Yahoo Sports 4 standouts from Day 8 of Bears training camp practice
The Chicago Bears are in the thick of training camp practices as they inch closer and closer to the start of the 2024 season. Every rep counts for this team as they look to install a brand new offense with new playmakers, including rookie quarterback Caleb Williams.
On defense, the Bears are building off a successful 2023 season with many of the same starters in place. They will look to solidify themselves as a top defense, while role players on both sides try and make an impact to secure a roster spot when the preseason wraps up.
After every practice, we will be highlighting a handful of players who stood out and why. Day 8 of camp practice was a lighter one compared to the weekend. The Bears were in shells and indoors thanks to wet conditions. The intensity wasn't quite as high as other practices, but there were still plenty of plays that were made during the closed session. Here were the standouts we observed from Monday:
1. WR Rome Odunze
Rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze made the play of the day during the closed practice. During 11-on-11s, Williams lofted a deep pass to his draftmate in the back left corner of the end zone. Despite double coverage closing in on him, Odunze made the catch and not only kept his feet in bounds but also maintained control of the ball while going to the ground. The referees signaled a touchdown, and the offense celebrated in the end zone.
Odunze stands above Keenan Allen and DJ Moore, and his frame is perfect for those types of catches. He and Williams have developed a connection, and the two made a fearless play together.
2. CB Tyrique Stevenson
It's safe to say Tyrique Stevenson is picking up where he left off last season. The second-year cornerback, by most accounts, is having a superb start to training camp. He's taking advantage of any errant throws and forcing fumbles on ball carriers. Even during a light day on Monday, he was still making his presence known. Stevenson had a pair of pass breakups against the first-team offense. The first came in 7-on-7s, and the second was during full team drills. Stevenson rarely got beat on Monday and made sure he was in the right spots.
3. CB Greg Stroman Jr.
Speaking of cornerbacks making impressive plays, no defensive play stood out more than the one made by Greg Stroman Jr. Playing as the nickel corner for the second-team defense, Stroman was able to sniff out a screen pass made by Tyson Bagent. The backup Bears quarterback took the snap and fired right towards a receiver at the line of scrimmage. Before the ball could get there, Stroman jumps the pass and would have had the interception, along with a pick-six, had a wall of his teammates not been blocking the yard line. Stroman didn't get the start at nickel corner with Kyler Gordon out. That went to undrafted rookie Reddy Steward. Still, the veteran showed he deserves consideration with a play like that.
4. P Tory Taylor
You would never think the phrase "always leave them wanting more" would apply to a punter, but that was the case with rookie Tory Taylor on Monday. The Bears practiced just one full-speed punt inside the Walter Payton Center, seeing as much of the offensive work took place in the red zone, but it was a good one. Taylor took the snap near midfield and punted towards the left sideline. The ball landed around inside the 10-yard line, and like clockwork, cornerback Josh Blackwell was there to easily grab the ball on one bounce to down it just inside the five-yard line. It was a bang-bang play that looked as smooth as can be. We didn't see Taylor's big leg during the practice, but his control was on full display, and it was something to see.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 4 standouts from Day 8 of Bears training camp practice
