Before his first NFL preseason sport Saturday, Chicago Bears security Jaquan Brisker had introduced a objective of forcing a turnover. “Immediately,” the rookie informed reporters earlier within the week.
Brisker solely got here near a takeaway within the Bears’ 19-14 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs — and he mentioned he truly wanted a little bit of time to get snug — however the second-round choose nonetheless may depart Soldier Field feeling fairly good about his debut.
On the Chiefs’ fourth collection, Brisker delivered an enormous hit in opposition to large receiver Skyy Moore, took down working again Derrick Gore for a 2-yard loss and practically intercepted Shane Buechele’s move supposed for Noah Gray. Sure, the performs have been in opposition to second-stringers, however it was sufficient to depart an impression on Bears coach Matt Eberflus.
“The tackling. Deflecting the ball,” Eberflus mentioned. “He should have had maybe a takeaway or two. But he was high-energy. Man, he likes to hit. I really liked that aggressive style for him, how he’s playing right now.”
The Bears’ two different Day 2 draft picks — cornerback Kyler Gordon and large receiver Velus Jones Jr. — sat out with accidents. So the debut of Brisker, who’s prone to begin alongside veteran security Eddie Jackson, was among the many most notable Saturday.
“I had to get warmed up at first,” Brisker mentioned. “It was great being in the stadium and playing next to great guys like Eddie and the rest of the defense. I thought it was a great experience for the first time.”
Brisker completed with 4 tackles, a deal with for a loss and a move defended, one of some rookie standouts on a day made for such performances.
Running again Trestan Ebner, a sixth-round pick of Baylor, opened eyes with a flexible efficiency on offense and particular groups. And undrafted rookie linebacker Jack Sanborn, a product of Lake Zurich High and Wisconsin, had an element in two second-half takeaways.
“Draft pick or no draft pick, it doesn’t matter — you want to earn the respect of the guys in this locker room and you want the coaches to see why they picked you or why they decided to let you come here,” Ebner mentioned. “That means the most, when I can get love from these other guys and show them I’m meant to wear this ‘C’ on my head and I’m meant to be a part of this team.”
When Ebner returned to the sideline after leaving Chiefs defensive again Jaylen Watson in his wake with a nasty reduce, his teammates informed him, “Oooh, I didn’t know you could cut like that.”
“I didn’t know what they were talking about because to me it felt like I was just out there running,” Ebner mentioned. “And then I saw it on the big screen, I was like, ‘Oh, that was a nice cut.’ ”
Ebner admitted he was rewatching the spotlight of his 27-yard run on his telephone when reporters approached him within the locker room after the sport.
The run was a part of a well-rounded day that included a 12-yard landing catch on a throw from Trevor Siemian, with Ebner pounding by three Chiefs defenders for the Bears’ first rating of the preseason. Ebner additionally had two kickoff returns protecting 53 yards, together with a 34-yarder on the opening kickoff.
Ebner mentioned he was nervous about getting in on offense, particularly as a result of the first-quarter working again reps went to Khalil Herbert with David Montgomery sidelined by a minor damage. But Herbert returned to the sideline between collection to inform him what he was seeing, and that calmed his nerves.
Ebner has loads of expertise round him within the working again room with Montgomery and Herbert, and the Bears have a number of kickoff-return choices too. So Ebner felt good about with the ability to exhibit his talent set.
“He’s very competitive,” Eberflus mentioned. “He likes when the lights come on and you can see him compete in practice. He’s a strong runner and he’s obviously got a lot of good speed, too, so he can really turn it on to get the corner or take it the distance. So we’re excited where he is too. And he’s doing a better job blocking, finishing runs.”
The Bears had a brief area earlier than Ebner’s landing catch because of Sanborn’s interception of Buechele on the Chiefs’ opening drive of the second half. Sandborn returned the choose 13 yards to the Chiefs 27.
“I knew they were going to try to pick on the linebacker there in Cover-2,” Sanborn mentioned. “I was fortunate enough to make a decent break and box out the receiver there and make a play.”
On the Chiefs’ third drive of the third quarter, Sanborn pounced on Gore’s fumble, which Mike Pennel pressured, and the following Bears drive resulted in a Cairo Santos area objective.
Sanborn, who guessed he had “a lot” of members of the family and associates on the sport, had 5 tackles, together with a one for a loss, and two special-teams tackles, impression as he fights for a roster spot.
“I’m going to be that guy that will do whatever the coaches ask or whatever the team wants,” Sanborn mentioned. “Just take it day by day and be consistent with everyone.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com