Chicago Bears News: Training Camp Update

Happy Monday Bears fans!  We finally have some actual Chicago Bears news to talk about on a Monday.  Training camp is underway and we’ve got a lot of interesting angles to look at.

Everyone has a list of training camp observations.  Adam Hoge has his list of 10 Things where he notes that a big name linebacker is likely to get cut:

"3. There’s a good chance a big name linebacker is going to get cut. There’s simply more names than there are spots. At most, Vic Fangio could keep 10 linebackers, but eight or nine seems more likely. So let’s say Christian Jones, Mason Foster, Shea McClellin and Jon Bostic all make the team as inside linebackers. Even if the Bears keep five outside guys, one of these names has to go: Pernell McPhee, Lamarr Houston, Jared Allen, Sam Acho, Willie Young or David Bass. McPhee and Houston aren’t going anywhere and it’s unlikely Allen would be let go given his contract. Meanwhile, Acho is on a one-year deal, but he also has extensive 3-4 experience.Frankly, it’s way too early to sort this mess out, but I’m going to be keeping a close eye on Bostic and Young, two players still limited with injuries."

The linebacker group definitely has to sort itself out.  It makes it even more difficult because your backup linebackers are your core special teamers, so if guys like Jared Allen aren’t starters, it’s hard to envision them covering kicks or punts.  Interesting to see how this pans out.

Mark Potash notes that Jay Cutler had a clean camp so far.

"It’s always dangerous to make too much of what goes on in training camp — especially so early. But it’s worth noting that through four practices, including two in pads, Jay Cutler has yet to throw an interception in team drills. He usually throws a couple the first day. It might be nothing. Then again, it might be an indication that this coaching staff is doing what it can to keep Cutler from the mistakes that have plagued him in his nine-year NFL career."

Color me skeptical.  As Potsie points out, it’s early.  Cutler has usually shined in practice, it’s when he’s under duress in game situations when he struggles.

Rookie running back Jeremy Langford made a wise decision to train with Matt Forte this offseason.  Now, he’s confident he can be the Bears backup running back.

"“I didn’t know what to expect,” Langford said. “I had heard a lot of different things about veteran running backs. But Forte is a good guy and I think he never really thought about that aspect because he’s a hard worker. So he wasn’t going to just push me off to the side, because we’re all here to win. I feel like that’s the mindset we have right now.”"

Injury News…

Jarvis Jenkins missed some snaps due to a dislocated finger, but he returned to practice.

Alshon Jeffery gave everyone a scare with a shoulder injury, a AC joint to be more specific.  He also returned and brushed it off as nothing serious.

Head Coach John Fox had some interesting comments after practice:

But the real tests are yet to come…

There were some VIP’s watching practice on Sunday…