Things heating up literally and figuratively. Back at the height of DBB, we used to have a few locals who actually attended some of the camp sessions. Can’t remember exactly, but I think both GP and Data provided some boots on the ground intel, and that’s good, cuz Jeff, like moi, lives out of state.
Not sure camp these days are quite as fun as they once were. I saw some reporters grumbling that teams, for the most part, no longer allow them to observe their true stuff. I think before they were with the understanding that they can’t provide too much detail, film or photograph – in other words – to become defacto spies for opponents. Murky about how that dynamic works now.
TBH, I never really dug into the weeds here since like most, I barely cared and simply relied on the local reporters [or regs] to relay camp info.
As such, here’s such a summary from the best Bear beat IMO – Clay Harbor. Since he’s a former NFLer, he knows the Xs and Os, but he also provides much needed context always with the macro in mind. So here’s his Camp Day 2 [Weds] impressions.
‘It was more competitive…Rome, Burden, Raymond, good showing…O seems ahead of D…Ton of motions, double shifts [bit surprising for this stage of install. Might be a good sign how in sync they are already]…Caleb excellent”
‘Dennis Allen ain’t slowwalking either. For playing a new FS, SS, LB, Nickle [more on that later], Rook CB – he’s running a bunch of diff coverages, man, zone, blitzes, and Caleb went to right place every time’
‘Spider Man out in theatres, just not Chicago camp. NB major concern w/out Gordon. It’s like you’re waiting on the Redline. You need to have a backup up plan cuz you don’t know when it’s showing up or IF it’s showing up. A lot of those catches were on NB. Cam Lewis a lot like Gardner-Johnson. Jack of All, Master of None. Rookie Malik Muhammed played 93% of college snaps on the outside; NB might be hardest position outside QB. [Let’s not forget how GB ruthlessly attacked a half-powered Gordon last season, over and over and over again].
Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Ammon-Ra, J.Jefferson, Jordan Addison…gonna be licking their chops attacking slot.
Might need to hit the market if Gordon is out-out or crippled.
Bush got beat too [hehe]
[It’s ONLY one camp, but something to stash because while Edmunds wasn’t S-tier slashing down-hill, he sure as fuck could cover]
Dayo seems healthy, at least. That’s the good news. The bad? Well, motivated or not, Dayo has notched 1 sack in last 18 games [including with Colts], and that 1 sack was vs a backup OT.
To quote The Irishman, “I’m more than a little concerned.”
Here’s another take from ESPN and Thayer. Apparently, Caleb has slimmed 15 pounds and feels great. Sometimes I worry about QBs being a lil too svelte. Some chunk can cushion hits. Did you know that in Ancient Rome the Gladiator wasn’t some cross-fit freak. He was much more likely to resemble a 50s wrestlers than say, The Ultimate Warrior! Reason being – Girth=protecting vital organs more. If you get shanked, some blubber between can save. Then again, Gladiators didn’t own flak-jackets. Be interesting to see if Caleb runs even faster because I think he hit 20MPH on a dead sprint last season. He’s one of those players like Jerry Rice whose gameday speed clocks faster than his timed 40.
I also love how BJ apparently sat Caleb down and reviewed EVERY incomplete and assigned blame. How great is that if true? Finally, some accountability. Caleb has the type of personality to take it too. He won’t see it as an attack but as a diagnostic tool to make him win those 6+ rings he craves. Holy smokes, imagine if a Martz did that to Cutler!
Dooooon’t caaarree!!!
It’s important to remember they’re padless right now. Come MON, padded practices, then game on, esp for the bigguns. Unfortunately, that’s also when INJs skyrocket, so gotta track that too.
Can almost smell the freshly cut grass.
Bear Down.