The Bears’ defensive backs are under attack. They’re dealing with receivers’ long, outstretched arms. Their agility and quickness to box out. Their leaping ability and speed. They’re getting a good idea during training camp of what the Bears’ new-look offense wants to do to opponents: get after them relentlessly with three big receivers in Brandon Marshall (6-4, 230 pounds) and Alshon Jeffery (6-3, 216) and tight end Martellus Bennett (6-6, 265). Few teams can throw that many big and mobile targets at a defense at one time. Or as veteran defensive back Kelvin Hayden put it, “We’ve got some trees out there.” And those “trees” play with an edge, an aggressive bravado that can be infuriating. Take all the scrums with Bennett last week as an example. “[Bennett’s] a guy that’s maybe 6-4, 6-5. Me being 5-11, there’s a disadvantage right there,” said Hayden, who tussled with Bennett last week. “There’s going to be mismatches come this season.” Coach Marc Trestman calls his offense one “that’s got to get the right matchups.” Numerous formations, personnel groupings and plenty of motion will be used to get that for Marshall, Jeffery and Bennett. Trestman will force nickel backs, safeties and linebackers to guard them. “If I’m on the other side of the ball, it’s more about technique than anything else,” Trestman said. “Your techniques have to be perfect to cover a guy like that, and then it’s about a contested throw, getting a hand in and running through him and getting the things done that you have to do fundamentally to get it done.” The secondary is arguably the Bears’ biggest strength on defense. There are concerns about the depth of the defensive line, and Lance Briggs is the only starting linebacker returning. But the secondary returns Pro Bowl cornerbacks Tim Jennings and Charles Tillman, solid young safeties Chris Conte and Major Wright and veteran Hayden at nickel back. That’s why what’s happening at training camp is so interesting. Marshall’s arrival last season, the free-agent signing of Bennett, the continuous improvement of Jeffery and Trestman’s system have made the battles in the secondary the best to watch. The Bears’ defense dominated early in camp, but the offense gradually has caught up, making “explosive plays,” as Trestman says, with Bennett, Marshall and Jeffery. http://www.suntimes.com/sports/2172...-vs-the-trees-is-the-best-battle-in-camp.html
I wish I was in person to see this battle. Two pro bowl corners against one of the top 5 receivers in the game and two big, tall and physical receivers in Jefferey and M. Bennett.
