Sounds like the veteran D players were no-shows at OTAs

JABF
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Sounds like the veteran D players were no-shows at OTAs Jun 2, 2021 20:08:01 GMT -6 bears40 likes this

Post by JABF on Jun 2, 2021 20:08:01 GMT -6

Only 1 veteran showed today (Roquan Smith). Holy crap, we have a new D coordinator and defense - and one vet shows up to practice? What's up with that? I get it that it's voluntary. But 1 guy? Cmon.

They talked about how in recent years we've had close to 100% attendance at OTAs by the D. What the heck is going on THIS year?

The offense had really good attendance though. It was good to hear that. Getting back to the defense guys not showing up, it was comical (in a sick way) to watch Nagy's pressor as he did the dance around the D situation. He was happy with the O guys showing up. He said he was happy Roquan showed up. But he opened up the pressor saying how he was so glad the Zoom "practices" were over... but when pressed about the D not showing up he circles around and says how "meaningful" the D practices are on Zoom now. LOL, what a total load of crap. I wish he had just been honest and said he understands these are voluntary practices - but he wished the players were here. Just be honest about it. If the Zoom defense practices are so good, then why not just Zoom the offense? Or even Zoom the entire summer training camp & preseason games - and just show up for the first regular season game :-)

He looked a bit clueless... like an old Lovie Smith pressor.

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Last Edit: Jun 2, 2021 20:21:26 GMT -6 by JABF

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Sounds like the veteran D players were no-shows at OTAs Jun 2, 2021 20:33:08 GMT -6 bears40 likes this

Post by JABF on Jun 2, 2021 20:33:08 GMT -6

This was in the Tribune article about it.

LINK

Only 1 Chicago Bears defensive starter shows up for OTAs at Halas Hall — creating plenty of questions about the challenges ahead for 1st-year coordinator Sean Desai

... So many guys were out, the team had three defensive linemen in uniform and only the most earnest of Bears fans could pick one of them out of a lineup. Seventh-round pick Khyiris Tonga, undrafted rookie Daniel Archibong and LaCale London, an undrafted free agent from 2020 who did not see the field as a rookie, were it for new defensive line coach Chris Rumph.The NFLPA pushed for players to opt out of voluntary OTAs this spring. They’ve always been voluntary, and the Bears have traditionally had excellent attendance nearing 100% daily. Most teams have experienced greater attendance figures in the last week, and it’s worth noting Bears coach Matt Nagy reduced OTAs from three weeks to two, turning last week into more strength and conditioning and “class on the grass.” Right tackle Germain Ifedi called that move a “good balance” for the players, and certainly the strong attendance by offensive players reflected that.

The point is with nearly all of Desai’s top players not present, it created a ton of questions in regard to how much teaching he and the new members of his staff have been able to accomplish for a unit that took a step back in 2020 and needs to improve this season.

But they have a defense they’ll be counting on in a big way in 2021, and on the first day media could observe action this spring, nearly the entire group was nowhere to be found.

You at least have to consider this when listening to the Bears discuss the culture being constructed in the building because, in the past at least, the biggest draw for players to attend wasn’t necessarily an offseason bonus but the fact they held each other accountable. It was more difficult to explain to teammates why a player was missing a day than it was to coaches.

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Last Edit: Jun 2, 2021 20:38:08 GMT -6 by JABF

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butkus3595
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Sounds like the veteran D players were no-shows at OTAs Jun 3, 2021 8:32:41 GMT -6 MartianBearsFan and rosto17 like this

Post by butkus3595 on Jun 3, 2021 8:32:41 GMT -6

Eh...this isn't too surprising. These guys all know Desai...he's not new to the staff. I imagine they all know the verbiage he's going to use...scheme is scheme. It's not like an offense where meshing all the parts together in practice is super important. A defense can up to speed on the playbook pretty quickly.

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brasilbear
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Sounds like the veteran D players were no-shows at OTAs Jun 3, 2021 10:52:18 GMT -6 butkus3595, tragicslip, and 1 more like this

Post by brasilbear on Jun 3, 2021 10:52:18 GMT -6

This is one of the few ways the players can declare their independence from the team controlling everything. The NFLPA isn't going to so it.

They are OTAs. Do I wish they were there sure. We'll see going forward that more players will do this.

Unless there is a bonus related to OTAs, players need to balance the line between player interests and team interests.

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Last Edit: Jun 3, 2021 10:53:02 GMT -6 by brasilbear

Link to a site that replays full games. Don't know how long it will be up:

fullmatchtv.com/?s=Bears

chitown-bears.com/thread/7525/jalen-carter-thread

davidl
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Sounds like the veteran D players were no-shows at OTAs Jun 6, 2021 11:56:33 GMT -6 bears40 likes this

Post by davidl on Jun 6, 2021 11:56:33 GMT -6

These guys don't respect their new DC enough to even show up for OTA. This is very unusual. Normally, attendance is very high. Says something about this wonderful "culture" on this team that management brags about in press conferences.

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mpbears68 Hall of Famer Posts: 8,616 Likes: 10,915	Sounds like the veteran D players were no-shows at OTAs Jun 6, 2021 14:26:10 GMT -6 Post by mpbears68 on Jun 6, 2021 14:26:10 GMT -6 No biggie Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top

bears40
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Sounds like the veteran D players were no-shows at OTAs Jun 6, 2021 17:11:14 GMT -6

Post by bears40 on Jun 6, 2021 17:11:14 GMT -6

Jun 6, 2021 11:56:33 GMT -6 davidl said:

These guys don't respect their new DC enough to even show up for OTA. This is very unusual. Normally, attendance is very high. Says something about this wonderful "culture" on this team that management brags about in press conferences.

And what’s this say to Fields and the other rookies.

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davidl
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Sounds like the veteran D players were no-shows at OTAs Jun 6, 2021 19:14:44 GMT -6

Post by davidl on Jun 6, 2021 19:14:44 GMT -6

Jun 6, 2021 17:11:14 GMT -6 bears40 said:

Jun 6, 2021 11:56:33 GMT -6 davidl said:

These guys don't respect their new DC enough to even show up for OTA. This is very unusual. Normally, attendance is very high. Says something about this wonderful "culture" on this team that management brags about in press conferences.

And what’s this say to Fields and the other rookies.

Except for ARob, the offense has been showing up for OTA. This is all about those high-priced defensive starters.

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Sounds like the veteran D players were no-shows at OTAs Jun 6, 2021 20:42:31 GMT -6

Post by JABF on Jun 6, 2021 20:42:31 GMT -6

While I wish they had showed up at OTAs, I get it that it's contractually their option to not be involved in this particular part of the off-season. After thinking about this for a few days I can see their side of this too. It's a long brutal season that takes a toll already - and also this season is going to add another regular season game. Dazz Newsome just broke his collarbone and had to have fairly significant surgery. It drives home the point that maybe a seasoned veteran would choose to not voluntarily participate in something like this. Yeah, I wish they'd all shown up, but I guess I do understand the other side to this.

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Last Edit: Jun 6, 2021 20:44:04 GMT -6 by JABF

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davidl
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Sounds like the veteran D players were no-shows at OTAs Jun 7, 2021 8:40:48 GMT -6 MartianBearsFan likes this

Post by davidl on Jun 7, 2021 8:40:48 GMT -6

Jun 6, 2021 20:42:31 GMT -6 JABF said:

While I wish they had showed up at OTAs, I get it that it's contractually their option to not be involved in this particular part of the off-season. After thinking about this for a few days I can see their side of this too. It's a long brutal season that takes a toll already - and also this season is going to add another regular season game. Dazz Newsome just broke his collarbone and had to have fairly significant surgery. It drives home the point that maybe a seasoned veteran would choose to not voluntarily participate in something like this. Yeah, I wish they'd all shown up, but I guess I do understand the other side to this.

I disagree. Injuries are part of the risk of being an NFL player. If you want to win a Super Bowl, you show up for OTA to learn the defense under the new DC. Other teams defenses are doing it, and so should the Bears. If I had a contract with my employer for $$$millions, I would do everything I could to justify their investment in me, and just act like a real professional. The offensive team on the Bears is doing it, and so should the defense.

NO EXCUSES!!

End of rant.

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Last Edit: Jun 7, 2021 8:41:44 GMT -6 by davidl

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Sounds like the veteran D players were no-shows at OTAs

Post by JABF on Jun 2, 2021 20:08:01 GMT -6

Post by JABF on Jun 2, 2021 20:33:08 GMT -6

Post by butkus3595 on Jun 3, 2021 8:32:41 GMT -6

Post by brasilbear on Jun 3, 2021 10:52:18 GMT -6

Post by davidl on Jun 6, 2021 11:56:33 GMT -6

Post by mpbears68 on Jun 6, 2021 14:26:10 GMT -6

Post by bears40 on Jun 6, 2021 17:11:14 GMT -6

Post by davidl on Jun 6, 2021 19:14:44 GMT -6

Post by JABF on Jun 6, 2021 20:42:31 GMT -6

Post by davidl on Jun 7, 2021 8:40:48 GMT -6