The Positive Buzz Is Really Picking Up With These Chicago Bears

There's still a long ways to go before training camp and the preseason arrives. Until then fans are slaved to the smallest of blurbs offering any Chicago Bears buzz they can get their hands on. Historically the organization has one of the stricter media policies in the NFL, and it makes for extreme difficulty in terms of getting information on which players are standing out. Thankfully there is a certain undercurrent of sources that offer small snippets here and there. Collect enough of them and a picture starts to form. With OTAs and minicamp practices complete, there is indeed a collage taking shape. Certain names who are off to a good start, a number of them unexpected. That's exactly the sort of good news this team needs in what could be a pivotal season for the coaching staff. It starts with one of the more shocking names on the list.

Deon Bush

The Bears are eagerly hoping one of their young safeties draft over the past two years starts to step up and reach for the starting job. Adrian Amos and Harold Jones-Quartey have failed in their attempts. Now it seems an unexpected name is gaining ground in the form of ex-4th round pick Deon Bush. There are rumblings that his execution on the field has picked up considerably during practice. Belief is he might be getting a big assist from the presence of veteran Quintin Demps, recently signed as a free agent in March.

Prince Amukamara

A lot of people were upset when the Bears signed veteran corner Prince Amukamara. It was felt he was the guy they'd settled for after whiffing on several higher-graded names in free agency like A.J. Bouye and Stephon Gilmore. Fate does have a weird way of working itself out though. Rumblings from camp are that the 27-year old looks strong, or "sticky" as head coach John Fox put it. He's giving receivers a lot of problems thanks to a tweaking backpedal and he's also delivered some interceptions. Something this team desperately needs more of.

Jonathan Bullard

The former third round pick didn't provide a ton of flash plays for the Bears in 2016. For that reason he was considered one of the bigger disappointments of an otherwise excellent draft class. At the same time the chart above shows he was having an impact, albeit a subtle one. Since then its been documented he's working hard this offseason to improve, even getting help from former Bear Alex Brown during his training. Results are reportedly showing in practice already. He's making plays on the ball instead of just being around it. His ascension could potentially give the team an imposing defensive line.

Markus Wheaton

Perhaps the most intriguing offensive signing in free agency back in March was wide receiver Markus Wheaton. He's a former third round pick of Pittsburgh, a team notorious for their good eye for receivers. It looked like he was ready to take off last year. He'd had a career-high 749 yards and five touchdowns in 2015. Then he got hurt three games into 2016. So he comes into Chicago with a big chip on his shoulder. Seems he's translating that to the field, being one of the few receivers thus far who is burning the defense with that dangerous vertical speed.

Tarik Cohen

The counterarguments to Tarik Cohen from all sides were pretty straightforward. He's too short and he comes from a Division II school. There's no way he can be an NFL success. These same people just don't understand how pro football works, nor do they understand how far heart, work ethic and speed can take a man in it. By all accounts Cohen has those three traits in spades. New teammate Jerrell Freeman, a longtime veteran singled him out almost immediately after just a few practices. The consensus is that his speed, agility and vision could make him a dangerous asset in open space. Exactly as advertised.

Mitch Trubisky

It's no secret that Mitch Trubisky came in with a bit of a handicap. The guy had only started 13 games in college. That sort of inexperience scares coaches to death. There's no way this guy is ready to face NFL defenses. That may be true, but such things can be learned with enough hard work and talent. Several sources are confirming he's delivered plenty of both before, during and after practice. So much in fact that there's a quiet buzz he's been outperforming projected starter Mike Glennon. Now it's still very early and a bit unfair given Glennon is facing tougher competition in practice, but it's definitely something to keep in mind looking towards training camp.