Lake Forest, Illinois — The Chicago Bears’ mandatory minicamp has officially concluded, and one of the big topics over the last three days has been the secondary’s performance, which includes some continuity and new faces.
The Bears will return four starters beginning in 2023, with veteran Kevin Byard joining them from the Philadelphia Eagles and Tennessee Titans last season. As he prepares to join his third team, Byard has played a lot of high-level football. From the Bears’ standpoint, he’s the ideal low-risk, high-reward veteran to add to an ascending team that contains many second- and third-year players.
Byard’s running partner, Jaquan Brisker, sees both meshing and making an effect early. With two flexible backend options, Chicago will be able to stack the box, play a variety of coverages, and give opposition offenses varied looks throughout the game.
“KB has a lot of football IQ, a lot of veteran football IQ that he has brought to the team,” Brisker stated. “We’ve both played free and powerful safety throughout our careers. The quarterback has no idea where we’re heading because we’re just playing left and right. It just gives a new appearance.”
Despite Matt Eberflus keeping playcalling duties, the defense’s backend will appear different as it transitions under new defensive coordinator Eric Washington. Byard’s seasoned experience will allow Chicago to deploy Brisker into the box as an extra run defender or off the edge as a possible blitzer while employing a Cover-1 scheme.
“It’s going to be hard to know what coverage we’re in,” Brisker stated. “Having us both move left and right, we get the best of both worlds.”
With two rangy safety, the Bears may also play Cover-2, which limits explosive plays and challenges opposing teams to beat them deep.
“He’s a lot of fun to play with, as are all of the secondary players,” Byard said. “That is what you want. And, as I have stated, his confidence as he enters year three reminds me of myself. He, like myself, is loud about demanding details on different coverages with the coaches and such. “He is very coachable.”
The goal for the safety room in 2024 is that versatility is a strength, but that Brisker and Byard play aggressively, generating numerous turnovers and contributing to the running game.
“I had 122 tackles last year so I like to mix it up a little bit,” Byard stated. “I just enjoy playing football.” I can do both. It only depends. I enjoy returning, as well. I like catching interceptions. It totally depends on the call. So, like I have stated, I am willing to do whatever to support the squad.”
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Ex-Titans coach Mike Vrabel may land at Wisconsin, according to Luke Fickell.
Mike Vrabel, the former Tennessee Titans coach, could join Luke Fickell’s staff at Wisconsin next season in some capacity, according to the Badgers’ head coach. Fickell and Vrabel have been close friends since they shared a room at Ohio State. Vrabel, a three-time Super Bowl winner and the 2021 NFL Coach of the Year, failed not get an NFL head coaching job when the Titans fired him in January after a 54-45 record over six seasons.
“I talked to him, I think, on Saturday, and we hadn’t communicated for probably a week or so just because the process was going,” Fickell said Wednesday in an interview with ESPN Wisconsin’s Wilde & Tausch. “He spoke like a new man. And I’m not sure if this was his choice or what the future holds, but I do know that we’ll have a visitor who will spend some time with us, hopefully. Starting in the spring, we’ll see how far we can go with my buddy and get him around here.
Vrabel helped Tennessee make the playoffs three years in a row from 2019 to 21 and was one win away from playing in the Super Bowl in 2019.
“Earlier today, I spoke with Mike Vrabel and informed him of my decision to make a change at head coach,” Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk said in the statement. “As I told coach Vrabel, this was the most difficult decision I’ve had to make as Controlling Owner.” I value Mike’s efforts to the Tennessee Titans, both on and off the field. Anyone who has met him knows how passionate and sincere he is, and he is a huge supporter of the Nashville community. We wish Mike, Jen, and the Vrabel family all the best in the future.
Fickell’s first season at Wisconsin did not go as expected. He never imagined he’d be fighting for bowl eligibility down the line with the Badgers in his first season, but Wisconsin eked out seven victories with close endings against Nebraska and Minnesota in late November.
Part of the problem was uneven offensive play under first-year coach Phil Longo for a squad that was ranked in the top 20 heading into the season. Wisconsin has scored 14 points or fewer four times this season, all of which occurred during a 1-4 Big Ten skid.
Perhaps the hiring of Vrabel as an assistant coach or analyst will benefit Wisconsin during the 2024 season in the larger — and significantly more difficult — Big Ten.
Julio Jones is eager to’make plays’ during Tennessee Titans’ playoff trip.
It took ten games, but Tennessee Titans wide receiver Julio Jones scored during Sunday’s victory over the Houston Texans. Jones is eager to return to his old form as a difference-maker on offense as his team enters the playoffs as the AFC’s top seed.
“It felt good to get out there and start hitting some shots and making some plays for the offense,” Jones stated this week on the Titans’ official website. “It was good.” For me, it’s been a process of switching between playing and not playing.
“The guys just supported me all the way, and they came out there and celebrated (after the three-yard touchdown catch), and we shared that moment.” It was just nice to have your brothers there. “We play one play at a time for each other.”
Jones caught five catches for 58 yards against the Texans and played a significant role in the Titans’ game plan. According to Titan analyst Jim Wyatt, Jones has appeared in eight playoff games and has 61 catches for 834 yards and six touchdowns.
Jones, an 11-year veteran, performs best in the postseason.
“I have been playing the game for so long,” Jones added. “I’m here.” I am willing and capable of doing everything the team asks of me. If defenses, defensive coordinators, or whomever underestimate me, that’s fantastic. I love it, and we will take advantage of it.
“It was good being a part of the offense (in Houston), and moving forward, helping where I can help to help the team.”
Jones and the Tennessee offense will also benefit from more assistance. The Titans have recently designated All-Pro running back Derrick Henry for the playoffs.
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The fellow former Alabama standout has not played since October 31 and will relieve significant burden on Ryan Tannehill and the passing offense.
“Derrick is a heck of a player,” Tannehill said. “Any time we can get him back out here working, and working his way to going out and competing with us, is going to be huge for us.”
Latest details on Titans OL Isaiah Wilson’s situation with the team
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