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After practice today Chicago Bears head coach John Fox, offensive coordinator Adam Gase and quarterback Jay Cutler all met with the media.
First some stuff from Fox.
Depending on which beat writer you listen to, Fox either confirmed that Kevin White has shin splints or he didn't. Seeing as how he called them shin splints earlier today on the Jim Rome show, I'm going with shin splints.
Fox on White: "He's mad at me right now because I won't let him practice. ... [The shin] flared up, we're trying to let it settle down."
— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) August 5, 2015
Fox said that the injury flared up about 6 weeks ago and they are easing him back slowly.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Fox on White: "You see him out here. It's not like we're covering up some awful injury where he's in a cast, a boot and crutches." <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bears?src=hash">#Bears</a></p>— Zach Zaidman (@ZachZaidman) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZachZaidman/status/629038936703152129">August 5, 2015</a></blockquote>
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After staying away during the Marc Trestman regime, former Bear All Pro Brian Urlacher was at camp today and that wasn't by accident. If you remember John Fox reached out to Urlacher earlier this year to mend fences and Fox has asked him to come around more.
The offense had a rough day today against the defense, but the one bright spot is that the O is still yet to turn the ball over.
More about that defense, Fox has been impressed with Shea McClellin's move to inside linebacker.
From the Chicago Sun Times;
"The idea to move him inside was a good idea," Fox said. "It's obviously required a lot of work and effort on his part. Hats off to him for that. I think his skill set fits there and we'll see how it goes moving forward. I've been pleased with him so far."
Adam Gase had some stuff to say today as well.
When asked about rookie Kevin White falling behind while he battles shin splints, Gase seemed unfazed saying White's "character won't allow it," and that he's a "tough minded kid," which is one of the reasons why they drafted him.
Gase was also very complimentary of Alshon Jeffery.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bears?src=hash">#Bears</a> OC Adam Gase on Alshon Jeffery: "I see a dominant guy. He's unstoppable at times."</p>— Jeremy Stoltz (@BearReport) <a href="https://twitter.com/BearReport/status/628997312845623300">August 5, 2015</a></blockquote>
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Jeffery has to step into the #1 wide out role that was previously held by Brandon Marshall and he's also in the final year of his contract. I would not be surprised to see Jeffery have a career year.
Gase also had good stuff to say about his quarterback, Jay Cutler.
From the Chicago Tribune;
"His intelligence is way better than what I thought. His ability to communicate with his teammates. Because he's further ahead (with the offense) than everybody else. And he's able to get our wideouts on the same page. It's been a good process. It was really good (in some respects) that Martellus wasn't here. Because that has really helped that relationship between those two guys of getting after it and having to stay together and really talk things through. Because some of the things we're doing with (Marty) are a little different. So that communication has been a great experience. And some of the things we're doing with the running backs is a little different than what Jay's done in the past."
He said Cutler was further along in the offense than any other player and that Martellus Bennett was already all caught up on what he missed while away this offseason. Gase also talked up two of his running backs.
On veteran Matt Forte;
"I think everybody forgets how good of a running back he is. He's just not here to catch the ball."
And on rookie Jeremy Langford, being very "impressed with his intelligence."
But it wasn't just Gase handing out praise, Jay Cutler had good stuff to say about Gase. From CBS Chicago;
"He does a really good job of putting you in the right position, keeping the defense off balanced and mixing up the play calls," Bears quarterback Jay Cutler said. "That makes it easier on the quarterback."
Making things easier on the QB helps the more you communicate with him and explain things.
"He does an exceptional job of communication, making sure the quarterbacks are comfortable," Cutler said of Gase. "Making sure him, (quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains) and myself are all on the same page when we go on the field. He doesn't want to call a play and me not know why."
Cutler also talked up 3rd year wide out Marquess Wilson. From NBC Chicago's Grizzly Detail;
"I felt like last year he was on an excellent pace (before injury), and this year he's done things in the spring and in this camp to take that next step forward,"
Wilson is having another good camp and he's taking advantage of Kevin White's absence.
Martellus Bennett also had a few good quotes today;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bears?src=hash">#Bears</a>' M. Bennett on 2015 camp vs. 2014: "Last year, they tried draining you mentally, which really didn’t work. It just becomes annoying."</p>— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) <a href="https://twitter.com/adamjahns/status/629036542921551872">August 5, 2015</a></blockquote>
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Trestman did come off as more cerebral than the old school Fox, who just wants to line his team up and kick the crap out of you.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bears?src=hash">#Bears</a> TE Martellus Bennett on if he studied tape of former <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Broncos?src=hash">#Broncos</a> TE Julius Thomas in his preparations: "No. I don't like his game."</p>— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) <a href="https://twitter.com/adamjahns/status/629042267697737728">August 5, 2015</a></blockquote>
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FYI, Bennett is a better all around tight end than Thomas, who is known for being just a pass catcher. I would expect a big year from Bennett in the Gase offense.