Mitch and Mack Lead the Attack, Camp Tips, Chasing Great Expectations, and Other Bullets

The first push notification I received today was a reminder that I’m going to training camp tomorrow.

BEAR. THE. HECK. DOWN.

  • Back in 2017, I found myself looking forward to training camp because it was the first time I had attended in a while. My trek to Bourbonnais brought back warm, fuzzy feelings oh the memories I had in previous training camp trips — even when I knew the year to come wasn’t going to as fun as the camp trip. Moving forward to 2018, there was a whole different vibe with the Bears having a new coach and offensive system to go along with the return of a top-10 defense that was hungry for more. There was a certain level of cautious optimism that was inescapable. This year, the optimism is borderline uncontrollable because of two players — Mitch Trubisky and Khalil Mack.
  • Bleacher Report’s Maurice Moton points out Trubisky’s growth potential as the Bears’ biggest reason for optimism entering training camp. It’s a bit of a surprise that Trubisky is the guy here, especially since others tend to believe he is the guy who could hold the Bears back. Trubisky struggled to find consistency, but still put up solid numbers in his second year in the league (and first in Nagy’s offense). If Trubisky can make the same step from Year 2 to Year 3 as he did from Year 1 to Year 2, Chicago could be in store for something special because of QB1.
  • While we love dreaming on big upside, Trubisky is focused on the little things as he enters his third training camp. ESPN’s Jeff Dickerson notes a catchy little phrase is sweeping BEARbonnais when it comes to Trubisky’s next step — “Steady, incremental progress.” If Trubisky tightens it up when it comes to getting the details right, everything else will be better for it.
  • And then there is Mack, the star of stars who is set to enter his first training camp as a member of the Bears. It’s crazy to think of how dominant Mack was last season, especially when you remember he didn’t participate in OTAs, training camp, or the preseason. Mack proved he didn’t need a training camp to be a star, but I imagine his teammates could benefit from practicing with him this summer.
  • One of my favorite things about Mack is that he always seems to be striving for more. “We’re hungrier than we were last year,” Mack said, via NBC Sports Chicago. “I’m speaking for myself as well. I’m way hungrier than I was last year. It definitely wasn’t good enough. Just looking forward to this year and getting better.”
  • (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

  • Wouldn’t it be fun to see these two in the backfield again? Open it up, Coach Nagy!
  • The bar has been set high for Mack and these Bears. That they’re willing to attack the challenges ahead with vigor makes me want to fast forward to September 5.
  • The boys are back in town and they look ready to roll:
  • https://www.instagram.com/p/B0XMVs8ld5Z/

  • Chris Emma (670 The Score) has the five storylines you’ll want to keep tabs on during the Bears’ time in Bourbonnais.
  • Are you going to camp? Good. I’m looking forward to seeing you there. But make sure to read the fine print on your ticket, because there are some changes that are going into effect this year. The biggest one might be the team’s effort to squelch video recording:
  • https://twitter.com/DaTailGateShow/status/1142210874079424512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1142210874079424512&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fsportsmockery.com%2Fquickpost%2Fchicago-bears-instituting-a-new-training-camp-rule%2F

  • I understand why the Bears are doing this, but I can’t say I love it. Videos from fans in the stands provided a glimpse of something special that was on the horizon. Fans weren’t tweeting out secret plays or anything. And even if they did, the Bears still won 12 games. It’s not like fan video from August was the reason Chicago lost in January. One day, the NFL will get it right and let freedom ring at camp.
  • Otherwise, make sure you are well hydrated when you go to Bourbonnais. Pack an extra bottle of water or two. Get there early and give yourself a little more time for wiggle room in case traffic is problematic. Be aware of weather updates and changes. And most importantly, be kind to your fellow Bears fan when you see them at camp. We’re all in this together!
  • Cheap electric shavers are among your deals of the day at Amazon today– I keep one in the car, because why not?
  • Appointment radio:
  • The Bears defense was good enough to eat a top-100 player’s lunch in primetime — TWICE:
  • I’m (begrudgingly) tipping my cap to the Packers for this cool training camp tradition:
  • The Packers signed ex-Jaguars running back Corey Grant to add some depth to their backfield stable, per Dov Kleiman. Great ran an unofficial 4.27-second 40-yard dash time, but had an injury shortened year last season with Jacksonville. He’s probably a special teams player right now, which means he’ll have the game of his life against the Bears if that defense isn’t careful.
  • Ah, well, nevertheless:
  • Why does my gut say this Madden NFL ’20 hype video is better than the game:
  • written by

    Luis C. Medina, who you can find on Twitter at lcm1986, has been covering the Chicago Bears at Bleacher Nation since 2017. Since then, he has written about 3 head coaches, 5 play-callers, and 11 starting quarterbacks. Previously, Luis wrote about the Cubs and MLB at BN (2015-16) and worked in the Chicago Tribune sports department (2011-16). He also co-hosted a Cubs postgame show, Outside the Ivy, in 2019.

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