Training camp report dates: rookies (July 16) and veterans (July 19).
Location: Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois.
Most important position battle: Anthony Miller vs. Taylor Gabriel. Gabriel was cut by Cleveland in 2016 and became the diminutive darling of Atlanta's passing attack alongside Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu, contributing at a clip of 16.5 yards per catch and snagging six touchdowns. His production dropped a bit in 2017 (11.5 yards per catch, one touchdown), eventually leading to his departure for Chicago, where he joins an uncertain receiving corps with a chance to make an impact. Miller, a second-round pick who is drawing praise from new head coach Matt Nagy for his intuitive route-running ability, looms. Should Miller have an impressive camp, he might find himself in the opening-day starting lineup outside or in the slot. The same goes for Gabriel, who will have to battle for a starting job from the jump, the kind of challenge with which he isn't unfamiliar, having been an undrafted free agent back in 2014.
Newcomer to watch: LB Roquan Smith. Smith was my favorite linebacker in the 2018 draft class. The No. 8 overall pick plays as a downhill defender who packs a wallop when he makes contact with the opposition. He projects to replace Nick Kwiatkoski in Chicago's linebacking corps, with the veteran potentially being used as a situational pass rusher instead of manning one of the middle linebacker spots. Smith is equipped to be an every-down impact linebacker and future leader of this defense. His first camp will go a long way toward determining just how quickly he can be a difference-maker for the Bears.
Looming camp question: Is Mitch Trubisky ready to make the leap in Year 2? The No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft was handed the keys to the franchise after just four games last season, giving him three-fourths of a season to get his feet wet as a rookie. On a similar path to that taken by Philadelphia's Carson Wentz, Trubisky enters his second season as the unquestioned starter at the position. Can he take advantage of the opportunity? The Bears' fortunes ride on how much Trubisky can improve from Year 1 to Year 2, which begins with his first camp under Nagy, a coach who has a history of scheming offenses to fit his quarterback's strengths.
maybe I am an eternal optimist ... maybe I am an idiot ... either way, I say Mitch Trubisky will step up big time in his second year and the Bears will benefit as a result
so Mitch - my fate is in your hands ... will my optimism be rewarded? or you will be just the latest Bears QB to trample upon my optimism like a rabid bull?
"Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things." George Carlin
Interesting that Taylor Gabriel vs. Anthony Miller was the biggest position battle.
Gabriel has always been a smurfy #3 speed specialist. Anthony Miller has been the #1 on his team--albeit a college team--for a long time. If Gabriel is the starter, is having a guy whose never had more than 600 yards receiving in a year a disappointment? Do we really think a guy with his body isn't going to be able to hold up under the pounding of starter reps?
It seems to me that Anthony Miller vs. Kevin White is the starting competition you want to see. I know, I know. It's fragile Kevin White. But here's the thing... Kevin White still was the #7 pick in the draft. And when Kevin White played 5 consecutive games, by the last of those games he had over 50 yards receiving in the first half. So after 3 TCs and being the Nagy reclamation project poster child, based on what he did in the past, he has showed that he can actually produce in an actual game. And he's playing for a contract... for a coaching staff that has the creativity to make things happen in the passing game. I don't think it's going out on a limb to say that when Kevin White plays in 2018, he will play reasonably well, entirely possibly at a starter level. Even if another question unavoidably looms.
Mikefive's theory: The only time you KNOW that a sports team player, coach or management member is being 100% honest is when they're NOT reciting "the company line".
It sure feels good to look at the depth at our skill positions. For me, Robinson and Gabriel will be our primary WRs with Miller and Kevin White as our primary backups. I love the depth we have at TE with Burton, Shaheen, and Sims. That, along with Cohen lining up everywhere, gives me a lot of hope going forward.
How about Kylie Fitts vs. Aaron Lynch and Isaiah Irving? Who's gonna step up on the edge? If we can pull a rabbit out of a hat and produce a sack producer opposite Floyd, what's that worth to you in the grand scheme of Bears football?
dickbutkus97 wrote:How about Kylie Fitts vs. Aaron Lynch and Isaiah Irving? Who's gonna step up on the edge? If we can pull a rabbit out of a hat and produce a sack producer opposite Floyd, what's that worth to you in the grand scheme of Bears football?
Personally I'd love Irving or Fitts to step up since they are relatively cheap on rookie deals
