Joniak's Journal: Quick Takes On Bears-Falcons
By Jeff Joniak--
(CBS) The Bears the the defending NFC champion Falcons on Sunday in their season opener. Here are my
--- Give it up for Bears starting inside linebacker Danny Trevathan, who has made a remarkable recovery from ruptured patella tendon in Week 13 of the 2016 season. He will start Sunday. Experience recovering from a nasty knee injury in his Denver days clearly gave him a reference point in fighting through the monotony of rehab and at-times painful work. Loaded with intangibles, Trevathan's mindset and optimism catches fire in the locker room. It's a tough first test against a powerfully built Atlanta offense, but paired with Jerrell Freeman, and backed up by second-year pro Nick Kwiatkowski and veteran Christian Jones, Chicago is in solid shape in the interior of Vic Fangio's defense.
--- It looks like cornerback Prince Amukamara is having a difficult time recovering from his ankle sprain. It likely puts Kyle Fuller into a growing group of Bears who are getting a second chance to make a first impression. The fourth-year pro and 2014 first-round pick, Fuller is gaining his confidence back as he gains his health back after a knee injury kept him out of the entire 2016 season. Fuller's hands are full with the Falcons receivers led by All-Pro Julio Jones. The assignment requires stellar technique and front seven pressure on MVP quarterback Matt Ryan.
--- There's one former Atlanta Falcon on the Bears' roster. Reserve offensive lineman Tom Compton is the subject of Sunday's audio version of Joniak's Journal in the second hour of the "Countdown to Kickoff." His perspective on how the Falcons grew together and gained momentum on their way to the Super Bowl was interesting. It's a useful conversation in terms of gauging how the Bears must grow over the days, months and years to become a contender. Compton is a valuable piece to the Bears' offensive line puzzle.
Jeff Joniak is the play-by-play announcer for the Bears broadcasts on WBBM Newsradio 780 & 105.9 FM. Follow him on Twitter @JeffJoniak.