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

Of course, last week did not go well for the Bears.  When I picked Jay Cutler as one of my Bent Over the Altar picks in Week 1, I in no way intended for THAT to happen. 

The great thing about week 1 in the NFL is we still have 15 weeks to go to make amends and to figure out how the Bears Defense can adjust to life without # 54.  I am going to remain optimistic with a small side dish of your typical Chicago fan pessimism.

I hope your fantasy football teams did better than mine last week.  I suffered the dreaded DIEfecta…Bears lost and so did both of my fantasy teams…alas, week 2 is here and it is time for The DeCon to Preach from the Pulpit.

Stone Tablet Locks – chisel these guys in stone as MUST PLAYS this week. (more…)

“I don’t think anything about what Tony said is earth-shattering,” Ditka said. “I think it’s a fact. [Cutler] came here under uncertain circumstances. The way he got out of Denver was kind of strange. But the kid is a talent.”

But Da Coach, master marketer and of the endorsement deal and holder of the key to the City offered Cutler this fine advice:

“If they win with Jay Cutler and go to the Super Bowl, he will own this city,” he said. “He can have my key.”

It’s actually shocking that anyone associated with the ’85 Bears is willing to share so much as the key to the executive bathroom at Halas Hall.  Those guys have been milking that Super Bowl title for nearly 25 years.  Do you think they want the current Bears team to take the title so they can just ride into the sunset?  Nah, me neither.  Da Orange-hued Ditka offered Jay some more tips to succeeding in the Windy City:

“The worst thing that you could ever do in this city is come in here and be a complainer or a whiner,” Ditka said. “If you do that, you have a problem. So I think if he comes in here and shows that he’s the leader of this football team …

“From what I understand from talking to the people I talk to, he has been a model citizen, and the city has really embraced him.”

“You’ll find out a lot when the pressure’s on,” he said. “We’ll find out once the season starts, when things are either going good or not so good, you find out how people respond to that.”

Internet reports detailing how the Bears’ new quarterback has alienated some fans while making public and private appearances are troubling because it suggests that he doesn’t grasp the enormity of his opportunity. We’re not making any specific allegations here.

I guess biggest thing to hit Chicago Bears football since the T-formation hasn’t exactly ingratiated himself to his new adoring fan base, blowing off autograph requests at recent public appearance.  Hayes goes on to say:

Athletes can’t win when it comes to autographs. They can sign their names 300 times and the 100 people still in line will complain, sometimes bitterly. (more…)

Among the highlights of Earl’s ink is Da Coach’s John Hancock across the back of his dome.

I don’t know about you, but I think this might be just a teeny, tiny bit over the top.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a tattoo prude or anything like that.  I think a tastefully done tat can be really cool.  I’m as diehard a Bears fan as there is, but come on.  Do you really need Doug Buffone’s autograph tattooed on your chest?  And how exactly do you approach another grown man and say, “Sign my chest Mr. Thayer?”  or “Could you autograph my head coach Ditka?”

This guy looks like he passed out at a frat party and woke up with the football team’s practical joke written all over him.  (Not that anything like that ever happened to anyone I know!)   If nothing else, I guess it’s a conversation starter. Hey, he got my attention.

Nice tribute to Sweetness. Of course he's got Zubaz.

So sports fans, what’s your best tribute to your favorite team?  E-mail me your best tats and I’ll put a post together featuring the best fan ink out there.  Drop me a line with your name and what inspired your tattoo to beargoggles.boomer@gmail.com by June 19th.  Who knows, maybe someone will inspire me to get a Cedric Benson tattoo on my ass crack?

Bear Down!!!

Follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/BearGogglesOn.

Lots of news from Halas Hall as OTA’s are in full swing.  Brad Biggs was Twittering has ass off, sending frequent updates throughout the day on Wednesday, as the media was allowed to observe workouts for the first time in a couple of weeks.

Matt Forte limped off the field toward the end of practice, but Offensive Coordinator Ron Turner doesn’t seem concerned.   According to Twitter, Chitownforte22 tweeted “I’m good!!” Let’s hope so.

Newly acquired linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa ran with the 2′s behind Nick Roach, while Hunter Hillenmeyer sat out, recovering from sports hernia surgery.  A sports hernia just sounds painful.

Frank Omiyale was holding down the starting left guard spot while last year’s starter Josh Beekman ran as the second team center.

Trumaine McBride was cleared to practice while Peanut Tillman sat out, still recovering from offseason shoulder surgery.  Apparently, Tillman spent his time on the sidelines mocking the offensive plays.

Tommie Harris participated in practice.  It’s good to see him getting some work.  Harris is as important as any other defender for the Bears’ D to regain Super Bowl form.

It looks like Jarron Gilbert’s deal is close to getting done.  His agent, Frank Bauer (no relation to Jack, but I heard he uses some interesting negotiating tactics) was on hand for OTA’s on Wednesday.    Now about the Iglesias guy.  Let’s get it done!

I hate to even write these words, but it appears Mike Brown took another step closer toward becoming former Bear Mike Brown as the safety visited the Kansas City Chiefs.

Jay Cutler continues to impress, making some nice throws throughout  offseason workouts and drawing the praise of his biggest fan, Jerry Angelo.  On the Bears’ official website, Larry Mayer sat down with the GM.

LM: Jay Cutler hasn’t missed a single day of the offseason program since he was acquired by the Bears on April 2. How pleased are you with the attitude and leadership skills he has displayed?

JA: I’ve been very pleased with his day-to-day attitude, and obviously it’s reflected with his work ethic and how he’s approached things. He’s rolled up his sleeves and he’s gone to work. He’s certainly not resting on any laurels. He’s come in here to prove himself and establish himself. I think we’re all impressed with that-I’m talking about coaches and players-because that’s the right way to do it. He’s got to earn his stripes here, and by showing up and doing the things that he’s doing every day, he’s doing it the right way.

Follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/BearGogglesOn.

By the way, if you’re into Mock Drafts, go check out Walter Football.  They’ve got a mock draft database with hundreds of mock drafts.  Some other cool things I saw on the site were a 2010 mock draft (in case you’re really looking ahead) and a “backwards” mock draft which has the Steelers picking 1st and the Lions 32nd.  Just in case you were wondering what’s going on in bizarre-o world’s mock draft.  Then again, in bizzare-o world’s mock draft, would you pick players you don’t need?  Talk about things that make you go hmmm.  Enjoy!

#	Team		Pick
1		Detroit Lions (0-16)	Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
2		St. Louis Rams (2-14)	Jason Smith, OT, Baylor
3		Kansas City Chiefs (2-14)	Michael Crabtree, WR, Techas Tech
4		Seattle Seahawks (4-12)	Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest
5		Cleveland Browns (4-12)	Malcom Jenkins, CB Ohio State
6		Cincinnati Bengals (4-11-1)	Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia
7		Oakland Raiders (5-11)	Darius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland
8		Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11)	Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri
9		Green Bay Packers (6-10)	Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas
10		San Francisco 49ers (7-9)	Mark Sanchez, QB, USC
11		Buffalo Bills (7-9)	Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
12		Denver Broncos (8-8)	BJ Raji, DT, Boston College
13		Washington Redskins (8-8)	Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State
14		New Orleans Saints (8-8)	Chris “Beanie” Wells, RB, Ohio State
15		Houston Texans (8-8)	Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois
16		San Diego Chargers (8-8)	Rey Maualuga, LB, USC
17		New York Jets (9-7)	Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State
18		Denver Broncos (8-8) from Chicago	Everette Brown, DE, Florida State
19		Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7)	Percy Harvin, WR, Florida
20		Detroit Lions (9-7, Pick via Cowboys)	Michael Oher, OT, Mississippi
21		Philadelphia Eagles (9-6-1)	Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia
22		Minnesota Vikings (10-6)	Eben Britton, OT, Arizona
23		New England Patriots (11-6)	Brian Cushing, OLB, USC
24		Atlanta Falcons (11-5)	Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State
25		Miami Dolphins (11-5)	Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee
26		Baltimore Ravens (11-5)	Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers
27		Indianapolis Colts 12-4)	Peria Jery, DT, Mississippi
28		Buffalo Bills (7-9; from Phil via CAR)	Clay Matthews, LB, USC
29		New York Giants (12-4)	Brian Robiskie, WR, Ohio State
30		Tennessee Titans (13-3)	James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State
31		Arizona Cardinals (9-7)	Larry English, DE, Northern Illinois
32		Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)	Alex Mack, C, Cal

Check out the Kyle Orton comments at about the 3:23 mark of the video.  Interesting to see how he’s viewed by his new team.

Speaking of Orton, he has already arrived in Denver, raring to go. (more…)