Swift on progress of run game in training camp, Williams' improvement |
LAKE FOREST, I.L. - The Chicago Bears made many additions during the offseason, including running back D’Andre Swift, who is coming off the best season of his career, as he was selected to his first Pro Bowl.
He is now on his third NFL team and adjusting to yet another offense. While it is a work in progress, there have been positive signs for the running game in training camp. “It’s a work in progress, but (we) had a couple of good days, always room for improvement. But, I would say so, it’s looking good,” Swift said. “As a running back group collectively, I feel like just improving each day with the technique, with the reads … just the little things, little details, that we focus on pre-snap, how the picture (changes), post-snap, making the right reads after that type of stuff. But I feel as a running back group, (we’re) on the right track.” When you have a rookie quarterback, it is incredibly important to be able to lean on the run game. Chicago proved last season that it can be a formidable running offense, as it was the top rushing offense in the league. However, Swift was brought in to be the main running back, something the Bears lacked last season. He is also a versatile player who has a history of being active in the passing game, although the Philadelphia Eagles did not utilize that as much last season. “I feel like that’s a part of my game I can do,” Swift said. “So, it was good to kind of get a little scramble drill, get going, and kind of get free and (that) I’m going to be available in (those) types of situations.” Part of a strong running game is having a good run-blocking offensive line. The offensive line, in general, was a problem last season for Chicago, and for some of their starters for the upcoming season, including Nate Davis and Teven Jenkins, injuries have continued to be a problem throughout their NFL careers. Davis is already injured, while Jenkins left practice early on Sun. Aug. 4, creating speculation about a potential injury. Swift has dedicated himself to building chemistry with whoever is on the offensive line and despite the injuries on the line, this is something that has gone well in training camp thus far. “They’ve got the best character on the (offensive line),” Swift said. “But, me personally, just kind of introducing myself over and over (and) over again, building a relationship with these guys individually and I feel like we got a good relationship for sure.” Of course, the team's success on offense still depends on rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. Williams came into Chicago with perhaps one of the best situations ever for a No. 1 overall draft selection, with established veterans Keenan Allen and DJ Moore on the team and receiver Rome Odunze being selected in the draft. There have still been growing pains for the Heisman winner, but Swift says he continues to make progress everyday and is eager to learn more about the game and improve. “His commitment to getting better. Every single day, you kind of see it, and he’s not complacent, I would say,” Swift said. “Just the urge to get better, the urge to be better than the previous practice, is what I would say, knowing he doesn’t have it all figured out yet. So, I would say that.” Swift and the rest of the starters for the Bears did not play in the preseason opener against the Houston Texans. However, for any NFL player, but especially running backs, getting that action in the preseason can help a player reacclimate to being tackled at full speed and become comfortable in the game. “I feel like it’s important, especially (because) you don’t want your first actual game to be the first time you (are) kind of feeling things out,” Swift said. “So, getting back used to it and comfortability (and) getting up off the ground, stuff like that.” Swift's next opportunity to play in the preseason will be in Chicago’s second preseason game against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday, Aug. 10 (Noon / NFL Network), which will be followed by their home preseason opener against the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday, Aug. 17 (Noon / NFL Network).
