Why Tyrique Stevenson's Aggressive Style Could Be Crucial for the Bears' Defense
Rookie cornerback Tyrique Stevenson's tenacity was evident on Wednesday at the Grand Sports Complex during the first day of joint practices with the Indianapolis Colts.
Stevenson made a statement during a special teams drill when he landed a heavy hit on Colts gunner Tony Brown and didn't hesitate to let him know it, much to the Colts' displeasure.
In a subsequent team drill, Stevenson allowed a catch to Michael Pittman, and the two clashed during the play. Stevenson didn't back down, exchanging words with the Colts' top receiver as both teams prepared for the next play.
Stevenson's aggressive attitude and fiery spirit are qualities that the Bears admire. However, they also want him to recognize the limits and channel his intensity in a way that contributes to the team's success.
Defensive coordinator Alan Williams commented on Stevenson's competitive nature after Wednesday's practice. «What I value most is production, hustle, and getting lined up. I want players to bring their personality, but ensure that their feistiness stays within the rules of our play. Our HITS principle includes being smart and having self-control. I love Stevenson's grit and physicality, but it has to be within the boundaries of the whistle," Williams said.
Stevenson's hit on Brown exemplifies the kind of controlled aggression the Bears want from him.
"He was just completing his play," said fellow cornerback Kyler Gordon. "We always emphasize finishing, and the Colts didn't like how he finished. But that's what the Bears are about. We're going to go out and finish. I'm proud of him. He held his ground."
The Bears' defense has been exuding confidence throughout training camp.
With a core of assertive, trash-talking defensive backs, the Bears' first-team defense has set a strong tone in training camp, frequently getting the better of quarterback Justin Fields and the offense. The defense has never been shy about letting the offense know when they have their number, leading to confrontations like the skirmish between wide receiver Chase Claypool and safety Eddie Jackson, and a heated exchange between Claypool and Stevenson.
Stevenson never backs down, and that's why he fits in seamlessly with a Bears' defense that aims to overpower and demoralize opponents.
Gordon observed the growing intensity of the defense, stating, "The threshold keeps getting higher and higher. We have a lot of energy and a lot of vocal players. The energy continues to rise as we approach the season. When we start with the Packers, it's going to be great, and you'll see glimpses of it in the preseason."
The Bears' young secondary has the potential to be one of the NFL's elite units in 2023. They boast top-tier corner Jaylon Johnson, veteran playmaker Eddie Jackson, hard-hitting Jaquan Brisker, and skilled nickelback Gordon.
All of them possess an edge that complements their talent and can serve as the foundation of a defense that envisions itself as "scary good" this fall.
Stevenson is the missing piece. He offers coverage skills, physicality, swagger, grit, and unwavering confidence � all characteristics that the Bears' defense wants to embody.
They just need to make sure Stevenson walks the line without crossing it too often. If he can do that, the Bears' vision for their trash-talking, hard-hitting secondary will come to fruition, ready to make a statement in Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers.
| POLL | ||
17 AOUT | 19 ANSWERS Why Tyrique Stevenson's Aggressive Style Could Be Crucial for the Bears' Defense Will Tyrique Stevenson earn a starting job? | ||
| yes | 14 | 73.7 % |
| no | 5 | 26.3 % |
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