| 05 August 2010
On defense is where the most excitement has been to this point in training camp. Most everyone is in awe of the $40-million-dollar man known as Julius Peppers. At nearly 6-foot-8 and 300-pounds, Peppers’ athleticism and skill set has been evident throughout camp. Peppers has an all-around game that Bears fans haven’t seen on the field since, perhaps ever.
Peppers has been abusing Bears offensive linemen, and really that shouldn’t be a surprise or a concern. He has lightning speed off the edge and can blow past the OT, or he can bull rush and bully the OT. There’s just about nothing Peppers can’t do and it’s been very impressive so far.
A bit of a surprise to this point in camp has been the practice of Mark Anderson. Anderson has looked like the light bulb has gone on, although it’s debatable whether or not his emergence is a result of being blocked by Frank Omiyale. To Anderson’s credit though he seems to be consistently wining battles against all of the O-Linemen.
The best news comes from the two most important players on this defense not named Julius Peppers. That being Brian Urlacher and Tommie Harris. Harris according to Matt Bowen looks very explosive and is using his hands well. Harris has also been out there practicing every day meaning he’s healthy and he’s ready to go. Hopefully this means he’ll be ready to go for the season and can be healthy for all 16 games.
Urlacher too is healthy and looks lean and mean. He looks like he’s lost a little bit of weight which should make him quicker and it will be easier on his back given his older football age. There doesn’t appear to be any ill effects to his wrist even when he’s worked out in full pads and gone through tackling drills. He shouldn’t have much trouble returning to a respectable level of play and being the cog in the middle of the Cover-2 defense.
The secondary has been wrought with injuries as starter Chris Harris has been out since the second day with a strained back. From there rookie Major Wright tweaked his hamstring and has missed the past couple of days. Both were back on the field running off to the side as a part of their rehab process. Neither injury seems to be serious and as long as Wright comes back sooner rather than later he could still potentially be counted on to make an impact as a rookie.
In his stead Craig Steltz has been running with the first team defensive unit. Steltz was scouted on by Matt Bowen himself a former NFL safety whose career is like that of Steltz. Bowen commented that while Steltz isn’t the fastest player he has good reaction skills, good coverage skills and can come up and play the run in the box. Steltz doesn’t’ do any one thing exceptionally well, he’s just average to good at everything which can keep you around in the NFL for a long time. Steltz at the very least seems to have a professional attitude and work ethic and that may pay off in the long run for the third year safety.
Elsewhere on the defensive line there has been absolutely no news of note from the second year defensive linemen. Neither Jarron Gilbert nor Henry Melton has been mentioned by any reports I’ve read. Corey Wootton appears to be running with the second team at DE next to Israel Idonijae meaning Gilbert’s roster spot may in fact be in jeopardy. No one has heard anything or said anything regarding Melton either. Melton may have a better shot at making the roster because Lovie Smith prefers to utilize more DT’s than DE’s on the active game day roster.
Marcus Harrison is in shape by most reports, although he is having trouble with heat exhaustion. Heat exhaustion typically strikes bigger heftier people a lot easier and once you suffer from it once in your life you’re prone to be hit by it time and again under the right circumstances. Harrison though if he can stay in practice and stay on top of it is said to be pushing Anthony Adams for the starting nose tackle spot. Not surprising to me given just how ineffective Adams has been as a nose.
Through nine practices and with a little over a week before the first pre-season game against the San Diego Chargers there hasn’t been much in the way of surprises or bad news. It’s the time of year where everyone is extremely optimistic and most everyone is healthy. Tommie Harris being LEGITIMATELY healthy and practicing may be the best news of camp. Harris’ participation has become so routine that he’s essentially become an afterthought in camp news. I don’t think he should be an afterthought though given how maligned he has been by fans and media alike the last two seasons. The fact that Harris has been a full participant and has looked effective speaks volumes not only to Harris as a player, but as a person as well.
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