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After their offensive coaching staff met the media yesterday via a video press conference, the Chicago Bears made their special teams and defensive assistants available today, and it was just as interesting as Wednesday’s calls.
While we didn’t get any table pounding, we did find out that Khalil Mack attended the teams offseason video meetings from his weight room and he’s ready to prove to the league just how dominant he can be.
“Motivation is not an issue with Khalil; never has been,” outside linebackers coach Ted Monachino said earlier today via the Bear Report. “But what I’ll tell you is that he has approached this offseason with something to prove and that’s something that I think we all can be encouraged by. I think that that’s something that’s exciting when a player of his caliber approaches his work the way he has approached it.”
Mack has been one of the top players in the NFL the last few years, but the Bears 8-8 record in 2019 and his lowest sack total (8.5) since his rookie season, has him extra motivated.
Getting a healthy Akiem Hicks back, and having a legit edge rushing threat in Robert Quinn playing opposite him, should give opposing offenses fits.
“We want to be the best defense in the National Football League, and he (Mack) wants to be one of the best players in the National Football League,” says defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano. “But more importantly, he just wants to win.”
Mack may have had a down year statistically a year ago, but the impact he had on the game was a big as ever with o-lines sliding his way, backs and tight ends chipping him, and getting double and triple teamed.
“I just think that this is a special guy that has something to prove and has approached the last several months with a chip on his shoulder,” Monachino said. “And I think that’s good for everybody.”
Here are some more nuggets from today’s press conferences from Twitter, and if the pressers are made available by the Bears we’ll try share them in their entirety.
Khalil Mack has approached this off season as someone who has something to prove. Sounds like he's pissed.
— Mark Grote (@markgrotesports) June 18, 2020
Chuck Pagano was the Ravens' DC in 2011, and coordinated a top five defense after the lockout. How? "We played great defense because we had great players. And we have great players in Chicago."
— JJ Stankevitz (@JJStankevitz) June 18, 2020
Chuck Pagano said of Akiem Hicks: "He's really, really hungry, and really eager to get back on the field and be with his brothers competing and playing. He's a great man. Nothing but great love and respect for him."
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) June 18, 2020
Bears LB coach Ted Monachino on adding Robert Quinn: "There's a new sense of urgency in the room."
— Mark Grote (@markgrotesports) June 18, 2020
"This is a player that No. 1 we believe can fit into the system and No. 2 make us a lot better in all areas." #Bears OLB coach Ted Monachino on acquiring Robert Quinn.
— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) June 18, 2020
Coach Pagano on the importance of @The_Dream99's voice on and off the field: "You can’t replace it. We’re different when he’s out there. He’s a wise, wise man. He’s a smart guy. And when he speaks, people listen."
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) June 18, 2020
Coach Pagano on Robert Quinn: "He’s a great pro. He’s a great teammate. He’s a great person."
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) June 18, 2020
Bears LB coach Mark DeLeone on Danny Trevathan: "Prior to his injury last year, I thought he was playing the best ball he's ever played."
— Mark Grote (@markgrotesports) June 18, 2020
After Nick Kwiatkoski and Kevin Pierre-Louis moved on in free agency, Bears inside linebackers coach Mark DeLeone sees Joel Iyiegbuniwe and Josh Woods stepping up for depth.
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) June 18, 2020
Said DeLeone: "I can't wait for training camp to watch those two guys play."
Bears d-line coach Jay Rodgers on life without Akiem Hicks last season: "We miss him. He created problems. He was rugged against the run. Any time you take that our there's a little bit of a void."
— Mark Grote (@markgrotesports) June 18, 2020
Bears D-line coach Jay Rodgers is happy to have Akiem Hicks back.
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) June 18, 2020
"We know he's a dominant player inside. He creates a lot of problems for a lot of people. He's a mismatch for a lot of guards, centers and sometimes tackles as well. Those are the things that elevate the front."
Bears d-line coach Jay Rodgers on Eddie Goldman: "I think he is a premiere nose tackle in the league. There's a big difference when he's not in the game."
— Mark Grote (@markgrotesports) June 18, 2020
Bears safeties coach Sean Desai says "yes" Deon Bush as a chance to be a starter.
— Mark Grote (@markgrotesports) June 18, 2020
#Bears safeties coach Sean Desai on strong safety spot: "Day 1 training camp, everybody knows they need to come out and compete..."
— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) June 18, 2020
Kyle Fuller is considered one of the Bears' very best students of the game.
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) June 18, 2020
Said Deshea Townsend: "It's pretty neat to see the study habits that Jaylon [Johnson] has and questions that he has are pretty similar."
Bears secondary coach Deshea Townsend on the idea that Jaylon Johnson is automatically a starter. "I think we need to change that narrative. You never want to just Give somebody a job. We should have a full room of guys who think they're starters."
— Mark Grote (@markgrotesports) June 18, 2020
Bears secondary coach Deshea Townsend emphasized there will be competition for openings in the defensive backfield.
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) June 18, 2020
Tashaun Gipson, Deon Bush, Jordan Lucas and Kentrell Brice can compete at safety; Jaylon Johnson, Artie Burns, Kevin Toliver and Tre Roberson can battle at corner.
"You have to trust your players" #Bears special teams coordinator Chris Tabor on not being able to watch Pineiro/O'Donnell kick in person during offseason workouts.
— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) June 18, 2020
Bears special teams coach Chris Tabor on Eddy Pineiro putting on some weight: "It'l help later on in the year when it's cold when you need more power. Strength and endurance."
— Mark Grote (@markgrotesports) June 18, 2020
Coach Tabor on @keke_mingo: "He’s a guy that can play a lot of different roles for us. And the guy can run. I'm excited that he's here."
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) June 18, 2020