For two seasons, Chicago Bears rookie receiver Tyler Scott had to battle two starting-caliber NFL cornerbacks in practice at the University of Cincinnati.
And while it was surely daunting back then, Scott says it was those practices against New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner and Seattle Seahawks cornerback Coby Bryant that helped him prepare for life in the NFL and gave him an advantage that most rookie receivers don’t typically have transitioning from college to the pros.
"Coby Bryant was a Jim Thorpe Award winner when I was there, and then at the same time you had on the other side of the field, you know, [Gardner] was a Rookie of the Year,” Scott said on the “Under Center” podcast. “So you're going against those two guys day in and day out, you learn a lot … so you got to learn how to get open against somebody who already knows what's coming and, you know, are good in the way that they are. So, it definitely gave me a leg up for sure.”
Scott joins a strong Bears receiver room that features D.J. Moore, Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool. While playing time will presumably be hard to come by with a depth chart that stacked, Scott is arguably better prepared for the challenge than most.
Tyler Scott is known for his shifty route running skills and quick speed. Scott went vs Sauce Gardner and Coby Bryant everyday.
— Neil Meyer (@MeyerNeil6) March 23, 2023
“There was times where I lined up vs Coby in practice and as soon as I got to the line he would tell me exactly what I route I had,” said Scott
Gardner and Bryant combined for 18 interceptions and three defensive touchdowns during their time at Cincinnati, and Scott regularly was defended by one or both during practice.
“I have a pretty heavy room as far as these guys that have been there, done that," Scott added. "They have a lot of talent. But for me, my mindset has always been: Be so good that they have to put you in the game. No matter who's around, you have to be so good that they have to have you be out there — have to put you out there."
Gardner totaled a league-high 20 passes defensed, 14 pass breakups and two interceptions during his debut season, in which he was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and was a First Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl section.
Among cornerbacks with 500 or more coverage snaps, Gardner was one of just four players to allow one touchdown or fewer and his 45.9 completion percentage allowed was the lowest in the NFL, per Pro Football Focus.
Conversely, Bryant logged 70 tackles, four passes defensed and four forced fumbles while allowing just two touchdowns on 492 coverage snaps across 17 games. The 10.3 yards per reception he allowed was also the second-lowest on the team.
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