Bears' Nate Davis continues to be a no-show during OTAs
Another week, another no-show for Chicago Bears guard Nate Davis. Davis didn't show up to OTAs last week and hasn't been there this week, either. While this time of year is voluntary, it's still strange considering he's a new player on the team and building chemistry and cohesiveness along the offensive line is paramount. Getting […]
Another week, another no-show for Chicago Bears guard Nate Davis.
Davis didn't show up to OTAs last week and hasn't been there this week, either. While this time of year is voluntary, it's still strange considering he's a new player on the team and building chemistry and cohesiveness along the offensive line is paramount. Getting the work in early can be huge in speeding up the learning curve/bonding process.
Plus, Bears quarterback Justin Fields made his thoughts pretty clear last week when he was asked about no-shows during voluntary workouts/practices.
"I think the only guys that need to be here are the new guys and the younger guys to learn the offense," Fields told reporters. "Vets and stuff like that – if they've proven themselves on the field, especially in this system, all we care about is showing up during the season."
There's some slight solace in the fact that Davis has some familiarity with the Bears' scheme. The Tennessee Titans ran (and still run) a zone-based scheme during Davis' four years in Nashville, but still, it's not the same scheme that Luke Getsy runs in Chicago. There will certainly be differences in both terminology and philosophy that Davis will need to get accustomed to.
Plus when you add in the fact that Davis is going to be playing next to two players he's never played before -whether it be Cody Whitehair and Darnell Wright or Whitehair and Braxton Jones- it's easy to see why he should simply be at OTAs. The Bears gave the fifth-year player a three-year, $30 million contract, so it's clear they view him as a starter. There is zero doubt about that.
"He's just not here," Eberflus told reporters Wednesday when asked why Davis hasn't showed up, yet. "… We certainly feel a little bit more comfortable because he has been in the system and he knows the zone scheme and the down [blocking[ schemes. It's really similar, in terms of the line coaching – it's very similar to that.
"Again, we'd like for everybody to be here. We think it's invaluable for guys to be here [and] we'll coach the guys that are here."
By now, it's safe to assume Davis' absences aren't for personal reasons, based off Eberflus' answer. That's a good thing – it's great to hear everything is OK when it comes to his personal life.
But when it comes to his professional life, aka his role on the Bears, it's easy to understand how the absences are frustrating. Davis' season isn't screwed because, by any means, since he's not showing up for OTAs, but at the same time, it's hard to wrap your head around why he's not there.
Featured image via Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
