Bears vs Dolphins: Joint practice recap Day 1
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By: Lester A. Wiltfong Jr.
The Chicago Bears open their preseason slate on Saturday at noon (CT) against the Miami Dolphins, so the Dolphins flew in early this week to get in some joint practices against the Bears at Halas Hall. There was a weather delay during today’s practice, but the two teams waited things out and got all their work in.
The theme form today’s practice was clearly defense, as that side of the ball came out on top most of the day. Reports have the Bears defensive line/pass rush dominating, but Miami’s d-line was making quick work of Chicago’s patch-work offensive line. For those scoring at home, here’s how the Bears lined up from left to right; Elijah Wilkinson (LT), Cody Whitehair (LG), Sam Mustipher (C), Alex Bars (RG), and Lachavious Simmons (RT). Wilkinson recently came off the reserve/COVID-19 list and Simmons is just back from being in concussion protocol. Neither tackle should be projected to start week one, but with Teven Jenkins (back) and Germain Ifedi (hip) still sidelined, the Bears are forced to play with what they got.
Chicago’s other injured players remained the same, with the only two additions being wide out Allen Robinson who sat out with a hamstring, and knee soreness prompted Danny Trevathan to get the day off as well.
Former Bears coach Brad Childress was at practice today as was former NFL quarterbacks Alex Smith and Dan Marino.
Let’s check in on Twitter to see what was happening today.
It’ll be good to get some perspective from out-of-town beat reporters, so we’ll mix a few of their takes in with the usual Chicago Tweets.
I really like the way Justin Fields is getting the ball out there. He appears to be the real deal.
— David Furones (@DavidFurones_) August 11, 2021
The Justin Fields and Jon’Vea Johnson connection is real. The 2 best throws from the QB came to Johnson today. Both on the money and one from about 45ish yards. Impressive stuff. #Bears
— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) August 11, 2021
Tua carved up the Bears in red zone 7-on-7. He was very sharp, but he admitted seeing pressure in his face changed the game and changed the nature of practice. Bears have a very good D-line. Miami’s O-line has some work to do.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) August 11, 2021
Practice ended up moving outside. The #Bears defense put a lot of pressure on Tua Tagovailoa throughout the session. Khalil Mack was problem. Hicks and Nichols looked good too. Allen Robinson ended up not practicing today after the rain. Alex Smith was there as a guest.
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) August 11, 2021
– The Bears’ starting defense had a few lapses in red zone during 7-on-7 drills. There were WRs and TEs that were open
– Tre Roberson made a few good plays today
– Bilal Nichols picked up a fumble from Tua Tagovailoa and dunked it in the takeaway bucket— Nicholas Moreano (@NicholasMoreano) August 11, 2021
These 3 notes illustrate what the practice looked like.
Tua is sacked on first rep of 11-on-11 outside. Eichenberg was in his lap.
Pocket collapses on Tua again. He’s holding the ball too long.
Tua sacked again. Series was so ugly Tua talked to the O-linemen along sideline.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) August 11, 2021
Dolphins rookie S Jevon Holland got INTs on Fields & Dalton today. Andy Dalton says of Miami’s defense, “There’s a lot of in-your-face man coverage. It’s great for our guys to get that.”
— Jason Lieser (@JasonLieser) August 11, 2021
First joint practice between the Bears-Dolphins has concluded. I spent it watching the Dolphins offense vs. the Bears defense. We’ll have plenty of takeaways up later but two main things here:
1. Khalil Mack is a game-wrecker.
2. WR Mack Hollins was a problem for Bears D.
— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) August 11, 2021
Minor scuffle in Bears-Dolphins practice today. No other issues from what I saw. https://t.co/cgbTjCnCHV
— Jason Lieser (@JasonLieser) August 11, 2021
#Bears QB Andy Dalton forgot to send a man in motion in practice yesterday. Matt Nagy said it was his first mental error of camp.
“I expect to have zero,” Dalton said.— Patrick Finley (@patrickfinley) August 11, 2021
