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The Chicago Bears were back at Halas Hall for the second practice of training camp, which kicked things up a notch after a lighter workout to open the summer.
It was a strong day for Ben Johnson's offense, which won the day against the defense. Not only that, but they gave the defense fits in coverage with their speedy, versatile weapons and a young quarterback in Caleb Williams who had one of his better practices with Chicago. Veteran newcomer Kalif Raymond was the standout, and his chemistry with Williams is already flourishing. Meanwhile, there were some interesting updates among several position battles at nickel cornerback and left tackle.
Here's what we learned from the second practice of training camp:
Typically, at this point of training camp, the offense is already way behind the defense. That's how it's been for a franchise that's had little offensive success in the past couple of decades. But that's certainly changed with head coach Ben Johnson and the offense's immediate success last season, and it's showing in training camp already. For the first time in a long time, the offense is ahead of the defense, according to the media at Thursday's practice.
Zack Pearson noted it was an "good day overall for the offense" while the defense struggled to contain quarterback Caleb Williams' plethora of weapons, including wide receivers Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III and Kalif Raymond, and tight end Colston Loveland. According to Bear Report, it was "encouraging for the offense. Not so much for defense." In fact, Mark Carman said he's "not sure the Bears can cover anyone."
It wasn't all doom and gloom for the defense, as Zack Pearson noted that the "defense did get their hands on some passes at the LOS" where "Coby Bryant came in on a blitz and batted a pass down" and Montez Sweat also had one.
But the offense is off to an impressive start in Year 2. According to Clay Harbor, "The passing game is ahead of the defense right now. Caleb is playing fast, the receivers are creating separation, and Ben’s offense already looks more detailed than it did this time last year."
When the offense has a great day, that usually means quarterback Caleb Williams is responsible. That was the case during Thursday's practice, and Adam Hoge said it was "one of Caleb Williams' better practices." Williams completed well over 70 percent of his passes -- which remains the goal from Ben Johnson for his young quarterback -- and only had four incompletions, per Hoge. Two of those were tipped at the line of scrimmage while the other was an overthrow on a free play.
Williams was "sharp" during team drills, including a 55-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Kalif Raymond, per Zack Pearson. He also "spread the ball around to a lot of receivers," per Bear Report, which was "encouraging for the offense." Adam Jahns added that there were "chunk-yardage plays all day for Williams and the offense."
Added Clay Harbor: "He was decisive, accurate and in command. Very few balls hit the ground, and you can see how much more comfortable he is operating Ben’s offense."
While Bears wide receivers Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III have garnered all of the headlines this offseason, it was a veteran addition who stole the show during Thursday's practice. Kalif Raymond had "a really impressive showing."a really good day," per 79th & Halas. He "made several catches," according to Sean Hammond.
Brad Biggs said it was a "highlight day" for Raymond catching passes from Caleb Williams and Tyson Bagent. But the biggest came on a 54-yard bomb for a touchdown from Williams during 11-on-11 over cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, according to CHGO's Adam Jahns. Noted Clay Harbor: "He was one of the biggest winners of practice. Looked very quick great routes." It likely won't be the last time we hear that this summer.
It wasn't just Kalif Raymond who shined during Thursday's practice. The Bears have no shortage of weapons for Caleb Williams, and the young quarterback made sure to spread the ball around, which led to some impressive moments from his supporting cast. Receivers Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III, as well as tight end Colston Loveland, were all praised by the media for their performance.
According to Clay Harbor, Odunze "looked explosive again. Another strong day with multiple catches and continued to separate consistently," Burden "keeps flashing. Clean routes, explosive after the catch on a reverse, and continues building chemistry with Caleb. He’s a dog," and Loveland "made one of the better catches of the day, laying out for a deep out route. Had a very nice day himself."
Even rookie tight end Sam Roush got some reps with the first-team offense, according to Sean Hammond.
With Kyler Gordon struggling with another soft tissue injury, the battle for nickel cornerback has heated up at training camp. On Wednesday, it was Jaylon Jones getting a bulk of the work with the first-team defense while Cam Lewis, Josh Blackwell and rookie Malik Muhammad worked in. But it was Jones and Lewis working with the starters during Thursday's practice, according to Zack Pearson. Meanwhile, it was Blackwell working with the second team. There's still a long way to go in the competition, especially when Gordon returns to the field, but Chicago is still trying to determine a contingency plan if Gordon can't go.
Another position battle that's at the forefront this summer comes at left tackle, where Braxton Jones is the favorite to win the job. Jones continued to get reps with the first-team offense on Thursday, after a full workload on Wednesday, although Jedrick Wills Jr. did work one rep with the starters, according to Adam Jahns, before the second team fully took the field during team period. Wills worked with the second-team offense with Kiran Amegadjie working with the 3s, which was flipped from Wednesday's practice, per Courtney Cronin. Interestingly enough, Theo Benedet worked at right tackle with the second team for the past two days, noted Brad Biggs.
While it's only been two days, the Bears have been relatively healthy to start training camp. In fact, defensive end Montez Sweat made his summer debut after a day stint on the non-football injury list. The only real notable injury update was running back Kyle Monangai, who wasn't spotted at practice.
The players previously announced on the non-football injury and physically unable to perform lists remain sidelined: linebacker T.J. Edwards, cornerback Kyler Gordon, offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo, safety Elijah Hicks, linebackers Keyshaun Elliott and Noah Sewell and defensive end Shemar Turner.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 7 takeaways from Day 2 of Chicago Bears training camp
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It was a strong day for Ben Johnson's offense, which won the day against the defense. Not only that, but they gave the defense fits in coverage with their speedy, versatile weapons and a young quarterback in Caleb Williams who had one of his better practices with Chicago. Veteran newcomer Kalif Raymond was the standout, and his chemistry with Williams is already flourishing. Meanwhile, there were some interesting updates among several position battles at nickel cornerback and left tackle.
Here's what we learned from the second practice of training camp:
Offense is way ahead of the defense
Typically, at this point of training camp, the offense is already way behind the defense. That's how it's been for a franchise that's had little offensive success in the past couple of decades. But that's certainly changed with head coach Ben Johnson and the offense's immediate success last season, and it's showing in training camp already. For the first time in a long time, the offense is ahead of the defense, according to the media at Thursday's practice.
Zack Pearson noted it was an "good day overall for the offense" while the defense struggled to contain quarterback Caleb Williams' plethora of weapons, including wide receivers Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III and Kalif Raymond, and tight end Colston Loveland. According to Bear Report, it was "encouraging for the offense. Not so much for defense." In fact, Mark Carman said he's "not sure the Bears can cover anyone."
It wasn't all doom and gloom for the defense, as Zack Pearson noted that the "defense did get their hands on some passes at the LOS" where "Coby Bryant came in on a blitz and batted a pass down" and Montez Sweat also had one.
But the offense is off to an impressive start in Year 2. According to Clay Harbor, "The passing game is ahead of the defense right now. Caleb is playing fast, the receivers are creating separation, and Ben’s offense already looks more detailed than it did this time last year."
Caleb Williams had one of his better practices
When the offense has a great day, that usually means quarterback Caleb Williams is responsible. That was the case during Thursday's practice, and Adam Hoge said it was "one of Caleb Williams' better practices." Williams completed well over 70 percent of his passes -- which remains the goal from Ben Johnson for his young quarterback -- and only had four incompletions, per Hoge. Two of those were tipped at the line of scrimmage while the other was an overthrow on a free play.
Williams was "sharp" during team drills, including a 55-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Kalif Raymond, per Zack Pearson. He also "spread the ball around to a lot of receivers," per Bear Report, which was "encouraging for the offense." Adam Jahns added that there were "chunk-yardage plays all day for Williams and the offense."
Added Clay Harbor: "He was decisive, accurate and in command. Very few balls hit the ground, and you can see how much more comfortable he is operating Ben’s offense."
Kalif Raymond was a standout
While Bears wide receivers Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III have garnered all of the headlines this offseason, it was a veteran addition who stole the show during Thursday's practice. Kalif Raymond had "a really impressive showing."a really good day," per 79th & Halas. He "made several catches," according to Sean Hammond.
Brad Biggs said it was a "highlight day" for Raymond catching passes from Caleb Williams and Tyson Bagent. But the biggest came on a 54-yard bomb for a touchdown from Williams during 11-on-11 over cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, according to CHGO's Adam Jahns. Noted Clay Harbor: "He was one of the biggest winners of practice. Looked very quick great routes." It likely won't be the last time we hear that this summer.
Other standouts on offense
It wasn't just Kalif Raymond who shined during Thursday's practice. The Bears have no shortage of weapons for Caleb Williams, and the young quarterback made sure to spread the ball around, which led to some impressive moments from his supporting cast. Receivers Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III, as well as tight end Colston Loveland, were all praised by the media for their performance.
According to Clay Harbor, Odunze "looked explosive again. Another strong day with multiple catches and continued to separate consistently," Burden "keeps flashing. Clean routes, explosive after the catch on a reverse, and continues building chemistry with Caleb. He’s a dog," and Loveland "made one of the better catches of the day, laying out for a deep out route. Had a very nice day himself."
Even rookie tight end Sam Roush got some reps with the first-team offense, according to Sean Hammond.
Nickel cornerback battle update
With Kyler Gordon struggling with another soft tissue injury, the battle for nickel cornerback has heated up at training camp. On Wednesday, it was Jaylon Jones getting a bulk of the work with the first-team defense while Cam Lewis, Josh Blackwell and rookie Malik Muhammad worked in. But it was Jones and Lewis working with the starters during Thursday's practice, according to Zack Pearson. Meanwhile, it was Blackwell working with the second team. There's still a long way to go in the competition, especially when Gordon returns to the field, but Chicago is still trying to determine a contingency plan if Gordon can't go.
Braxton Jones continues to work with first team, but Jedrick Wills getting reps
Another position battle that's at the forefront this summer comes at left tackle, where Braxton Jones is the favorite to win the job. Jones continued to get reps with the first-team offense on Thursday, after a full workload on Wednesday, although Jedrick Wills Jr. did work one rep with the starters, according to Adam Jahns, before the second team fully took the field during team period. Wills worked with the second-team offense with Kiran Amegadjie working with the 3s, which was flipped from Wednesday's practice, per Courtney Cronin. Interestingly enough, Theo Benedet worked at right tackle with the second team for the past two days, noted Brad Biggs.
Kyle Monangai not spotted at practice, Montez Sweat returns
While it's only been two days, the Bears have been relatively healthy to start training camp. In fact, defensive end Montez Sweat made his summer debut after a day stint on the non-football injury list. The only real notable injury update was running back Kyle Monangai, who wasn't spotted at practice.
The players previously announced on the non-football injury and physically unable to perform lists remain sidelined: linebacker T.J. Edwards, cornerback Kyler Gordon, offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo, safety Elijah Hicks, linebackers Keyshaun Elliott and Noah Sewell and defensive end Shemar Turner.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 7 takeaways from Day 2 of Chicago Bears training camp
Continue reading...
