How Edmunds' Presence is Already Being Felt at Bears' OTAs
There's a fresh air of exhilaration wafting through the Bears' camp this offseason, especially when the conversation turns towards their new middle linebacker, Tremaine Edmunds. The Bears are banking on Edmunds to inject dynamism into their second defensive line - a player capable of rapidly closing down on the ball, while also offering a staunch defense against the pass. Edmunds, they believe, is that player.
Edmunds ticks all the right boxes: he's athletic, intelligent about the game, and possesses a notable size advantage. Listed at a towering 6'5» and 250 lbs, he's not your average-sized linebacker. Reading those stats might give you an idea of his sheer physical presence, but it's on the field where his stature truly shines. Already, only a few weeks into camp, Edmunds has been making his size felt. During the first OTA session open to media coverage, he effortlessly intercepted a pass from P.J. Walker, using his sheer size to blot out Walker's intended target.
The Bears' linebackers coach, Dave Borgonzi, recognized Edmunds' physical advantage in coverage.
"When you're 6'4˝», you can occupy a lot of space, and easily fill up windows in zone coverages,» Borgonzi commented, «His size certainly enhances his coverage abilities."
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Edmunds isn't just a massive player. The Bears' coaching staff believes he can instantly adapt to their defense system and make a significant impact. They aren't looking for him to reinvent his game, but rather to replicate his successful tactics from Buffalo.
"We don't want him to change," defensive coordinator Alan Williams declared earlier in May. "We just want him to be more of himself."
In Borgonzi's view, the only real adjustment Edmunds will need to make is to the team's specific language and terminology.
«It's still football. The biggest change is usually in the naming conventions - what we call one thing may have been referred to differently at his previous team. But essentially, the role is the same, we're just using a different vocabulary.»
Interestingly, the Bears may actually ask Edmunds to do less, a strategic approach they believe can empower him to do more.
"We keep our playbook streamlined. Our players will always know what's required of them, and this helps them react quickly on the field," Borgonzi stated.
Aged just 25 but with six years of NFL experience under his belt (having joined the league at 19), Edmunds brings a unique blend of youthful vigour and seasoned expertise to the Bears. Borgonzi is optimistic that Edmunds' best days on the gridiron lie ahead and has high hopes for him as the new leader in the linebackers room.
The ultimate goal? To takeaway the ball. "When we're given an opportunity to make a play, we should aim for an interception, not just a pass break-up (PBU)," Borgonzi expressed his expectations. "With his size, long arms, and ability to cover large areas, he's in an advantageous position to not just get PBUs, but to actually intercept the ball."
Previously on LetsBearDown
| POLL |
JUNE 2 | 42 ANSWERS How Edmunds' Presence is Already Being Felt at Bears' OTAs Will Tremaine Edmunds be in the pro bowl next season? |
| Yes | 33 | 78.6 % |
| No | 9 | 21.4 % |
| LIST OF POLLS |
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