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Post-practice: Friday
By Jonathan Okanes
Friday, August 8th, 2008 at 10:53 pm in Training camp.
The biggest news from Friday’s practice, the first of training camp in full pads, is that running back Jahvid Best emerged from it unscathed. Best took his first real hits since suffering his hip injury in November and popped back up each time with no apparent complications. He said he felt fine afterwards.
“It felt good today,” Best said. “I don’t have a doubt in my mind. But it definitely builds up my confidence.”
Cal had worn shoulder pads the previous two practices and Best had been exposed to some physical contact, but nothing like Friday.
“This is tackling to the ground,” Best said. “The defense is going as hard as they can and hitting as hard as they can.”
Best ran with the first team and carried the ball several times. He was hit hard a bunch of times, most notably a crushing blow by linebacker Anthony Felder during red zone practice in which he was stopped short of the goal line.
Best acknowledged that he passed another test in his recovery Friday but warned that there is still more to go. The Bears will hold their first double-day practice today, and the evening session once again will be in full pads.
“There still is a lot more camp to go,” Best said. “You can’t just throw it out the window already. We’ll just see how it keeps going.”
Nate Longshore was back running with the first team Friday after Kevin Riley played as the starter Thursday. Neither quarterback had a particularly good day. Coach Jeff Tedford said that the defense always is ahead of the offense this early in camp, and that likely was part of the reason for the quarterbacks’ struggles.
For a first day in full pads, it actually wasn’t a very eventful practice. In general, the defense had a pretty good day. It was an important practice for the defense because it was its first playing what amounted to real football in the new 3-4 defense. The defense was pretty good against the run and shut down the Bears’ passing game.
“It was a good first day,” Cal defensive coordinator Bob Gregory said. “I think the guys did well and executed fast. That’s always really good to see, especially with the new wrinkles we have.”
The Bears defense looked especially good in the red zone. Gregory said the team is trying to do red zone every day because players really get into it and it gets their blood flowing.
Gregory had some good things to say about cornerback Darian Hagan, who is trying to wrestle the second cornerback spot away from Chris Conte.
“Right now after five days, he’s playing as well as he’s played since he’s been here,” Gregory said. “He needs to keep it going and be consistent.”
Gregory said he’s also liked the play of defensive back Bryant Nnabuife, a junior college transfer from Texas. The Bears have been using him at both corner and safety. “I think he can help us,” Gregory said.
It’s still early, but Tedford said nose guard Kendrick Payne is making a case to play as a true freshman. Payne looked strong Friday.
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August 9th, 2008 at 1:21 am
Waits for the inevitable…..
“OMG OMG, why isn’t Riley running with the first team. This isn’t a open competition like JT promised it would be…WAHHHH”
Coming in 3…2…1
August 9th, 2008 at 9:50 am
Hey JO, Thanks for the tidbits! It reads like Tedford ‘n Company might have quality depth this year. Are the first team WRs, consistantly, Calvin, Boatang and Ross? Or, are others being rotated into that group? Since that is the bigget question mark in my humble opinion, I’m surprised that I’m not seeing that along with the QB info. Go Bears!
August 9th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Much has been made of Best’s injury and his durability but what about Vereen? He was held out due to an ankle issue and didn’t he also miss a lot of spring practice with an injury? He and Best need to stay healthy for Cal to be successful. I’m not sure Slocum and Deboskie would cut it this year as our backfield duo. Does anyone but me think Will T should get a significant amount of carries this year to give us some inside power running and save wear and tear on Best/Vereen?
August 9th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
I think this is significant news about yesterday’s practice:
“Quarterbacks Nate Longshore and Kevin Riley again got the lion’s share of snaps, with Longshore back to taking the majority of the first string reps. Riley rotated in on occasion to take some first string snaps as well.” – courtesy of BearInsider.com
http://www.bearinsider.com/news/story.php?article=45
August 9th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
Our rookie Bears are doing well so far in their NFL careers. DeSean Jackson caught five passes for 50 yards in his debut for the Eagles. Justin Forsett ran for 58 yards on 12 carries for the Seahawks last night. It seems a lot of Seahawks fans are rooting for him to make the team. Lavelle Hawkins and Craig Stevens get their first NFL action with the Titans today.
Other Bears in the NFL: Lorenzo Alexander got some nice comments by Joe Theismann while playing for the Redskins today. Chris Manderino is now playing FB for the Chiefs. Brandon Mebane and Desmond Bishop seem to be doing well for the Seahawks and Packers. Aaron Rodgers will be leading the Pack on Monday Night Football and will be returning to the Bay Area next weekend to play the 49ers. Marshawn Lynch should have a big season for the Bills this year. Rodgers, Lynch, and DeSean give the Bears three very high-profile players playing in the NFL.
August 9th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Don’t forget Tony Gonzalez with the Chiefs and Andre Carter with the Redskins. Boller is high profile, but unfortunately not very good in Baltimore. Scott Fujita with the Saints is solid. Deltha O’Neil with the Bengels is also pretty good.
August 9th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
My bad! I was mostly concerned with the Tedford era offensive players who are most visible. J.J. Arrington is kind of treading water in Arizona. Matt Giordano got himself a Super Bowl Championship ring at Indiana where Dante Hughes was injured most of last year.
Does the team practice tomorrow?
August 11th, 2008 at 10:40 am
Jan, that has basically been the first team WRs, but just in the last few days there has been more rotation. Marvin Jones has gotten some first team reps. This is the time during camp where more rotation usually goes on, so the coaching staff can really start getting a gauge on who is going to play this season. I wouldn’t be surprised if Sean Young gets a few first team reps soon, as well.