Final Bears camp day gets competitive

BOURBONNAIS — Coach John Fox and his staff wanted a competitive practice on the final day of camp, and they got it.

Defensive lineman Jeremiah Ratliff punched center Will Montgomery after one play and left tackle Jermon Bushrod after another, defensive end Jarvis Jenkins landed a jab to guard Vlad Ducasse and rookie safety Adrian Amos shoved Dante Rosario from behind as he was going out of bounds.

Rosario went head over heels, bounced up and angrily removed his helmet.

Ratliff was by far the most aggressive player and at one point guard Kyle Long, trying to calm the agitated veteran and prevent an escalation and potential injuries, told him: “We need everyone.”

Finally, Ratliff came to the sidelines where he and Fox engaged in a lengthy and animated discussion.

“Just camp,” Fox said. “We made it very, very competitive. This was not one of those non-padded, easy-exit final days of camp. We kind of warned them and alerted them. Stuff happens in camp.

“We've still got a lot of work to do to find out who the tough guys are. The only way to find out is practices like that.”

Ratliff was originally angered in 1-on-1 pass-rush drills early on a hot, sticky day.

“Sometimes things start early in practice,” Fox said. “I wasn't at the drill. That needs to be communicated to me better. (But) I haven't been in a camp where we didn't have (fights), ever, in 26 years.”

After on off-day Monday, the Bears will practice Tuesday at Halas Hall and then hold joint practices with the Colts in Indianapolis on Wednesday and Thursday before their preseason matchup Saturday.

Long road back:

Willie Young, the team sack leader in 2014, continues to make strides in his impressive recovery from December's torn Achilles tendon, although he did not play in the preseason opener and isn't expected to suit up against the Colts on Saturday.

“He's ramping up more and more, and he's gaining confidence with each rep,” general manager Ryan Pace said. “I feel good about it. You'll see him doing more and more contact (and) change of direction.

“Willie's a good pass rusher with length, and he's disruptive hitting the quarterback, so we're confident with him.”

Young had 10 sacks last season, four more than he had in his previous four years combined.

Making strides:

Offensive tackle Charles Leno got off to a slow start last year after being drafted in the seventh round out of Boise State.

Leno was inactive for the first eight weeks but wound up playing in six games, mostly as a sixth offensive lineman.

In camp he has taken snaps with the first team when starter Jermon Bushrod has been rested and has impressed offensive line coach Dave Magazu with his versatility.

“I love Charles,” Magazu said. “He's done a great job. He's working his butt off. He's played every position along the offensive line in this camp. I think he has a ton of ability, and he's going to be a good football player here.”

Putting it together:

Second-round pick Eddie Goldman's natural ability has gotten him some snaps with the first team at nose tackle. Now it's time for the 6-foot-4 rookie to take the next step.

“The guy is (332) pounds. Physically he has it,” defensive line coach Jay Rodgers said. “He's got ‘knock-back' (ability), he's got ‘anchor.' That's why he was a second-round draft pick.

“Now, can you put the mental part of it together and match up with the physical and make plays?”

Injury update:

Quarterback David Fales returned from a lengthy illness to participate in the final training camp practice.

Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (strained calf) offensive tackle Jason Weaver and tight end Chris Pantale (ill) did not practice.

Running back Daniel Thomas (knee) and guard Kyle Long (rest) were limited.

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