The Bears Training Camp and Preseason Thread

[Soul]

I don't remember the other Super Bowl losing teams getting raked over the coals like this.

 

The whole "losing super bowl team struggles" theory is very weak in my opinion.

 

Seattle came back and made the playoffs.

Philly had already been pressing it's luck with the whole 4-6 year window of opportunity thing that teams tend to follow. They'd been on the verge for so long that it was almost inevitable they'd suffer a setback.

The Panthers were a bit of a surprise team making the Super Bowl, and they did miss the playoffs, but bounced right back the next year.

Oakland was an old team on the verge of breaking down anyway, and they probably never should have made the playoffs.

The Rams had been around for quite a while when they lost after the 2001 season. They were also an offensively minded team in the middle of an offensive turnover, going from Warner to Bulger.

 

I really don't see the Bears being similar to any of those teams. An injury could change things, but they are a very good team probably right in the middle of their window of opportunity.

 

They have steadily improved under the Angelo/Smith regime, and are probably poised to have their best year this season.

 

Pretty good points.

 

The Bears are definitely in the heart of their window right now. And we've got Rusty and his voodoo to keep away the injury demons.

[USSoccer]

So I got into a big Rex Grossman fight during a BP chat. Jeff Ma started by saying this:

 

doomk7 (Chicago Area): Now that the Bears have signed Briggs, are they the favorite in the NFC? And what do you think about Hester this year?

 

Jeff Ma: I'm not sure how signing Briggs changes anything... He doesn't play QB does he?

 

So I'm all like "OhNoHeDidn't" and I threw this into the queue:

 

 

Rex Grossman (Bourbannnais): People are so quick to use my bad games to hang me out to dry. You do remember I had 10 games above 85 in QB rating, right? And I led my team to a Super Bowl in my first full season. What do I have to do to earn your respect?

 

Jeff Ma: Stop doing really stupid things... you aren't brett favre

 

And I'm all like "What?". So I followed up. Which is what you should do when people make stupid statements:

 

Rex Grossman (Bourbannais): How am I the issue when I got my team to the Super Bowl and played great in 12 out of 19 games played last year? Yes, my bad games were horrendous, but my great games were really great, and to say I am the biggest issue my team has is unfair.

 

Jeff Ma: So then tell me... what is your team's biggest issue?

 

Yeah, I know I simplified the "great in 12 out of 19" thing, but it's a chat. So I gave him what he asked for:

 

Rex Grossman (Bourbannais): The health of my offensive line, given their age, is the biggest "issue". Every team's performance hinges on their QB, so if you want to say my performance will be important, fine, but you can say this about any team and their QB. The facts are that I was well above average in 12 of my 19 games last year, and while I crapped the bed in the Super Bowl, I'm not gong to hinder the team from winning. Again, they won with me last year, even with my 7 really bad games. Also, keep in mind it was my first full season at QB. Compare my numbers with other 1st year QB's. The numbers are right in line with some very good players.

 

Jeff Ma: Did you just call out your offensive line? See if they want to block for you this season at all

 

Nice response, guy. Way to back up your statements. So I continue the bust out:

 

Rex Grossman (Bourbannais): My O-Line aren't into stats. They don't read BP. They believe in hitting in the clutch, St. Jeter, and they laugh at the notion of pitch counts. They still Trusty in Dusty. So I should be safe, assuming John Tait's age doesn't turn him into a 6'5 traffic cone this season. But my point remains. If the o-line is bad, or banged up, Benson and I will look terrible no matter what we do. That's the biggest issue. I'm simply a player that needs to play well, just like Tony Romo, Eli Manning, Phillip Rivers, and nearly every other NFL QB.

 

Jeff Ma: I'm starting to think this isn't the real Rex Grossman

 

 

So to sum up, someone made the stock "Rex Grossman sucks" comment about the Bears season, and when called out on it, resorted to making stupid one liners and not actually backing up his assertions.

 

USS 1, crappy BP chat guy -2.

[David]

Haha, nicely done, US.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Great read here

 

That gets me so pumped up for the season. Finally, a POSITIVE article on the Bears.

[David]

Count me in as anxiously awaiting pictures of guys showing up at TC riding bikes around and carrying TV's and stuff to their dorms.

[Chocolate Milk]

I'm seriously pumped for this season.

 

The fact that everybody is selling this team short is probably a good sign, in my estimation, because the crowd is always such an awful judge of reality on topics such as sports teams poised for an upswing or downfall. Typically they predict either far too soon, or far too late the fate of a team. The Bears may have trouble maintaining greatness in 2008 and beyond. But for 2007, I think they are easily the class of the NFC again. I would not be the least bit surprised with a 14-2 season. Although I'm thinking more like 11 or 12 wins myself.

 

This team plays well with a chip on its shoulder and a feeling of needing to prove something. If Grossman only improves slightly, this team could be on the verge of a truly legendary season. I don't see anyway that Benson fails to be better than Jones, barring injury. Nothing is a lock in a sport as physically demanding as football, but I like the Bears chances.

 

Me too. Grossman does have to improve his overall numbers, but he has shown he can do it. It's not like he was putting up a 70 passer rating every game. He put up 10 games over 85. While the better competition this year, probably won't lead to as many great games this year, if he can eliminate the blowup games, he's a top 10 QB in the league. I don't know how to calculate QB rating, but I'd imagine if you take out the GB game and the Cards game and make them average, you'd already have Grossman in the top 10 QBs.

 

I agree with all of the above. I am expecting a great season.

 

Edit: I was going to write a long post expounding on my feelings about the Bears this year, but honestly, it's mostly covered by the above.

 

The Bears are going to romp through the NFC again this year. They are a level ahead. The Saints managed to get it close but the Bears could have won that game 60-7 if not for a few near misses and a pick to free Reggie Bush.

Edited July 26, 2007 by Chocolate Milk

[Soul]

I'm heading to camp Friday through Sunday, I'll report anything that is of note, although everyone usually gets pretty good updates just following the postings of the reporters who will be there.

 

Sometimes I get a good heads-up though: last year it was obvious to me from the very first day that Gould had upped his game a couple notches. That certainly carried through the season.

[Chocolate Milk]

I'm heading to camp Friday through Sunday, I'll report anything that is of note, although everyone usually gets pretty good updates just following the postings of the reporters who will be there.

 

Sometimes I get a good heads-up though: last year it was obvious to me from the very first day that Gould had upped his game a couple notches. That certainly carried through the season.

 

Take lots of pictures please.

[Wilson A2000]

What is Alex Brown's problem? He gout outplayed by a rookie who is better than his average season was. Get over it Alex and play better.

[cubweiser03]

Mulligan of the Sun-Times:

''There was no learning curve in the spring for anybody,'' Grossman said. ''That is why we have added no-huddle stuff, a base package of plays that we can call at any time to get going and change pace.''

 

Grossman says audibles are easier for him and he has reached a great understanding with center Olin Kreutz, who is responsible for calling line changes. Grossman has his timing down with receivers Bernard Berrian, Muhsin Muhammad, Rashied Davis and Mark Bradley, and he has developed a great feel for new playmakers Devin Hester and rookie tight end Greg Olsen.

 

It's a rosy picture, especially when Smith points out that the Bears entered last year's training camp with nothing but questions on offense. They were uncertain about who would start at running back, needed a second receiver and were confounded at quarterback. Grossman still has a lot to prove, but he's loaded with confidence. He talked about an offseason regimen that included distance running with an eye toward tucking the ball and trying to get a yard here and there as opposed to simply throwing it away as he did last year. Sounds a bit scary, but he seems convincing.

[Banedon]

Mulligan of the Sun-Times:

''There was no learning curve in the spring for anybody,'' Grossman said. ''That is why we have added no-huddle stuff, a base package of plays that we can call at any time to get going and change pace.''

 

Grossman says audibles are easier for him and he has reached a great understanding with center Olin Kreutz, who is responsible for calling line changes. Grossman has his timing down with receivers Bernard Berrian, Muhsin Muhammad, Rashied Davis and Mark Bradley, and he has developed a great feel for new playmakers Devin Hester and rookie tight end Greg Olsen.

 

It's a rosy picture, especially when Smith points out that the Bears entered last year's training camp with nothing but questions on offense. They were uncertain about who would start at running back, needed a second receiver and were confounded at quarterback. Grossman still has a lot to prove, but he's loaded with confidence. He talked about an offseason regimen that included distance running with an eye toward tucking the ball and trying to get a yard here and there as opposed to simply throwing it away as he did last year. Sounds a bit scary, but he seems convincing.

 

I'm confused...it sounds like...and I may be crazy here....but are the Bears trying to....."Develop"...a quarterback?

[seanimal]

I got into a big discussion with a good friend of mine and huge Bears fan about Rex a few weeks ago. His stance was that he just sucks and will never be any good, and I kept attempting to point out that a few games aside, Rex was pretty darn good, and a couple of points he was what I can only qualify as being 'awesome'. I dunno, maybe I've just got some serious man-love blinding me to his shortcomings/pitfalls, but I think Rex is only going to be better this season.

[David]

Some pics from the first day of workouts...

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2007-07/31481940.jpg

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2007-07/31481950.jpg

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2007-07/31481949.jpg

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2007-07/31481948.jpg

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2007-07/31481945.jpg

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2007-07/31481946.jpg

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2007-07/31481944.jpg

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2007-07/31481943.jpg

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2007-07/31481942.jpg

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2007-07/31481941.jpg

[David]

I just saw a clip on Fox of Rex throwing a sweet ass deep ball and hitting Bernard in stride for a TD.

 

 

I know, I know, it's practice, but God damn I can't wait for the season.

[Soul]

That was a good throw, right at me as I was sitting on the far side burm.

 

Overall the QBs looked predictably pretty rusty, but each had some good throws too.

 

It was a real light workout, no hitting at all, no pads, and everyone seemed to be in a good mood.

 

Hester was catching everything I saw thrown his way :) And Olsen just seems to be real smooth catching the ball -- he makes it look really, really natural.

 

One random, inconsequential thing: I never noticed how short Leak is, or how long (but quick) his throwing motion is. He's weird, he whips the ball from way back but brings it very quickly through. He looked like he might even be shorter than Grossman. I guess I'm not very observant of college guys.

 

Wasn't all the big of a crowd, I guess the crush starts tomorrow.

[Wilson A2000]

I heard Rex threw Hester a screen and he made everyone miss. If he could be effective at that the Bears offense, which scored with the best of the NFL last year, would be that much better. Man they are a fast team with the additions of Olsen and Hester.

 

Three people need to stay healthy: Mike Brown, Tait, and Benson.

[Handlebar McSkullet]

I LOVE YOU!!!! WELL DONE!!!! VIVA LA REX!!!!

 

So I got into a big Rex Grossman fight during a BP chat. Jeff Ma started by saying this:

 

doomk7 (Chicago Area): Now that the Bears have signed Briggs, are they the favorite in the NFC? And what do you think about Hester this year?

 

Jeff Ma: I'm not sure how signing Briggs changes anything... He doesn't play QB does he?

 

So I'm all like "OhNoHeDidn't" and I threw this into the queue:

 

 

Rex Grossman (Bourbannnais): People are so quick to use my bad games to hang me out to dry. You do remember I had 10 games above 85 in QB rating, right? And I led my team to a Super Bowl in my first full season. What do I have to do to earn your respect?

 

Jeff Ma: Stop doing really stupid things... you aren't brett favre

 

And I'm all like "What?". So I followed up. Which is what you should do when people make stupid statements:

 

Rex Grossman (Bourbannais): How am I the issue when I got my team to the Super Bowl and played great in 12 out of 19 games played last year? Yes, my bad games were horrendous, but my great games were really great, and to say I am the biggest issue my team has is unfair.

 

Jeff Ma: So then tell me... what is your team's biggest issue?

 

Yeah, I know I simplified the "great in 12 out of 19" thing, but it's a chat. So I gave him what he asked for:

 

Rex Grossman (Bourbannais): The health of my offensive line, given their age, is the biggest "issue". Every team's performance hinges on their QB, so if you want to say my performance will be important, fine, but you can say this about any team and their QB. The facts are that I was well above average in 12 of my 19 games last year, and while I crapped the bed in the Super Bowl, I'm not gong to hinder the team from winning. Again, they won with me last year, even with my 7 really bad games. Also, keep in mind it was my first full season at QB. Compare my numbers with other 1st year QB's. The numbers are right in line with some very good players.

 

Jeff Ma: Did you just call out your offensive line? See if they want to block for you this season at all

 

Nice response, guy. Way to back up your statements. So I continue the bust out:

 

Rex Grossman (Bourbannais): My O-Line aren't into stats. They don't read BP. They believe in hitting in the clutch, St. Jeter, and they laugh at the notion of pitch counts. They still Trusty in Dusty. So I should be safe, assuming John Tait's age doesn't turn him into a 6'5 traffic cone this season. But my point remains. If the o-line is bad, or banged up, Benson and I will look terrible no matter what we do. That's the biggest issue. I'm simply a player that needs to play well, just like Tony Romo, Eli Manning, Phillip Rivers, and nearly every other NFL QB.

 

Jeff Ma: I'm starting to think this isn't the real Rex Grossman

 

 

So to sum up, someone made the stock "Rex Grossman sucks" comment about the Bears season, and when called out on it, resorted to making stupid one liners and not actually backing up his assertions.

 

USS 1, crappy BP chat guy -2.

[cubweiser03]

BOURBONNAIS -- Even in a practice setting, Devin Hester never ceased to amaze Friday during the Bears' first training camp session.

 

When Hester inhaled a pass and then made a quick head fake to leave big-money cornerback Nathan Vasher lunging for air, safety Mike Brown stood in the background just shaking his head in disbelief.

 

"It's nasty," Brown said of Hester's ability as a receiver. "He's a dangerous person in the open field. And [facing him] only is going to make us better in the secondary.

 

"I don't think there's anybody in the league—few guys—who can do what he does in the open field. One that comes to mind is [Carolina's] Steve Smith."

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/chi-070727bears-camp,1,2617766.story?coll=cs-home-headlines

 

From the other articles Olsen was praised quite a bit as well.

[Chocolate Milk]

Easy to give quick rundown on Hester

'Impressive' is best way to sum up first day for Bears' speedy cornerback-turned-receiver

 

July 28, 2007

BY NEIL HAYES nhayes@suntimes.com

 

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. -- Devin Hester caught a pass near the line of scrimmage. A quick move left veteran cornerback Nathan Vasher in the dust before a quick cut inside resulted in veteran safety Mike Brown grasping at air and then shaking his head in disbelief.

 

Hester continued a trend that began during offseason workouts by standing out like a flashing neon light during the Bears' first training camp practice at Olivet Nazarene University on Friday. The cornerback-turned-receiver lined up split wide, in the slot and in the backfield. He looked like a natural while running routes and catching long and short passes.

 

Acticle goes on to contine Hester praise. Sounds like he has the chance to be an impact player.

 

Link

[Banedon]

The comparison of Hester to Steve Smith makes me stupidly giddy.

[Chocolate Milk]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2007-07/31481950.jpg

 

D. Manning looks quite a bit bigger than last year, no?

[rawaction]

The comparison of Hester to Steve Smith makes me stupidly giddy.

 

I made the comparison a couple weeks ago, but it's probably not a great one. Smith is obviously a star WR. A long shot that Hester will become that good. Smith only caught 10 passes as a rookie (2 thru 1st 7 games), so I think Hester will top that this year. But Smith became a starter after that and caught 56 passes. The rest is history. Devin will really have to impress (like Smith did) in order to gain a starting spot by next year.

 

Dante Hall is probably his closest comparable right now. Hall's first year getting any time at WR, he caught just 20 passes and got 11 handoffs on reverses. 3 of those touches went over 40 yards, though. Hall has stayed in the 3rd/4th WR role, catching about 32 passes a year.

[NCCubFan]

One nice thing about Hester switching to offense is that he should be available in fantasy football leagues. His return production alone whould make it worth picking him regardless of how much he does as a receiver his first year.

[rawaction]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2007-07/31481950.jpg

 

D. Manning looks quite a bit bigger than last year, no?

 

Not much.

 

http://assets.chicagobears.com/UserFiles/Image/story_photos/DManning_inside092006.jpg

[CubColtPacer]

One nice thing about Hester switching to offense is that he should be available in fantasy football leagues. His return production alone whould make it worth picking him regardless of how much he does as a receiver his first year.

 

Most leagues that I know of don't count return production into a person's stats. I'm sure you can get a specialized league that might do it, but a standard one won't.