March 14, 2013; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks offensive lineman Ryan Clanton and offensive lineman Kyle Long go up against each other at Oregon pro day at Moshofsky Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports

A lot of experts expect Kyle Long to come in and win a starting job on the Chicago Bears’ offensive line right out of training camp.  That plan takes a bit of a setback since Long will not be permitted to participate in Organized Team Activities (OTA’s) thanks to a foolish NFL rule.  (more…)

May 11, 2012; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears defensive end Shea McClellin during rookie minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bears will get a jump start on their NFC North rivals thanks to new head coach Marc Trestman.  Since the Bears have a new head coach, they get an extra veteran minicamp and can start their official offseason program the first week in April while other teams have to wait until the third week in April to start their camps.

Here are some key dates to look forward to as the Bears prepare their offseason programs:  (more…)

The Bears started their OTA’s on Wednesday and the Jay Cutler media circus has officially begun!!!  Organized Training Activities are voluntary, but really, are pretty much mandatory.  It was the first practice for the first franchise quarterback in nearly two decades (or ever, depending on who you ask).

Expectations for Cutler and the Bears offense are sky high.  Wide Receiver Rashied Davis summed up the expectations for new addition Cutler thusly:

”He’s expected to [crap] gold, excuse my language,” Davis said.

Well said, ‘Shied.  He was among many of the Bears receivers that had a tough time hanging on to Cutler’s laser beams.  Rashied went on to compare Cutler to former Bear quarterbacks Orton and Grossman

‘I am excited more by his athletic ability than his strong arm,” Davis said. ”He can move around. I’m not saying anything against K.O. [Kyle Orton] and Rex [Grossman] because I love K.O. and Rex, but he can move around a lot better. He can throw the ball on the move a lot better. That’s just one of the things he can do a lot better.”

There’s nothing like saying, “No offense, but…” By saying that, you’re saying, “I’m about to offend you, just don’t get mad.”  I’m not saying it’s not true, but no need to spell it out.  You weren’t exactly Larry Fitzgerald out there last year, now were you, Rashied?  (more…)

SCHEDULING CONFLICT

To put insult onto injury, the day of Cedric Benson’s court date in Austin, Texas on charges of operating a boat while intoxicated and resisting arrest is on May 19th.  This is significant because May 19th is the first day of OTA‘s (Organized Team Activities) for the Bears.  Unless the Bears make any major additions at running back, rookie Matt Forte will receive the majority of snaps at running back.  Not a good start for Benson since the Bears organization has promised Forte will have the opportunity to battle Benson for the starting spot. 

CRYING FOUL

Witnesses have come forward on Cedric Benson’s behalf and say the River Authority Officials often harrass Benson and they were abusive in the arrest.  America is supposed to be the land of “innocent until proven guilty,” but even if the allegations prove to be false, I’m afraid the damage has been done.  I don’t know if I agree, but some in Chicago feel that if it’s true that Benson is having serious setbacks recovering from off season injuries, he shouldn’t be screwing around on a boat in Texas.  I think players are entitled to have personal time as long as they don’t do anything illegal or dangerous, but in this situation, it has become the icing on the cake for fans frustrated with an underachieving player.

ADAM ARCHULETA RELEASED

The short and lackluster career of safety Adam Archuleta in Chicago is over.  The Bears picked Archuleta up from the Washington Redskins in 2007 for a 6th round draft pick.  The hope was Lovie Smith could help him revive the once promising career he had with the St. Louis Rams as a feared defender.  However, Archuleta posed a huge liability on the field with his inability to prevent big plays or defend deep balls.  It appears his time in Washington when he was signed and then promptly benched has permanently scarred him.  He no longer has the confidence he once had and is consistently exposed by the opposing offense.  He was worth the gamble but with the Bears influx of safeties they can afford to let him go. 

UNDRAFTED QUARTERBACK COMPETITION

The Bears did 90% of everything they were supposed to do in the draft and picked up some great players, but they failed to draft a quarterback.  After releasing Brian Griese, the Bears need to find a 3rd string quarterback, which on this team can mean possible playing time.  The Bears responded by signing two undrafted quarterbacks, Caleb Hanie of Colorado State, and Nick Hill of Southern Illinois. 

Hanie is described as having a strong arm with a quick release, but a tendancy to force throws.  However, Mel Kiper thinks he has pro quality and picks him to be the Bears third quarterback.  Hill is more of a local favorite for attending school in Illinois and is being praised by the team for his strong grasp of the playbook in practice.  Mel Kiper may be a national expert, but local reporters watching the two compete seem to have more good things to say about Hill.  We already have one quarterback that likes to throw passes with his strong arm, I don’t know if we want another. 

The Bears have also made it known that they will hold the third spot open if any quarterbacks become available before the season starts. 

HIS FORTE

Reports coming out of rookie camp this week indicate that Matt Forte is living up to all the hype and then some.  He appears to have the endurance of a three-down back, excels in blocking drills, and has looked good in passing routes and catching the ball.  He is the complete opposite of Cedric Benson, who has trouble protecting the quarterback and doesn’t look comfortable on third down or on pass routes.  Even if Lovie Smith gives Benson the opportunity to open as the first string back, Forte will still come in on third downs and will quickly work his way into the starting lineup.