Post by JABF on Sept 9, 2016 9:27:38 GMT -6
Looks like a "baptism by fire" coming up for Whitehair this weekend.
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Dan Wiederer
Contact Reporter
Chicago Tribune
The Bears are inching closer to their regular season opener Sunday in Houston with the Texans. Here's what we learned Thursday in Lake Forest.
Rookie Cody Whitehair continues grinding as he prepares for his first NFL start.
After spending most of the preseason working at left guard, Whitehair figures to start at center Sunday and continues adapting to that role after Josh Sitton's arrival earlier this week.
During the pre-draft process, the Bears were drawn to Whitehair's versatility. At Kansas State, he made 26 career starts at left tackle, 22 at left guard and three at right tackle. Yet when the Bears began working with Whitehair this spring, they sensed his greatest NFL potential might be at center.
Whitehair's athleticism and ability to get to the second level as a run blocker is what impressed offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains most. Now, the second-round pick will face a baptism by fire as he heads to face a talented and active Texans front that features J.J. Watt and Christian Covington at defensive end and Vince Wilfork at nose tackle.
Being sandwiched between a pair of Pro Bowl guards in Sitton and Kyle Long, Whitehair believes, should help his transition.
"I just keep telling myself these guys are going to help me stay comfortable and as calm as I can," he said.
For what it's worth, since training camp opened, quarterback Jay Cutler has taken practice reps with four centers: Hroniss Grasu then Ted Larsen, then Cornelius Edison and now Whitehair.
Dan Wiederer
Contact Reporter
Chicago Tribune
The Bears are inching closer to their regular season opener Sunday in Houston with the Texans. Here's what we learned Thursday in Lake Forest.
Rookie Cody Whitehair continues grinding as he prepares for his first NFL start.
After spending most of the preseason working at left guard, Whitehair figures to start at center Sunday and continues adapting to that role after Josh Sitton's arrival earlier this week.
During the pre-draft process, the Bears were drawn to Whitehair's versatility. At Kansas State, he made 26 career starts at left tackle, 22 at left guard and three at right tackle. Yet when the Bears began working with Whitehair this spring, they sensed his greatest NFL potential might be at center.
Whitehair's athleticism and ability to get to the second level as a run blocker is what impressed offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains most. Now, the second-round pick will face a baptism by fire as he heads to face a talented and active Texans front that features J.J. Watt and Christian Covington at defensive end and Vince Wilfork at nose tackle.
Being sandwiched between a pair of Pro Bowl guards in Sitton and Kyle Long, Whitehair believes, should help his transition.
"I just keep telling myself these guys are going to help me stay comfortable and as calm as I can," he said.
For what it's worth, since training camp opened, quarterback Jay Cutler has taken practice reps with four centers: Hroniss Grasu then Ted Larsen, then Cornelius Edison and now Whitehair.
