I never anticipated my inaugural piece here at beargoggleson.com to be a collection of pithy, subjective training camp observations, but alas, here we are.

After an active offseason, in which the Bears seemingly added a bevy of new talent, the 2012 Chicago Bears were unveiled to the public this past week, and I witnessed them first-hand on Friday afternoon. I am far from a kool-aid drinker, but must admit, I was impressed with the talent new General manager Phil Emery has assembled, and look forward to this season with more anticipation than I can ever recall.

Without further ado, here’s my list of notes, where I spray to all fields.

• Brian Urlacher practiced with a brace on his left knee, but didn’t appear to be hobbled by the MCL sprain he suffered in the 2011 finale. Urlacher looked fluid in his drops, with good knee bend and quick change of direction. He was actually featured in a few zone blitz packages, but blitzing has never been Urlacher’s forte. I was encouraged by Urlacher’s movement on the field as he appears to be completely healthy heading into the season.

• Israel Idonije looked very thin. As I wrote about here, I have concerns about the depth at defensive tackle, and was happy to see Emery saw it the same way by acquiring Brian Price, in a low-risk, high-reward transaction.  I initially speculated that Idonije could be moved inside on passing downs, and spoke with John “Moon” Mullin about my theory after practice. Moon quickly shook his head “no”, saying Idonije reported to camp at 262 pounds. Look for Idonije to be utilized solely on the edge, spelled by rookie Shea McClellin.

• Tim Jennings was targeted and beat deep regularly. Much like last season, Jennings was susceptible to double moves, and was beat by Brandon Marshall on a deep out, and then by Earl Bennett on a wheel route. Visions of what Jordy Nelson, Titus Young, and other NFC North receivers might do to Jennings ran through my head. Jennings needs to improve, or Kelvin Hayden will take his job.

• Speaking of Marshall, he is as good as advertised. Big, strong, sudden, quick feet, no wasted movement, great body control, and the desire to attack the ball at its highest point. Marshall is easily the best offensive weapon I’ve seen in a Bears uniform since Sweetness himself. It’s going to be a lot of fun to watch Marshall and Jay Cutler work this season, as Cutler looks his way often.

• New feel to the offense. New Offensive coordinator Mike Tice’s offense will look drastically different than what we saw from Mike Martz the past two seasons. The Bears will blend two offensive systems, Tice’s power running and vertical passing game with the roll-out/get the quarterback on the move offense we saw Cutler run in Denver with new quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates. The Bears took several snaps from the shotgun, rolled the quarterbacks out on bootlegs/nakeds/waggles, and ran a fair amount of no huddle plays. With the new personnel – particularly at wide receiver and running back – the up-tempo aspect of the no-huddle could really put a defense on its heels.

• Emphasis on vertical and seam routes with the tight ends. Tice likes to run the tight ends vertically to challenge the safeties. With a player like Marshall on the outside who commands safety attention and help over the top, the Bears could have some opportunities for big plays from the tight ends. But do they have enough talent at the position to capitalize? Paging, Kellen Davis.

• Speaking of tight ends, bubble player Kyle Adams stood out in 7-on-7 and during the team period. Adams ran with confidence over the middle of the field, catching every pass in his direction, typically in traffic with a trailing linebacker and a safety over the top. If Adams has a strong camp, he could push someone like fullback Tyler Clutts – as Tice’s offense typically doesn’t feature a traditional fullback – off the roster.

• Rookie Evan Rodriguez is an intriguing prospect. While he’s not built in the prototypical mold of a tight end, he has traits similar to Redskins tight end Chris Cooley. Rodriguez has sure hands, and is very slippery in the open field. His versatility to line-up as an F-back (fullback in an off-set I formation), H, and Y, makes him a player to keep an eye on in the pre-season. Tice would be wise to devise a small package of plays to get the ball to Rodriguez in the flats.

• Rookie Alshon Jeffery is a big target out there who catches everything near his body, and wasn’t afraid to go over the middle of the field. Jeffery will make an impact as a possession receiver and a red zone target, but he needs to work on his footwork at the top of the route tree. Jeffery is a long strider, who rounds off his routes. With a little bit of fine tuning, and a set package of plays, Jeffery could evolve into a nice compliment to Marshall.

• Running backs Matt Forte and Michael Bush are in great shape – especially Forte – and could form the best backfield in the NFL. Forte looked very quick and decisive with his cuts, showing no residual damage from the knee injury he suffered last season against the Chiefs. Bush looked strong and powerful in the open field, with great body lean, lowering his head at the sign of any wannabe tackler.

• Given the competition at left tackle between Chris Williams and J’Marcus Webb, the rest of the line from left to right was: Chris Spencer, Roberto Garza, Lance Louis, and Gabe Carimi. Carimi looks to have slimmed down a bit in the offseason. Equipped with a brace on his surgically repaired right knee, Carimi appeared to be running with a very slight limp on the field.  The focus will be on the left tackle “battle”, but Carimi should also be scrutinized, as he’s yet to prove himself at the NFL level.

Granted, it’s only July, and this team does have several question marks, in particular the secondary and both lines. But I have a level of comfort with Emery at the helm that I haven’t had in decades. Emery has been proactive in addressing needs, and mentioned he will never rest on improving the roster. With the talent to compete, the pressure is now squarely on the shoulders of Head coach Lovie Smith.

No excuses in 2012, Lovie.

Questions, comments, reactions? Follow me for interactions on Twitter @djdurkin

I’ve been enjoying the Thanksgiving weekend until today.  Today, I might puke up all the turkey I’ve been packing away the last few days.  It’s back to business today as the Bears head to Minnesota to face the 9-1 Vikings.  Buckle those chin straps extra tight Bears, this one ain’t gonna be pretty.  I don’t see many ways for the Bears to beat the Vikes – too many weapons on offense and a dangerous defense. Check out my Game Day live blog and my prop bets for today’s game here.

But just like when Rocky faced Drago in Rocky IV, they’re not a machine, they’re just men.  So here are the keys to victory:

Bad Brett

During Lovie Smith‘s tenure, he has had a relative amount of success against Brett Favre when he was still with the Packers.  It’s time to dial up whatever has worked to get Favre to revert back to those days and find a way to get that old gunslinger back to sling some picks.   It’s unlikely since Favre has only thrown 3 INT’s all season, but one can hope.

Hire a rodeo clown

On the defensive side of the ball, Jared Allen has been tearing it up for the Vikes with an NFC-leading 10.5 sacks.  He could double that number today against the past-his-prime left tackle.  The best chance Orlando Pace and the Bears have is to hire a rodeo clown to distract that crazy redneck.  Either that or hire Larry the Cable Guy to play left tackle.

Aerial Attack

It’s no big secret that Jay Cutler has struggled mightily this season.  2 weeks ago, it was the 5 INT game against the Niners, last week it was a tentative Cutler missing some sure TD throws.  The Vikes are ranked 21st against the pass, so if there’s any chance today, Cutler and the Bears need to play well in the passing game.

Prediction

As I said in the beginning, this one could get ugly.  The Bears have struggled playing in the Metrodome even when they weren’t god-awful.   The Vikes are favored by 10.5 and I think they’re covering that by halftime.  Vikes 35, Bears 19.  Sorry Bears fans, I wish I had better news.  Prove me wrong Bears, prove me wrong and as always…

BEAR DOWN!!!

Urlacher addressed the media and brushed off the latest Cutler controversy.

“[Cutler] called me and I said, ‘What’s up pussy, what are you doing?’ ” a smiling Urlacher said Thursday after reporting to Olivet Nazarene University for training camp. “It’s so dumb to me that this even got to this point.”

That Brian’s got a way with words.  Meanwhile, Cutler tried his best to diffuse the situation from his end.

“Brian, he’s the first one I heard it from,” Cutler explained. “I didn’t put any stock in it, and Brian didn’t. He was just sorry it came out like that.”

So let’s put an end to all the pussy talk.  The next time we hear that term, it should be directed at Bobby Wade when the Vikings come to town!

Other camp notes:

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Devin Hester

Hester came a long way in 2008, his first full year as a wide receiver.  Remember when Moose Muhammed had to help Devin line up in 2007???  I tried to block it out too.  Can you think of how many times you watched Hester streaking down the sideline with a step or two on the DB and was underthrown or a pass wasn’t even attempted in his direction?  No more of that, I say.  Actually, Jay Cutler will say.

Overall Rank: 126

Position Rank: 39

2008 Stats: 665 yards/3 TD’s Receiving

Projected Stats: 780 yards/6 TD’s Receiving

Upside: Hester and Cutler connect on those long downfield passes and stretch the field.  Hester is the next Steve Smith in the making.

Downside: Hester can’t take the next step as a receiver and becomes the next Dante Hall.

My take: Devin continues to be one of the biggest wild cards in football.  He can still be a game changer and is a threat to score every time he touches the ball.  I believe that Cutler puts him in that position way more often than last season.  Devin is still slated to return punts, so if your league counts an individual player return touchdowns (and not all do), Hester should move up on your draft board as he takes the next step in 2009.  I think he’s a great #2/3 wide receiver or flex option especially if your league has bonus points for long TD’s or if they reward individual return TD’s.

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Peanut Tillman and Lance Briggs team up to take down Fred Taylor

We’re still three days until the start of what is being called “Camp Cutler”, but some attention is shifting from prized acquisition Jay Cutler and turning toward the Bears defense.  According to the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Bears cornerback Charles “Peanut” Tillman underwent arthroscopic surgery on his back and is expected to miss most of training camp. From David Haugh’s article this evening:

The Bears will start practice Friday without starting cornerback Charles Tillman, their most proven defensive back, who will be out indefinitely with a back injury, the Tribune has learned.

Tillman recently underwent an arthroscopic surgical procedure to clean up a disc in his back. A similar condition caused him to miss the final two games of 2006. If the recovery goes well, the Bears expect Tillman to be back in time to play in the final preseason game Sept. 3 so he can see some action before the Sept. 13 season opener.

The curse of the North Shore University Health Systems strikes already!  What was I saying when the Bears announced their practice jerseys would be sponsored by a hospital chain? Oh yeah:  (more…)

The Hyatt event was billed as a “Welcome Home” reception, where Obama met the coach and quarterback of the Chicago Bears – Lovie Smith and Jay Cutler – as well as retired Chicago Bulls point guard, B.J. Armstrong, and Tracy McGrady of the Houston Rockets.

“I’m honored to be a part of the welcoming group to welcome home my favorite son,” Smith told the crowd. “I have the audacity of hope that the Chicago Bears will some day be visiting the White House giving the president a Chicago Bears football to toss around on the South Lawn.”

(more…)

Just in time to get their practice jerseys sewn up before reporting to Olivet Nazarene University for training camp, the Bears have struck a sponsorship deal with North Shore University Health System.

Part of the contract calls for the Bears to wear a sponsorship patch on their practice jerseys. So, get your cameras ready for the new look starting July 31 in Bourbonnais, Ill.

Let me go on record saying I don’t like this.  Sponsored by a bunch of hospitals?  Are you asking for injuries?  It just seems like bad mojo to me.  How about getting Chico’s Bail Bonds or Marconi Foods to sponsor the practice jerseys?  Anything but a chain of hospitals!?!?! 

My rendering of the new Bears practice jersey.

Submit your suggestion for a practice jerseys sponsor in the Comments section.  I’ll post my favorite 6 in a Poll and we’ll let the people decide.  The top vote getter will win an exciting Bears prize.  Be sure to include your e-mail address so I can get in touch with the lucky winner.  Limit one entry per household.  Restrictions apply.  Yada yada yada.

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“They don’t have a receiver,” Driver said on the “Waddle & Silvy” show on ESPN 1000. “They don’t have any true receivers that step up and play and take their team to where they want to go.

“I love Devin, and Devin knows that, but Devin plays [defensive back]. I don’t think he’s just a solid receiver right now. He may become one as years go on, but it doesn’t happen overnight.”

Donald Driver should expect a whole bunch of this on September 13th

I don’t understand Donald’s motivation here.  Is it to add some fire to Devin Hester’sbelly?  Is it to provide some bulletin board material for the Bears wide receiver meeting room?   Maybe he’s lobbying to get out of Green Bay and offering his services here.  Either way, I would like to remind Mr. Driver that on September 13th, you will likely be going across the middle on a slant or crossing route.  Just remember to keep your head on a swivel!  I am sure the Urlacher and Ogunleye will be looking for #80!

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