The Bears returned Monday to Olivet Nazarene University for their penultimate practice of training camp. Not only did they move guard Ted Larsen to center to replace injured starter Hroniss Grasu, it also began the final run-up to Thursday’s exhibition opener against the Denver Broncos at Soldier Field.
Here are some observations from the practice, keeping in mind they’re only snapshots from a busy and action-filled session:
1. Ted Larsen’s first day playing center for the first-string offense was up and down, as you would expect.
Early in team drills, inside linebacker Jerrell Freeman blitzed, got on the edge of Larsen’s block and pushed through for a would-be sack. Nose tackle Eddie Goldman bull-rushed Larsen back during one-on-one drills, largely because Goldman got off the snap extremely fast and initiated the contact. Later in team drills, Larsen stopped Goldman’s rush with a solid punch, helped by quarterback Jay Cutler getting the ball out quickly.
Getting comfortable with the speed, spacing and communication at center will be part of Larsen’s challenge between now and the regular season opener on Sept. 11. That’s what these practices are for. Although he had snapped some in camp, he had never done so to Cutler before Monday.
“It’s working with the system, working with Jay — that’s probably the No. 1 thing,” Larsen said. “I feel good with all the calls.”
2. Cutler was intercepted by second-year safety Harold Jones-Quartey for the second time in camp.
During an end-of-game, hurry-up team drill near the end of practice, Cutler stepped up in the pocket and slung a short pass over the middle to running back Jeremy Langford from more of a sidearm release point than he usually throws from. Langford had to reach for the ball, and he tipped it. Jones-Quartey snatched it, ending the offense’s drive.
Cutler has thrown three or four interceptions in camp, nothing like the streak he had last summer of 11 practices without a pick. But just as last year’s streak meant nothing, so do this year’s practice stats. At this point in Cutler’s career, the games are what matter—playing well on the regular-season stage.
3. The fullback competition between Paul Lasike and Darrel Young will be intense as exhibition games get going.
If you’re reading a practice observations post, then you probably care enough about this roster battle. After all, the fullback could play about 10-15 snaps per game, as the Bears look to mix up personnel groupings and get a lead blocker for their inexperienced running backs.
The Bears like Lasike, a former rugby player, for his toughness and physicality. He also can catch. The Bears’ decision to sign Young had little to do with how they feel about him.
Young (whose first name is pronounced “duh-RELL”), has extensive experience in the zone scheme from his tenure with the Redskins (2009-15), and he’s a veteran special teamer. He, too, is tough and has good hands.
Lasike (“luh-SEE-kay”) smashed into Lamarr Houston on Monday on a running play, allowing the ball carrier to get upfield. He also caught a pass in the flat—not the first time he’s done that this camp or in spring practices. Young banged linebacker Jonathan Anderson in the hole on a successful running play early in practice.
It’s worth noting Lasike is eligible for the practice squad, and Young is not. The fullback is a bit of a dying breed in the NFL—not many teams use one anymore—which might make the Bears more comfortable trying to get Lasike through waivers. Of course, there are four games for Young and him to earn the club’s confidence by knowing their assignments and executing. Young is at a bit of a disadvantage, having joined the team only last week. But his experience will help him learn quickly.
4. It’s been fun to watch Akiem Hicks and Kyle Long lock up since Long came back from his strained left calf.
They are two of the biggest, most athletic guys you’ll see on a football field, certainly in Bears camp. Hicks got past Long on the first play of Monday’s practice and met defensive end Mitch Unrein in the backfield at the ball carrier. A couple plays later, they grappled to a stalemate.
In one-on-one pass-blocking drills, a session that favors the defensive linemen because of how isolated they are, Long showed off his exceptional balance and strength in staying square to Hicks and moving his feet quickly. Long already has expressed an appreciation for how Hicks tests him and pushes him, and we should see the results of that through the season.
5. Reserve cornerback De’Vante Bausby has opened eyes this camp with his length and ability to mirror receivers in man-to-man coverage.
In team drills Monday, he mirrored receiver Cameron Meredith as Meredith tried to juke him at the line of scrimmage. Bausby moved his feet and stayed square to Meredith, preventing him from releasing cleanly.
Bausby, claimed off waivers from the Kansas City Chiefs last year, is 6-foot-2 out of Pittsburg State (Kansas). He’s pushing for a roster spot. Keep an eye on him after the starters depart the exhibition opener Thursday night.
6. Some quick-hitters to empty the notebook:
– Rookie outside linebacker Leonard Floyd had a sack in team drills, perfectly timing a loop inside and coming free up the middle. Those require patience, and Floyd nailed it, also benefitting from good coverage that forced the quarterback to hold the ball long enough for him to get home.
– Cutler found rookie receiver Kevin White in the end zone for a touchdown in red-zone drills. The protection held up long enough for Cutler to extend the play by drifting left, by which time White slipped away from Freeman. Cutler threw him a dart for a touchdown. White showed good sense keeping himself alive and available as Cutler moved.
– Receiver Marc Mariani took an interception away from cornerback Bryce Callahan. Callahan broke on Mariani’s out-breaking route and appeared to jump underneath it. He got both hands on the ball. Mariani, however, wrestled it away. The Bears’ secondary has been focused on finishing those plays, and that one escaped Callahan.
