NFC Notes: Bears, Lions, Packers

Bears

Bears’ passing game coordinator Dave Ragone said their quarterback competition between Mitch Trubisky and Nick Foles forces each player to practice at a high level every rep. 

“When you’re competing and coming in and out, what I think it does is it provides a great opportunity similar to a game — a sudden change,” Ragone said, via Adam Jahns of The Athletic. “You’re three-and-out, you go out, the next quarterback goes in for the opposing team and he gets a six-play drive or seven-play drive and you’re still sitting on the sideline.”

Bears QBs coach John DeFilippo said they are focused on dissecting each of their quarterbacks. 

“Making sure it’s not just equal reps,” DeFilippo said. “It’s equal plays, where we can judge a guy’s eyes, we can judge a guy’s footwork on the same exact rep.”

DeFilippo believes the Bears’ pair of safeties in Eddie Jackson and Deon Bush tests their quarterbacks into making difficult decisions. 

“Our two safeties’ high coverage is better than anybody I’ve been around,” DeFilippo said. “You really have to keep your eyes down center field against our two safeties. They’re as good as it gets when it comes to disguising coverages. So we have to make sure we speed our mind and decision-making process. We see what we see. We trust what we see, and we react.”

• Dan Weiderer points out that the Bears have planned “significant revisions” to their rushing offense and are currently in the experimental phase of what fits in OC Bill Lazor‘s system.

Lions

• Lions rookie RB D’Andre Swift did no practice on Friday after suffering an upper leg injury yesterday. (Justin Rogers)
• Lions WR Marvin Hall left Friday’s practice with an injury.

Packers

• Packers rookie QB Jordan Love spoke about learning from quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers and Tim Boyle so far in his career: “It’s a great room, a great environment to be around. I’ve got two dudes that I can learn from; I’ve learned a lot so far from them and will continue to do that.” (Wes Hodkiewicz)

• Per Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette, Packers GM Brian Gutekunst alluded to the team not being done with extensions after signing DT Kenny Clark to his big deal: “I’m eager to see if we can get some of these guys locked up, that’s for sure.”
• Packers DC Mike Pettine said he evaluates defense after each season and has tweaked coverage, pass rush, and their run defense after last season. According to Pettine, he wants their run defense to blend between gap-shooting, being disruptive and assignment sure/anchoring in the gaps. (Ryan Wood)