One would expect players to get contentious between each other during practice. Football is a violent game and it can create disagreements due to the physicality and the contentious nature of it. This has become apparent for the Chicago Bears as the defense, led by their brash new additions like Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman have gone about setting the tone with plenty of trash talk and spirited play against the offense. Not to be outdone, Kyle Long and Zach Miller have in turn given as good as they’ve gotten. All the while it’s making everybody better.

What some fans may not have counted on is the rivalry spreading to the coaching staff. In an off-season centered on the word “competition, ” offensive and defensive coordinators Dowell Loggains and Vic Fangio added some unexpected spice to a spirited session. Jeremy Stoltz of Bear Report relayed a disagreement that spouted between the two during the second day of minicamp.

“In the red zone, the offense tried to run a hurry up play at the 3-yard line, yet they substituted personnel as they rushed to the line of scrimmage. This didn’t sit well with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, who yelled at Loggains across the field “If you’re going to sub, we get to sub. Knock that off.” Loggains responded “You’re 100 percent right Vic. That’s on us.” Loggains then turned and berated his assistant coaches for trying to sub on a hurry up play. He might be small but Loggains is fiery.”

That moment seemed to bleed into the rest of practice. Though they would not have any significant words again, it seemed like Loggains and Fangio turned up the juice with their play calling during the main drills between the offense and defense.

“11-on-11 drills featured a lot of blitzing by the defense. On two straight plays, ILB Danny Trevathan went untouched into the backfield. Obviously the coordination along the offensive line, particularly against the blitz, is going to take some time. To counter the extra rushers, Loggains began dialing up screen plays. It was a fun game of chess to watch between Fangio and Loggains.”

It seems the messages are being clearly sent. Fangio intends to be more aggressive this season, now that he has the horses to do it. Loggains showed a critical ability of offensive coordinators by showing the willingness to adjust in the middle of a game situation to what the defense was trying to do. Punch. Counterpunch. That is what football is. It’s a chess match.

The best part is the players seem to be responding to it. Throughout the practice, big plays were being made on both sides of the ball. Nothing stokes the fires of success better than a good rivalry, even if it’s within team borders. The Chicago Bears have two coordinators who are competitive and don’t fear each other. Having such men in charge when the real games begin can only mean good things.