BOURBONNAIS — They have yet to test it in a game, but the Bears’ offensive line shuffle is going smoothly.
In his offseason tinkering, coach Matt Nagy flipped James Daniels to center and Cody Whitehair to left guard. They’ve worked at their new spots throughout OTAs, minicamp and training camp with little trouble.
Daniels’ move was the bigger question mark of the two, and he has adapted well to new demands playing center.
“It seemed like a really natural transition for him, which is as expected,” Nagy said. “I’m not really concerned. I think it’s going to be good.”
Both players said they had a handle on their new positions in OTAs and were helping each other learn the nuances. Their switch is made easier by the fact that the o-line is solid everywhere else.
Left tackle Charles Leno Jr. is coming off a Pro Bowl season, and right tackle Bobby Massie is in his fourth year starting for the Bears at that spot. Three-time Pro Bowl right guard Kyle Long is also having a great camp and felt so good that he declined to take a veteran day off Tuesday.
“This is the best shape, condition, strength, mental — where he’s at right now is in a good place,” Nagy said of Long. “We want to just make sure that he gets stronger and stronger and then when we get to Week 1 he’s at the best he’s ever been.
Receivers rolling
The wide receivers have been one of the most entertaining groups to watch throughout the first week of training camp.
Allen Robinson has been a constant problem for the secondary, Anthony Miller shined coming off shoulder surgery and some of the guys near the bottom of the depth chart have looked worthy of an NFL roster spot.
“We’re a young group, but we’ve got a lot of experience, too,” Robinson said. “We bring that excitement. We’ve got some fiery guys.”
The depth of talent has Nagy envisioning an even more diversified passing game than last season.
Robinson remains the No. 1 threat, but Taylor Gabriel, Miller, Cordarrelle Patterson, hybrid Tarik Cohen and tight end Trey Burton should all get a healthy share of Mitch Trubisky’s attempts.
“There’s gonna be times when you all are coming to me, saying, ‘Why didn’t this guy get the ball? Why didn’t he have this many touches? Why didn’t he have many catches?’” Nagy said. “I’m just putting it out there right now: That’s who we are.”
Ratings and Rankings
The Bears have been paying close attention to the NFL’s Top 100 rankings, as voted on by the players, and their Madden 20 ratings this week.
Well, not all of them. Khalil Mack was announced as one of the few players to earn a maximum 99 rating on Madden and couldn’t be less interested.
“It’s exciting for the fans, but it’s about 2019 and getting ready for Green Bay the first week,” he said. “I mean, that’s the only thing I can think about.”
In the Top 100 rankings, all-pro safety Eddie Jackson was announced as the No. 30 player in the league. He joined fellow Bears Akiem Hicks (No. 39) and Kyle Fuller (No. 95).
The Nos. 11-20 players were scheduled to be revealed Tuesday night.
