FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The Chicago Sun-Times’ Adam L. Jahns and Patrick Finley and Mark Potash break down the Bears’ first joint practice Monday against the Patriots:
Fight club
Bears receiver Alshon Jeffery and Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler grabbed each other’s facemasks Monday, setting off a fight that spilled over to the sideline. Receiver Josh Bellamy threw a punch. Even Bears chairman George McCaskey, standing on the sideline, intervened to try to break up the skirmish. Butler was kicked out of practice, per Patriots policy, while coach John Fox kept Jeffery out. Later, Bears outside linebacker Lamarr Houston, Patriots left tackle Nate Solder and others were involved in a smaller skirmish during field goal drills.
Struggles at CB
Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo zipped a touchdown to Devin Lucien, capping off a series where he picked on Bears cornerback De’Vante Bausby three times. … Filling in for injured cornerback Kyle Fuller (knee), Jacoby Glenn struggled against the Patriots’ efficient passing game, watching Chris Harper convert a diving catch from Garoppolo. … Patriots linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill, who intercepted Brian Hoyer earlier, jawed with Bears tight end Gannon Sinclair toward the end of practice. Sinclair shoved him.
— Patrick Finley
Martellus matters
It will be interesting to see how Bennett fits in with the Patriots, considering he’s in a contract year and he’s not his new team’s No. 1 tight end. During 7-on-7 drills on Monday, Bennett failed to catch a would-be touchdown with rookie outside linebacker Leonard Floyd trailing in coverage. Linebacker Danny Trevathan also effectively boxed Bennett out on a jump ball thrown into the corner of the end zone. Bennett’s best play came in full-team drills when he hauled in a jump ball over rookie cornerback Deiondre’ Hall for a touchdown. Bennett’s new situation hasn’t sped up his slow walk back to huddles. It’s a stroll that flustered two Bears’ regimes.
Mariani matters
Receiver/returner Marc Mariani’s connection with quarterback Jay Cutler has gotten better. Mariani, who had a solid showing in Bourbonnais, stood out in team drills making catches over the middle. He was one of the Bears’ best performers on Monday.
— Adam L. Jahns
Up next: Bears-Patriots joint practice at Foxborough, 9 a.m.
