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We've seen what Khalil Mack can do from good forwards: five sacks, four sacks, 24 squeezes, excellent run defense, a choice of six, etc., all in just four games with the Bears. But what is it for the guy against whom he practices during the week at Halas Hall?
"Long days," Rashaad Coward quickly said.
Coward, 23, has the challenge of learning to play well against one of the best, if not the best rush of the NFL. The Bears switched Coward from offensive line to offensive line in the spring, identifying his athleticism and image as features of offensive line coach Harry Hiestand – who developed four first-round picks at Notre Dame – to cast. His progress has been promising, from OTA and minicamp to training camp, and he has performed well enough in five pre-season games to align the 53 Bears players on the day of the cup. . He did not seem to have been surpassed by anyone, including Justin Houston of Kansas City, perhaps apart from a few common representatives against the Denver Von Miller.
Until the second training session took shape, Mack donned the Bears' uniform.
"His second piece (Coward) turned his back and looked at me," said coach Matt Nagy last month, bringing him out a bit.
"I knew he was strong," Coward said, acknowledging that it was hard to be relaxed the first week against Mack. "The speed m took me by surprise."
Coward, however, has a lucid approach to trying to block Mack as he learns the nuances of his new position. He is not too high on himself if he is able to thwart him, any more than Mack will overtake him with his endless mix of speed, power and technique.
"Once you face guys like that, everyone is like – I do not mean fanfare, but they will not get as fast, as hard or fast," said Coward.
It's not just that Coward is practicing against Mack. Mack will actively give Coward points, explaining what he did in a certain movement, and how, next time, the novice offensive lineman could counter it.
So when defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said, "There is no prima donna" in Mack, consider this an example. Or, as external linebacker Brandon Staley said, "I think he understands the impact he can have on so many people in the organization."
Hiestand also enjoys Mack's dialogue with Coward.
"He wins so much to have the opportunity to compete with (Mack)," Hiestand said. "I know they communicate and he asks Rashaad to help him – hey, you give me this, you give me that. Stay on course, do not be frustrated. And it's really beneficial. "
The potential impact of Coward's practice against Mack may not be realized until 2019. Coward has been inactive for all four Bears games this year, and many injuries are likely to be needed to enter the field in 2018.
But the right tackle Bobby Massie is free after this season, and if Coward continues to develop what the Bears want, it could be an option – and a cost-effective solution – to take over. 2019. As he does so, however, these long days against Mack on the Halas Hall training grounds will have paid off.
"We did not face anyone like that outside of Von Miller," said Coward. "But it's good to know that he's part of our team."
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