It’s Day 1 of Chicago Bears Rookie Minicamp. The rookie draft class figures out which way to the field, how their shells fit and how John Fox and the coaching staff go about their business. Here are some bullet points from this morning’s first practice from the Bears beat reporters Twitter timelines:
First things first. Third round draft pick Hroniss Grasu
to round out the contracts for the entire rookie class. Nice work as always to Cliff Stein!
May 8, 2015; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Kevin White (13) during Chicago Bears rookie minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Grasu will wear #55. #RIP Doug Buffone. Sorta #RIP Lance Briggs
Draft picks Eddie Goldman and Tayo Fabuluje were unable to finish their first practice, leaving the field early. Head coach John Fox did not comment, but you wonder if it’s a conditioning issue for a couple of their big guys.
Offensive coordinator Adam Gase, who was hired over 3 months ago, finally met the media for the first time. Some interesting takeaways from him:
- He hasn’t seen Martellus Bennett around Halas Hall. Are those trade rumors going to heat up again?
- Gase almost joined Lovie Smith’s staff back in 2010.
- When Adam Gase was on the Detroit Lions staff in 2006, they almost drafted Jay Cutler.
- When asked what’s changed about Cutler since 2006, Gase said he lost weight. I guess we have Krisin Cavallari to thank for that.
- Gase sees Cutler as a more patient guy, but he needs to become more consistent and says he’s ready for a fresh start.
- Gase said his relationship with Cutler will take some time, although they’ve known each other since Cutler came out of Vandy.
- Gase praised Matt Forte’s durability. Says they used 2 RB’s in Denver out of necessity and they may not have to do that here.
- Gase said moving rookie WR Kevin White around will be different, but he’s not limited in his route running.
Asked what the Bears offense will look like, Gase said it would be flexible, fluid and play to players’ strength. Not like Denver.
Head coach John Fox summed up his coaching philosophy quite simply:
#Bears head coach John Fox: "Part of coaching is adapting your scheme to players and putting them in a position to have success."
— Zach Zaidman (@ZachZaidman) May 8, 2015
Let’s hope that Fox can put this group in a position to succeed.
Check out a full gallery of the rookies in action.