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Rookie camp is basically showing them around the campus, getting equipment, teaching formation and basic play languages, and then seeing how well they can retain instruction in drills. The veterans had camp, so they are a step ahead. They want the rookies up to speed so when they all meet they are green light.

Well what will happen to Kmet is definitely just my opinion - but that he has underperformed, and not put that kind of shaking a defender or making contested catches on tape is a fact. We can say he will (or wont) do those things better with better coaching and gameplan, but I never saw anything at the top of his route that was crisp or put fear in the heart of a DB or LB that was covering him? A TE is supposed to be a big guy who moves athletically. Hes a mismatch because he is a real WR, even if not a 4.4 speed, and he can use his big body to get open west coast style with body position, or with twitch at the top of his route (meaning, where he breaks) Kmet is big, but he hasnt really shown more athleticism for the position, in my opinion, than Wright would if he lined up at TE. Kmet is a big guy, but he isnt special running routes. All his catches are wide open in broken zones, or after Caleb is scrambling. I dont see Kmet as a threat in rhythm in the passing game.

OK, cool - it's just I usually say "thats why i think" or "it looks like" or some kind of qualifier. When you say "He is not going to be playing the inline TE role" it sounds like such a definitive statement, and it makes me think "well you dont know that" - I'll try to read those as opinion in the future. And in the case of Cole, I'm totally bendable. I do say hes a good player, and has a chance to play himself back into the light. It's not as definitive for me as it was when I started saying "Eberflus sucks 100% he needs to be fired" or something like that. THAT was just true, we all got there eventually.

Yeah you cant really judge how they will be in live fire - strength and all that - but it is a good chance for the coaches to work on positioning, and the mental side of the game. One thing we seldom talk about, but it really important, is teaching the blocking rules to the players. They have to all be reading the same way on an outside zone blocking scheme (for example), or you end up with unintentional double teams, and also someone coming free. We've had serious problems with assignments and stuff like that for a LONG time. I hate seeing Bears OL players just standing in space looking around with no one to block. That's usually a blown assignment. This is something the players and coaches can work on this time of year. Having Roushar, and even just getting rid of Morgan is a huge step forward for us. I heard Coach Johnson talk about needing smart players on the OL, and this is where that really makes a difference - in processing what youre seeing the same way your teammates do, so you can all get the right guy. If we can consistently identify and move guys on the OL, we are gonna win a lot of games. That's the core that makes everything else work. And knowing who to block is a huge part of that - especially in complex systems. BJ runs all kinds of different running systems. Most teams are either inside zone, outside zone or power schemes. Most dont run multiple blocking rule sets. We apparently do now, and so this time of year is probably doubly important, especially in year one. So I guess you can see whether your players are getting it, at least in terms of the mental part of the game.

I agree with both of you.

4 "short" weeks either after MNF, or leading into the FRI or SAT games. Right now it looks like no more than back to back weeks at home or on the road.

So has the first game of the year info been released? I didnt see that.

I get it, that's your opinion and some people disagree with it. Very soon all projections will be answered.

He will have a few snaps there as you say to change things up but he is BJs new weapon and he will play where he can get the most out of him. Its just an opinion on projection . Just like you saying Cole could be traded midseason.

The only thing you can rely on is game tape of you are looking for situational play. You're correct in stating that the physical stuff is proven in pads. Guys in basic training look like all stars until the bullets start flying.

I like weeks 8 or 9 to help with any nagging injuries any players may have. We have a better understanding on who is playing where and how well players are connecting. 5 is way to early.

I admit i didnt word that right. You can see how players move, their ability to learn the information they are given. Delivering a dialogue between position coaches and players. Whether they have the atheleticism to do what are asked og them. How do you judge how a player can handle a bull rush w/o contact? Lots of people look good in underwear. I'll try to find the video where Olin Kreutz talked about what happens in OTAs.

Nice ending! Totally agree. We have college film, combine results and pro days to know if we like a guy. Rookie camp is a chance to see the new fit and test what they can do and learn. Coaches also learn during this time. People have different learning styles, so they must adapt to be better teachers.

This is the offseason. Of course you can't fully judge any of our players until they are actually playing a real game but it's ridiculous to say we, and the coaches, can't learn anything about a player while they are performing drills. Until we get to the games the coaches have no choice but to evaluate them on their form, technique, assignment discipline, etc. from drills and practice. In the past we've seen other Olinemen struggle with position changes (i.e. Kyle Long) and getting their feet, stance, and punch timing right early on in the offseason. The rookie, at this point, is not having similar issues with this transition. Of course I'm basing that off other camp observers not my own but Clay Harbor used to line up next to LTs in the NFL and he knows the expectations and what "good" looks like far better than I do. For me this is a positive start for the rookie. A rookie I had low expectations for. If there is nothing to learn from these drills why then are coaches wasting their time on them?

Bye is Week 5 ugh. Feels way too early for me. Earliest bye week should be Week 7.

I can see him lined up everywhere, including inline. From inline, they won't expect him to handle any DL, but he can chip and release, release and go in motion. Johnson has a motto, "no block, no rock".

how do you know where they will line him up? my expectation is that they will do all sorts of things with him because he is so flexible.

I think we have milked the Kmet conversation to death now. Weve all said everything we think, and now time will tell. All I can add right now is that I havent seen Kmet shake off defenders, or make contested catches. Maybe he will, but so far he hasnt lived up to his draft status or contract.

Back in January you were saying 2 new OL at most, that you liked what we had on the roster, and I was saying 4. It looks like we are at 3 right now, and likely heading toward 4.

yes, and in the past week or two Ive heard that Trapilo worked at LT after practice throughout his college career to be ready to play LT in the NFL. He's a big athletic guy, if he can take over well at LT, then that would be fantastic. Also as you say, we have Amagadje in the mix. Im ignoring all his film from last year, since he went from injury right into the fire without any preparation. So I think of him as a 3rd round rookie basically, or maybe even a third rounder who was redshirted. he will have his chance to compete too.

Just seen an offical post that we are not playing on Christmas day. So I am going with the release tonight to get the real truth.

No one can judge OL or DL until the pads are on and they have contact.

Heard there was video out there and there was some contact, which is a no no. But I am happy he is looking smooth and we get the best LT out of the 3 we have competing.

Players were just wearing shorts and t-shirts but based on what Clay Harbor and a couple others have said about rookie minicamp Trapilo surprised them with how good his pass pro form was at LT, smooth and quick in his sets. That's it, that's about all you can get out of a rookie minicamp with no contact and no playbook. Concerns that he won't look natural at LT after playing at RT seem to be gone. Next we'll add in Kiran during the OTAs and see how he's doing but this battle looks to be off to a good start.