How Bears plan to stay sharp during long lull between training camp and Week 1

How Bears plan to stay sharp during long lull between training camp and Week 1 originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago

LAKE FOREST, Ill. – The Bears have already put in a lot of work this summer. They reported to training camp a week early because of the Hall of Fame game. That game meant they had to participate in four preseason games instead of the typical three. The team finally started to turn the page towards Week 1 preparations on Wednesday with their first practice as a 53-man roster, but it’s still just August 28.

“Feels like 10 weeks since we’ve been here at camp,” said linebacker T.J. Edwards.

Many players have made it clear that they’re feeling the grind of the summer. They’re ready for the regular season and real football. Problem is, the regular season and real football don’t come for another 10 days.

The key for the team to bridge that gap will be to try to stay sharp, while also getting in some R&R to get their bodies and minds in tip-top shape. That will start with a brief break for the players over the weekend.

“That’s gonna be golf for me,” said Edwards. “I’m gonna get out there and hang out and go shoot like 120 or something. I’ll have a good time doing it.”

The team can’t lose focus, however. The end of training camp feels like a finish line, but of course they’re really just pulling into the starting blocks.

Head coach Matt Eberflus said the team took care to make sure their schedule helped the players make that transition from summer program to regular season preparations.

“The strength and conditioning performance has been a big part of that over these last few days while these cuts have been being made,” Eberflus said. “We’ve done a really good job with that. With the mental side of it, also getting the walkthroughs. (Wednesday) is a big part of it and (Thursday) as well. You just have to stay sharp, you know, your conditioning, staying healthy, and staying sharp mentally.”

This isn’t the only time…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/bears-plan-stay-sharp-during-223907874.html

Author : NBC Sports Chicago

Publish date : 2024-08-28 22:39:07

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