Chicago Bears rookie defensive end Shea McClellin will be expected to contribute on the field from day one of the regular season in 2012, but his transition to the NFL game during training camp hasn't been a smooth one. The No. 19 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft has looked uncomfortable when trying to pressure the quarterback in team drills, but he did put together a nice practice on Thursday and is now hoping to build on that momentum going forward.
On Friday morning he spoke with the Mully and Hanley Show on Chicago's 670 AM The Score, and the former Boise State standout admitted he has been a bit overwhelmed during the first week of practice:
"The grind of things. Mentally, I think, I wasn't ready for that," McClellin told The Mully And Hanley Show in Bourbonnais. "Being away from the family and all kinds of other stress and pressure, it can get to you, especially as a rookie. I'm doing better and that's what I'm trying to do."
"The media is crazy around here and that's something people told me it would be, but it's definitely pretty crazy."
"I think I'm harder on myself than anyone," McClellin said. "I need to not do that and kind of just, like Coach Marinelli said, just have fun with it and play the next play."
Quotes via Chicago.CBSLocal.com.
Things won't get any easier and media scrutiny won't get any less intense over the coming months, so here's to hoping McClellin has adjusted to the atmosphere and is primed to hit his stride.
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