Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2018 14:36:43 GMT -6
What we learned: Can Kevin White's passion and eagerness to learn catalyze his latest comeback attempt?
The Bears have reached the end of their spring program with one final minicamp practice scheduled for Thursday at Halas Hall. In many years, the head coach has either canceled or significantly abbreviated that final session to reward players for their investment over the previous two-plus months.
In the meantime, here’s what we learned from Wednesday’s practice and interview sessions in Lake Forest.
Kevin White has his quarterback’s attention.
Mitch Trubisky has been pleased with the work White has put in this spring, seemingly determined to make the most of opportunities in the final year of his rookie contract. White was notably terse with reporters two weeks ago in discussing his latest comeback from injury and his uncertain prospects for 2018 and beyond. But with those he is working closely with at Halas Hall, he has been fully engaged.
Trubisky said the 25-year-old receiver has been “really hungry” and working with “a lot of passion.”
“He wants to be coached,” Trubisky added. “He wants me to communicate with him every play — what I see, what he sees. And we’re talking on the field and off the field (about) what he can do to get better.”
It won’t be until September that White can truly attempt to get past the damning numbers that have defined his snakebitten career. He has not caught an NFL touchdown pass. He has more than twice as many games missed because of injury (43) as he has catches (21). And he has had season-ending surgery in each of the past three years.
For now, though, Trubisky knows White can benefit from stacking practice repetitions in the offense the Bears are installing.
“Reps are the key to everything,” Trubisky said. “With this new offense, we all started from the same point and are moving on. ... The more reps he can get, the better. It’s definitely nice to see and we’ve got to keep improving that chemistry.”
Praise continues to flow for offensive line coach Harry Hiestand.
Hiestand was one of the most significant and perhaps underappreciated additions of the offseason, returning to the Bears after spending the past six seasons at Notre Dame. Widely respected around the sport, Hiestand has made a strong early impression on his linemen.
Asked what will be different for the line in 2018, left tackle Charles Leno singled out Hiestand.
“He’s the difference,” Leno said. “He’s going to push us. He’s going to make sure we’re working every single day. Everybody’s coming to work every single day grinding, trying to get better at something.”
Hiestand is a stickler for details who also constantly stresses the importance of incremental improvement. Leno needed no time to identify Hiestand’s greatest strength.
dwiederer@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @danwiederer
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Copyright © 2018, Chicago Tribune
Dan Wiederer Dan WiedererContact ReporterChicago Tribune
The Bears have reached the end of their spring program with one final minicamp practice scheduled for Thursday at Halas Hall. In many years, the head coach has either canceled or significantly abbreviated that final session to reward players for their investment over the previous two-plus months.
In the meantime, here’s what we learned from Wednesday’s practice and interview sessions in Lake Forest.
Kevin White has his quarterback’s attention.
Mitch Trubisky has been pleased with the work White has put in this spring, seemingly determined to make the most of opportunities in the final year of his rookie contract. White was notably terse with reporters two weeks ago in discussing his latest comeback from injury and his uncertain prospects for 2018 and beyond. But with those he is working closely with at Halas Hall, he has been fully engaged.
Trubisky said the 25-year-old receiver has been “really hungry” and working with “a lot of passion.”
“He wants to be coached,” Trubisky added. “He wants me to communicate with him every play — what I see, what he sees. And we’re talking on the field and off the field (about) what he can do to get better.”
It won’t be until September that White can truly attempt to get past the damning numbers that have defined his snakebitten career. He has not caught an NFL touchdown pass. He has more than twice as many games missed because of injury (43) as he has catches (21). And he has had season-ending surgery in each of the past three years.
For now, though, Trubisky knows White can benefit from stacking practice repetitions in the offense the Bears are installing.
“Reps are the key to everything,” Trubisky said. “With this new offense, we all started from the same point and are moving on. ... The more reps he can get, the better. It’s definitely nice to see and we’ve got to keep improving that chemistry.”
Praise continues to flow for offensive line coach Harry Hiestand.
Hiestand was one of the most significant and perhaps underappreciated additions of the offseason, returning to the Bears after spending the past six seasons at Notre Dame. Widely respected around the sport, Hiestand has made a strong early impression on his linemen.
Asked what will be different for the line in 2018, left tackle Charles Leno singled out Hiestand.
“He’s the difference,” Leno said. “He’s going to push us. He’s going to make sure we’re working every single day. Everybody’s coming to work every single day grinding, trying to get better at something.”
Hiestand is a stickler for details who also constantly stresses the importance of incremental improvement. Leno needed no time to identify Hiestand’s greatest strength.
“He cares,” Leno said. “He cares so much. He wants you to succeed.”
dwiederer@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @danwiederer
Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2018, Chicago Tribune
