Aug. 07--Here are five observations from Bears practice on Thursday:
1. The highlight of practice--and training camp so far, really--was a live-tackling, goal-line session. What was coach John Fox looking to evaluate in the mass of bodies?
"A little bit toughness, how guys are at the point of attack," he said. "It's pretty much a grunt play. So we enjoy watching it."
The first-string defense kept the offense out of the end zone, with linebacker Pernell McPhee and safety Brock Vereen bringing down Jacquizz Rodgers short of the goal line on the last play. (Running back Matt Forte did not participate in the drill in order to preserve his health.)
On the reserves' series on third down, running back Daniel Thomas ended up facing cornerback Demontre Hurst one-on-one at the 1-yard line. Thomas put his head down and barreled forward. Hurst initially stopped him, prompting the defensive starters to go wild, but Thomas kept his feet moving and surged into the end zone. Fun stuff.
Saturday's practice at Soldier Field will feature 36 plays of live tackling, 12 each from the first, second and third strings. You can bet coordinators Adam Gase and Vic Fangio are already working on their scripts.
2. Jay Cutler's ability to connect better with taller targets is well documented. But even though receiver Eddie Royal is only 5-foot-10, he can help Cutler on throws that aren't on-target. In seven-on-seven drills, he slid to catch a 10-yard throw that dipped. Royal is so nimble, he basically did a baseball slide to catch the pass, then popped up and kept running.
Royal also caught a long touchdown from Cutler in the back corner of the end zone in fairly tight coverage. With no timetable for Kevin White's return, the collective focus on Royal's ability to contribute should intensify. Gase will maximize his matchups in the slot, and Royal's experience as an outside receiver can't be discounted, either.
3. Second-round rookie nose tackle Eddie Goldman was the beneficiary of Ego Ferguson's absence (personal reasons). He was tested against the Bears' first-string offensive line. On one running play, Pro Bowl guard Kyle Long was part of a double team that successfully pushed Goldman from the point of attack. Long got to Goldman's outside shoulder and got him off his spot.
Occupying linemen and anchoring against double teams are a critical responsibility for the nose tackle in the Bears' new 3-4 defense. After practice, Goldman discussed the keys to doing it.
"You've got to be low," he said. "You have to put your head between the offensive linemen. And mentally you have to tell yourself that they're not going to move you."
Easier said than done, Goldman acknowledged.
4. During the live goal-line drills, inside linebacker Jonathan Bostic broke up a pass intended for newly-signed tight end Kevin Greene in the back of the end zone. Eye discipline is critical at the goal line, and Bostic knew to run with Greene on his route. Then the third-year linebacker found the ball at the last moment and disrupted the catch.
Bostic has distinguished himself in pass coverage ever since the preseason of his rookie year. Continuing to be disciplined against play-action and being in the proper position in run defense are his main areas of focus.
5. Outside linebacker Lamarr Houston continues to stand out matched up against the offensive reserves, as you'd expect.
In the live goal line drills, he set the edge on a run play to his side. By staying low, he blew up tight end Kevin Greene and tackle Jason Weaver and forced the ball carrier to take a wide turn around the corner.
Earlier, he ran with a tight end toward the sideline in pass coverage, then redirected downfield to get in on a tackle. It will be interesting and more meaningful for Houston to go against the offensive starters, but so far, so good as he works back from right knee reconstructive surgery.
rcampbell@tribpub.com
