While the Chicago Bears’ defense had a couple of nice moments yesterday, they really stepped up on Saturday. After mostly glowing reviews of the Bears’ offense at previous training camp practices, today, the consensus from the beat reporters was that the defense won the day.
This was supposed to be an open practice for fans, but some bad weather, including lightning in the area, forced the Bears to start practice inside the Walter Payton Center, so the practice was canceled for fans. The decision
came late in the morning, so fans were already lined up before they received the news.
The Bears did get outside for the team portion of practice, but whether it was inside or out, Chicago’s defense had the edge.
“Offense clearly had the upper hand the first 3 days. Today was a decisive win for the defense,” per the Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs.
“Coverage was much better, but Caleb also wasn’t as sharp,” CHGO’s Adam Hoge wrote. “Too many drops in the slick conditions, too. Most of practice was in a light rain.”
“Caleb was not sharp today with his accuracy nor timing.” Herb Howard of The Bigs Media shared. “He and Luther Burden, dominant to this point in Camp, could not sync up. It was a combination of timing, inaccuracy, and a drop.”
“Ball was on the ground too much for the first team O,” wrote The Athletic’s Dan Wiederer. “Some of it understandable due to conditions. Some of it the result of being disjointed.”
“Rain definitely affected the passing game today,” according to Sean Hammond from the Tribune. “Second-team offense scored in 2-min on a touchdown from Tyson Bagent to Zavion Thomas.”
And yet another reminder that we’re talking ’bout practice. So don’t get too worked up over the highs or lows.
A few other nuggets from the day.
Braxton Jones ran with the ones at left tackle most of the offseason, but yesterday it was Kiran Amegadjie starting, and today it was Jedrick Wills Jr. with the first string, and Jones with the twos. (link) This is all part of the Bears’ plans to get everyone some time with the ones.
Running back Kyle Monangai missed practice for a third straight day (no word from the Bears about it), and linebacker Jack Sanborn left practice and did not return. (link)
Jaylon Jones is still running with the ones at nickel. (link)
Cairo Santos was 7-for-8 on his field goals, and long snappers Beau Gardner and Luke Elkin are still rotating. (link)
And a few videos and pics from the day.
