Bears Training Camp Opens amid Urlacher-Cutler Drama
Some are calling it Camp Cutler, but the way things have started off, I think it might be better to call it Jays of Our Lives. The Brian Urlacher-Jay Cutler show, with special guest Bobby Wade moved to Bourbonnais on Thursday, as training camp opens on Friday.
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:
It’s a little tight in the PUP tent
The Bears placed 2nd year tackle Marcus Harrison on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list to, wait for it, get his weight down. He checked in at a robust 323, while coaches want him at 309. Apparently Harrison is an emotional eater as evidenced by this bit from Vaugh McClure of the Chicago Tribune:
"Harrison told the Tribune his weight ballooned because of some serious family issues, but he vowed to correct the problem immediately.“I’ve been going through a lot, which is common for everybody that plays in the NFL,” Harrison said Thursday evening. “I just have to man up and go to work. This is my job.”"
Maybe I’m missing something, but should he be participating more to get the weight down?
Everyone deserves a second chance
Lovie Smith Believe Michael Vick deserves a second chance.
"“I think Mike deserves a second chance, I’ll say that again,” Smith said in his kickoff press conference to training camp Thursday afternoon at Olivet Nazarene University. “Like everyone in society after they have paid their debt to society on any type of crime, you deserve a second chance.”"
When asked if the Bears might be a destination for Vick, Lovie stopped just short of saying “Jay is our quaterback.”
"“I like what we have right now so I’m not going to assume that we’re not going to like something later on,” Smith said. “I think things re going to get better and better. We like what we’ve seen from Caleb Hanie when he has been given an opportunity to play. I think it’s time to give him an opportunity to see what he can do right now.”"
Receivers? We don’t need no stinkin’ receivers!
Lovie didn’t want to hear any talk of bringing in any additional help at wide receiver, which runs contrary to some rumors I’ve seen making the rounds about Matt Jones riding his white horse into camp.
"“As far as we’re concerned, we like the team we have right now,” Smith said. “So if you’re asking me about whether we’re looking for receivers or are we going to trade guys, we like this team. I don’t think we need to add anything else at this time.”"
Two sets of keywords jumped off the screen when I read that quote – “right now” and “at this time.” That means if the young and unproven receivers don’t make a good impression, anything goes.
And finally…
First pick Jarron Gilbert arrives at training camp and can’t wait to show off for his new teammates.
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