We’ve made it Bears fans! Training camp has opened and the looooong break from real action is just about over. Camp will flow into the preseason games and before you know it, the Bears and Green Bay Packers will be playing the season opener on September 11th. Here’s the latest Chicago Bears news following the opening of training camp.
No doubt that the biggest news of the day was the fact that backup quarterback David Fales will open training camp on the PUP list? No? Oh, I guess first round draft pick Kevin White starting on the PUP List if probably a bigger story.
White joins a long line of Bears first round draft picks who came to camp pre-injured – Gabe Carimi and Chris Williams come to mind as recent top picks bitten by the injury bug. Let’s hope things pan out better for White than they did for the others. It’s a big setback for White, who needs reps to try to contribute immediately to the Bears offense.
Probably more surprising to me were the guys who didn’t start on the PUP list. I was pretty sure that either or both Willie Young or Lamarr Houston would be sidelined to start camp. I guess it’s encouraging that they’re ready to roll.
Of course, Jay Cutler had to address the media to open camp. He was upbeat and sounded positive about the changes to the coaching staff, the offense, etc. Same crap, different flavor. I wish I had a tape of Cutler speaking at the opening of camp with every other new coordinator.
Head coach John Fox and GM Ryan Pace also spoke to the media. Pace comes off a pretty intense while Foxy (as everyone calls him) seems to be ready to roll. I liked that he acknowledges that football is blocking and tackling, so expect some physical practices to hone those skills. Fox definitely brings a new vibe to camp.
There was a lot of talk about improved chemistry and a better locker room atmosphere already.
"“I’ve got to say the chemistry is by far better this year than it was last year,” said outside linebacker Jared Allen. “Just from when coach Fox took over you could just tell there was a different energy in the building. The guys have fed off that. I think we had a really good offseason; really good OTAs and stuff like that. It’s time to get this thing going and really test ourselves.”"
Geez, how bad was it last season? They’ve got nowhere to go but up.
Next: Chicago Bears Training Camp Schedule
Stay tuned for more Chicago Bears news as the team hits the practice field on later today.