Bears’ training-camp report: Takeaways from the last practice in Bourbonnais as the team scuffles toward the regular season

The Sun-Times’ Patrick Finley breaks down the Bears’ practice Sunday, the 12th of their 2019 training camp.

SHARE Bears’ training-camp report: Takeaways from the last practice in Bourbonnais as the team scuffles toward the regular season
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Bears coach Matt Nagy encourages his team during the second half of Thursday’s preseason game.

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The Sun-Times’ Patrick Finley breaks down the Bears’ practice Sunday, the 12th and last of their 2019 training camp:

Scufflin’

The Bears’ final practice at Olivet Nazarene University was sloppy. Coach Matt Nagy and his staff made their displeasure known.

‘‘Just some mental exhaustion right now from the guys in regards to getting in and out of the huddle,’’ he said. ‘‘Kind of normal, but we expect a little bit better. . . .

‘‘The other thing, too, is seeing how our guys react to a little bit of frustration from the coaching staff at times.’’

The Bears are excited to head back to a remodeled Halas Hall, where, Nagy said, there are parts of the building the team hasn’t seen yet.

A scuffle

Guard Kyle Long and defensive lineman Akiem Hicks jawed and grabbed at each other, but no punches were thrown. It was the closest thing camp had to a fight.

Nagy spoke with Hicks after the scuffle.

‘‘He’s a competitive guy, [and] I never want to take that away from him,’’ Nagy said. ‘‘I think that’s probably one of his strengths — that he is so competitive and he wants to win every one-on-one battle.

‘‘But as I tell every player: ‘Everybody, let’s understand the significance. Fights. You start throwing punches, that’s where you can break your hand.’ . . . We don’t need that, and they didn’t do that. He gets it.’’

This and that

Moments after the scuffle, cornerback Prince Amukamara and running back Tarik Cohen lightened the mood with a play-fight.

• As they do on the last day of camp every year, Bears coaches donated 25 bicycles to children and veterans.

Next up

The Bears have Monday off before returning to Halas Hall for preseason practices.

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