Washington on progression with Gervon Dexter and Austin Booker |
LAKE FOREST, I.L. - So far in training camp, defensive coordinator Eric Washington’s defense has performed better than the offense. Throughout camp, but particularly recently, they have been batting down balls at the line of scrimmage.
Defensive lineman Gervon Dexter is one player who has been doing that more frequently than some of the others. “The way offenses are prioritizing protecting the quarterback, one of the ways you can do that is get the ball out of his hand in a hurry and so, depending on the nature of our coverage, if we’re in a looser coverage, it is critical that our defensive linemen collapse the pocket, recognize that and provide an obstruction for the quarterback,” Washington said. “So, I was really excited to see that, and they’ve been doing it since camp has started, and that really protects our secondary.” Rookie defensive lineman Austin Booker has shown some good qualities in training camp, but Washington has one goal for him - hit the quarterback. “He’s just tough to hit as a pass rusher. He has a great feel for how to contort his body, how to flip or rotate his hips and shoulders so that he can keep advancing toward the quarterback and put himself in great position to follow through, Washington said. “I want to see him hit the quarterback. Period. I want to see him hit the quarterback. I want to see him use his speed and everything that he’s been working on that’s been poured into him so far, the investment that he’s made. I want to see him put himself in the position to hit the quarterback and take the ball away from him.” This game will also provide fans with their first opportunity to see Washington’s defensive scheme. However, the Bears will have the same defensive play caller as head coach Matt Eberflus will call defensive plays in the Hall of Fame game and during the regular season. Seeing how these schemes are executed on the field, even without the starters, will be pivotal for Chicago throughout this preseason process as Washington and the rest of the coaches evaluate their play using their “core philosophy.” “We’re going to evaluate everything that we do against our core philosophy, and that’s the hits principle,” Washington said. We want to see great hustle, great effort, and great intensity. We want the players to recognize certain situations and respond accordingly.” The Hall of Fame game has a little extra meaning to Washington because defensive end Julius Peppers and punt returner Devin Hester were officially enshrined into the Hall of Fame. During Washington’s first stint coaching for the Bears as the assistant defensive line coach from 2008 to 2009 and defensive line coach in 2010, he had the chance to work with both Peppers and Hester. He also worked with Peppers with the Carolina Panthers in the final two seasons of Peppers’ career. “It is an unbelievable blessing to have come all the way from where I was and (where) those guys were in their (careers) to watch them receive this particular honor and to have worked with Julius Peppers in two different places and to know not only the type of player that he was, but the type of person that he is and to have gotten to know him in that way and Devin, just the excitement,” Washington said. “Devin brought a dimension to the return game that only a few guys that have ever played in this league have done and the other one was here, Gale Sayers, and Deion Sanders and so, to know that this person was capable of scoring every time he touched the ball and I was on the right end of that and the wrong end of it when I left and went to Carolina and so, it’s a really special thing to have experienced and I’m looking forward to seeing those guys.”
