[Butterscup1679666578]

T. Jones for Ashley Lelie please.

 

In an apparent effort to address a tailback position that features plenty of depth but no proven starter, the Denver Broncos recently approached the Chicago Bears about the availability of six-year veteran runner Thomas Jones, ESPN.com has learned.

 

The bait dangled by the Broncos in their efforts to upgrade at tailback: Disgruntled wide receiver Ashley Lelie, who boycotted the team's offseason workouts and who may not report to camp when the Broncos begin practicing on Friday.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2532028

[Butterscup1679666578]

This makes me happy:

 

http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/sp/getty/oly_full.getty-71519743jd001_chicago_bears_6_06_32_pm.jpg

[NCCubFan]

Heading down there this weekend. I'll try to post some kind of summary.

http://www.starwars.com/databank/character/yoda/img/movie2_sm.jpg

Do, or do not. There is no try.

[Banedon]

T. Jones for Ashley Lelie please.

 

In an apparent effort to address a tailback position that features plenty of depth but no proven starter, the Denver Broncos recently approached the Chicago Bears about the availability of six-year veteran runner Thomas Jones, ESPN.com has learned.

 

The bait dangled by the Broncos in their efforts to upgrade at tailback: Disgruntled wide receiver Ashley Lelie, who boycotted the team's offseason workouts and who may not report to camp when the Broncos begin practicing on Friday.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2532028

 

I thought I'd read somewhere that the Bears weren't interested in Lelie.

[RynoRules]

T. Jones for Ashley Lelie please.

 

In an apparent effort to address a tailback position that features plenty of depth but no proven starter, the Denver Broncos recently approached the Chicago Bears about the availability of six-year veteran runner Thomas Jones, ESPN.com has learned.

 

The bait dangled by the Broncos in their efforts to upgrade at tailback: Disgruntled wide receiver Ashley Lelie, who boycotted the team's offseason workouts and who may not report to camp when the Broncos begin practicing on Friday.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2532028

 

I thought I'd read somewhere that the Bears weren't interested in Lelie.

 

Lovie has said that he likes what he has in Moose, Bradley, Currie, et al.

[Banedon]

T. Jones for Ashley Lelie please.

 

In an apparent effort to address a tailback position that features plenty of depth but no proven starter, the Denver Broncos recently approached the Chicago Bears about the availability of six-year veteran runner Thomas Jones, ESPN.com has learned.

 

The bait dangled by the Broncos in their efforts to upgrade at tailback: Disgruntled wide receiver Ashley Lelie, who boycotted the team's offseason workouts and who may not report to camp when the Broncos begin practicing on Friday.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2532028

 

I thought I'd read somewhere that the Bears weren't interested in Lelie.

 

Lovie has said that he likes what he has in Moose, Bradley, Currie, et al.

 

How the offense performs this year is really what I think is going to determine the level of success of this team this year.

[Chocolate Milk]

Serious energy surge among the crowd and players seeing Rex Grossman in place to start camp. Grossman responded with some precise throws and had the edge for the day on Brian Griese, although it's always difficult to judge completely without knowing play calls and required reads ... Grossman to Bernard Berrian deep and to Cedric Benson in traffic over the middle were highlights early, and his touch pass to John Gilmore, over one DB and in front of another, was good for 20 yards and a crowd roar .... Good sign: Rex and Kyle going to the mess hall together to pick up dinner.

 

Cedric Benson did more than show the cutting and burst that made him the No. 4 pick of the '05 draft. The kid showed excellent hands swinging out of the backfield too. But his cutback behind Fred Miller's backside sealing block was the run of the day. ...

 

FS Danieal Manning's interception of a pass from Brian Griese to Airese Currie was the defensive highlight and gave him one up on his chase of Chris Harris for the starting FS job.

 

There weren't full pads for the practice and the hitting is limited but while many were scurrying around to find out what was up with Thomas Jones not being in the rotation, Cedric Benson was quietly putting on a show, something he didn't have a chance to do last year because of missing camp during contract talks. He drew some "Yeah!" exclamation from fans with his bursts through the line and looked a whole lot like a No. 1 pick.

 

Specifically: He's got sudden speed going north-south, which this offense demands, and he's also got that little jump-cut that James Allen (remember him?) did so well, just too often. Benson explodes forward as soon as he finishes the cut; he knows where the hole is and he's in an awful hurry to get there. The pass protection is still the unknown but the first day running ... mm-hmmm.

 

I like hearing the stuff about Benson. Very good to hear.

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/cs-060727bearsmullin,1,447572.story?coll=cs-bears-headlines

[goonys evil twin]

T. Jones for Ashley Lelie please.

 

In an apparent effort to address a tailback position that features plenty of depth but no proven starter, the Denver Broncos recently approached the Chicago Bears about the availability of six-year veteran runner Thomas Jones, ESPN.com has learned.

 

The bait dangled by the Broncos in their efforts to upgrade at tailback: Disgruntled wide receiver Ashley Lelie, who boycotted the team's offseason workouts and who may not report to camp when the Broncos begin practicing on Friday.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2532028

 

I thought I'd read somewhere that the Bears weren't interested in Lelie.

 

Lovie has said that he likes what he has in Moose, Bradley, Currie, et al.

 

Wanny said all the pieces are in place. Coaches and GMs generally say they like what they have. If you hear Lovie speak, he has something positive to say about everybody. But I'd bet they realize WR is still an issue. They just don't want to panic about it, that would be bad for team morale, bad for PR and bad for negotiating purposes.

[Banedon]

I'm so ready for football... :)

[Chocolate Milk]

Day one photo gallery.

 

http://bearsboards.com/photos/categories.php?cat_id=2

[Magnetic Curses]

Serious energy surge among the crowd and players seeing Rex Grossman in place to start camp. Grossman responded with some precise throws and had the edge for the day on Brian Griese, although it's always difficult to judge completely without knowing play calls and required reads ... Grossman to Bernard Berrian deep and to Cedric Benson in traffic over the middle were highlights early, and his touch pass to John Gilmore, over one DB and in front of another, was good for 20 yards and a crowd roar .... Good sign: Rex and Kyle going to the mess hall together to pick up dinner.

 

Cedric Benson did more than show the cutting and burst that made him the No. 4 pick of the '05 draft. The kid showed excellent hands swinging out of the backfield too. But his cutback behind Fred Miller's backside sealing block was the run of the day. ...

 

FS Danieal Manning's interception of a pass from Brian Griese to Airese Currie was the defensive highlight and gave him one up on his chase of Chris Harris for the starting FS job.

 

There weren't full pads for the practice and the hitting is limited but while many were scurrying around to find out what was up with Thomas Jones not being in the rotation, Cedric Benson was quietly putting on a show, something he didn't have a chance to do last year because of missing camp during contract talks. He drew some "Yeah!" exclamation from fans with his bursts through the line and looked a whole lot like a No. 1 pick.

 

Specifically: He's got sudden speed going north-south, which this offense demands, and he's also got that little jump-cut that James Allen (remember him?) did so well, just too often. Benson explodes forward as soon as he finishes the cut; he knows where the hole is and he's in an awful hurry to get there. The pass protection is still the unknown but the first day running ... mm-hmmm.

 

I like hearing the stuff about Benson. Very good to hear.

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/cs-060727bearsmullin,1,447572.story?coll=cs-bears-headlines

 

what bothers me are the people who call him a bust, and oft-injured already. benson had one horrible-looking injury last year, but he came back--a testament to his flexability and conditioning.

 

the guy had a willis mcgahee-type looking injury and he didn't require surgery, that's amazing. i like benson a lot, and think he will be more durable than jones over the course of his career.

[Mark Priors Calves]

Day one photo gallery.

 

http://bearsboards.com/photos/categories.php?cat_id=2

 

Are you a member of that board? Is it decent?

[Chocolate Milk]

Serious energy surge among the crowd and players seeing Rex Grossman in place to start camp. Grossman responded with some precise throws and had the edge for the day on Brian Griese, although it's always difficult to judge completely without knowing play calls and required reads ... Grossman to Bernard Berrian deep and to Cedric Benson in traffic over the middle were highlights early, and his touch pass to John Gilmore, over one DB and in front of another, was good for 20 yards and a crowd roar .... Good sign: Rex and Kyle going to the mess hall together to pick up dinner.

 

Cedric Benson did more than show the cutting and burst that made him the No. 4 pick of the '05 draft. The kid showed excellent hands swinging out of the backfield too. But his cutback behind Fred Miller's backside sealing block was the run of the day. ...

 

FS Danieal Manning's interception of a pass from Brian Griese to Airese Currie was the defensive highlight and gave him one up on his chase of Chris Harris for the starting FS job.

 

There weren't full pads for the practice and the hitting is limited but while many were scurrying around to find out what was up with Thomas Jones not being in the rotation, Cedric Benson was quietly putting on a show, something he didn't have a chance to do last year because of missing camp during contract talks. He drew some "Yeah!" exclamation from fans with his bursts through the line and looked a whole lot like a No. 1 pick.

 

Specifically: He's got sudden speed going north-south, which this offense demands, and he's also got that little jump-cut that James Allen (remember him?) did so well, just too often. Benson explodes forward as soon as he finishes the cut; he knows where the hole is and he's in an awful hurry to get there. The pass protection is still the unknown but the first day running ... mm-hmmm.

 

I like hearing the stuff about Benson. Very good to hear.

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/cs-060727bearsmullin,1,447572.story?coll=cs-bears-headlines

 

what bothers me are the people who call him a bust, and oft-injured already. benson had one horrible-looking injury last year, but he came back--a testament to his flexability and conditioning.

 

the guy had a willis mcgahee-type looking injury and he didn't require surgery, that's amazing. i like benson a lot, and think he will be more durable than jones over the course of his career.

 

I thought his knee was destroyed when I saw it happen. It was pretty gross. I agree with you about Benson. He seemed pretty good from his limited action.

Edited July 28, 2006 by Chocolate Milk

[Chocolate Milk]

Day one photo gallery.

 

http://bearsboards.com/photos/categories.php?cat_id=2

 

Are you a member of that board? Is it decent?

 

I joined today. Not much traffic but the "Tim" said he took out adds on WSCR this week to get people to stop by. We'll see.

[Chocolate Milk]

Day one photo gallery.

 

http://bearsboards.com/photos/categories.php?cat_id=2

 

Are you a member of that board? Is it decent?

 

I actually just found a faily active Bears board if you are interested.

 

http://cbfans.easycgi.com/mbbs2/category-view.asp

[Jon]

Woo. Three-year contract for Philmore.

[Chocolate Milk]

Day 3: Training Camp News & Notes

 

By: John M. Crist

 

Editor in Chief

Date: Jul 30, 2006

 

 

The Bears had their first of only four scheduled two-a-days on Saturday, focusing on special teams in the morning and putting on full pads for the first time in the evening session. Bernard Berrian finished strong at the end of `05 and is looking to become a breakout star in `06.

 

The morning session on Saturday was little more than a glorified walk-through, with special teams being the main focus. The first practice in full pads took place later in the day under the lights at Olivet Nazarene University, and the capacity crowd got to see some genuine hitting for the first time this training camp. Here are some first-hand observations from both the morning and evening workouts:

 

MORNING SESSION

 

Many of the veteran players and those coming back from injury will get the morning practice off in order to keep their legs fresh for the full-pads session later on tonight. On the ‘just watching’ team are Brian Urlacher, Mike Brown, Muhsin Muhammad, Brian Griese, and Mark Bradley, among others ...

 

Robbie Gould is actually kicking field goals left-footed right now, and believe it or not, he’s connecting on about half of them from 30 yards or so ....

 

Bernard Berrian is once again the #1 punt returner, with Devin Hester running right behind him. Craig Bragg has been replaced by Rashied Davis as the third guy. Berrian looks very good, but it’s not hard to tell that Hester has some serious wiggle in the open field and could be special ...

 

Berrian finally makes a mistake and actually drops a punt. It was a short shank and far from a routine catch, but it was a drop nonetheless. Considering how good he has looked at receiver so far, he may prove to be too valuable on offense for use in the return game anyway ...

 

Kickers Gould and Josh Huston are fielding punts now. Gould even displays a spin move after making one catch. “Don’t quit your day job,” shouts Bears media guru Roger Hacker from the sideline ...

 

In the span of five minutes, Rashied Davis, Airese Currie, and Gabe Reid all drop passes. It’s amazing how contagious that can be sometimes. He may be way down on the depth chart, but second-year wideout Reggie Harrell has caught everything in sight for three days ...

 

It’s official. Kyle Orton looks awful. He’s been off target and throwing wobbly passes all week, and worse yet, his body language just doesn’t look good. During camp last year, he had a legitimate shot to win the starting job after Rex Grossman got hurt, and he ultimately did. This season, with Grossman fully healthy and Brian Griese in the mix, Orton could have the camp of his life and still be the #3 guy on opening day. It’s affecting his play. It may be speculation at this point, but it sure makes sense.

 

This defense preaches turnovers on every snap, and it’s starting to show. Dante Wesley strips Justin Gage after making a catch on a quick out, and just one play later, Bryan Johnson has one jarred loose after hauling in a short dump pass. Even on incompletions, someone on D always scoops up the ball and takes it to the house just to get in the habit of making a big play.

 

On the first play of 11-on-11 drills, Grossman throws to a hot receiver deep in his own territory but has it intercepted by Chris Harris for a quickie defensive touchdown. This defense is going to be awfully tough, Bears fans. They’re very deep and very good.

 

EVENING PRACTICE

 

ONU’s football stadium is about half the size of a typical high school stadium in the state of Texas. Nevertheless, it’s a standing-room-only crowd tonight. There’s even a Staley sighting for the first time this camp.

 

This will be the first time the players will dress in full pads, so even though the calendar says July, it officially feels like football season again.

 

In addition to the walking wounded (Thomas Jones, Tank Johnson, Mark Anderson, and Brandon McGowan), Tommie Harris and Dusty Dvoracek are not practicing tonight.

 

Ricky Manning Jr. loves to sing to himself before practice. If the Bears were to have an “American Idol” contestant, he’s probably the guy.

 

Tony Medlin, the equipment manager, has perhaps the coolest job on the entire staff. He gets to blow the airhorn when a period expires. Everyone wants to be the airhorn guy.

 

Lance Briggs appears to be running with the first team again in linebacker drills. It took him a grand total of two days to win his job back. Hopefully, that’s more an indication of his incredible talent and not a testimony on how far Leon Joe is from being a starter in the NFL.

 

Muhammad makes a tough grab over the middle on a throw from Grossman and gets some well deserved cheers from the crowd. Now if he could only hang on to all the easy ones. He has got to produce if this offense is going to have a chance this year.

 

Davis has one thrown just out of his reach on a deep corner route. “Lay out!” screams a semi-disappointed fan. “It’s practice, man,” Davis mutters under his breath as he jogs back to the huddle.

 

Cedric Benson is getting walloped during 11-on-11 drills even though there is no actual tackling. Now he fumbles after a collision at the line of scrimmage, and Charles Tillman scoops up the ball and heads to the house to the delight of the starting defense.

 

Ricky Manning just leveled Benson behind the line of scrimmage for a loss. There may be no tackling going on, but the D is laying some lumber out there. Benson appears to be getting frustrated.

 

Hester hasn’t had a single rep at cornerback in two days. The coaching staff obviously wants the rookie to focus on special teams, but even Alfonso Marshall and Carlos Hendricks are getting some at corner time with the second unit.

 

Griese is picked off by Dante Wesley, who takes it all the way for another pick-six. That’s at least half a dozen interceptions already for Griese in three days. He has a reputation for being a very accurate passer, but that’s not supposed to include the opposing defense.

 

Orton fumbles yet another snap. He just doesn’t look comfortable right now, not in any aspect of the game. Want more proof? He was just picked off by Brendon Ayanbedajo for another touchdown return the very next play. Fourth-string QB B.J. Symons may not be such a long shot to make the team after all.

 

Berrian makes another big catch on the first play of the two-minute drill, good for about 50 yards. Everyone is just assuming that Bradley is going to win the #2 receiver spot, but Berrian has been nothing short of stellar for three days now. Either way, assuming Muhammad still has his #1 stuff left in the tank, the Bears may not be as thin at wideout as people expect.

 

Benson takes a handoff near the goalline and absolutely trucks Nathan Vasher on his way to paydirt. It may only be training camp, but he emphatically spikes the ball right in front of the secondary after he crosses the goalline. Considering the tough treatment he got from the first team defense tonight, he was long overdue to blow off a little steam.

 

http://bears.scout.com/2/550935.html

 

Most, but not all, of an article on the Bears Sat. Practice.

[rawaction]

If the defense stays healthy, no reason the Bears can't mirror the 2005 season. Heck, they will actually be better on D if there are no major injuries. And as I have said all offseason, the Bears WRs are not that bad of a group. I don't think Moose is a #1 guy anymore, but Berrian was great the last 6 weeks of the season and will only get better. Bradley was great before he got hurt and will get better. In Bradley, Berrian, and Moose, the Bears may not have a legit #1 WR, but they could easily have three #2s. That's a solid receiving corps for a lot of teams.

[Chocolate Milk]

If the defense stays healthy, no reason the Bears can't mirror the 2005 season. Heck, they will actually be better on D if there are no major injuries. And as I have said all offseason, the Bears WRs are not that bad of a group. I don't think Moose is a #1 guy anymore, but Berrian was great the last 6 weeks of the season and will only get better. Bradley was great before he got hurt and will get better. In Bradley, Berrian, and Moose, the Bears may not have a legit #1 WR, but they could easily have three #2s. That's a solid receiving corps for a lot of teams.

 

From what I've heard, Berrian has been the star of TC so far. He's been making plays all over the field.

[UMFan83]

If the defense stays healthy, no reason the Bears can't mirror the 2005 season. Heck, they will actually be better on D if there are no major injuries. And as I have said all offseason, the Bears WRs are not that bad of a group. I don't think Moose is a #1 guy anymore, but Berrian was great the last 6 weeks of the season and will only get better. Bradley was great before he got hurt and will get better. In Bradley, Berrian, and Moose, the Bears may not have a legit #1 WR, but they could easily have three #2s. That's a solid receiving corps for a lot of teams.

 

The fact that they remained so healthy last year worries me. Its nearly impossible for an NFL team to have a unit so healthy all year long. The Bears have depth in some areas, but not others.

[Chocolate Milk]

Guys, if you haven't, go to Chicagobears.com and look at the video from Sat's practice. The last play they show is of Benson absolutely trucking Chris Harris. He knocks him back about 5 feet through the air. Awesome.

[Chocolate Milk]

The fact that they remained so healthy last year worries me.

 

???

 

Grossman, Bradley, Berrian, Mike Brown, Benson, and Thomas Jones were all injured last year. The Bears had some signifigant injuries last year.

[UMFan83]

The fact that they remained so healthy last year worries me.

 

???

 

Grossman, Bradley, Berrian, Mike Brown, Benson, and Thomas Jones were all injured last year. The Bears had some signifigant injuries last year.

 

I meant on Defense. Mike Brown is the only defensive player that you mentioned, and he didnt get injured until around Week 14. When the Bears made their 8 game winning run, the defense was almost completely healthy. I just can't see a unit remain as healthy as they did last year

[Jon]

Guys, if you haven't, go to Chicagobears.com and look at the video from Sat's practice. The last play they show is of Benson absolutely trucking Chris Harris. He knocks him back about 5 feet through the air. Awesome.

Haha. That was great.

[rawaction]

The fact that they remained so healthy last year worries me.

 

???

 

Grossman, Bradley, Berrian, Mike Brown, Benson, and Thomas Jones were all injured last year. The Bears had some signifigant injuries last year.

 

I meant on Defense. Mike Brown is the only defensive player that you mentioned, and he didnt get injured until around Week 14. When the Bears made their 8 game winning run, the defense was almost completely healthy. I just can't see a unit remain as healthy as they did last year

 

Tank, Scott, Hillenbrand, Harris, Azumah and others also missed at least an entire game last year. Nothing major really, but it's not like they were immune. Plus, the Bears roster is comprised of a bunch of guys who have managed to remain healthy in their careers. Briggs, Vasher, A Brown, Hillenmeyer, and Harris have missed very little time in their careers. Urlacher, Tillman, and Ogunleye have only had 1 season in which they missed any time. Knocks on Wood (not Kerry).