BOURBONNAIS, Ill.For the second time in less than 20 hours the Bears were in full pads for practice. For rookie defensive end Shea McClellin, it was...interesting.
McClellin flashed Saturday night with two pass breakups and some solid pass rushes using his speed off the edges. On Sunday afternoon, it was the offenses turn to do a number on the rookie.
A succession of blockerstackles JMarcus Webb, Chris Williams, James Brown and tight ends Kellen Davis and Matt Spaethrendered McClellin all but invisible in pass-rush and full-team sessions. McClellin was unable to disengage using his speed and was locked up repeatedly and kept well away from quarterbacks.
Today my pass rushing wasnt very good, so I was kind of disappointed, McClellin said. Im pretty hard on myself, so Ive got to do better than that.
With veteran Julius Peppers given most of the day off, McClellin had reps with the No. 1 defense, putting him against both Williams and Webb, who had a particularly strong day in pass blocking.
These kinds of days are expected with most rookies. Whether because of the consecutive padded practices or whatever, McClellin, a speed rusher in every respect, is now tasked with developing a stronger catalog of moves and counter-moves.
I like everything hes done, coach Lovie Smith insisted. Hes done everything weve asked him to do. As a defensive lineman playing in the league, theres a lot for him to learn. First off, just being a physical player on the tight end.
But hes going to earn his money based on what he does rushing the passer. Hes got a long ways to go.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Chicago sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.