Joint practices with the Denver Broncos offered the latest opportunity for the Chicago Bears offense to get a gauge on where they’re at in development. Training camp was fine but the first preseason game didn’t offer much for the starters. Being able to go against a defense that finished third in the NFL last season offered a perfect opportunity.
Smart money would’ve said that the first practice on Wednesday would’ve been owned by the defenses. The Broncos may have ranked third but the Bears ranked 10th last season as well. These are two strong groups. However, those people would’ve been wrong. The tone was set right away when Denver receiver Emmanuel Sanders badly burned Kyle Fuller in early drills.
What people didn’t expect was how well the Bears were able to match their counterparts. It wasn’t long before the two offenses were trading big plays, with several notable names standing out during the action.
Mitch Trubisky was on target all afternoon
By the sound of things, the Bears quarterback arrived in Denver with something to prove. Mitch Trubisky did not have the best debut in his first preseason action against Cincinnati, going 2-of-4 for four yards. So he decided to take it out on the Broncos defense, who he routinely cut up during team drills most of the morning and early afternoon. This was helped by a strong performance from his offensive line who did a fair job against Von Miller and that dangerous Denver front.
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Denver had no answer for the tight ends
It’s no secret the Bears are planning to use their tight ends extensively this season. Matt Nagy did that a lot in Kansas City and his colleague Doug Pederson, another Andy Reid disciple did the same in Philadelphia. Their two biggest investments to date, former second round pick Adam Shaheen and free agent Trey Burton were matchup problems all day. Denver couldn’t deal with them in the middle of the field or in the red zone. It was a clinic at times, which simultaneously alarmed Broncos fans and thrilled Bears fans.
Mitch Trubisky throws a perfect pass to Trey Burton in the corner of the end zone. #Bears pic.twitter.com/bJP2FX69j7
— Da Bears Brothers (@DaBearsBros) August 15, 2018
Rookie receivers were showing up often
It wasn’t just the tight ends though. The Bears wide receivers were getting in on the action as well, particularly their two draft picks Anthony Miller and Javon Wims. The former was a problem for the Broncos defensive backs most of the day, especially over the middle. He merely kept doing what he’s done for weeks at training camp. Wims also got in on the action, showcasing his considerable red zone skills with a touchdown. Those two appear to be in line for considerable work this season if this keeps up.
Both teams were clearly keeping it professional
After seeing several reports and videos of fights breaking out in joint practices all week, it’s clear the Bears and Broncos coaching staffs went in with a clear message to their teams that such behavior would not be tolerated. While the practice itself was competitive, the two sides never got to a point where tempers flared. Matt Nagy offered praise for that after practice. In fact, the two sides even took time to help each other as star receiver Demaryius Thomas did for Kevin White at one point.
Now this….THIS is awesome. #Bears https://t.co/cdGSrNNIRF
— Erik Lambert (@ErikLambert1) August 15, 2018
All was not well: Cody Whitehair snap issues linger
Nagy made it clear last week that the team has no intention of moving Cody Whitehair out of the center position. Their reasoning is it can’t be good for his development if they keep moving him around like that. The problem is the young lineman isn’t helping with his play on the field. Once again he exhibited frequent issues with getting the snap to Mitch Trubisky in drills, something that has plagued him since last season.
Whitehair looks good as a blocker but he is not a natural snapper.
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) August 15, 2018
Even those who cover the Broncos could see it, so why do the Bears continue to put up with this reality? They have a kid in James Daniels whom they drafted in the second round as a center ready and able to take over. Whitehair has already shown he can play guard when asked. Is it really such a hassle to make the switch? Maybe these practices might finally wake them up.
