Earlier than his first NFL preseason recreation Saturday, Chicago Bears security Jaquan Brisker had introduced a purpose of forcing a turnover. “Instantly,” the rookie advised reporters earlier within the week.
Brisker solely got here near a takeaway within the Bears’ 19-14 victory over the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs — and he mentioned he really wanted a little bit of time to get snug — however the second-round decide nonetheless may go away Soldier Area feeling fairly good about his debut.
On the Chiefs’ fourth sequence, Brisker delivered a giant hit in opposition to large receiver Skyy Moore, took down working again Derrick Gore for a 2-yard loss and almost intercepted Shane Buechele’s cross meant for Noah Grey. Positive, the performs have been in opposition to second-stringers, but it surely was sufficient to depart an impression on Bears coach Matt Eberflus.
“The tackling. Deflecting the ball,” Eberflus mentioned. “He ought to have had possibly a takeaway or two. However he was high-energy. Man, he likes to hit. I actually preferred that aggressive model for him, how he’s enjoying proper now.”
The Bears’ two different Day 2 draft picks — cornerback Kyler Gordon and large receiver Velus Jones Jr. — sat out with accidents. So the debut of Brisker, who's prone to begin alongside veteran security Eddie Jackson, was among the many most notable Saturday.
“I needed to get warmed up at first,” Brisker mentioned. “It was nice being within the stadium and enjoying subsequent to nice guys like Eddie and the remainder of the protection. I believed it was an incredible expertise for the primary time.”
Brisker completed with 4 tackles, a deal with for a loss and a cross defended, one of some rookie standouts on a day made for such performances.
Operating again Trestan Ebner, a sixth-round select of Baylor, opened eyes with a flexible efficiency on offense and particular groups. And undrafted rookie linebacker Jack Sanborn, a product of Lake Zurich Excessive and Wisconsin, had a component in two second-half takeaways.
“Draft decide or no draft decide, it doesn’t matter — you need to earn the respect of the blokes on this locker room and also you need the coaches to see why they picked you or why they determined to allow you to come right here,” Ebner mentioned. “Meaning essentially the most, once I can get love from these different guys and present them I’m meant to put on this ‘C’ on my head and I’m meant to be part of this crew.”
When Ebner returned to the sideline after leaving Chiefs defensive again Jaylen Watson in his wake with a nasty minimize, his teammates advised him, “Oooh, I didn’t know you would minimize like that.”
“I didn’t know what they have been speaking about as a result of to me it felt like I used to be simply on the market working,” Ebner mentioned. “After which I noticed it on the large display, I used to be like, ‘Oh, that was a pleasant minimize.’ ”
Ebner admitted he was rewatching the spotlight of his 27-yard run on his cellphone when reporters approached him within the locker room after the sport.
The run was a part of a well-rounded day that included a 12-yard landing catch on a throw from Trevor Siemian, with Ebner pounding by three Chiefs defenders for the Bears’ first rating of the preseason. Ebner additionally had two kickoff returns masking 53 yards, together with a 34-yarder on the opening kickoff.
Ebner mentioned he was nervous about getting in on offense, particularly as a result of the first-quarter working again reps went to Khalil Herbert with David Montgomery sidelined by a minor damage. However Herbert returned to the sideline between sequence to inform him what he was seeing, and that calmed his nerves.
Ebner has numerous expertise round him within the working again room with Montgomery and Herbert, and the Bears have a number of kickoff-return choices too. So Ebner felt good about having the ability to exhibit his ability set.
“He’s very aggressive,” Eberflus mentioned. “He likes when the lights come on and you may see him compete in observe. He’s a robust runner and he’s clearly obtained numerous good velocity, too, so he can actually flip it on to get the nook or take it the gap. So we’re excited the place he's too. And he’s doing a greater job blocking, ending runs.”
The Bears had a brief subject earlier than Ebner’s landing catch because of Sanborn’s interception of Buechele on the Chiefs’ opening drive of the second half. Sanborn returned the decide 13 yards to the Chiefs 27.
“I knew they have been going to attempt to decide on the linebacker there in Cowl-2,” Sanborn mentioned. “I used to be lucky sufficient to make a good break and field out the receiver there and make a play.”
On the Chiefs’ third drive of the third quarter, Sanborn pounced on Gore’s fumble, which Mike Pennel compelled, and the following Bears drive resulted in a Cairo Santos subject purpose.
Sanborn, who guessed he had “rather a lot” of members of the family and mates on the recreation, had 5 tackles, together with a one for a loss, and two special-teams tackles, impression as he fights for a roster spot.
“I’m going to be that man that can do regardless of the coaches ask or regardless of the crew desires,” Sanborn mentioned. “Simply take it day-to-day and be in keeping with everybody.”
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