall having forgettable day w/ his sidekick, Jeffery, on sideline. 15 has dropped several catchable balls, inc. in RZ. #Bears
— Arthur Arkush (@ArthurArkush) July 28, 2014
Well, of course Jeffery's open today. Nobody's covering him on the sideline:
Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery are always open.
— Zach Zaidman (@ZachZaidman) July 28, 2014
Bears win:
Practice over. #Bears have won a season-high four in a row.
— Zach Zaidman (@ZachZaidman) July 28, 2014
Glorious. Just... glorious.
The mullet that started mullet hunting @PatrickMannelly pic.twitter.com/zijIYuUSIv
— Zach Zaidman (@ZachZaidman) July 28, 2014
View from the front. Still glorious.
#Bears GM Phil Emery and @PatrickMannelly live now on @670TheScore pic.twitter.com/MkDhSMOmeI
— Zach Zaidman (@ZachZaidman) July 28, 2014
It's still early in training camp but, with the preseason opener against the Eagles next Friday (!) being only six practices (plus Family Night at Soldier Field) away, what impressions are you forming of your 2014 Bears?