When people think about training camp, they often keep their minds focused on the physical aspects. The quarterbacks making throws, the receivers catching them, the offensive line blocking, the pass rushers getting "sacks" and defensive backs seeking pass defenses and interceptions. However, one thing that is often forgotten is just how much trash-talking goes on in every practice. The Chicago Bears are a perfect example.
This is a competitive environment. These guys got to where they are by wanting to win. Not just football games but every single snap they see, practice or not. Coaches, who are often former players themselves, can easily get caught up in this atmosphere as well and aren't above jawing at each other during drills.
Yesterday it was reported that the wide receivers and defensive backs have established a training camp incentive in the form of an authentic WWE championship belt. Whoever wins the majority of 1-on-1 reps for that day claims the prize. Unsurprisingly the players do plenty of talking during these sessions. What people probably weren't ready for was how active their position coaches became in it. Receiver coach Mike Furrey and secondary coach Deshea Townsend have gone back and forth since camp began.
Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune caught some of that after practice.
“As a competitor, especially as a DB and a receiver, one thing we typically don’t do is be quiet,” Townsend said. “So talking junk is something that naturally runs in your blood, and Mike is truly a motivator when he’s over there in practice. But it’s good. … We want to have fun while we work, and we’re doing it the right way.”
While the DBs won the belt for their room the first day, the receiving corps won it the second day — though Townsend noted Jimmy Graham’s big contributions called into question Furrey’s claim to the victory.
“Jimmy Graham made a lot of plays yesterday, and Mike Furrey does not coach Jimmy,” Townsend said. “We need to go back out and grade this thing. If he’s going to claim tight ends, he needs to switch positions on the title with the Bears.”
Chicago Bears are getting the desired effect
By all accounts, this entire process is having the impact Matt Nagy wanted. One of the problems he encountered last year was how passive the offense seemed at times. Too often the defense would get the better of them in drills. So he made it his mission to inject some intensity into them. This came in the form of a revamped coaching staff, some veteran pieces like Jimmy Graham and Ted Ginn Jr., and now the championship belt as a chaser.
Nagy said he's been thrilled with the energy the offense brings. Rumors are some people are genuinely surprised by how sharp and active it's looked through the first two days. The dialogue between Furrey and Townsend, all in good fun, is no doubt a big part of it. Hopefully, this carries over into the regular season.
