DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR SHAKES UP UNIT SUNDAY
On the seventh day the Bears’ defense rested.
So much that defensive coordinator Ron Rivera took to the bully pulpit Sunday morning at the end of a sluggish practice and delivered a five-minute fire-and-brimstone sermon to defensive players just off the field but not out of earshot.
In a tongue-lashing full of passion and peppered with profanity, Rivera warned Bears players he would not tolerate such lackluster effort and challenged them to be more accountable every single day.
Rivera referred to being part of Dave Wannstedt’s staff as a quality-control coach in 1997-98 and how he refused to be part of another Bears team that underachieved and embarrassed the franchise. Anybody not committed to living up to the high standards of the new coaching staff, Rivera said as he made eye contact with the players huddled around him, should leave camp immediately.
He was serious, Rivera added, but he didn’t have to say so–nobody doubted him.
The former Bears linebacker and first-time defensive coordinator spoke earnestly, expressing pride in and reverence for the organization without sparing feelings in a blistering speech.
“They needed to hear it,” Rivera said, declining to provide details of the lecture.
Lovie Smith, standing off in the distance next to general manager Jerry Angelo as Rivera spoke, endorsed the talk but stopped short of piling on the defensive players for their lethargy. Asked if the defense deserved the earful Rivera gave them, Smith tried being diplomatic without diluting Rivera’s message.
“They got it, so evidently they did,” Smith said. “Sunday morning … you were watching. I wouldn’t say it was our best practice, but we made progress in a lot of areas. The defense didn’t play as well as it needed to. I thought the offense did some good things.”
Most of those good things began during an inside running drill when linebackers weren’t getting off blocks and defensive linemen weren’t providing any push up front against the No. 1 offensive line. The pursuit to the football lacked its usual zip, and the defense offered so little resistance that free safety Mike Brown chided his teammates in the huddle.
“We’re getting our butts kicked,” Brown said. “Let’s work.”
In the middle of practice, Brown gathered the starting unit and loudly urged them to pick up the pace because “that kind of [stuff] is going to get us beat.”
In the big picture, Sunday’s five-minute exchange could help make the Bears’ young defense stronger mentally over the course of the next five months.
It also showed players that if Rivera has a problem with them it will be dealt with quickly and directly–there will be no mind games played in the media. Something sunk in. Sunday afternoon’s practice featured the type of defensive intensity and hustle Rivera has been seeking.
BEARS TRACKER
Injuries
Wide receiver Bobby Wade’s cut elbow required stitches and will keep him out of Saturday’s preseason game against the 49ers. Backup center Michael Keathley felt some tightness in his lower back and missed Sunday afternoon’s practice. Defensive tackle Ian Scott injured his right hand badly enough to require a wrap. Long-snapper Patrick Mannelly has some tightness in his elbow. Right tackle Steve Edwards left Sunday afternoon’s practice with heat-related complications. Also, defensive end Alex Brown was out yet another day with a strained calf muscle.
Words to live by
“Football starts with a good running game, and then you can have a balanced
attack.”
–Bears QB Rex Grossman on the development of running backs Thomas Jones and Anthony Thomas.
Rex Grossman news
On a 50-yard pass from Grossman, Marty Booker made a one-handed catch over Charles Tillman, after which Booker’s helmet popped off and he kept running.
Scouting report on famous bears not in camp
Mr. Burns’ Bobo, H-back
The object of a frenzied bidding war, the free agent has shown elusive speed in workouts. He’s a veteran in the Larry Centers mold and has been around for years and years even though you’re just beginning to hear about him now.
Bubble alert
In case you’re counting, it’s two weeks to the Aug. 31 deadline to cut down the roster to 65 players.
Fan overreaction meter
Gauging the fans’ gut feelings.
Bears out there
Ex-Bears wide receiver Curtis Conway, signed by the 49ers in May to add depth at receiver, had two catches for 22 yards Saturday. He was one of 11 different players to get a reception.
Next up
Monday has two practices (starting at 8:40 a.m. and 3:55 p.m.), Tuesday has one practice (3:55 p.m.), and Wednesday’s morning practice (8:40 a.m.) signals the end of camp in Bourbonnais.
