Emma: 5 Observations From Bears OTAs
By Chris Emma--
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (CBS) -- When this growing Bears team arrives in Bourbonnais for training camp, the real work will begin.
At that point in late July, the Bears will be going at it with physical practices in the hot summer sun. The position battles will become heated on the burning fields of Olivet Nazarene, and time will be ticking away as the roster gets cut down to 53 men.
OTAs at Halas Hall are different. Players are in their "underwear," as coach John Fox often says, and those position battles are only beginning. But don't discount the significance of the work in Lake Forest the past three weeks.
The Bears have worked hard this offseason to revamp the roster, adding talent to key positions and depth across the board. Finally, they have come together on the practice field to begin building for the 2016 season.
Some key storylines played out over the past three weeks of OTAs. Let's take a look:
1.) Jeffery was absent
It came as no surprise that top receiver Alshon Jeffery remained absent from the Bears' voluntary work in OTAs. Entering a pivotal contract season within the franchise tag parameters, Jeffery chose to work this offseason with touted personal trainer David Alexander in Miami.
Fox wasn't made available for comment during OTAs, but it will be interesting to hear during the brief mini-camp next week how he feels about Jeffery's absence. The two were together at Wrigley Field recently when Jeffery sang the seventh-inning stretch, and both seemed to be in good spirits together.
While it was expected, the absence of Jeffery during these voluntary workouts is worth noting moving forward.
2.) Right place, White time
As the 2015 season dwindled to its end, rookie receiver Kevin White became the story -- specifically whether he would take the field. He didn't return for game action. White joined his teammate for the first time since last offseason as a full participant and benefited from the chance of taking some of Jeffery's reps.
It's clear that White has some work to do in regaining game speed and rhythm, but the youngster brings the kind of size and speed that could make a major impact for the Bears in 2016.
"Just seeing how big and fast and strong he is, I think he can make a lot of big plays for us," Bears receiver Eddie Royal said of White.
Once Jeffery reports to camp -- which he intends to do for mandatory work -- we will finally get to see the Bears' top receiving tandem work.
3.) Trevathan, Freeman make strong first impressions
When Fox first arrived in Chicago, he had to work toward creating a winning culture within his team. That was a struggle early on, though the Bears followed his lead.
When the Bears brought in Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman -- two inside linebackers who come from winning regimes -- that kind of culture became natural. Their swagger began to spread throughout the team, specifically a defense that's building.
"The attitude just has to spread like wildfire," Trevathan said. "These guys got to be hungry, and they are.
"When we're out here, we're all working for one common goal. That's to be great and to win a championship."
4.) The new Grasu
The Bears made a considerable investment when they drafted center Hroniss Grasu in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft. They believed that he could fit in with their offensive line.
Still, Grasu wasn't supposed to be playing during his rookie season of 2015. The Bears brought in Will Montgomery to play that role. Then, Montgomery suffered a broken tibia early in the season. Grasu stepped in undersized and underprepared to play the role of NFL center.
This offseason, Grasu bulked up to 310 pounds and put in the work to be ready after each snap.
"If you don't know what you're doing, if you're thinking too much, it doesn't matter how strong or fast you are, that split second that you're thinking, you're going to get beat," Grasu said. "Not having that second to think anymore, to go and play fast, it's been making a difference in my play so far."
When training camp comes around and the Bears are strapping on the pads, Grasu believes he'll be ready to hold his own.
5.) Loggains takes charge
Members of the Bears offense got a glimpse at new coordinator Dowell Loggains calling plays. He was the quarterbacks coach last season in Chicago.
More so, they got to see the enthusiastic approach that Loggains brings, plus his attention to detail. Loggains is active on the sidelines and his rapport with Jay Cutler seems evident.
Loggains is already winning over his offense.
"A lot of excitement," Royal said of working with Loggains. "It's going to be a fun year. We're attacking the defense, making plays out there. Everybody's having fun.
"He's got a great personality. Meetings are always fun. He's cracking jokes. But at the same time, we're serious to all the little details. Everything matters with him -- all the little things. Those are going to turn into big plays for us."
The Bears hired Loggains because they believed in his fit with Cutler and the returning offense, plus he offered continuity in schemes after losing Adam Gase. Thus far, it looks like a good move.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.
