Day four of training camp at Halas Hall kicked off today with a better look into this season's defense and - I don't know about you but I'm already starting to get a little too optimistic on day four. This is going to be a long training camp/preseason. Woof.
Eric Washington took the podium this afternoon to discuss his thoughts on getting through the first "stack" of practices this season and what impressed him the most was the conditioning level of the guys. He said "They did a tremendous with the strength and conditioning staff. They got themselves ready pre training camp". On a list of things you love to see, this is first up. Hearing that not only are your guys on defense looking stronger, but that they were ready BEFORE training camp? You absolutely love to see it. Washington went on to discuss DL rookie Austin Booker and how he's been fitting in. They've had Booker getting reps with the first team DL with Washington saying "Right now its just a function of the way we're rotating and giving him exposure". Following up with a commitment to continuing to "build him for long term development". This is a fantastic mindset by coach Washington. Treat your rookies like the athletes you're investing in. Give them the first team reps, push them. Iron sharpens iron.
Coach Washington praised Austin Booker by noting that he's "excited about his hand usage and his ability to counter - and with a pass rusher its just a mindset and he's competing out there". The pass rush is really important for this year's defense. The defense's vision this year is to "build the best pass rush in the NFL". They plan to achieve this by being "consistent" and having an "exceptional secondary". The defense as a whole needs to be "relentless".
One player that I'm expecting to embody this relentlessness the most is DT Gervon Dexter Sr. Dexter had a solid season last year with 20 tackles (13 solo) and 10 QB hits, but it looks like he's aiming to double those numbers based off his time on the podium at Halas Hall.
Gervon Dexter Sr ran conditioning with the defensive ends instead of the defensive tackles. When asked why he chose to condition with DE's instead of DT's he said " They run it longer with less time." noting that he wants to get into "marathon shape". He expanded on this by saying "The good ones can do it one or two plays but the ones that go down as great are consistent in being able to play one through four quarters, so thats why". This guy is a second year player and he's already training like a HOF candidate. These mentalities are contagious among teams. We're about to see a mature and focused Bears defense that is willing to push themselves to their limits.
I'm ready to run through a brick wall for this defense. We got guys coming in early, putting in the work, and doing whatever they can to get stronger and better. I predict a record number of sacks for this team during the season. We're going to bully this league and I cannot wait to see it. Are the Monsters of the Midway back?
Comentários