Thread: Barber Impresses, FA signees practice

Originally Posted by jimmors

sounds good, lets hope this translates to real games.

amen to that jimmors

Practice report: New arrival Barber sets tone

August, 4, 2011Aug 4
11:31
PM CT

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By Michael C. Wright

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. -- Ratification of the new collective bargaining agreement allowed Chicago’s group of unrestricted free agent acquisitions to finally join their teammates Thursday night on the practice fields at Olivet Nazarene University.
Here’s a look at how the new additions performed during the session.:
Roy Williams: Williams worked with the first team through the majority of practice alongside Devin Hester. Williams ran crisp routes, displayed soft hands, and appeared to be faster than most expected. Williams slipped a couple of times early in practice. But in one-on-one drills Williams caught a slant route over Charles Tillman in one of the more physical matchups of the drill.
Williams also dropped a pass in 7-on-7 drills, but appeared to play better as the workout progressed.
Toward the end of practice, Williams tweaked a calf muscle, but it didn’t appear to be serious.
“I’m just getting old,” Williams joked.
Interestingly, though, Williams and Johnny Knox play the same position. Williams took the majority of the first-team reps throughout the practice, while Knox spent some time with the second group. Bears coach Lovie Smith said not to read too much into different lineups on the field at training camp, but the Williams-Knox situation is worth keeping an eye on.
Marion Barber: A fresh-legged Barber lived up to the “Marion the Barbarian” moniker during 9-on-7 drills, and even Smith said the running back “set the tone” with his physical play. During individual running back plays, Barber drew loud crowd reaction by a display of brute strength when he nearly toppled over a blocking sled during a step-and-punch drill.
Barber followed that by arguably the most exciting play of practice. On an off-tackle handoff, Barber barreled into a crowd, broke out, and clubbed Winston Venable out of the way before spinning the ball on the ground at the end of the run. The run prompted cheers from the crowd, as safety Chris Harris jokingly crawled on his knee towards Marion after the run. Smith, meanwhile, giddily ran back toward the huddle laughing at the end of the play.
It wasn’t all positive for Barber, however. Darting through the secondary on a run up the middle, Barber had the ball poked loose by a safety with the defense recovering.
Sam Hurd: Made a couple of acrobatic catches during the individual period, but also did pushups on occasion after dropping a couple of passes. Hurd received some reps with the starters during 7 on 7 and team drills. Lined up against Tim Jennings during 1 on 1s, Hurd watched a couple of balls thrown fairly high sail through his hands. During team drills, another high pass slipped through his hands with Craig Steltz coming up with the interception. Like Williams, Hurd seemed to improve as the practice progressed.
Chris Spencer: Received most of his action during the early 9-on-7 period, and displayed the athleticism he’s been touted for. Spencer’s propensity for nastiness had been scrutinized prior to his arrival, but the center looked tenacious on a few running plays during inside drills. Offensive-line coach Mike Tice said the plan was to gradually ease in Spencer, who spent Thursday night working with the second team.
Vernon Gholston: Gholston’s first night drew praise from Smith, who raved about the defensive end’s quickness. Gholston chased down Kahlil Bell on an outside run during 9-on-7 drills, and stopped the running back for a loss. But Barber ruined Gholston’s good play by smashing into the defensive end and knocking him back, before the running back broke through a pile of would-be tacklers. During one-on-ones between the offensive and defensive linemen, Gholston seemed to get the best of tackle Frank Omiyale throughout the drill.
Amobi Okoye: No surprises from Okoye, who similar to Gholston, put his quickness on display while working with both the starters and second team. Bears guard/center Roberto Garza struggled some plays to contain Okoye, who constantly seemed to get decent penetration during individual matchups between the offensive and defensive lines.
Matt Spaeth: Spaeth caught a pass later in practice during team drills, but obviously, that’s not why the Bears signed him. The team acquired him to block, and that’s exactly what he did on a running play during team drills. The tight end pancaked rookie Chris Conte, knocking the safety flat on his back.
Adam Podlesh: The new punter actually spent time covering kickoffs on the scout team as the Bears worked on their kickoff returns. The team didn’t spend time punting, so Podlesh didn’t get a chance to showcase his punting leg.

Some great stuff here JD!

I always loved the way Barber punished tacklers throughout his career. If he's got his legs and his power back it should be bye bye Chester time. Barber isn't that big but he runs big. I noticed Kalihil Bell added some weight offseason too so he's now the same size as Barber. Should be some interesting competition for the RB spots.

Nice to hear some positives on Williams speed and route running skills. Both he an Hurd will be nice additions if they can make those go up and get it catches off the high fastballs Cutler likes to throw sometimes.

I'm not so much worried about whether or not Gholston can play the run well. Izzy is a real good run defender. I want to see Gholston turn on those pass rush skills he showed off in college. With his speed and smaller stature he could be a real problem for some of the bigger, slower, less athletic RT's he'll probably be facing if he makes the team.

I think Okoye will be a huge addtion to the interior of the Dline. Denver is desperate for DT's and they wanted this guy in the worst way but couldn't land him. This was a great move on our part. You don't often see guys like this come free like he did.

Originally Posted by soulman

Some great stuff here JD!

I always loved the way Barber punished tacklers throughout his career. If he's got his legs and his power back it should be bye bye Chester time. Barber isn't that big but he runs big. I noticed Kalihil Bell added some weight offseason too so he's now the same size as Barber. Should be some interesting competition for the RB spots.

Nice to hear some positives on Williams speed and route running skills. Both he an Hurd will be nice additions if they can make those go up and get it catches off the high fastballs Cutler likes to throw sometimes.

I'm not so much worried about whether or not Gholston can play the run well. Izzy is a real good run defender. I want to see Gholston turn on those pass rush skills he showed off in college. With his speed and smaller stature he could be a real problem for some of the bigger, slower, less athletic RT's he'll probably be facing if he makes the team.

I think Okoye will be a huge addtion to the interior of the Dline. Denver is desperate for DT's and they wanted this guy in the worst way but couldn't land him. This was a great move on our part. You don't often see guys like this come free like he did.

I too was pleased with what I read. I think the two guys who need to be most worried about losing their jobs are Harrison and Taylor, since we have brought in players who will easily replace them. We have a chance to have a really special defense this year, especially with the front seven and with Chris Harris at safety, who always plays out of his mind.

Matt Spaeth impresses me. I'm sure he is more than capable of catching a pass, but putting a pancake block on Conte like that, despite the fact that Conte is a rookie, really shows that we were committed to upgrading the blocking prowess of the TE position. Add to that that we resigned Desmond Clark, and we probably upgraded from last year's TE situation more than anyone up to this point has really given a thought about.

I'm pleased with Wootten, but then that's no surprise because he has shown promise ever since the Bears drafted him a couple of years ago. Vernon Gholston seems intriguing. I can't say that I really am disappointed in his play against Marion Barber because Barber probably has, or had, the stuff to at one time be a Pro Bowl RB. (I think that, without looking it up, Marion Barber has rushed for over 1,000 yards before.) He's a load, and he packs a punch. I'm sure that with time, Gholston will win his share of battles with Barber. He is a former Buckeye, after all ;)

I'll save the best for last, and you know what it's going to be - Marion Barber. For once, the Bears are going to have a competent 1-2 punch at running back. I hate to say this for Chester Taylor because it's as if you don't play well in a given year, people hate on you, but I think Father Time has finally caught up with him. I don't see him being retained by the Bears this season. In fact, I would be surprised if his contract is picked up by any team out there. His career may, essentially, be over.

Originally Posted by Dagan81

I too was pleased with what I read. I think the two guys who need to be most worried about losing their jobs are Harrison and Taylor, since we have brought in players who will easily replace them. We have a chance to have a really special defense this year, especially with the front seven and with Chris Harris at safety, who always plays out of his mind.

Matt Spaeth impresses me. I'm sure he is more than capable of catching a pass, but putting a pancake block on Conte like that, despite the fact that Conte is a rookie, really shows that we were committed to upgrading the blocking prowess of the TE position. Add to that that we resigned Desmond Clark, and we probably upgraded from last year's TE situation more than anyone up to this point has really given a thought about.

I'm pleased with Wootten, but then that's no surprise because he has shown promise ever since the Bears drafted him a couple of years ago. Vernon Gholston seems intriguing. I can't say that I really am disappointed in his play against Marion Barber because Barber probably has, or had, the stuff to at one time be a Pro Bowl RB. (I think that, without looking it up, Marion Barber has rushed for over 1,000 yards before.) He's a load, and he packs a punch. I'm sure that with time, Gholston will win his share of battles with Barber. He is a former Buckeye, after all ;)

I'll save the best for last, and you know what it's going to be - Marion Barber. For once, the Bears are going to have a competent 1-2 punch at running back. I hate to say this for Chester Taylor because it's as if you don't play well in a given year, people hate on you, but I think Father Time has finally caught up with him. I don't see him being retained by the Bears this season. In fact, I would be surprised if his contract is picked up by any team out there. His career may, essentially, be over.

I can see our RB punch being Nasty with Matt and Marion. Bad enough you'll get tired of trying to snag Forte, but he doesn't go down to easy either. Then when he's spelled and Barber comes in, damn, hate to be on the other side of the football with either one of running at me.

Honestly at first, the Greg Olsen trade really irritated me, as I thought with signing Williams it gave Jay another big target to throw too and grew into being a decent blocker. Certainly needed more work there, but had improved over the years. If our TE isn't going to be a factor then we made the right move, just thought we would have gotten more in return.

Sorry Chester, but I think you time in a Bears uni is short lived. If Marion Barber can be anything he was before last season Kahlil Bell will play special teams, you don't fit. But good luck and I hope someone snags you up!