Trubisky takes snaps with Bears' second team
BOURBONNAIS - Rookie quarterback Mitch Trubisky took his practice reps with the Bears' second team on Wednesday, flip-flopping with veteran backup Mark Sanchez, who worked with the threes.
"Don't read too much into it," coach John Fox said. "It's just a matter of getting guys through different centers, (with) different groups. It's something that we mentioned would happen at some point throughout the camp."
While Trubisky's accuracy has been inconsistent, his mobility in the pocket and ability to throw effective;y on the move have been a constant.
"Even on his college tape, he's got mobility," coach John Fox said. "He's got plenty of athleticism, movement in the pocket, even just straight speed. He's very athletic."
Trubisky's 4.67 40-time at the Scouting Combine was fourth among quarterbacks, and in practices his accuracy doesn't appear to wane when he's on the move.
"That's why we were very impressed with him," Fox said. "Now it's just getting schooled in our offense. That's the hardest part where he can just mentally cut loose and not think as much. Right now we're in that process and he's doing a great job of handling it."
The Natural:
For the second time in three practices, rookie safety Eddie Jackson covered nearly half the field to intercept a pass.
On Wednesday, the fourth-round pick out of Alabama victimized quarterback Mark Sanchez, whose deep corner route was intended for Josh Bellamy but never got there.
Jackson was idled during much of the off-season as he recovered from a fractured leg late last season, but he's making up for lost time.
"He's a very sharp guy, very aware player, especially for a young guy," coach John Fox said. "Kids who come out of Alabama get a good taste of a pro defense. Particularly from a coverage standpoint, (with coach) Nick (Saban) having been a secondary coach in the NFL for a long time.
"So they're well-schooled, and he's been a return man, particularly tracking punts. Typically those guys - going as far back as a guy like (Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Famer) Rod Woodson - they have good ball skills, and he seems to do that pretty naturally."
More competition:
Safety Adrian Amos has started 30 games in two years since the Bears drafted him in the fifth round (142nd overall) out of Penn State in 2015. But his spot is not guaranteed with the free-agent addition of Quintin Demps and the drafting of Eddie Jackson.
Amos has yet to intercept a pass and has a total of 8 pass breakups, but he had a team-best 108 tackles as a rookie.
"He hasn't had a lot of on-ball production in this league, but he's done a lot of good things," coach John Fox said. "You gotta play the run and play the pass, so we'll let him compete and see where it comes out.
"Being a young player, he's probably not as consistent as you'd want, but he's been a good football player for us."
Here and gone:
Guard Josh Sitton was limited in his first training camp practice after returning from paternity leave to witness his daughter's birth.
"Are you sleeping?" Sitton was asked.
"Not as much as I used to," he said, smiling.
Cornerback Prince Amukamara was excused from practice to be with his wife, who had an appendectomy, the same procedure that has sidelined wide receiver Markus Wheaton since Sunday.
Safety Harold Jones-Quartey left practice and did not return after rolling his ankle in 7-on-7. Running back Jeremy Langford (ankle) remained out, but guard Eric Kush (hamstring) returned.
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