Kush and tushes, picking up the energy: Six takeaways from Monday Bears camp

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1. From Kush to Tush: Bad news on the injury front, as swing guard/center Eric Kush has been lost for the season after surgery to repair a torn hamstring. While Kyle Long still isn't full-go in his recovery from ankle surgery, center Cody Whitehair played a handful of snaps back at the position he was drafted for, guard, and replaced by Hroniss Grasu. That led to Mike Glennon being asked about adjusting to a new center. The first points that came to mind: snap speed, and "butt placement."  Ask a question, and Glennon answers.

2. Not-so-funny Glennon: At one point early in Monday's practice, Glennon called the offense around him. "I just felt we weren't off to a good start. Coming off an off-day., sometimes it takes a little while to get going and I just thought it would be a good idea to group everyone together and kind of pick up that energy because we weren't really good the first period. I thought we responded well after that."

3. One on one: As Adam Shaheen continues working on his blocking skills and strengthening his base, he was directly isolated in drills where tight ends are matched up versus outside linebackers. The 6'6, 270-lb. rookie was pushed steadily backwards by 6'4, 251-lb. Leonard Floyd, also a testament to how last year's top pick has increased his strength.

4. Passing games: On a day several defensive backs came oh-so-close to interceptions, including a drop by Prince Amukamara with an open field in front of him, quarterbacks threaded the needle just out of defenders' reach. Marcus Cooper was inches away twice versus Cam Meredith. But the latter held on after a good pop over the middle from Eddie Jackson. Mitch Trubisky fumbled a snap, and on the next play, rolled right under pressure and dropped a perfect in-the-bucket pass into the outstretched hands of a diving Ben Braunecker. Later in red zone drills, he stepped up in the pocket under pressure, found Ka`Deem Carey open in the end zone. The pass deflected off Carey into the arms of Rueben Randle. Mark Sanchez had the prettiest throw of the day, 40-plus yards down the sideline to Tanner Gentry, who got behind Kyle Fuller.

5. Punt return games: It's a fun "concentration" drill to watch for the returners: catch, then hold on to each football caught while another comes your way, until you can't. Rookies Tarik Cohen and Eddie Jackson both collected four, but couldn't quite hang on to a fifth, as both tried to estimate where the fifth would come down, plant themselves, and stick one football between their knees in hopes of getting that fifth. I dunno - under the jersey instead next time?

6. Cutty Love: From John Fox, to Glennon, to Zach Miller, all the Bears who were asked about Jay Cutler were happy for him as he came out of retirement this weekend to come to the Dolphins' rescue. Miller said he remained in contact with his former quarterback throughout the decision-making process, finalized when he texted Miller "I'm doing it."  And think of this: while the Bears open versus Atlanta, Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh and Green Bay, the Dolphins' early schedule has the makings for a strong start. They open by hosting the Buccaneers, then have road games versus the Chargers and Jets before facing the Saints in London.

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