Latest news with #DennisAllen
CBS News
a day ago
- Sport
- CBS News
Jaquan Brisker has no problem with braving heat in Bears training camp
The Chicago Bears began their second week of training camp Monday wearing a little extra armor in the form of pads, with the temperatures feeling triple-digit thick. But safety Jaquan Brisker is cool with being out in the oppressive heat as he returns to the field after missing the final 12 games of last season. "I think it was hot. I mean, that's what it looked like there," Brisker said. "I feel like the energy wasn't bad, but I feel like, you know, everybody was just trying to get under control." Even on such a hot and muggy day, hitting with pads on for the first time this training camp felt "great" for Brisker. The safety, who has suffered concussions in each of his first three NFL seasons, is healthy and motivated for the season ahead. "All those years I was, you know, having great camps, I just got tweaked, a little injury," said Brisker. "But of course, I want to be out there. I want to play. Obviously, I know what I've got to do this year to stay out there, stay out there during camp, and make sure I finish." Brisker is excited about being a versatile piece used in multiple packages of a new Dennis Allen defense. That side of the ball has been making noise early in camp, and so has new defensive tackle Grady Jarrett. "I like it, though. I like it. I'll say that. He was talking a lot, and you know, I definitely heard, he said: 'I'm not no rookie. I don't know why y'all running over here,'" Brisker said. "I'm like, all right. I like that. OK, let's go." Brisker said he hasn't thought about wearing a guardian cap at practice, but said he did get a new helmet. As for what he wants to prove entering the final year of his rookie deal, Brisker said he wants to play in 21 games this season — counting playoffs and the Super Bowl.
CBS News
2 days ago
- Sport
- CBS News
Sun-Times beat writer Patrick Finley breaks down first week of Chicago Bears training camp
The Chicago Bears will put on the pads for the first time at their practice Monday morning at Halas Hall, following an intense week of practice last week as the team gets used to new head coach Ben Johnson's style. Chicago Sun-Times beat reporter Patrick Finley emphasized the intensity and urgency with which Johnson coaches. "When Ben Johnson got here on the first day on check-in day, he didn't say, 'Boy, we've got see weeks, you know, we'll ease into this thing.' He said: 'It is a race. We need to go,' and that's just a different vibe here. He's got an intelligence and intensity that I think is really refreshing, and it has been all offseason, and now we get to see it on the field," Finley said. "I think the players are reacting to it, and reacting in a really good way. This is a team that really wanted to be coached hard last year, had to beg the last offensive coordinator to coach them hard — and now they're getting it." Finley said the Bears' offense was really bad in the red zone on Friday, but improved Saturday — and progress is critically important. "It's one thing to make a mistake. It's another to keep making it. I think we've seen with Justin Fields and Mitch Trubisky before them that they'll make one mistake and then it keeps going on and on," said Finley. "If they can correct it, that's what I'm looking for, and Saturday was a really good start in that direction." On the defensive side, defensive coordinator Dennis Allen's unit is being talked about as getting different looks every day. "They've been a handful, and you know, there's this old wives' tale that at this time of year, the defense should be winning. But they've been winning, and they've been winning pretty decisively," Finley said. "Part of that is because of the different looks they're giving them. Part of it's by plan too. There is a pressure, time of practice, where they just bring blitzes at Caleb and go, hey, you know, figure it out." Meanwhile, the Bears are also working without cornerback Jaylon Johnson on the defensive side. He suffered a non-football injury during offseason training and will mis several weeks. "To make up for the lack of Jaylon Johnson has been really impressive. I mean, they have Nahshon Wright out there. He's looked good. They're cycling through with Tyrique Stevenson and Terrell Smith," said Finley. "They're going to need that depth at some point in the year, and for them to look pretty decent out there now, that's good stuff." In the week to come, the practices will feel a little more real as the team puts on the pads. Finley said his eye will be on the rookies. "Kyle Monangai — the seventh-round pick out of Rutgers — really curious to see what he does when he has really big guys trying to chase him down. You know, I'll be interested to see what the rookie class can do physically — you know, we saw Colston Loveland on Saturday practicing T-drills for the first time. That's a really good sign," said Finley. "Maybe Luther Burden can be out there next week. Ben Johnson said that he was hopeful on the second-round pick. And then you've got Ozzy Trapilo, who is playing left tackle and cycling through with the starters. All of those guys, once the pads come on, they're going to be really interesting to me."
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
30 Most Important Bears of 2025: Dennis Allen (No. 4)
The Chicago Bears are gearing up for an exciting 2025 NFL season, which features some new faces within the organization poised to get the franchise back to its winning ways. That starts with the hiring of Ben Johnson as head coach, as well as overhauling the interior offensive line, adding pieces on defense and a potenital impactful rookie draft class. Every day from now right up through training camp, we're counting down our 30 Most Important Bears for the 2025 season. We'll recap their 2024 season, look ahead to 2025 and tackle the biggest question facing them this year. Next up at No. 4 is defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, the first coach to make an appearance on the list, who is tasked with getting the most out of a veteran defense. Background Position: Defensive coordinator Age: 52 Experience: 29 years 2025 cap hit: N/A 2024 recap Allen's 2024 season was one to forget for the veteran coach. He entered his third season as the head coach for the New Orleans Saints, and the team seemed to be turning the corner after a 9-8 year in 2023 that almost resulted in a division title. New Orleans had a dependable veteran quarterback in Derek Carr and some talented playmakers with running back Alvin Kamara and wide receiver Chris Olave, but Allen couldn't bring his team to have sustained success. After a 2-7 start to the 2024 season, the Saints fired Allen and turned their attention towards the future. It was Allen's second head coaching stint after spending three and a half years with the (then) Oakland Raiders. 2025 outlook Despite his shortcomings as a head coach, Allen was one of the more highly regarded defensive minds on the market. Prior to taking over for Sean Payton as the Saints head coach, Allen was an excellent defensive coordinator. He got the most out of a number of Pro Bowl players and helped develop stars such as Trey Hendrickson and Marshon Lattimore. The Bears saw the potential to pair Allen with new head coach Ben Johnson to give him a veteran presence to work with, while also providing the defense with a proven coach who can get the most out of the unit. Big question: What will the defense look like under Allen? For the last few seasons, the Bears deployed a relatively standard 4-3 defense under former head coach Matt Eberflus with varying degrees of success. With Allen now leading the group, what exactly will be different? We know Allen prefers to work with bigger defensive linemen and could opt to move players around, such as Dayo Odeyingbo and Gervon Dexter. At linebacker, the Bears may be swapping linebackers TJ Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds to mix things up and disguise coverages, and the secondary will likely feature more man coverage with Jaylon Johnson shadowing top receivers instead of sticking at one spot. Through a few days of camp, the Bears offense is already feeling Allen's defense and what they can do. Hopefully opposing teams will have a similar experience. 30 Most Important Bears of 2025 #30 - RB Roschon Johnson #29 - QB Case Keenum #28 - K Cairo Santos #27 - DT Andrew Billings #26 - CB Tyrique Stevenson #25 - WR Luther Burden III #24 - RG Jonah Jackson #23 - LB Tremaine Edmunds #22 - DE Dayo Odeyingbo #21 - S Kevin Byard #20 - S Jaquan Brisker #19 - LB T.J. Edwards #18 - TE Cole Kmet #17 - DT Grady Jarrett #16 - DT Gervon Dexter #15 - RB D'Andre Swift #14 - TE Colston Loveland #13 - OT Ozzy Trapilo #12 - OT Braxton Jones #11 - WR DJ Moore #10 CB Kyler Gordon #9 - OT Darnell Wright #8 - DE Montez Sweat #7 - C Drew Dalman #6 - CB Jaylon Johnson #5 - WR Rome Odunze #4 - DC Dennis Allen #3 - Coming 7/27 #2 - Coming 7/28 #1 - Coming 7/29 This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 30 Most Important Bears of 2025: Dennis Allen (No. 4)
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dennis Allen says 'it's a privilege' to be on Bears defense
In his first year as the defensive coordinator with the Chicago Bears, veteran coach Dennis Allen isn't holding back with players looking to earn their spot on his starting unit. Matching an intensity shared by head coach Ben Johnson, Allen has already been applauded by his defensive players for his hard-nose coaching style and attention to detail, and he's not giving away roster spots easily. Earlier this week, Allen explained why he's going to be a tough-love style of coach, holding all players accountable every day. In an effort to get the defense on the same page, Allen said he won't shy away from coaching hard during training camp because the players need to understand that being on the defensive unit is a privilege. 'You have to pay the toll," Allen said. "You have to pay the price. It's a privilege to be on this defense. Training camp is going to be difficult.' This new coaching staff is not giving away any spots or opportunities, and after last season where the Bears were severely under-coached, Johnson, Allen, and the entire staff are quickly changing the tone. Hard coaching is what a lot of the Bears players asked for last season, and they're getting it without question. This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears DC Dennis Allen: 'It's a privilege to be on this defense'
CBS News
4 days ago
- Sport
- CBS News
Chicago Bears open training camp gives fans glimpse of new systems
The Chicago Bears held their first open training camp practice, giving fans a glimpse of the new systems being installed. While it's common for defenses to have an edge early on, Dennis Allen's unit has caught the attention of the offensive playmakers. "Not one thing looks the same on that defense," Allen said. Offensive lineman Braxton Jones had a scheduled day off Friday as he continues to recover from ankle surgery. Ozzy Trapito moved into the start spot moved into the starting spot as he competes for the starting left tackle job. Veteran Joe Thuney likes what he's seen from the rookie so far. "He's been doing a great job getting into playbook learning language," he said. "Little details, plays, combination on runs, sees blitzes, does great job, listens a lot. He's been great." The third day of camp included a few more bumps for Caleb Williams, including back-to-back interceptions, but offensive coordinator Declan Doyle said the quarterback's pre-snap process and ability to get in and out of the huddle has improved. It's going to be a process.
