Patrick Finley shares observations from Bears minicamp (Hour 4)
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What were the main observations from Bears minicamp?
really good offseason program. Talked with the players this morning and we really accomplished a lot just in terms of the goals that we set out. Strength and conditioning first and foremost. Technique, fundamentals, scheme installation and then some situational football which we've continued to work on and we'll get another good day of again today. So really pleased with how they're working. I said to you guys a few weeks ago that it's a really hard working group. They're taking it very seriously, very professional and Couldn't be more grateful for the attendance we've had so far this offseason program and close it out on a great week this week.
Sounding like a pretty satisfied Bears head coach, Ben Johnson, right there, as we welcome you back into Rahimi Harrison-Grody on 104.3 The Score. Today is day three of the mandatory minicamp, and practice is just getting going on out at Hallis Hall, and that is where we find our Bears correspondent for today, Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times.
How did the players perform during the offseason program?
He is the beat reporter for them, covers the NFL as well. Are we dry still, Patrick? Have we had to run into the Walter Payton Center? Is everything okay, for God's sakes?
No, but they might in a matter of minutes. When I ducked into a dry locale, it was just starting to sprinkle enough that I had to pull out my umbrella to finish the walk back.
Okay, do you have a good umbrella? Because I'm in the market for an actual expensive umbrella that will not break on every single walk I take in downtown Chicago.
My current umbrella, the only one that was in my car, is bright yellow and has a duck, like a wooden duck carved at the handle. It's falling apart.
What improvements have been noted in the Bears' coaching staff?
So, you know, I believe the Costco down the street, Grody, has got a good golf umbrella for like $20.
That may be a stop on the way home. The golf umbrellas, those are for real.
That sounds like a bougie umbrella. I kind of like it. I'm into it, Patrick. I'm into it. If it gets me called bougie, it gets me called bougie. It's a giant umbrella. Just remember, if I get it at a discount, it makes it a little less so.
Patrick, what have you thought? You may have heard Ben Johnson just talking about how he likes the group that he's working with. Sounds pretty satisfied with what he's seen so far. What has stood out to you here as we enter day three of the mandatory minicamp for the Bears?
First of all, that's what they all say. I don't think we've ever had a coach in the middle of June be like, I don't know about this team, guys. It looks so much different than a year ago. The big takeaway I have is just The players knowing what to expect from Ben, the new players being told what to expect from the guys who were here last year, goes such a long way to making these practices seem seamless, making the work go by faster and with less confrontation. You know, remember at Rookie Minicamp last year, Grody,
Which players stood out during the mandatory minicamp?
Ben would stop practice and cut the music just to yell at people. That's not happening quite as much this time around, and it's because they know what's expected of them at this time of year, and they will know what's expected of them in training camp. We've heard a couple of different players already say that they are either looking forward to it or absolutely dreading the training camp coming up here at the end of July. It is amazing, Patrick, the difference that one year can make and what a team looks like in year two as opposed to year one. And we all kind of were on the same page. This does not look good with Ben Johnson stopping practices. Like you say, who has flashed for you of the new players or maybe players who were hurt and are now healthier out there and, you know, not pads?
I'll give you the caveat that Ben gave the other day, which is it's really easy to fall in love with these guys at this time of year. And then when pads come on, sometimes you never think about them ever again. So with that as a caveat, the most important thing I've seen is Dio Denbo on the field. He is weeks, if not multiple months ahead of schedule recovering from an Achilles injury.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What were the main observations from Bears minicamp?
0:01–1:02
2
How did the players perform during the offseason program?
1:02–1:43
3
What improvements have been noted in the Bears' coaching staff?
1:43–2:57
4
Which players stood out during the mandatory minicamp?
2:57–5:58
5
What are the expectations for training camp this year?
5:58–8:42
6
How is Kyler Gordon's injury impacting the team?
8:42–10:23
7
What is the significance of Dio Odenbo's return to the field?
10:23–13:09
8
What challenges does the Bears' defensive line face moving forward?
13:09–24:55
Speakers
3 identifiedMore from Rahimi & Grote Show
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