New Chicago Bears LB Trevathan has a big fan in Long
BOURBONNAIS - Chicago Bears Pro Bowl guard Kyle Long liked what he saw of the team's new-and-improved defense in the off-season, specifically from unrestricted free-agent inside linebacker Danny Trevathan.
Trevathan led the Denver Broncos' Super Bowl teams of 2015 and 2013 in tackles and brings a swagger and an air of confidence to a unit that could use some of both.
"Danny's kind of a quiet guy," Long said, "but he's one of those guys that has an aura about him. He walks in, and he's got his chains on and he looks sharp every day, like he just left a video shoot or something."
Long says Trevathan also cuts a dashing figure on the practice field - until it's time for contact.
"You see him on the field, and you block him and he smells good," Long said. "He wears cologne. But then you get caught up in the aroma and you get hit under the chin.
"And, if you do get your hands on him to block him, he will fight like a crazy SOB to get off you, and he'll get in your face, and he'll go after the ball. Him and (fellow unrestricted free-agent inside linebacker) Jerrell (Freeman) do a lot of that the same.
"Danny's won before. He's won a Super Bowl, and he played at a very high level. We love having Danny here."
Not ready yet:
Three players begin training camp on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list: linebacker Pernell McPhee, wide receiver Marquess Wilson and guard Amini Silatolu.
McPhee had off-season arthroscopic surgery on his left knee and did not participate in any off-season activities on the field. He gradually will be worked into on-field activities, but no timetable was offered. McPhee's availability for preseason games also is uncertain.
"It's too early to tell," general manager Ryan Pace said. "We've got to see how he is, as we're going through these activities out here."
During a June OTA, Wilson suffered a refracture of the left foot that landed him on injured reserve for the final five games last season after he posted career bests of 28 catches, 464 yards and 16.6 yards per catch.
He is expected to miss the first six games of the season.
Silatolu, signed recently as a free agent, is coming off ACL surgery.
No deal, no problem:
Pro Bowl wide receiver Alshon Jeffery did not get the multiyear contract he wanted in the off-season, settling for the $14.599 million, one-year contract that comes with the franchise tag.
Bears G.M. Ryan Pace doesn't believe there will be any negative carry-over as Jeffery seeks to stay healthier than he did last year when he missed seven games with multiple soft-tissue injuries.
"I'm optimistic about it," Pace said. "He's at a good spot right now. Those negotiations were friendly the whole time, and I don't think it's uncommon when you're negotiating off the franchise tag to sometimes not come to an agreement.
"But that doesn't mean there's any ill will."
Jeffery still led the Bears with 54 catches and 807 yards, but to secure a multiyear he needs numbers like he posted the previous two seasons when he caught 174 passes for 2,554 yards and 17 touchdowns.
"We can revisit it after the season," Pace said. "But I'm optimistic. He's a talented player. He knows he has to stay healthy. And we'll see going forward.
Roster moves:
The Bears on Wednesday signed veteran free agents Brandon Boykin (cornerback) and B.J. Daniels (wide receiver) to bring the roster to the maximum of 90.
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