:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60425501/usa_today_10875812.0.jpg)
It was the expected amount of pre-training camp optimism and excitement from the Chicago Bears at their press conferences earlier today, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t good to hear. When a franchise undergoes such a massive overhaul, and the general consensus by the national media is positive, it tends to spike our usual dose offseason Kool-Aid.
Earlier today the Bears trotted out three dynamic duos in head coach Matt Nagy and general manager Ryan Pace, corner Kyle Fuller and quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, and defensive end Akiem Hicks and wide out Allen Robinson. The six of them dished on a plethora of topics and generally fanned the fired-up flames for most of us fans.
Before I recap all the good, I’ll go over the bad; Roquan Smith still has not signed his rookie contract.
He’s not the only first round pick yet to sign, but with the Bears (and Ravens) reporting to camp a week before the other thirty teams his absence is in the headlines.
"There's no set time. We know it's a process. I'm not surprised," Ryan Pace on Roquan Smith's absence from the first day of camp.
— Robert Żeglinski (@RobertZeglinski) July 19, 2018
"We move forward with the guys that are here."
Our very own Robert Zeglinski is down at Bourbonnais, and he will be for the entirety of camp, so make sure you’re following him on Twitter @RobertZeglinski.
But now on to the good news, and there was a lot of it.
"It's gonna be a physical camp. I need to be everywhere, not just the offense. It's an adjustment period," Nagy on what he's expecting from his first camp.
— Robert Żeglinski (@RobertZeglinski) July 19, 2018
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/11715779/838650058.jpg.jpg)
The Bears will not have any players start off on the PUP list, meaning Allen Robinson, Kyle Long and Leonard Floyd are ready to go.
"He's starting to look like the Old Allen Robinson. He's getting comfortable, and getting his legs under him," what Trubisky has seen from the WR.
— Robert Żeglinski (@RobertZeglinski) July 19, 2018
"I feel great ... it was all about getting ready for this time right here." -- new #Bears WR Allen Robinson, who is returning from torn ACL.
— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) July 19, 2018
"He's someone that can play multiple positions. He's good versus press. He's experienced," Nagy on what Robinson brings to the table.
— Robert Żeglinski (@RobertZeglinski) July 19, 2018
"Now it's about timing and bringing that connection with Mitchell (Trubisky)."
Robinson will quickly settle into his role on the Bears multifaceted offense.
Nagy: "The one thing you'll see here in this offense is we'll have guys all over the place in different spots."
— Larry Mayer (@LarryMayer) July 19, 2018
"He genuinely cares about the game of football ... he's so focused. He cares a lot about this game and we're very fortunate to have him," Nagy on how he sees his relationship with Mitch Trubisky.
— Robert Żeglinski (@RobertZeglinski) July 19, 2018
Asked if he was comfortable with their pass rush, #Bears GM Ryan Pace gives the old "you can always improve" answer.
— Patrick Finley (@patrickfinley) July 19, 2018
And @RobertZeglinski gets the first "That's a good question" comment by Ryan Pace this year. PS: It was about Leonard Floyd too.
— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) July 19, 2018
And here’s the response to RZ’s question...
"He's worked on his durability. He's worked on his health. We just feel if he can stay healthy, the production will be there," Pace on a big third year for Bears pass rusher Leonard Floyd.
— Robert Żeglinski (@RobertZeglinski) July 19, 2018
As #Bears QB Mitch Trubisky talked about being a leader and being the face of the franchise, CB Kyle Fuller, seated next to him, nodded in approval of every word.
— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) July 19, 2018
"Just understanding the game. Just being confident, and understanding everything. Confidence is everything." Fuller on how he's grown as a rookie to a seasoned veteran.
— Robert Żeglinski (@RobertZeglinski) July 19, 2018
Mitch Trubisky on the new #Bears offense: “Hopefully it’s going to be a lot fun to watch. Because I know it’s going to be fun playing."
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) July 19, 2018
"He's his own kind of breed compared to everyone I've thrown to in the past ... he's a student of the game," Trubisky on what he sees from Robinson as a WR.
— Robert Żeglinski (@RobertZeglinski) July 19, 2018
"i'm tired of all the doubts. I'm tired of waiting. I'm tired of the critics. I just want to play," Trubisky is raring to go.
— Robert Żeglinski (@RobertZeglinski) July 19, 2018
Kyle Fuller is comfortable and knows now that he has to be a leader after a breakout 2017 season.
— Robert Żeglinski (@RobertZeglinski) July 19, 2018
"We're going to create our own identity and it's gonna be something that the Chicago Bears haven't seen for awhile, " Trubisky on what he sees from this team.
— Robert Żeglinski (@RobertZeglinski) July 19, 2018
"I think that it's important. I'm happy that we've guys on the offense that can make some plays. Hopefully we can make it in the top five as a defense with that complement," Hicks on how a new offense can help the defense.
— Robert Żeglinski (@RobertZeglinski) July 19, 2018
"Mitch is a pro. There's a reason that he's here. He's a good QB from a mental and physical standpoint," Robinson on how Trubisky operates.
— Robert Żeglinski (@RobertZeglinski) July 19, 2018
"It has to be competitive ... you need the testy moments," Hicks on what he wants to see from camp. "That builds that nastiness and edge."
— Robert Żeglinski (@RobertZeglinski) July 19, 2018
"We just spitball pass rush sometimes ... just him growing mentally, the sky's the limit for him this year," Hicks on what Leonard Floyd needs to do to be successful this season.
— Robert Żeglinski (@RobertZeglinski) July 19, 2018
For more on the day, check out Robert on Facebook Live from Bourbonnais.
Posted by Windy City Gridiron: For Chicago Bears Fans on Thursday, July 19, 2018