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Bears Break Camp, Optimism High.................
As Bears break camp, optimism high
But while there are many positives, potential problems raise doubts
Charles Tillman. (Scott Strazzante, Chicago Tribune / August 7, 2011)
By Brad Biggs 5:47 p.m. CDT, August 20, 2011
BOURBONNAIS — Optimism hasn't run this high in Bears training camp since 2007 when the team was coming off its Super Bowl appearance.
There are enough parallels between then and now — and in each instance coach Lovie Smith received a contract extension during the offseason.
The difference this time around is the team hasn't been complacent following a successful season. After a division title and a trip to the NFC championship game, the Bears made significant personnel changes, something that wasn't done after that Super Bowl season.
The Bears brought 21 starters from that team back with the idea it was entering a period of sustained success. From there they stumbled all the way to a win-or-else campaign in 2010. Some fresh talent, a full year into Mike Martz's offense and a talented defense has the Bears thinking big.
Here are five things we learned and five we still need to find out after a 23-day stay at Olivet Nazarene, the club's 10th training camp at the school:
What we know
1. Re-tooling an offensive line takes time. Without an offseason to drill techniques line coach Mike Tice wants to make second nature, the line remains a work in progress. Change could be on the way. Even if the Bears improved here, it's not going to be the smoothest transition.
2. The defense is stacked up front. General manager Jerry Angelo always has believed in collecting linemen, and the Bears have a bevy of talent at defensive tackle. They have three talented nose tackles in Anthony Adams, Matt Toeaina and Stephen Paea. Henry Melton could bust out at three-technique with Amobi Okoye also there.
3. This is a self-motivated bunch because with few exceptions the team showed up for camp in excellent condition, erasing any fears the lockout would affect a veteran group. Quarterback Jay Cutler is in the best shape he has been in as a professional.
4. The new kickoff rule is going to hurt the Bears. Yes, Johnny Knox had a 70-yard return in the exhibition opener, but the increased touchbacks and deeper kicks are going to put more pressure on the offense to produce sustained scoring drives. They had 10 touchdown drives of 70 or more yards in 2010.
5. Reports of the demise of Marion Barber are premature. The running back appears to have at least another strong season in him if tough running in camp and the first exhibition is an indication. He has the power and burst to bring another dimension to the scheme.
What's unknown
1. Can the linebackers hold up? Lance Briggs will not play Monday night with a bruised knee, and Brian Urlacher missed some time at the end of camp. The fourth linebacker is Brian Iwuh and after that the Bears face the prospect of playing a rookie. If a veteran addition is made at any position, this is the spot.
2. What is the plan for Knox? It wasn't until camp ended that he got some selective reps with the starters. After a 960-yard season, he's in a lesser role that hasn't been defined. The Bears need newcomer Roy Williams to succeed for this move not to look like a personnel fumble.
3. The defense is thin at linebacker and there isn't a lot of cover in the secondary, either. A competition between Tim Jennings and Zack Bowman for the left cornerback job never materialized, and Major Wright is unproven at free safety as the last line of defense.
4. If Matt Forte's contract situation remains unresolved, will that affect his play? Based on the last three weeks, it's evident the issue is weighing on him. Forte can't set a hard deadline because he doesn't have leverage like Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, who has a clause in his contract that prevents the team from putting a franchise tag on him next year.
5. It's impossible to figure out why there has been a spin attempt to suggest that now-departed veteran center Olin Kreutz was holding back the development of younger linemen. Developing linemen became more difficult when he left.
bmbiggs@tribune.com
Twitter @BradBiggs
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3.88 from 8 ratings
Last edited by soulman; 08-20-2011 at 10:10 PM.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. 
Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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Winners and losers at Bears training camp
Quarterback Jay Cutler during training camp. (Brian Cassella, Chicago Tribune / August 11, 2011)
By Brad Biggs, Tribune Reporter 7:05 p.m. CDT, August 20, 2011
Bears camp winners
1. Greg Olsen was traded after one night in a dorm room, creating a big opportunity for Kellen Davis. He has answered the challenge to this point and should be an able receiver and a much more versatile and effective blocker.
2. Devin Hester spent a lot of time working with Jay Cutler in the offseason and the difference showed in practice. It's up to him to transfer that to the playing field now.
3. Matt Toeaina has been easy to overlook in the past but with Anthony Adams sidelined he really stood out. His flexibility to play both defensive tackle spots and his selfless nature makes him valuable.
Bears camp losers
1. The Bears compiled depth like they haven't had before at defensive tackle, and Marcus Harrison showed up out of shape. That forced him to miss the first five days of training camp and now he has an uphill battle to make the roster.
2. It's fair to wonder if pressure from offensive coordinator Mike Martz led to some problems but backup quarterback Caleb Hanie admittedly had a rough camp though he rebounded in the final days.
3. Zack Bowman was supposed to compete for the starting left cornerback job. While he hasn't been ruled out, he got scant opportunities with the first team and then suffered a concussion. He will need to make up ground.
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Last edited by soulman; 08-20-2011 at 10:19 PM.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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Some interesting stuff contained in these two articles. Some surprises and some "no shits".
Surprises:
If Kellen Davis continues to perform at the level he has in camp we won't miss Olsen half as much as we thought we would. In fact overall the blocking from all of the TE's, rookies and vets alike, has been far better than that of the Oline. Even if Kyle Adams is moved to FB/HB there are still 4 guys (Davis, Spaeth, Clark and rookie Andre Smith) competing for what will most likely be three spots. Will Des end up odd man out again?
Jay Cutler shows up to camp without any baggage from the breakup of his engagement to Kristin Cavallari and 15 lbs lighter than he's ever played the NFL before. He's taken charge of the offense now and has shown the leadership skills and attitude he's been reputed to be lacking. His passing in camp was also first rate.
If his running against the Bills is any evidence of what's to come Marion Barber is the "Marion the Barbarian" of old and far from finished. It looks to me like we found the perfect short yardage back to compliments Forte. And although it really shouldn't have been a surprise Kahlil Bell is blowing the doors off Chester Taylor for that #3 RB spot with both his running and his ST play.
Devin Hester, not Johnny Knox and surely not Roy Williams has been the top dog in camp as far as WR's are concerned and ST star Sam Hurd is making a serious bid for playing time with the offense. It wouldn't break my heart at all to see all of these guys outplay RWill.
No Shits:
The Oline is still in trouble and will take far longer to gel because of the time missed due to the lockout. Duh!!!!!!
Losing Olin Kruetz is hurting the development of this young Oline not inhibiting it. A double Duh Duh!!!!!!
Mike Martz continues to mishandle Caleb Hanie effecting his confidence and his play. A triple Duh Duh Duh!!!!!!
Zack Bowman still can't seem to step up and take that LCB spot away from diminutive Tim Jennings. No duh's just disappointment.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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Pleasant surprises so far
Barber & Bell (bye, bye Chester) adding punch to the running game
TE situation looks good enough to make the loss of Olsen hurt less
Hurd & Sanz adding to ST and maybe getting a few catches too
Cutler, Knox, and Forte reporting in excellent, improved shape
Hester having a great camp thus far as a much improved WR threat
CWill seemingly settling in as an effective LG
Carimi showing the early promise we hoped for
Izzy, Pep, Melton, AA, Toe, Paea, Okoye, Wooten, (Ghoulston/Reed/Addison)--wow, what a DL chart!
Unpleasantness/Unease
Weakness at CB opposite Tillman
Where's our 6th LB? Pisa? DeCicco?
RWill unimpressive thus far
Louis flopping (soon to be benched for hopefully Spencer-C/Garza-RG)
Enderle as #2...come on! Why the useless mind-f***ing vs. Hanie?
Will Martz call plays to maximize our available skill-set or vice-versa?
LT situation remains nerve-wracking!
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High Fives / Like - 2 BEAR DOWN!, 0 Dislikes
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Major plus-No Wolfe, Davis or Manu.
Negatives-Wootton injury, the damn kickoff rule, too much Rwill need more Bennett
Arguing on the internet is like winning the special olympics, even if you win your still messed up.
Restore the roar!
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I wish we could cut J'Marcus Webb. The only reason we won't is because we don't have anyone else any better than him to play the LT position. WHY NOT PLAY CARIMI AT LT???
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I think-on paper-the line up of carimi-cwill-Spencer-garza-Webb looks better then what we've seen....so far
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High Fives / Like - 1 BEAR DOWN!, 0 Dislikes
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Originally Posted by
Dagan81 
I wish we could cut J'Marcus Webb. The only reason we won't is because we don't have anyone else any better than him to play the LT position. WHY NOT PLAY CARIMI AT LT???
This cannot be a serious statement. Cut Webb? Move him, ok, make him a backup, maybe, cut him...stupid.
Winston Churchill:
"Since light travels faster than sound, some people appear bright until you hear them speak."
"If you're not a liberal at twenty you have no heart, if you're not a conservative at forty you have no brain."
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High Fives / Like - 2 BEAR DOWN!, 0 Dislikes
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Originally Posted by
Dagan81 I wish we could cut J'Marcus Webb. The only reason we won't is because we don't have anyone else any better than him to play the LT position. WHY NOT PLAY CARIMI AT LT???
This cannot be a serious statement. Cut Webb? Move him, ok, make him a backup, maybe, cut him...stupid.
Winston Churchill:
"Since light travels faster than sound, some people appear bright until you hear them speak."
"If you're not a liberal at twenty you have no heart, if you're not a conservative at forty you have no brain."
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Originally Posted by
Dagan81 I wish we could cut J'Marcus Webb. The only reason we won't is because we don't have anyone else any better than him to play the LT position. WHY NOT PLAY CARIMI AT LT???
This cannot be a serious statement. Cut Webb? Move him, ok, make him a backup, maybe, cut him...stupid.
Winston Churchill:
"Since light travels faster than sound, some people appear bright until you hear them speak."
"If you're not a liberal at twenty you have no heart, if you're not a conservative at forty you have no brain."
-
High Fives / Like - 1 BEAR DOWN!, 0 Dislikes
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