Aug. 03--Here are five observations from Bears practice on Monday.
1. Right tackle Jordan Mills rebounded from a few disappointing moments in Sunday's session. Against outside linebacker Pernell McPhee on a pass block during team drills, McPhee tried to get his hands into Mills, but Mills chopped down hard on them and won the hand fight. Mills kept his feet moving as McPhee tried to get upfield and stopped the rush.
"He has really strong hands, and he's elusive," Mills said of McPhee afterward. "Just knowing his shiftiness and that he has strong hands, you've got to get your hands on him. That's one key I work on when I'm going against him -- just trying to get my hands on him, initiate the contact, and once I get it, lock on. It's a battle after that."
Also in team drills, Mills opened a hole for running back Matt Forte by getting to the second level and sealing a linebacker to the inside. Getting upfield is something Mills does fairly well, particularly when he's not battling the foot pain that has bothered him in the past.
Overall, Mills said he learned from Sunday's practice, which is typical of training camp. New offensive line coach Dave Magazu is having his linemen apply some new techniques to their first step and hand placement, Mills said. Those take some getting used to, and the third-year tackle attributed his losses Sunday in one-on-one drills to those growing pains.
"You see everybody across the board working on certain things, and we get mad because we don't win," he said. "Coach Mags is back there saying, 'It's a new thing. You've got to get used to it. It's something new. You haven't been doing it.' I kind of got frustrated because I hate it, I hate to lose. Coach Magazu says all the time, 'If you're not getting beat, either you're not trying or you're standing next to me,' and if you're standing next to him, it's not going to be good."
2. Speaking of redemption, free safety Brock Vereen wasn't fooled by an elaborate gadget play during team drills. As opposed to when he enabled receiver Alshon Jeffery to get behind the defense on a trick play on Saturday, Vereen stayed in a deep position, ruining the offense's chance for a big gain.
It didn't help the offense that receiver Marquess Wilson didn't sell his fake properly, but credit Vereen for diagnosing the play -- something coach John Fox is watching very closely with the safeties.
3. On a running play during team drills, second-year inside linebacker Christian Jones helped make the stop by eluding left guard Matt Slauson's block on the second level. Slauson climbed to try to block him -- unimpeded by the defensive line -- but Jones saw him coming, and his quickness won out.
Jones' agility in coverage was evident earlier in the practice when he ran with a tight end on a double move. His athleticism and size (6-foot-3, 248 pounds) are the main reasons why the undrafted linebacker has a prime opportunity to win a starting spot. Those traits are the foundation of his versatility, which fits how defensive coordinator Vic Fangio asks his linebackers to take on different responsibilities in coverage and against the run.
4. Cornerback Kyle Fuller broke up a pass in the end zone by keeping his eyes on the catch point and stripping tight end Martelleus Bennett of the ball a split-second after the tight end grabbed it high.
Fuller initially didn't have his head turned toward the quarterback because the play had broken down a bit, but he adjusted. Several teams (Buccaneers, Packers) victimized Fuller last season for touchdowns on fade routes, and his ability to read the catch point and attack it should help him in Year 2.
5. In red-zone drills, tight end Zach Miller won inside position on a route against man-to-man coverage, but he dropped Jimmy Clausen's throw, which hit him in the hands. Miller flashed during last summer's preseason because of his reliable hands before he injured his left foot. In a crowded competition for the third tight end spot, Miller can't afford many drops.
5a. Backup tackle Charles Leno stopped linebacker Sam Acho's outside rush during team drills by staying low and sliding his feet to square up the block. For more on Leno, a seventh-round pick last season, check out Brad Biggs' story about his progress.
