Trestman wants to see Jeffery 'stack years together'
SEATTLE - A year ago, wide receiver Alshon Jeffery was just another guy with potential, coming off a decent rookie season that was hindered by hand and foot injuries, which caused him to miss six games.
Now he's a Pro Bowler coming off a monster season (89 catches, 1,421 yards).
"I think part of it is the chemistry he has with this team," said Bears coach Marc Trestman. "His work ethic hasn't changed - that's a good sign, to be able to stack a good year on a good year."
But Jeffery, who led the Bears against the Seahawks on Friday night with 4 catches for 45 yards in the first half, still has a long way to go to reach Brandon Marshall's level: five Pro Bowls and seven straight 1,000-yard seasons, including five over 1,200 yards.
"He's done it for one year," Trestman said. "He knows he's got to prove himself. He's got to stack years and years together to be a great player like Brandon. I think he's certainly confident he can do it, he knows he can compete at this level and compete at a high level, and he's confident in his team and the guys around him and the offense.
We're excited to see where he goes with this. He's doing all the right things to put another good year together."
On the run:
The competition for the backup running back spot probably won't be decided until after next week's preseason finale against the Cleveland Browns.
But going into Friday night's game, fourth-round draft choice Ka'Deem Carey and second-year player Shaun Draughn were the leading contenders to back up Matt Forte.
"I think it's still out there," coach Marc Trestman said. "Over the next couple weeks we're going to see Ka'Deem, we're going to see Shaun, going to see some of Michael (Ford) and Senorise (Perry) and get Jordan (Lynch) a few more reps as well. We're trying to get them all some playing time over the (last) six (preseason) quarters."
Carey got the first shot Friday night, subbing in for Forte midway through the second quarter and picked up 5 yards on 2 carries and caught a screen pass for 13 yards.
Making it personal:
Marc Trestman answered the ALS ice bucket challenge last week, a cause which has personal significance for him.
"I didn't know I had a choice," he laughed. "My daughters were all over me. I didn't even know what it was about until somebody pointed it out to me. I guess I have Jon Gruden to thank for that. But it's for a good cause."
Trestman was challenged by Jon Gruden, who hired him on his Oakland Raiders staff before Trestman made his way north and spent five years as the Montreal Alouettes head coach.
"I had a very close mentor (Tony Proudfoot) up in Montreal, who played in the CFL for a long time," Trestman said. "He passed in my time up there from the disease. I saw what that disease can do, and whatever little we can do to help, hopefully will go a long way in finding a cure and research to help those who are in need.
"(Proudfoot) was a great player up there, and when I got into the league he became a friend and really did help me. He used to write me notes on the league and the rules and how to learn the league. He became a close friend and I saw him pass while I was up there so the disease does resonate."
Safety dance:
Safety Ryan Mundy left the game in the second quarter with a head laceration after he Danny McCray started at safety for the third straight preseason game.
Chris Conte entered early in the second quarter in place of McCray, getting his first game action of the preseason. Conte made his presence felt almost immediately, drilling Seahawks tight end Luke Wilson in the chest to break up what would have been a Seahawks touchdown pass.
But Conte looked bad early in the third quarter, missing an open-field tackle attempt on running back Christine Michael.
Sitting it out:
Defensive end Jared Allen did not play because of a shoulder bruise that kept him out of practices last week. He also missed the first preseason game to be with his wife for the birth of their daughter.
Cornerbacks Kyle Fuller (ankle) and Isaiah Frey (hamstring), offensive linemen Eben Britton (hamstring), Brian de la Puente (knee) and Jordan Mills (foot) and wide receiver Marquess Wilson (fractured collar bone), also did not dress.
Wide receiver Chris Williams also did not play, missing a second straight game with a hamstring injury that he suffered on a 73-yard TD catch and run in the preseason opener.