:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/64898095/1158334905.jpg.0.jpg)
It was a bight and beautiful day at Olivet Nazarene University for the Chicago Bears training camp practice, and if there’s one thing we can definitely take away from what’s transpiring in Bourbonnais, it’s that the defense looks every bit like the number one unit that ended the 2018 season. Some could argue that this group looks even more dangerous than a year ago, since this training camp defense has Khalil Mack and Roquan Smith on it.
Mack and Smith have been showing up in every drill and team session, and that’s helped the defense “win” the day again today.
There were a few deflected passes that ended up as interceptions, but the word form camp is that Mitchell Trubisky has bounced back.
Other than getting schooled by Mack once, Trubisky probably having his sharpest day in camp so far. Was it the day off? Whatever, the kid looks good today.
— Hub Arkush (@Hub_Arkush) August 1, 2019
He had several touchdowns today, but overall he’s still not where he’d like to be, but like I wrote about in this article, he’s facing the best defense in the league. Hes also facing a plethora of different blitzes from new defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano, and this will just help get him ready for week one.
As for the injuries, tight end Adam Shaheen was back today, but his stay on the field wasn’t very long. He left only after about fifteen minutes of action. Head coach Matt Nagy said that Shaheen did what the team asked of him at practice and that he’s close to being a full participant.
Three Bear rookies are currently sidelined with wide out Riley Ridley continuing to rehab his hamstring, corner Stephen Denmark remains out with an ankle injury that will likely extend through next week, and speedy running back Kerrith Whyte Jr. was held out today with a hamstring issue and a foot sprain.
Wide receiver Jordan Williams-Lambert has also been out with a hamstring.
Here are a few other Tweets from camp.
My guy @kfishbain says that WR Javon Wims has had a good camp. He made a back-shoulder TD catch from Mitch Trubisky earlier today. In all drills/situations today, he seems to get open.
— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) August 1, 2019
Offense finally gets one over on the defense. Trubisky lobs a dime to Burton in the end zone, who boxes out Deon Bush.
— Robert Zeglinski (@RobertZeglinski) August 1, 2019
Bears will need their No. 1 TE to come through aplenty.
Good start to practice for Deon Bush. Broke up a pass on Allen Robinson (if it was live, it may have been a dangerous situation for Robinson) and then picked off Trubisky when the ball went off Mike Davis’ hands.
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) August 1, 2019
In team drills LB Joel Iyiegbuniwe with a nice aggressive breakup of a pass for TE Ian Bunting. I will say Bunting, an undrafted rookie free agent, has made plenty of plays today.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) August 1, 2019
Common theme of camp so far: Trubisky to Robinson in team drills. #Bears pic.twitter.com/7SWENPtuWv
— James Fox (@JamesFox917) August 1, 2019
In Matt Nagy’s all-eyes-on-me one-on-ones, rookie RB David Montgomery beats LB Joel Iyiegbuniwe for a long catch and TD. Up downs for the #Bears defense.
— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) August 1, 2019
Nice day for Marvin Hall here at practice. #Bears
— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) August 1, 2019
Thomas Ives with a fade jumpball to end team. #bears
— Dan DeYoung (@DanDeYoung80) August 1, 2019
Eddy Pineiro went 7/8 in his kicking drill. Missed from 55 and made his last from 60. He’s now 8/9 for the day #Bears
— Bear Report (@BearReport) August 1, 2019
Both kickers will have the opportunity to kick at Saturday’s practice at Soldier Field, per special teams coordinator Chris Tabor. He would not reveal the plan for the preseason games. #Bears
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) August 1, 2019
Matt Nagy doesn’t seem concerned with the Bears’ TE depth. Says working Trey Burton back in and Adam Shaheen’s injury allows the Bears to evaluate their other guys.
— Robert Zeglinski (@RobertZeglinski) August 1, 2019
“Bradley’s (Sowell) been good, and I like Ian Bunting, too.”
Heard from Chuck Pagano for the first time at camp & he says he’s walked into the best position possible. Says the football IQ is off the charts in the room. Addded he will do everything to make sure #Bears continue playing at a top level.
— Shae Peppler Cornette (@shaepeppler) August 1, 2019
Bears camp 2019 Day 7:
— Robert Zeglinski (@RobertZeglinski) August 1, 2019
- Khalil Mack perhaps, maybe, probably, really, shouldn’t have to feature on any play until September.
- Amukamara and Fuller haven’t lost soft touches, play a friendly game of pick-tag.
- Marvin Hall’s the bottom-of-the-roster camp flavor of the day.