2006 Bears: Quiet before the storm
There is absolutely nothing going on with the Bears right now, but we're only eight days away from the start of training camp and I suspect then we'll be hit with a flurry of stories. Taking a look at ChicagoBears.com these days yields articles like "Urlacher leads stellar group of Linebackers" and "Disruptive Line Key to Defense's success". Total snoozefest fluff pieces to fill space. What they should be talking about are the upcoming battles this preseason. Of course, if you ask Lovie and the Bears, there are no battles amongst the starters. There should be, but there aren't. If I were running the show, and you should probably be thankful that I'm not, I would have an open competition at the following positions:
QB - Grossman vs. Griese vs. Orton. Yeah, throw Kyle in the mix, too. I like the depth, but I really want to see one of these guys take the job by the horns and run with it. My money's on Rex keeping the job in camp, but then getting hurt around week five before Griese takes over and does surprisingly well. Mr. Neck Beard sits and watches the whole year.
RB - Jones vs. Benson. Jones may have made his bed with the holdout, but I'd really like to see an honest competion between the two runners. Alternate quarters in the preseason, and make sure they both run behind the same starting O-line, against equivalent competition. May the best man win.
TE - Desmond Clark vs. The Field. Someone's got to light a fire under this guy, but a quick scan of the roster hardly comforts me. I'm still pissed that they didn't draft anybody.
#2 and #3 WRs - Berrian vs. Gage vs. Bradley vs. Currie. Based on his performance late last season, I think the starting job is Berrian's to lose (provided he's fully recovered from surgery); and I really don't think Gage has what it takes. Nevertheless, give them all a chance to show their stuff.
LB - Jamar Williams vs. Hunter Hillenmeyer. I don't care that Hillenmeyer got a big contract, he should earn his starting position. I don't care if it's Leon Joe or whoever, give them all a chance to earn the starting job. Hillenmeyer wasn't so great last year that he can't be beat. He's steady, at best.
K - Robbie Gould vs. Josh Huston. I don't know who this Huston kid is, other than he went to Ohio State. I just know that Robbie Gould is hardly automatic, especially from outside 45 yards. Let's see if Big-Ten-Boy has a better leg.
That just about covers it. I'm sure they'll be some competition at Kick Returner as well, but since the Bears spent their top two picks on return-men, I'd expect they'll both get the first crack at the job.
That's it from me. See you later!
PS. Bears cut Qasim Mitchell today. Yeah, I don't care either, just thought I'd mention it.