The Chicago Bears continued getting ready for Saturday’s preseason finale in opposition to the Cleveland Browns with a follow Wednesday at Halas Hall that targeted totally on third-down work.
Coach Matt Eberflus desires to get an extended have a look at his prime gamers and goals to play most of the starters and key regulars by the first half. Here are three issues we realized Wednesday.
1. Eddie Jackson is raring for the season to start out.
The veteran security has been in a optimistic mindset since camp started, and he made a daring proclamation after follow Wednesday.
“A lot of people are doubting us,” he mentioned. “And we’re going to shock a lot of people. (It’s) the way we continue to work and the chemistry we’re building, especially on defense.”
Players from all 32 NFL groups make vows like that in August, and plenty of by no means come to fruition. But Jackson has proven a mixture of consolation and confidence because the spring, and he hasn’t been shy in expressing his perception within the new system underneath coach Matt Eberflus and defensive coordinator Alan Williams.
Jackson additionally praised safeties coach Andre Curtis on Wednesday for his means to show gamers to key in on small particulars inside an opposing offense whereas nonetheless enjoying with sharp instincts.
Jackson has taken the teaching factors but additionally understands his accountability for producing his personal manufacturing.
“If I don’t hustle, if I don’t run to the ball, if I don’t read my keys or make the right breaks or get my eyes on target, you’re not going to create turnovers,” he mentioned. “But those are things that they emphasize — a lot.”
Beyond that, Jackson believes he’ll thrive this season with an opportunity to play deep extra typically. He can’t await his off-the-field reference to rookie security Jaquan Brisker to start translating into game-day manufacturing. The gamers’ complementary talent units ought to show mutually useful.
“That’s my boy, man,” Jackson mentioned. “He’s like a little brother to me. I’m excited just to see what he’s capable of doing and to see the type of dog he has in him. He’s a feisty guy, man. He wants to hit every play.”
2. Rookies have been a revelation for particular groups coordinator Richard Hightower.
Hightower had so much to be enthusiastic about in final week’s 27-11 victory over the Seattle Seahawks with younger gamers stepping up throughout the board. Third-round choose Velus Jones Jr. popped a 48-yard kickoff return within the first quarter to get issues began.
“He has really good acceleration and he has good vision,” Hightower famous.
Hightower additionally emphasised rookie cornerback Kyler Gordon’s blocking on that play to assist spring Jones free. Gordon and Duke Shelley completely sealed Seahawks gunner Dareke Young alongside the left sideline as Jones decisively burst by the open lane.
It doesn’t harm the blocking efforts to have an explosive returner akin to Jones on the sector.
“Those guys usually get more excited blocking for a guy who they know has a chance to go to the house,” Hightower mentioned. “They’re going to block anyway, but there’s a little extra juice when you have a guy back there who you know can make a play.”
Seventh-round choose Elijah Hicks added a landing within the closing seconds of the primary half by recovering a muffed punt in the long run zone. Hicks has caught Hightower’s consideration together with his involvement in conferences and fixed enthusiasm.
“He’s a ball of energy every day,” Hightower mentioned. “He’s a sponge. I’m excited about Elijah, so we’ll see. Great first impression.”
Hightower additionally lauded the continued manufacturing in follow and video games of undrafted rookie linebacker Jack Sanborn. The Lake Zurich and Wisconsin alumnus was credited with 10 tackles, an interception and a fumble restoration within the Bears’ two preseason wins, contributions that give him an inside monitor to profitable a roster spot.
“You can’t deny his production,” Hightower mentioned.
3. Braxton Jones continues to determine weaknesses to deal with.
If Jones is to change into the reply at left sort out, he has to supply constant reliability in entrance of quarterback Justin Fields. After 27 snaps in two preseason video games, Jones emphasised he must work on anchoring in opposition to bull rushes.
“I’ve kind of put it on film that people can bull rush me,” Jones mentioned. “So that’s what people are going to do. I have to be more prepared for it and throw my hands. In the last preseason game, I wasn’t throwing my hands very well. I have to use my hands more and more efficiently.”
As a fifth-round select of FCS Southern Utah, it will be silly to assume Jones could be absolutely polished two weeks earlier than his first NFL season. So the Bears should exhibit endurance together with his development charge whereas additionally pushing him to change into as sturdy as attainable as shortly as attainable.
Jones additionally realizes he must be affected person with himself by the inevitable struggles that include being a rookie going in opposition to established edge rushers.
“I’m pretty tough on myself,” Jones mentioned. “Usually when I do something wrong, I know it immediately. … I try to be patient, but in this league that isn’t easy. These edge rushers are really good.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com