BOURBONNAIS, Ill. (670 The Score) -- The ball was snapped from center and handed off to running back Mike Davis. Before the Bears offense could even attempt to run the play Monday morning, there was star linebacker Khalil Mack with his arms wrapped around Davis.
"I'd like him to just keep ruining our drills," Bears coach Matt Nagy said over past weekend. "I'm OK with that."
Mack has been busting up plenty of the Bears' plays on offense since the team began work in training camp at Olivet Nazarene on Friday afternoon. He did it again Monday morning on a routine handoff to Davis after recording multiple sacks in practice a day earlier.
This marks the first training camp for Mack in a Bears uniform after he joined Chicago on Sept. 1 last year. What Nagy and his players have found is that Mack practices in July with the same relentless motor that makes him successful during the regular season.
During practices, the Bears prohibit players from tackling to a point where there's a risk of injury. That's especially true with the quarterbacks, who are considered sacked in practice when a defender closely approaches them in the pocket. Whistles are blown early to ensure player safety.
But inside the trenches, the battles are real. That's where Mack presents a tall task for his teammates.
"He's a great player," tackle Bobby Massie said of Mack. "I mean, he's going to make me better. I'm thankful I get an opportunity to go against him every day, because I'm not going to see that out there every single week. It just makes me a better player, challenges me every single day, every single snap. I'm glad we got him."
After being acquired by the Bears, Mack signed a six-year, $141-million contract -- the richest deal ever for a defensive player -- then promptly produced 12.5 sacks in 14 regular-season games. He was a leading force for a Bears team that led the NFL in scoring defense and takeaways.
"We're hungrier than last year," Mack said. "I'm speaking for myself as well. I'm way hungrier than I was last year. It definitely wasn't good enough. I'm just looking forward to this year and getting better.
"It's just a part of me. I want to be the best. A part of being the best is working hard along with talent. That's what I've been taught throughout my whole career. Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard."
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
