From Rookie to Contender: Trapilo impressing in Bears camp

Ariana Pensy · Correspondent · 6 hours ago

CHICAGO - Rookie offensive lineman Ozzy Trapilo has come into training camp with the mentality of a veteran.

He is constantly seeking to improve and learn from his mistakes and has put himself in contention for the starting job at left tackle.

“There’s always going to be stuff to learn from. That’s kind of the main thing that the coaches are (honing) in on. It’s training camp. Mistakes are going to be made. You try to limit those (to) as few as possible. But, as long as you learn from them, you watch the tape, you get better everyday … There’s always stuff that I’m going to take from the day and learn from. But, just an opportunity to go out there with pads on, I think, is a great one for everyone,” Trapilo said.

“My main goal is to help the team. So, I’m just going out there, especially a day like today for example where the pads are on, bullets are flying. Just going out there, doing the best that I can to show the coaches my abilities. So, I’m just going to go out there, head down, work hard and then what happens after is the coach’s decision. So, I’m doing my part. I know the other guys are doing theirs and we’re just going to let it unfold.”

Based on Chicago’s first depth chart, it would appear Trapilo is currently second in the battle for left tackle with veteran Braxton Jones certainly listed as the starting left tackle. Second-year lineman Kiran Amegadjie is listed as the backup right tackle behind Darnell Wright.

Even though Trapilo has been competing with Jones and Amegadjie throughout training camp so far, he said they have both been supportive and players he can lean on with questions when he needs to.

“They’re both great people, great guys and they’re the first ones to help anytime any of us, anytime that there’s something on the field that you have a question on or some specific technique, anything like that, they’re the first guys to step up because they’re at the same spot and to help out with that,” Trapilo said. “So, I’m really grateful for the way that they’re handling themselves and the situation is what it is. But, we’re all out there trying to be better as a team. So, they’re doing their part. I’m doing mine and we’re just trying to make each other better.”

There is only so much that can be evaluated with an offensive lineman before pads go on. Further, there is only so much a rookie can learn about playing in the league without pads. Now that the pads are on in training camp, Trapilo has taken notice of the speed of the game.

To him, this further emphasizes why technique is essential in the NFL.

“The game in general is faster at this level. That’s something that I’ve noticed as the pads have gone on. Your feet got to be in the ground as quick as possible if you want to be able to make the block to the capability that you want to make it,” Trapilo said. “The skill gap is basically non-existent in the NFL. It’s very technique-driven. So, just really dialing in on your technique. If it’s not perfect, you’re not going to be in a great spot to make the block. So, just trying to get it as close to perfect as possible, put yourself in the best spot to succeed.”