Chicago Bears Training Camp Notebook Day 6: Gervon Dexter Sr. showing progress with his get-off

LAKE FOREST — The Chicago Bears practiced for the first time in training camp in full pads and the intensity definitely increased at Halas Hall on Friday morning. Fans also filled the stands and watched the team on Fields 1 and 2.

Here are some of my notes from the 1-on-1s and team portions of Friday’s padded practice and also my observations from the team periods.

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1-on-1s

With the entire CHGO Bears team covering Day 6 of Bears training camp, we decided to split up some responsibilities. I elected to watch the offensive line go against the defensive line, who participated in 1-on-1s on the furthest field opposite of the media bleachers. While I watched the OL and DL go against each other, the skilled players competed in 7-on-7s.

Here is who stood out in the 1-on-1s for the OL vs. DL.

• Teven Jenkins won his rep against Zacch Pickens. Jenkins kept Pickens in front of him and didn’t allow the second-year defensive lineman to penetrate the pocket.
• Montez Sweat bull rushed Aviante Collins and pushed the offensive lineman off of him to get to the Bears staff member who was acting as the quarterback.
• Gervon Dexter Sr. used a swim move to beat offensive lineman Jerome Carvin. This was only the beginning for Dexter.
• Doug Kramer and DeMarcus Walker had a good back-and-fourth battle in their 1-on-1s. It looked like Kramer won the first rep against Walker, but the veteran defensive lineman used a swim move to beat Kramer inside on the following rep.
• I marked down Larry Borom with a win in my notes against Jacob Martin — who had to leave practice early after he injured his leg during the team period.
• Austin Booker used a spin move against Jake Curhan, but lost his footing as he was finishing his move.

Team Period

Instead of breaking everything down play by play, I’ll highlight the most important aspects of the practice. Overall, the Bears offense showed areas where improvement must be made, starting with pre-snap penalties. These penalties occurred on the first-team and trickled down to the backups. Andrew Billings caused two on back-to-back plays by yelling out “Move” right before the snap. Coleman Shelton — who was the center with the first-team offense — said Billings is “probably the best in the league at it.” The offense needs to learn how to stay composed when Billings tries to get the unit to commit a pre-snap penalty.

It’s always tough to gauge the running backs in camp, but I’ve liked what I have seen so far, especially on the first day of pads. The Bears started off the first team period with a run by D’Andre Swift to the right side. The next play, Khalil Herbert showed good vision and the ability to get outside. On the third rep, Roschon Johnson was in for a designed rollout pass that went to DJ Moore. The running backs have been consistently swapping in for each other rep after rep. Shane Waldron has options he can go to as he calls the offense.

The defensive line got after Williams. Walker, Sweat and Dexter created pressure on the Caleb Williams throughout the practice. Dexter had a rep during 11-on-11s where he got off the ball so quickly that he was in the backfield just after the running back got the handoff. The play went for no gain. Walker continued to lineup outside and mix inside, which allowed guys like Martin to get with the first-team offense. When Martin was injured, Booker repped with the starter during the situational period.

Situational Team Period

The Bears had 1:20 on the clock and started on their own 35-yard line with two timeouts in a scoreless game before the first half.

• Williams started the drive with a completion to Johnson for a screen that picked up eight yards.
• On the next rep, Dexter forced Williams out of the pocket and the rookie quarterback was forced to throw the ball away.
• With the offense facing a third-and-short, Williams connected with Rome Odunze on a quick hitting out route to the right side of the field. The connection between the two rookies gave the offense a new set of downs.
• On the third rep, Williams rifled a pass over the middle of the field to Keenan Allen. Williams saw the window and connected with the veteran wide receiver.
• The fifth play could’ve been a layup touchdown. Odunze ran a vertical route and ended up being wide open in the end zone, but Williams put too much on the pass and missed his receiver. After the play, Jaquan Brisker and Tyrique Stevenson were looking at each other and one of them yelled, “communicate.”
• Williams didn’t miss on the next play. He felt pressure off his left side on Daniel Hardy and rolled to his right. Williams kept his eyes downfield and saw Tyler Scott separating from his defender. The Bears’ quarterback threw an accurate pass on the run to hit Scott for a touchdown.

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