Bears cornerback Zack Bowman drops into a zone coverage. One receiver cuts in front of him to his left. Another cuts to his right.
He finds himself at the intersection of preparation and opportunity. And the result, knowing Bowman, will be an interception.
The second-year cornerback is running with the big dogs this training camp in part because Charles Tillman is injured, and in part because no one on the team has played the corner position any better since the end of last season.
In off-season practices, Bowman unofficially had eight interceptions. He had another on the opening day of training camp Friday at Olivet Nazarene and two more in Saturday night’s practice.
“He has a great knack for the ball,” receiver Devin Hester said. “His hands are great and he can reach for it. His arm span is ridiculous. You know when that ball is in the air, as a receiver you have to turn into a DB.”
If Bowman can keep playing this way, if he proves he can hit and tackle and if he stays healthy, he is a legitimate starting corner in the NFL — and a pretty good one.
Few thought he would be that before the Bears drafted him in the fifth round last year. Bowman had started only nine games at Nebraska and many scouts suspected he had lost speed and agility after two knee injuries.
But Bowman has shown to be a perfect fit for the system, a highly coachable player and a corner with excellent instincts. New defensive backs coach Jon Hoke calls Bowman the most improved player in the secondary.
“I’ve improved about learning the defense, knowing where everybody is supposed to be, knowing my technique, learning concepts and routes,” Bowman said. “It’s a big jump from my first year.”
The only thing Bowman did wrong as a rookie was get hurt. He tore his biceps in his only game. But before he did, he recovered a fumble in the end zone for a special teams touchdown and had an interception.
The improvement process began for Bowman after last season but before players were permitted to practice. Bowman and a few other defensive backs would make a daily visit to Hoke’s office to watch tape and talk ball.
Then came organized team activities, and the new emphasis on coverage technique that played into Bowman’s skills beautifully.
“We’ve done more backpedaling this year than I ever have in my life and that has helped me a lot,” Bowman said. “They are teaching us to stay square for a longer period of time. Last year they were telling us to open up any time we felt threatened. This year they are telling us to stay square and just backpedal faster.”
There is a possibility Bowman will be in the starting lineup even if Tillman is healthy. If he keeps playing the way he has played, Bowman could start at left corner ahead of Tillman, or the Bears could move him to right corner.
———-
dpompei@tribune.com
