First off - thanks for the support on the Camp 2009 idea. Noah and I will begin that process so that da site will not have to rely on any other source to present you guys with the most up-to-date and honest information coming right from Bourbonnais - starting next summer.
Here's my read-between-the-lines approach to the camp coverage thus far:
UP
1. Kellen Davis - look for the rookie tight end to easily fill the John Gilmore-vacated third tight end spot, which is a go-to target inside the red zone.
2. Matt Forte - never go crazy when a team tells you a particular player is special but all signs are pointing to Matt Forte being the real deal. There's also been a pointed emphasis on his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. As opposed to Cedric Benson, who loved dropping the ball out of the backfield.
3. Rash Davis - the star of camp thus far. I continue to maintain that the receiver position is the true story of camp and Davis may just earn his way onto the starting eleven.
DOWN
1. Kyle Orton - you just don't get a good vibe right now. Kyle hasn't been terrible but he'll have to significantly out-perform Rex in the preseason to win this job.
2. Offensive Line - where are they? We still have no left guard. Olin Kreutz hasn't played yet. Chris Williams has a naggy back. The most glaring hole of the 2007 season has not gotten off to a very good 2008.
3. Mike Hass - he's actually performing brilliantly in camp again. But it's over once my boy David Haugh has dubbed you "Mr. Bourbonnais".
WAIT AND SEE...
1. Rex Grossman - reminding me of a political candidate with a huge lead in the polls. Not saying a lot to the press. Going about his business.
2. Marty Booker - could he not make the roster? You can't find a word about him anywhere.
3. Mike Brown - knock on wood, he's not out for the year yet.
#2 craig said . . .Hester deal is imminent. http://twitter.com/cst_bears/statuses/869833274
July 27, 2008
#3 jeff said . . .The SunTimes story:
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/bears/1077115,hestercontract072708.articleJuly 27, 2008
#4 Luke said . . .no money in there.
July 27, 2008
#5 Al In WI said . . .Hester just signed a 4 year extension. Check Da Site for details
July 27, 2008
#6 jdawg said . . .Jeff, I hope you're right about the QB situation. I have a sinking feeling that they're leaning towards Orton right now. Mabey that's because there are several reporters rooting for him right now though.
I would add to the up section Brandon Lloyd. From what I've been hearing he's looked great all off-season. He could be the best reciever overall on the team.
To the down section therefore Mark Bradley. Haven't heard anything from him yet, he's been hurt again in mini-camp.July 27, 2008
#7 HesterFan23 said . . .The only reason Orton starts is because Lovie thinks he'll make fewer mistakes. Right now he's making more than Rex
Booker is supposedly dogging it right now.
Forte looks like the real deal
the O-line looks like shit, but without Olin and Williams it should
Bradley has gotten reamed by Drake on at least on occassion.
great news on hester
July 27, 2008
#8 HesterFan23 said . . .YES! A four-year deal!
July 27, 2008
#9 said . . .The Sun-Times reports that the new deal can be worth up to $40 million over the six years (including the two he had already).
July 27, 2008
#10 shonbear said . . .6 years topping out at 40 mil. Great deal for him if he turns out to be a number 1. 6 years for 30 if he is "just" the greatest kick returner in the history of the NFL. Works for me...
July 27, 2008
#11 RandomName said . . .As a University of Hawaii Warrior season ticket holder let me say this Ryan Grice Mullen is AWESOME!! Problem is, so was Chad Owens, he never made it in the NFL because he suffered from te same probem that Mulln does, they are awesome, but that siz always seems to rule out their spectacular stuff.
Haven't ear any word about how Wolf is doing in camp.
The O line doen't se like it's getting the work it should due to the gimps. I think Olin is fine, but he's vet and they will let him take his time. Hope that Chris Williams isn't going to end up like one of our last touted lineman we hoped so much for that now plays great for the Dallas Cowboys.
Bradley isn't injured, he had surgery not that long ago, so he's just slow going. They said he improved since getting yelled at. Still if he's not hungry, they will send him packing.
They haven't really said anything about Mike Brown either. The defense hasn't gotten as many picks as they were in OTA's. Maybe the pads drop thei numbers.
I guess it's still early yet, more to come.
Lastl, please get serious. ohn Clayton on ESPN is definitely rooting for Orton, but I'm sure if there is any truth the QB battle competition, we won't have anything more solid than this jello were getting until the first preseason game.
NO INJURIES!!! HEAL, STAY HEALTHY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 27, 2008
#12 shonbear said . . .Hester 40 million. wow wtg speedy gon-hester.
July 27, 2008
#13 RandomName said . . .sorry my keys are sticking...
July 27, 2008
#14 Phil from SATX said . . .not to bring up a whole height discussion but i just saw a picture of Rex , is he even 6 feet?
July 27, 2008
#15 Phil from SATX said . . .That's awesome news. I think the Orton support is primarily coming from Haugh - mostly sounds like neither is knocking socks off but Grossman is the more consistent. I was also shocked when Haugh said starting WR's will be Hester and Lloyd. Just haven't heard anything yet on Lloyd, just lots about Rash, some good stuff on new Bennett and spotty info on Bradley, including a dropped long ball.
Best news out of camp so far to me (not including Hester signing) is unanimous praise of Forte. And why not? Shouldn't the odds go in our favor for once? After Benson, Enis, Salaam? Why the hell not?
Good point about absence of Wolfe - haven't heard his name once. Maybe
July 27, 2008
#16 RandmName said . . .they can't see him out there?
July 27, 2008
#17 jeff said . . .looking through training camp photos, someone tell mike brown to stretch. ice, a stretch some more. geez. the beast is back.
July 27, 2008
#18 HesterFan23 said . . .wow. looking at the money, it's surprisingly...a lot. the bears did that?
July 27, 2008
#19 mikebdot said . . .Details:
$15 million guarenteed
$30 million total
$10 million in bonuses (most for becoming #1 WR)July 27, 2008
#20 EandonName said . . .You remember the time that the Bears were cheap? Days of old bitches.
July 27, 2008
#21 RandomName said . . .well DH should get more than Robbie Gould, am i right?
no offensive Robbie.
July 27, 2008
#22 jeff said . . .ok that was me. The letters are coming off my keyboard
July 27, 2008
#23 jdawg said . . .from larry's blog on the duke:
One thing that has impressed me about Earl Bennett is how the rookie receiver adjusts to the ball when it’s in the air. Said the third-round draft pick from Vanderbilt: "It’s just mental and physical preparation. You see the ball in the air, you’ve got to make a play. Playing wide receiver, that’s one of the things you’ve got to do is make plays. Anytime the ball’s in the air, I feel like it’s mine, so I’ve got to go get it.” Given the way Bennett has performed so far in training camp, he could eventually be one of the biggest steals in the draft. Think about the level of competition in the SEC and it’s even more impressive that he left Vanderbilt as the conference’s all-time leading receiver with 236 catches, a feat he accomplished in just three seasons!
July 27, 2008
#24 jeff said . . .I'll let you know what Crist's opinions are regarding Bennet in the upcoming days.
He sounds like the real deal, but always remember to aply your Larry Mayer filter when reading his stuff.
July 27, 2008
#25 jeff said . . .i like the duke's approach more than anything else. when's the last time we had a guy like that?
July 27, 2008
#26 Al In WI said . . .from the greeeeeeeat department (via david haugh)
4:50 p.m.: Orton keeps up with Grossman by telegraphing a quick slant pass Hunter Hillenmeyer picks off.
4:45 p.m.: After Grossman floats a wobbly duck that's picked off by Charles Tillman, a cynic in the crowd yells, "Now that looks familiar!" Grossman responds two plays later by beating the blitz with a quick strike to Rashied Davis.
July 27, 2008
#27 Prefontaine said . . .Don't forget Haugh's mention that Hester and Rex housed Tillman on a long bomb earlier!
Another player to be worried about at this point is Dusty D. Is he ever not hurt??July 27, 2008
#28 animal said . . .Larry reports:
Grossman to Hester down the right sideline for 6.
I could get used to that!!
July 27, 2008
#29 Shady said . . .I really want to know how Steltz looks in practice.
July 28, 2008
#30 Rob C said . . .What about a dabearsblog fantasy football league?
July 28, 2008
#31 Max said . . .good day 3 highlights
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86IWmi2kT98July 28, 2008
#32 JerseyBearsFan said . . .Shady I second that about a fantasy football league from bloggers, im totally in.
And Shonbear, you are in hawaii??? Me too. Go to school out there. I have to disagree with you though, i think that grice mullen has better hands than chad owens. Owens was faster, but he didnt stick cause he couldnt hold on to punts. He had a bobby wade moment one game and muffed 3 of them.
Be great to see him catch on though. liked him alot these past 2 years.
oh, and where do you watch the games at on Sundays??? Be good to watch a game with a fellow bears fan at 7 or 8 a.m. I go to aloha tower or the shack if theyr not on national tv
Go Rashied!!!
July 28, 2008
#33 enderwiggin said . . .i dont wanna hear about the bears being cheap ever again!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Bears' commitment to reinvest in their own players was evident during the off-season when the team either extended the contracts or issued new deals to 10 key players. The total financial commitment for a team often accused of being cheap is $186.9 million.Devin Hester: Signed 4-year extension worth as much as $40 million.
Brian Urlacher: Signed 1-year extension worth $18 million.
Tommie Harris: Signed 4-year extension worth as much as $40 million.
Robbie Gould: Signed 5-year extension worth $15.5 million.
Lance Briggs: Signed new 6-year, $36 million contract.
Rashied Davis: Signed new 3-year, $5.86 million contract.
Kyle Orton: Signed 1-year contract extension worth as much as $5 million.
Rex Grossman: Signed 1-year contract worth as much as $4.5 million.
Alex Brown: Signed 2-year extension worth $15.5 million.
Desmond Clark: Signed 2-year extension worth $6.5 million.
TOTAL: $186.9 million
July 28, 2008
#34 enderwiggin said . . .We gotta remember to put a question mark on Wolfe.. in my opinion he is the big question mark on offence
July 28, 2008
#35 jeff said . . .I agree that Wolfe is gonna be a big question mark factorization. I hope he can do some of the things they hyped about him last year
July 28, 2008
#36 Wayne said . . .rob c, those are amazing clips.
July 28, 2008
#37 Wayne said . . .Yeah Rob C, those clips are fat! How would you like to have a house right across the street from there. You know who looks good? Des Clark.
July 28, 2008
#38 Beverly Hass said . . .Yeah Rob C, those clips are fat! How would you like to have a house right across the street from there. You know who looks good? Des Clark.
July 28, 2008
#39 Phil from SATX said . . .I subscribe to GOOGLE ALERT, for any mention of Mike Hass, but don't recall seeing him referred to as "Mr. Bourbonnais" by David Haugh. Mike's grandfather would like to know what that means.
July 28, 2008
Beverly, here's the link:
Mike's mentioned in the last paragraph on wide receivers.
The background is that Mike Haas performed great at camp last year and was rewarded with, what? zero plays last year? Including when the season was already over and the Bears had nothing to lose by seeing what he could do in a real game?
So Haugh is calling him Mr. Bourbonnais again which has to mean he thinks he's looking great again, for all the good that's going to do him.
Tell Mike's grandfather that we think Mike's great and wish there was an offensive coordinator on the field that would at least try some of the more promising young guys like Mike.
July 28, 2008
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