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It didn't take long for rookie defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg to bring out the nastiness in his game.
During the Bears' sixth training camp practice and second day in full pads, Van den Berg and rookie undrafted free agent Caden Barnett got into it after a practice rep in 11 on 11s. The sixth-round draft pick from Georgia Tech slammed Barnett to the ground, which fired up his defensive teammates.
The rookie isn't just displaying his physicality after the whistle but also during 1 on 1s and team sessions.
"He's another guy that, you know, he's really taken to the coaching," defensive coordinator Dennis Allen said. "He plays with great pad level. He can get in a good stance and come off and strike the line of scrimmage. He's got some pretty good football instincts. He plays extremely hard, so a lot of the things we saw on tape at Georgia Tech, we're seeing a lot of those same athletic qualities show up."
Allen told reporters before practice on Sunday that you have to trust what you're seeing, and the coaching staff has noticed Van den Berg continue to make plays, earning him reps with the first-team defense.
His veteran teammates also realizing what the 24-year-old brings to the defensive line.
"Man, I think he's going to be a hell of a football player," defensive tackle Neville Gallimore said. "I think he's growing. His understanding of the game is improving every day, and I just love his competitiveness. Again, great guy for the locker room. He does his job at a high level, and, you know, again, I think he's only going to get better, you know, as he continued to be a part of the system, and I'll say this, I think the greatest thing that ever happened to him was coming to this team and being a part of this defense. I think he's going to, again, be a guy that suprises a lot of people this year."
Gallimore also highlighed that Van den Berg has picked up on the physicality and speed of practice, which doesn't always come natural for rookies. It's early on, but the Bears' sixth-round draft pick continues to impress his coaches and teammtes, which should create opportunities to play this season.
The Bears' defensive line struggled to stop the run and create pressure on the quarterback. Regardless of experience, the coaching staff will put whoever they believe gives the defense the best chance to win.
Even if that's a rookie.
Grady Jarrett is going into his 12th season in the league and has played with a lot of teammates over the year. Outside of Van den Berg's violent hands and strong lower half, Jarrett also said the rookie also brings "good vibes" into the locker room.
"I think a guy that's just super athletic, man," Jarrett said. "I mean ... super bright future, but you know, still learning a lot. Um, just a guy that's also, I mean, he hurgry to learn, hungry to work. So, I mean, though, he got the ingredients to really just, always continue to just develop and he got the right mindset. So, we're excited to have him and I think he'd be a big addition to the room, and, you know, somebody who can continue to help us, hopefully help us this year, and, you know, as we get down the road."
Continue reading...
During the Bears' sixth training camp practice and second day in full pads, Van den Berg and rookie undrafted free agent Caden Barnett got into it after a practice rep in 11 on 11s. The sixth-round draft pick from Georgia Tech slammed Barnett to the ground, which fired up his defensive teammates.
The rookie isn't just displaying his physicality after the whistle but also during 1 on 1s and team sessions.
"He's another guy that, you know, he's really taken to the coaching," defensive coordinator Dennis Allen said. "He plays with great pad level. He can get in a good stance and come off and strike the line of scrimmage. He's got some pretty good football instincts. He plays extremely hard, so a lot of the things we saw on tape at Georgia Tech, we're seeing a lot of those same athletic qualities show up."
Allen told reporters before practice on Sunday that you have to trust what you're seeing, and the coaching staff has noticed Van den Berg continue to make plays, earning him reps with the first-team defense.
His veteran teammates also realizing what the 24-year-old brings to the defensive line.
"Man, I think he's going to be a hell of a football player," defensive tackle Neville Gallimore said. "I think he's growing. His understanding of the game is improving every day, and I just love his competitiveness. Again, great guy for the locker room. He does his job at a high level, and, you know, again, I think he's only going to get better, you know, as he continued to be a part of the system, and I'll say this, I think the greatest thing that ever happened to him was coming to this team and being a part of this defense. I think he's going to, again, be a guy that suprises a lot of people this year."
Gallimore also highlighed that Van den Berg has picked up on the physicality and speed of practice, which doesn't always come natural for rookies. It's early on, but the Bears' sixth-round draft pick continues to impress his coaches and teammtes, which should create opportunities to play this season.
The Bears' defensive line struggled to stop the run and create pressure on the quarterback. Regardless of experience, the coaching staff will put whoever they believe gives the defense the best chance to win.
Even if that's a rookie.
Grady Jarrett is going into his 12th season in the league and has played with a lot of teammates over the year. Outside of Van den Berg's violent hands and strong lower half, Jarrett also said the rookie also brings "good vibes" into the locker room.
"I think a guy that's just super athletic, man," Jarrett said. "I mean ... super bright future, but you know, still learning a lot. Um, just a guy that's also, I mean, he hurgry to learn, hungry to work. So, I mean, though, he got the ingredients to really just, always continue to just develop and he got the right mindset. So, we're excited to have him and I think he'd be a big addition to the room, and, you know, somebody who can continue to help us, hopefully help us this year, and, you know, as we get down the road."
Continue reading...
