BOURBONNAIS , Ill. (AP) — It has become a familiar refrain for Chicago Bears coach Matt Nagy.
Nagy has often repeated the words “nothing new” over the past 3½ weeks regarding contract talks with first-round draft pick Roquan Smith, and the situation remains status quo.
Nagy’s first training camp with the Bears concluded Sunday, and it remains uncertain when defensive coordinator Vic Fangio can plug the former Georgia linebacker into the lineup.
And that’s not the Bears’ only problem as they head into a week of practices in Denver before playing the Broncos on Saturday in their third preseason game.
Asked Sunday if missing all of camp would limit Smith’s ability to be defensive field general on opening day, Nagy did not mince words.
“I think it does,” Nagy said. “You’re playing at that position and there are a lot of calls that go on, very similar to a quarterback, there’s a lot going on. But I have full confidence in Vic and his staff that when he does get here, they’ll get him up to speed and whenever that is, we’ll see.
“But again, that’s why we all get paid as coaches is to try to help our players out as much as possible and that’s kind of where we’re at.”
Neither the Bears nor Smith’s agents have openly discussed the reason for the standoff.
The Chicago Tribune reported that the sticking point in talks is the Bears’ refusal to give up the right to reclaim some of Smith’s guaranteed bonus if he is suspended for an on-field rules violation outside the parameters of a football play.
Smith is the only unsigned player in the 2018 NFL draft class. The Bears haven’t had Smith around since their June minicamp.
“I think he knows that he’s to be in shape,” Nagy said. “I think he knows that.”
The Bears have two veteran inside linebackers on the field in Danny Trevathan and Nick Kwiatkoski , so they’re not short on experience.
Players say they’ve avoided turning the holdout into a distraction.
“It’s pretty easy,” defensive end Akiem Hicks said. “I mean, we can’t make him appear out of nowhere. You play with what you got and go forward.”
Their other big problem revolves around the offense.
Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky struggled in the new offense with interceptions in practice, then went 2 for 4 for 4 yards in his first effort against Cincinnati in a 30-27 loss Thursday night.
“It’s not rocket science to know that we need to be better in that,” Nagy said. “It’s my job to make sure am I calling the right plays. It’s their job to make sure they execute when they get those plays to come in.”
Wide receiver Allen Robinson and wide receiver Taylor Gabriel did not play Thursday or in the Hall of Fame game against the Ravens that kicked off the NFL’s preseason. Also absent was starting running back Jordan Howard.
Robinson called camp a successful indoctrination to a complicated attack.
“I think it was really big for us, for us to stay around close to each other, to have those conversations not only in the film room, but outside, just talking about different looks and seeing different things,” Robinson said. “I think it was very beneficial for us, as well as going against the defense.
“We have a top-10 defense in this league and they give us a lot of different looks and they challenge us each and every day , presnap and post-snap.”
The other issue the Bears are facing coming out of camp is that injuries have begun piling up.
Cornerback Prince Amukamara is out with a groin injury and tight end Dion Sims is out with a concussion. Gabriel has a foot injury and has been out a week.
Outside linebacker Aaron Lynch was counted on to be a starter after leaving San Francisco in free agency but hasn’t participated in a single practice due to a hamstring injury.
“We’re not concerned,” Nagy said. “He’s OK with where he’s at. It has drawn out a little bit. There were a few setbacks there a little bit ago, but he’s back on track and he’ll be ready to go.”New York Giants cornerback Janoris Jenkins has been trying to keep his focus on football since the body of a 25-year-old friend was found in his New Jersey home last month. Jenkins' brother, William H. Jenkins, was charged with aggravated manslaughter days after the body of Roosevelt Rene was found in the football player's Fair Lawn home on June 26.
Addressing the media on Sunday for the first time about the death, Jenkins said he has not spoken to his brother since he was arrested by New York State Police late last month. He reiterated that he was not in the house when Rene died.
"My main focus has always been football," Jenkins said. "Things that happened, I can't control, because I wasn't there. Just coming back, being with my team, just being excited to be there. ... I haven't talked to (his brother) , but I will, see where his head was at, and as far as that, I'll leave it at that. It's shocking. But, you know, I've still got to come and play football."
Janoris Jenkins, who is entering his third season with the Giants after signing a five-year, $62.5 million contract as a free agent, refused to say much else about the incident.
"It is difficult but at the end of the day you have to be a pro," Janoris said. "Things are going to happen in life. Some things you can't control and this is one of those situations."
Jenkins has been focused since the Giants starting practicing four days ago. He had an interception on the first day.
"It doesn't make me feel like I am ready," Jenkins said. "It makes me feel like I am taking steps to being ready. Like , I said continuing to work, getting better and being there for my team."
Like the Giants (3-13), Jenkins struggled last season. He was suspended for a game for violating team rules in late October and eventually had his season end in late November by an ankle injury that required surgery.
Jenkins said he spent the offseason strengthening his ankle and he is excited about the 3-4 defense that new coordinator James Bettcher has installed.
"It's aggressive, lets players play a little and not be robots," Jenkins said, adding he also has been impressed with the new business-like attitude that fellow cornerback Eli Apple has displayed so far.
Jenkins also is enjoying the opportunity to play against star receiver Odell Beckham Jr. in practice every day.
"It just feels good because you know you can compete in practice against a top receiver," said Jenkins, who has 16 interceptions in six seasons. "Me and him going at it every day; he is going to win, I am going to win. He might win the whole day, I might win. But it is only getting us better."
Nagy has often repeated the words “nothing new” over the past 3½ weeks regarding contract talks with first-round draft pick Roquan Smith, and the situation remains status quo.
Nagy’s first training camp with the Bears concluded Sunday, and it remains uncertain when defensive coordinator Vic Fangio can plug the former Georgia linebacker into the lineup.
And that’s not the Bears’ only problem as they head into a week of practices in Denver before playing the Broncos on Saturday in their third preseason game.
Asked Sunday if missing all of camp would limit Smith’s ability to be defensive field general on opening day, Nagy did not mince words.
“I think it does,” Nagy said. “You’re playing at that position and there are a lot of calls that go on, very similar to a quarterback, there’s a lot going on. But I have full confidence in Vic and his staff that when he does get here, they’ll get him up to speed and whenever that is, we’ll see.
“But again, that’s why we all get paid as coaches is to try to help our players out as much as possible and that’s kind of where we’re at.”
Neither the Bears nor Smith’s agents have openly discussed the reason for the standoff.
The Chicago Tribune reported that the sticking point in talks is the Bears’ refusal to give up the right to reclaim some of Smith’s guaranteed bonus if he is suspended for an on-field rules violation outside the parameters of a football play.
Smith is the only unsigned player in the 2018 NFL draft class. The Bears haven’t had Smith around since their June minicamp.
“I think he knows that he’s to be in shape,” Nagy said. “I think he knows that.”
The Bears have two veteran inside linebackers on the field in Danny Trevathan and Nick Kwiatkoski , so they’re not short on experience.
Players say they’ve avoided turning the holdout into a distraction.
“It’s pretty easy,” defensive end Akiem Hicks said. “I mean, we can’t make him appear out of nowhere. You play with what you got and go forward.”
Their other big problem revolves around the offense.
Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky struggled in the new offense with interceptions in practice, then went 2 for 4 for 4 yards in his first effort against Cincinnati in a 30-27 loss Thursday night.
“It’s not rocket science to know that we need to be better in that,” Nagy said. “It’s my job to make sure am I calling the right plays. It’s their job to make sure they execute when they get those plays to come in.”
Wide receiver Allen Robinson and wide receiver Taylor Gabriel did not play Thursday or in the Hall of Fame game against the Ravens that kicked off the NFL’s preseason. Also absent was starting running back Jordan Howard.
Robinson called camp a successful indoctrination to a complicated attack.
“I think it was really big for us, for us to stay around close to each other, to have those conversations not only in the film room, but outside, just talking about different looks and seeing different things,” Robinson said. “I think it was very beneficial for us, as well as going against the defense.
“We have a top-10 defense in this league and they give us a lot of different looks and they challenge us each and every day , presnap and post-snap.”
The other issue the Bears are facing coming out of camp is that injuries have begun piling up.
Cornerback Prince Amukamara is out with a groin injury and tight end Dion Sims is out with a concussion. Gabriel has a foot injury and has been out a week.
Outside linebacker Aaron Lynch was counted on to be a starter after leaving San Francisco in free agency but hasn’t participated in a single practice due to a hamstring injury.
“We’re not concerned,” Nagy said. “He’s OK with where he’s at. It has drawn out a little bit. There were a few setbacks there a little bit ago, but he’s back on track and he’ll be ready to go.”New York Giants cornerback Janoris Jenkins has been trying to keep his focus on football since the body of a 25-year-old friend was found in his New Jersey home last month. Jenkins' brother, William H. Jenkins, was charged with aggravated manslaughter days after the body of Roosevelt Rene was found in the football player's Fair Lawn home on June 26.
Addressing the media on Sunday for the first time about the death, Jenkins said he has not spoken to his brother since he was arrested by New York State Police late last month. He reiterated that he was not in the house when Rene died.
"My main focus has always been football," Jenkins said. "Things that happened, I can't control, because I wasn't there. Just coming back, being with my team, just being excited to be there. ... I haven't talked to (his brother) , but I will, see where his head was at, and as far as that, I'll leave it at that. It's shocking. But, you know, I've still got to come and play football."
Janoris Jenkins, who is entering his third season with the Giants after signing a five-year, $62.5 million contract as a free agent, refused to say much else about the incident.
"It is difficult but at the end of the day you have to be a pro," Janoris said. "Things are going to happen in life. Some things you can't control and this is one of those situations."
Jenkins has been focused since the Giants starting practicing four days ago. He had an interception on the first day.
"It doesn't make me feel like I am ready," Jenkins said. "It makes me feel like I am taking steps to being ready. Like , I said continuing to work, getting better and being there for my team."
Like the Giants (3-13), Jenkins struggled last season. He was suspended for a game for violating team rules in late October and eventually had his season end in late November by an ankle injury that required surgery.
Jenkins said he spent the offseason strengthening his ankle and he is excited about the 3-4 defense that new coordinator James Bettcher has installed.
"It's aggressive, lets players play a little and not be robots," Jenkins said, adding he also has been impressed with the new business-like attitude that fellow cornerback Eli Apple has displayed so far.
Jenkins also is enjoying the opportunity to play against star receiver Odell Beckham Jr. in practice every day.
"It just feels good because you know you can compete in practice against a top receiver," said Jenkins, who has 16 interceptions in six seasons. "Me and him going at it every day; he is going to win, I am going to win. He might win the whole day, I might win. But it is only getting us better."