Chicago Bears Mandatory Minicamp: Day 2 Notebook
Jun 11, 2013; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears linebacker Lance Briggs (55) during minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Happy Thursday! If you’re dragging a little bit today, it’s probably because you were up past your bedtime watching the Blackhawks HUGE triple OT 4-3 win in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final. Be sure to hit up our friends at Blackhawk Up for all your Hawks updates.
OK, on to the real reason you stopped by, the Beloved. The Bears continued their mandatory minicamp on Wednesday, so let’s do another notebook to catch the highlights from Wednesday’s practice.
DT Depth
Sedrick Ellis is excited to join the Bears defense.
"“They allow their guys to do what defensive linemen are supposed to do, and that’s rush the passer and get sacks and put pressure on the quarterback while playing the run on the way. I’m excited to be a part of a scheme that entails that. I haven’t had the chance to do that the last couple years, so I’m excited about that.”"
Bears DC Mel Tucker likes what he sees out of Ellis, who will line up at both 3-technique and nose tackle:
"“He’s a veteran player,” said defensive coordinator Mel Tucker. “He’s got versatility. We feel that he can give us some stoutness inside and also give us some rush inside. He’ll have an opportunity to come here and prove what he can do and compete, and that’s what we’re looking for.”"
That’s a great fit and really adds depth to a Bears defensive line in desperate need of it.
Speaking of New Guys
Well, sort of new guys. Devin Aromashodu is back with the Bears. We talked about his return the other day. He’s excited to be back, but his quarterback is very realistic about his chances:
"“Tall, athletic, good hands, a lot of speed,” Cutler said. “But there’s a lot of competition in there. He’s kind of behind the eight-ball. He’s behind the other guys. He’s got some catching up to do. Receiver-wise I think we’ve got some really good guys. We’ve got some really good skill guys on the offensive side, so he’s going to have to catch up to us.”"
I like Aromashodu in the mix. If you could get him, Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery, Earl Bennett as your top four wide receivers, you’ve got a formidable group. Add rookie Marquess Wilson and second year man Joe Anderson who showed well in special teams late last season and there is quite a competition at wide receiver. Eric Weems is going to have to be awfully special on Special Teams to earn a spot.
Cutler’s Jabs
Jay Cutler was lauding new head coach Marc Trestman and managed to kind of throw Lovie Smith under the bus in the process or at the very least delivered a stiff jab to his former head coach.
"“He wants to make not only better players, but better guys, better husbands and just better friends in there. So that’s different. Offensively, and even defensively, he is all over it. I think he is one of the more organized coaches I have ever been around.”"
That quote is absolutely packed with good stuff. First he talks about how Trestman wants everyone to be better guys off the field and says “that’s different.” You could infer that he’s saying that’s not how Lovie was. Then to offer another shot, he says that Trestman is all over it even on defense. Another shot at Lovie, who probably couldn’t tell you where the offensive meeting room was. Then for the knockout blow, Cutler calls Trestman one of the more organized coaches he’s ever been around. Again, another sideswipe at Lovie. Cutler is in midseason form already.
Big Balls
I can’t manage to drag the picture off the Tribune’s website, so you’ll have to click the link here to see the Bears playing with giant balls. From Zach Zaidman’s Twitter account, they use these oversized exercise balls for special teams to simulate coverage units. Huhuhu, he said units.
Speaking of Balls…
As if you didn’t already know this, former Bears wide receiver David Terrell is a complete moron and has awakened a sleeping bear. A LOWER THE BOOM is brewing…
It’s Never Too Early…
…to get your tickets to Chicago Bears Fanfest, scheduled to be held at Soldier Field on Saturday August 3rd. The sod is certain to be in piss-poor shape after summer concert season.