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#Post#: 493367--------------------------------------------------
Re: 2024 Chicago Bears
DIR By: vj
Date: May 23, 2024, 10:18 am
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HTML https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vE6eD99lEOI
#Post#: 493374--------------------------------------------------
Re: 2024 Chicago Bears
DIR By: JACKIEJOKEMAN REDUX
Date: May 23, 2024, 2:43 pm
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What scares me is how good we're going to be.
It's like Deeeeeeeeeeeeetroit last year.
#Post#: 493391--------------------------------------------------
Re: 2024 Chicago Bears
DIR By: boogie
Date: May 23, 2024, 10:32 pm
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The Chicago Bears wrapped up their first week of organized team
activities Thursday at Halas Hall with the third of three
practices. While the spotlight remains centered on the team’s
promising rookie quarterback, a lot more is coming together as
coach Matt Eberflus pushes his team through an important spring.
Here are the highlights from practice and interviews in Lake
Forest.
Caleb Williams watch
Bold-letter emphasis: It’s May. It’s the first week of OTAs. The
Bears are installing a new offense for a rookie quarterback who
is going through his first true week of practices against NFL
competition. That’s the frame that must remain squarely around
the QB conversation for the next several weeks.
That said, it was a bumpy day for Williams and the Bears offense
with obvious struggles during both 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills.
Williams, quite frankly, looked every bit like a green
quarterback still adapting to the tempo of the pro game while
also trying to process what he was seeing and make decisions
within the Bears system.
“It’s frustrating,” veteran receiver DJ Moore said. “But we also
know we’re learning a new system.”
For Williams, there were errant throws, late throws and throws
that were never made as he occasionally held on to the ball too
long, particularly during successive 11-on-11 periods in or near
the red zone.
To be clear, that all comes with the territory of developing a
rookie quarterback. And it’s a reminder that the Bears can’t
just fast-forward through all the inevitable growing pains and
shaky practices Williams is likely to endure early in his
career.
“This is his first time going against a pro defense, and a
pretty good one, Eberflus said. “It’s going to be a learning
(experience) for everybody.”
Eberflus emphasized that Williams’ progress throughout the week
has been notable in his understanding of concepts, coverages and
where to go with the ball. The Bears coach also has been
impressed with the quarterback’s ability to take in a high
volume of information.
“It’s been very impressive,” Eberflus said. “We’re not holding
back.”
Photos: Inside Chicago Bears OTAs at Halas Hall
News of the day
We all know how this works by now. During OTAs, minicamp and
training camp, a positive spin can often be the mood-lifter on
days in which one side of the ball struggles significantly.
On Thursday, it was easy to see the first-unit defense appears
totally locked in, playing with notable cohesion and confidence
and, predictably, chirping about their successes.
Ninth-year safety Kevin Byard, a newcomer to a defense that has
nine starters returning from last season, liked what he saw.
“We had a good day,” Byard said. “I’m not going to sit here and
lie about that. But to be honest, that’s to be expected. You
have a returning top-15, top-10 type of defense going against a
younger rookie quarterback who’s getting acclimated and learning
things. That’s what it is supposed to look like.”
Defensive coordinator Eric Washington called his unit “salty”
and hopes that carries over.
“I think that is just a part of their DNA,” Washington said.
“But definitely we want to play with an edge. We want to compete
with an edge. We want to compete like we’re the best unit on the
field. And that’s something you have to back up with how you
play, how you study, how you invest. I really like the spirit
and the attitude out there.”
Player in the spotlight
Moore spoke with reporters for the first time since locker
cleanout day in January. And boy, has a lot changed in his world
since then.
For starters, the Bears made their well-documented pivot at
quarterback, replacing Justin Fields with Williams. On top of
that, they added two elite receivers with the March trade for
Keenan Allen plus the selection of Rome Odunze at No. 9 in the
draft last month.
Moore again expressed his excitement about how dangerous the
trio could become.
“Like I’ve said, it’s probably going to be a race to 1,000
(yards) now,” Moore said. “I don’t know who’s going to get there
first. But it’s going to be a race.”
Moore had 1,364 yards in his first season with the Bears. Allen
had 1,243 yards with the Los Angeles Chargers. Odunze,
meanwhile, put up 1,640 yards during an All-American season at
Washington and then made a positive first impression when he
joined Moore, Allen and Williams for a predraft workout last
month in California.
“When I first seen him, I was like, ‘Whoa. He can move!’ ” Moore
said. “I didn’t know he was that fast until I saw him in person
and (saw) how smooth he was. I’m looking forward to him being
out there.”
Seen and heard
Washington spent the early part of this week at the NFL spring
meetings in Nashville, Tenn., where he was immersed in the
league’s Coach Accelerator Program, a platform designed to link
league owners and executives with coaches from diverse
backgrounds. The program is part networking event, part
educational seminar and valued by the league as a way of
increasing diversity in the coaching ranks.
“It was an outstanding event,” Washington said. “Very
informative. And I’d like to think that not only was the
information useful and valuable for me, but that these are
things that can enhance my role and that I can pass along to my
colleagues.”
Washington, 54, broke into the NFL in 2008 during his first stop
with the Bears. He also has been an assistant coach with the
Carolina Panthers and Buffalo Bills. He conducted a mock
interview as part of his experience at the Accelerator Program
and said he valued the “unprecedented access” to owners and
execs that helped him establish new connections and expand his
knowledge.
Quote of note
Byard was asked Thursday to describe the responsibility of the
Bears defense in readying Williams for the season. “Make it as
hard on him as possible,” Byard said. “It’s going out there,
showing some swag, talking trash, doing all that stuff.
“At the end of the day, he’s going to have to lead us there. You
know what I mean? That’s kind of how it’s going to be. I said
something to him at the end of practice like, ‘Keep it going.
We’re going to keep making you better.’ And not necessarily
saying he had a terrible day, but days like this are going to
make you better. That’s our job.”
Injury and participation watch
Among the most notable absentees Thursday were defensive end
Montez Sweat, right tackle Darnell Wright, guard Nate Davis and
Allen. Receiver Velus Jones also was not spotted.
Because OTAs remain voluntary, Eberflus wouldn’t specify the
reasons for any of those players’ absences. Moore played the
“good teammate” role and absolved Allen by noting that the
32-year-old receiver was back in California celebrating the
birthdays of his wife and one of his daughters.
Eberflus was quick to praise the participation numbers the Bears
have had throughout the offseason. “I want to commend everybody
who’s here wanting to get coached and getting better,” he said.
Still, it will be worth tracking attendance during next week’s
OTAs for the participation trends.
On the injury front, Odunze was on the field Thursday but still
very limited after suffering a hamstring strain during rookie
camp earlier this month. Odunze’s only participation was during
walkthrough reps. But Eberflus indicated that Odunze would
continue ramping up during next week’s OTAs.
#Post#: 493400--------------------------------------------------
Re: 2024 Chicago Bears
DIR By: vj
Date: May 24, 2024, 5:27 am
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Still want Hard Knocks...
HTML https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pog4odEdLgk
#Post#: 493401--------------------------------------------------
Re: 2024 Chicago Bears
DIR By: Bears4Ever
Date: May 24, 2024, 6:29 am
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Gut feeling is that I still don't think the Oline is good
enough. The depth is better and they may finally have a center
who can snap the ball, but still has to gel in order for
Williams to not have to re-live his last season at UCLA running
for his life.....
Fortunately, if it comes to that, he's proven he can survive and
thrive at least in the collegiate level, but it is not conducive
to long-term success......
#Post#: 493406--------------------------------------------------
Re: 2024 Chicago Bears
DIR By: davebear
Date: May 24, 2024, 9:58 am
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Cole Shelton played center for the Rams next year so part of the
question is how was he? Has Bates played and how was he?
I’ll do some research because they have to be better than
Patrick and Whitehair. Still what do we have when Davis and
Jenkins go down with their inevitable injuries?
#Post#: 493408--------------------------------------------------
Re: 2024 Chicago Bears
DIR By: dallasbear
Date: May 24, 2024, 2:20 pm
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--- Quote from: davebear link ---
>
> Cole Shelton played center for the Rams next year so part of
the question is how was he? Has Bates played and how was he?
> I’ll do some research because they have to be better than
Patrick and Whitehair. Still what do we have when Davis and
Jenkins go down with their inevitable injuries?
>
--- End Quote ---
I don't think either Shelton or Bates will be vying for the
pro-bowl, but they're solid journeyman types. The loser of the
center battle is probably the backup G/C. Matt Pryor was also
signed in the offseason. And there is a possibility that rookie
Kiran Amegadje (assuming he does't go PUP or IR), could also
play some guard. I always thought Borom would be an option on
the inside, but he's solely the swing tackle.
Much better than an ineffective Patrick, an aging Whitehair and
that Fenney guy as interior guys. It's hard to have all #1s
and 2s on your front line - you need some JAGs sprinkled in
there and some late round finds (Braxton Jones).
#Post#: 493416--------------------------------------------------
Re: 2024 Chicago Bears
DIR By: WshflThinking
Date: May 24, 2024, 4:42 pm
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--- Quote from: Bears4Ever link ---
>
> Gut feeling is that I still don't think the Oline is good
enough. The depth is better and they may finally have a center
who can snap the ball, but still has to gel in order for
Williams to not have to re-live his last season at UCLA running
for his life.....
>
> Fortunately, if it comes to that, he's proven he can survive
and thrive at least in the collegiate level, but it is not
conducive to long-term success......
>
--- End Quote ---
IMHO our OLine is a wait and see. I have no confidence in any
except the kid RT. Its a pity that the new tackle draft pick
isnt medically allowed to practice yet.
We may not see what we have in him this year at all.
#Post#: 493420--------------------------------------------------
Re: 2024 Chicago Bears
DIR By: hibernationsuxs
Date: May 24, 2024, 7:19 pm
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Watched the latest 1920.
Bears literally got their top 2 rated players in this draft.
Unbelievable.
I truly think our football leadership is outstanding. Good
things are on the way.
HTML https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pog4odEdLgk
#Post#: 493656--------------------------------------------------
Re: 2024 Chicago Bears
DIR By: vj
Date: May 30, 2024, 11:09 am
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FWIW, Draft Dr. Phil said in his podcast that according to his
sources in the know at Halas Hall the Bears will "1000%" be on
Hard Knocks. And yes George is still trying to stand in the way
all by himself but the League will hold firm. We'll see...
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