Padded Practices Start Today In Bourbonnais! And Other Bullets

One of my favorite parts of training camp is meeting and connecting with you guys and gals who I communicate with on Twitter, Facebook, and elsewhere. You folks make our site go and your passion for the Bears (particularly in the dark times during the final year of John Fox’s run) has helped re-energize my Bears fandom. I’ll see you in Bourbonnais!

The first day of padded practices is one of my favorite days on the football calendar. There is something about the popping and the crunching sounds of pads clashing that is oddly comforting. Hearing the sounds of fall in summer is unique, to say the least.

Practicing with pads means it’s time for the Bears’ running backs to shine. It’s easy for guys to look good out of the backfield in shorts and t-shirts, but it’s something else to look good in pads. Let’s keep an eye on Mike Davis and David Montgomery, the two newcomers who figure to play a huge role in the re-worked running backs room. If you let Head Coach Matt Nagy tell it, Montgomery is ready to go. “David Montgomery is at a point right now where he won’t even talk to me he’s so mad that we can’t put on the pads [yet],” Nagy said, via the Bears’ official website. “They’re coming on here Sunday and then we’re going to see what everybody’s all about.” Soon enough, we’ll start finding out for ourselves.

As for Saturday’s open practice, there was a lot to like. Mitch Trubisky looked comfortable, decisive, and mostly accurate. The only throw that stuck in my craw was a deep toss down the left sideline that was hauled in by Allen Robinson. It was a bit under-thrown, but Robinson still made the play. That’s the beauty of having Robinson. His ability to catch contested passes does wonders for quarterbacks and could mask a mistake like Trubisky’s under-throw.

On the other side of the ball, Khalil Mack looked to be in midseason form. It took all of one snap in 11-on-11 drills for Mack to wreck Charles Leno Jr. and get in the backfield. Mack was causing havoc no matter where he was lined up. Akiem Hicks joined in on the fun, too. Those two guys had me thanking my lucky stars that they are Bears.

Joel Iyiegbuniwe flashing some pass-rushing skills was a pleasant surprise. His speed stands out as an asset.

This was the moment that prompted me to tweet: “I love watching Anthony Miller run routes and torch DBs.”

https://twitter.com/ChicagoBears/status/1155261197157113857

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My favorite Mitch Trubisky throw was easy to pick.

I still find myself impressed by Elliott Fry’s doink-less performance. To bounce back after missing a virtual gimme to nail nine straight field goals (highlighted by a 60-yarder) sets a high bar for Eddy Piñeiro.

Meet the kickers:

HELP WANTED

Organization: Chicago Bears
Open position: Kicker
Current applicants: Elliott Fry, Eddy Pineiro@Rich_Campbell and I visited with the two hopefuls this weekend for an informal job interview of sorts: https://t.co/ol22e2o3ym

— Dan Wiederer (@danwiederer) July 27, 2019

It turns out it was Fry who wanted to kick it from 60 yards, per Larry Mayer of the Bears’ official site. Way to show some moxie, new guy!

No Doinks Allowed:

View this post on Instagram

#NeverDoink #BearsCamp

A post shared by Luis M (@lcm1986) on Jul 27, 2019 at 7:28am PDT

So many #fireemojis:

https://twitter.com/ChicagoBears/status/1155273230980009984

Practice went so well, the Bears found themselves among the betting favorites to win the Super Bowl:

https://twitter.com/br_betting/status/1154461897871089665

(I kid, I kid … that’s not how that works!)

How can you not love training camp when stuff like this goes down:

.@ceeflashpee84’s the kinda guy that’ll give you the socks right off his feet. pic.twitter.com/zXpKEArd4J

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) July 27, 2019

A surprise to be sure, and a welcome one:

I legitimately forgot that Cordarrelle Patterson was on the Bears until this moment. That is exciting!

— Robert Mays (@robertmays) July 27, 2019

Here’s hoping Patterson can keep his footing during Sunday’s practices and moving forward altogether. There were a couple of slips that caught my attention and had me holding my breath. The last thing anyone wants is a slip and an injury at camp. Be safe, guys!

This is what it looks like when the monsters at the line of scrimmage make an entrance:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B0bDTLXFo92/

Did you think Bears camp had a different vibe? Well, that’s because it did! Also, the buzz was a bit different because there were a lot of us in the stands:

Official attendance at #Bears camp today: 8,385! An outstanding crowd! Thank you to all of our wonderful fans for coming out this morning! #ChasingGreat

— Chicago Bears (@BearsPR) July 27, 2019

#Bears had nearly 20K ticket downloads for SAT practice. I don't know how many showed up but it was largest crowd I have seen at ONU since '07, post Super Bowl year. "This is amazing," CB Prince Amukamara said. "It’s great and we’re glad we have them excited for this year."

— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) July 27, 2019

Prince Amukamara is a pro’s pro:

When discussing kicker situation, Bears CB Prince Amukamara added that he hopes Cody Parkey makes it back into the league and is all-pro at some point.

— Jason Lieser (@JasonLieser) July 27, 2019

Some injury updates:

Emanuel Hall practiced yesterday, but did not practice today.

Nagy: "We're just being a little precautionary w/ just a little bit of soreness with his groin. Same thing. We just figure, let's not push it, let's give him a day so that when he is out here, he's going full bore."

— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) July 27, 2019

Matt Nagy on Riley Ridley (right hamstring): "It’s probably more of a week(-to-week) thing. I wouldn’t use the word severe. I’m not going to get into details but I’m not overly concerned.” #Bears

— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) July 27, 2019

#Bears CB Jonathon Mincy has not practiced yet in camp. He has a groin injury.

— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) July 27, 2019

Nobody wins, Olin:

Cubs bullpen or Bears kickers who wins ?

— Olin kreutz (@olin_kreutz) July 28, 2019

What an odd situation:

If five teams were willing to pay Mike Daniels more than he was going to make with the Packers in 2019, how doesn't a trade get done? That just doesn't add up.

— Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) July 26, 2019

Mike Daniels getting a fair amount of attention and signing with Detroit makes me think he’ll be out for blood when the Lions and Packers square off twice this year. And since he is on a one-year “prove it” deal, it’s hard for me to bet against that guy.

In other Detroit-related news, this cut surprised me:

Bummed to see the release of Theo Riddick for the @Lions but:
1) it makes sense, he won’t be used in the role he’s best at in the new offense
2) not many over the last 6 years have played/embodied the city of Detroit & it’s people more than Theo has👏👏bro!

— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) July 27, 2019

If the Bears’ backfield wasn’t already loaded, I’d be making a pitch for Riddick to be added to mix. His pass-catching skills have made him a nuisance for NFC North defenders over the years. So as long as he doesn’t sign with the Vikings or Packers (or any other team scheduled to face the Bears this coming year), I’ll be a happy camper.

An old friend is still trying to find a new home for the 2019 season:

Saints are bringing in veteran OL Patrick Omameh for a tryout Sunday, per source. Has started 56 career games with Jaguars, Giants, Bears, Buccaneers. Could potentially be a guard/tackle.

— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) July 28, 2019