Spring Practice Begins

The Bears started their spring practice on Saturday in some pretty dreary weather. Given that practices are closed to the public, and that I fall into the category, I can only really provide highlights based on what the media is reporting. Perhaps I can sneak in pretending to be Andrew Kim from the Daily Cal. I doubt they’d really notice the difference.

Anyway, Jonathan Okanes went into pretty good detail highlight some of the past weekend’s performances. The Bear Insider also has a few tidbits.

Here are some of the highlights with my thoughts.

Perhaps the biggest question on everyone’s mind is how the QB battle between Riley/Mansion/Sweeney has been going. Riley was mysteriously absent from Saturday’s practice, until it was revealed that he was simply attending his brother’s wedding, before returning to participate in Sunday’s practice. I’m guessing it was pretty popular weekend for weddings, as I attended one myself. BTW, congrats Jon and Jen!

As for each QB’s performances, Riley was reportedly pretty sharp on Sunday, showing good zip and accuracy on his passes. I’ve heard conflicting things about Mansion and Sweeney, both making both good and poor passes. Again, that’s very much to be expected this early on in Spring practice. All three QBs have a lot of time to move up or down the coach’s mental depth chart. Expect Riley to still get the bulk of the first team snaps though.

Jahvid Best appears to be feeling a lot better in his rehab and says he’ll be lobbying to get back to practice by the end of spring ball. Uh huh. Right.

Just going to say this now, ain’t no way in hell Tedford’s letting that happen. Tedford would rather let Recruiting Assistant Kevin Parker take snaps at tailback before letting that happen.

You know, the guy with rope who goes more ballistic than any player any time a crazy play is made. Watch for him at 0:18 mark after Vereen’s catch last year.




The depth chart is shaping up the way I imagined it to. Keep in mind that this doesn’t include starters and potential starters (RB Jahvid Best, NT Derrick Hill, WR Michael Calvin) who are being held out of Spring ball due to injury.

1st Team Offense
QB: Kevin Riley (1st)
HB: Shane Vereen (1st)
FB: Brian Holley
WR: Nyan Boateng, Jeremy Ross, Verran Tucker, Marvin Jones, Alex Lagemann, Charles Satchell
LT: Mike Tepper
LG: Mark Boskovich
C: Chris Guarnero
RG: Richard Fischer
RT: Mitchell Schwartz
TE: Tad Smith

1st Team Defense
RE: Tyson Alualu
LE: Cameron Jordan
NT: Kendrick Payne
WOLB: Mychal Kendricks
ILB: Mike Mohammed
ILB: Devin Bishop
SOLB: Eddie young
SS: Marcus Ezeff
FS: Brent Johnson
CB: Syd’Quan Thompson
CB: Darian Hagan

Keep in mind that there was a lot of rotation going on, particularly at the guard spots as well as with the wide receivers. Again, while a few positions appear to be locks, don’t be too surprised if this depth chart looks different from how it will be, come Cal’s open scrimmage.

I must say though it is a bit reassuring to see so many familiar names, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. Other than the departing senior linebackers, all the defensive starters return which is really exciting if you think about it.

After all the talk about Josh Hill and Marc Antony challenging Hagan for the other CB spot, I’m surprised it wasn’t noted they got second team reps. It appears Conte and Nnabuife split those reps evenly.

Michael Calvin has apparently cut his hair, which will even further make it difficult for some fans to differentiate the receivers without the names on the back of the jerseys. The long hair looks to be on its way out with Follett, Mohammed all having taken on cleaner looks in recent years. Mitchell Schwartz, you’re next.

(Shave those sideburns Mattingly!)

Speaking of receivers, both Alex Lagemann and Marvin Jones caught some nice long bombs from Mansion on Saturday. That’s good to hear, considering both players’ injuries which sidelined them last year. It’d be interesting to see what both are really capable of when healthy.