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“Once they came to the bus, you kind of knew what it was, but you’re kind of hoping that’s not what it is,” Jones said. “We just had to wait it out. The guys who were out, we’re just glad to be back in the building with everyone. Five days is a lot to miss during training camp, so we were anxious to get back out here to be around the guys and just learn more.”
Personally, having visited the old minor-league ballpark in Durham, N.C., used in Costner’s greatest baseball flick, “Bull Durham,” I’d like to see a “Bull Durham Game” with clips and stories of the making of the film from Costner (Crash Davis), Tim Robbins (Nuke LaLoosh) and Susan Sarandon (Annie Savoy).
“That was awesome,” Stanton said. “I couldn’t see out there to tell if it went over or if (left fielder Leury García) hit the wall and it was still in play. When I realized it went over, it was an awesome moment for me that I could put the team up and in a good spot.”
“He’s also very mature and focused. And when you have that, he doesn’t let the moment — at least I don’t think so, I haven’t seen it — he doesn’t let a moment get too big for him. He’s very calm, very reserved. And I think a lot of these guys, it’s like, ‘OK. … All of this talk. All of these practices. All of these meetings. All of this stuff. Can I just go play a football game, and just go have fun?’ ”
This year, the caps are popping up all over NFL training camps, with the Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers, Los Angeles Rams, Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers among the teams with linemen wearing them at practices as teams try to prevent head trauma that is linked to CTE and other health problems.
When Chicago Bears linemen took to the practice fields this week, their helmets were enclosed in what looked like rubber bumpers. They’re called Guardian Caps, a soft-shelled helmet cover the Bears and other NFL teams are trying out in an attempt to reduce the impact on players’ heads that comes with the repetitive blows of football. (José M. Osorio) Bears offensive guard Dareuan Parker (69) works out during practice on Aug. 11, 2021, at Halas Hall. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune) Bears offensive lineman Tyrone Wheatley Jr. (72) works out during practice on, Aug. 11, 2021, at Halas Hall. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune) Bears offensive tackle Alex Bars works out during practice on Aug. 11, 2021, at Halas Hall. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune) Bears offensive tackle Badara Traore (79), defensive end Angelo Blackson (90), defensive tackle Daniel Archibong (72) and defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga (95) warm up during training camp at Halas Hall on Aug. 10, 2021. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune) Bears center Cody Whitehair (65) warms up during training camp at Halas Hall on Aug. 10, 2021. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune) Bears defensive end Angelo Blackson (90) warms up with other players during training camp at Halas Hall on Aug. 10, 2021. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune) Bears offensive guard Dareuan Parker (69) and Chicago Bears offensive guard Arlington Hambright (71) warm up during training camp at Halas Hall on Aug. 10, 2021. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune) Bears offensive tackle Alex Bars (64) warms up during training camp at Halas Hall on Aug. 10, 2021. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune) Bears defensive end Angelo Blackson (90), defensive tackle Daniel Archibong (72), defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga (95) and defensive end Akiem Hicks (96) during training camp at Halas Hall on Aug. 10, 2021. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune) Bears offensive guard Dieter Eiselen (60) and quarterback Justin Fields (1) during training camp at Halas Hall on Aug. 10, 2021. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune) Bears offensive tackle Elijah Wilkinson (70) warms up during training camp at Halas Hall on Aug. 10, 2021. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune) Bears offensive tackle Alex Bars (64) during training camp at Halas Hall on Aug. 10, 2021. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune) Bears defensive end Sam Kamara (78), defensive back Tre Roberson (31) and linebacker Caleb Johnson (92) during training camp at Halas Hall on Aug. 10, 2021. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)
“I walked to the other side, I took some photos on the porch swing of the house. I actually walked through the house. The guys who were staying there tonight, who won it through an auction, they’re White Sox fans, so I was able to take a photo with them and walk through the house, which was fantastic. It’s cool. All I’m waiting on is Kevin (Costner), Ray (Liotta) and James Earl (Jones) to come down, and we can figure it out.”
Contreras is dealing with a tweaked knee, manager David Ross said, after being able to play through it for a little bit. In conversations with Cubs trainers, it didn’t make sense for Contreras to continue on that path. The Cubs activated Austin Romine from the 60-day IL, giving Ross two veterans, along with Robinson Chirinos, to use behind the plate during Contreras’ absence.
Dalton’s current trump card remains his experience, 10 NFL seasons that help him understand the Bears offense better, read defenses more quickly and communicate with his offensive teammates on a more advanced level. All of that still is incredibly valuable. And internally at Halas Hall, the belief is that Dalton’s savvy, self-assurance and ability to play on schedule will reduce the number of game-losing errors that could derail a playoff push.
“He runs with so much aggression,” Williams said. “Like, he runs with a chip on his shoulder. I want to ask him, like, ‘What have you got going on personally, you know, that makes you run like this?’ … (Today in red-zone drills), it looked like he fell, and I just saw him pop up and keep running. But I’ve seen that multiple times throughout the time that I’ve been here. His low gravity is something special.”