Busiest. Training Camp Opener. Ever.
Lots going on at Bears camp, and the players arrived just 24 hours ago. Here's two cents worth of free analysis:
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Chris Williams signed just in time to participate in the first practice. It's quite a relief to see all draft picks signed and ready to go, and Chris should be right on schedule to start the opener.
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Brian Urlacher signed an extension. One of my concerns about camp was how Urlacher would handle his contract situation, and how his back and neck are doing. There should be nothing to worry about with the contract now, unless he pulls a Briggs and is unhappy about it a week later. The Tribune said it best with their headline: Time to Put Up.
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Devin Hester is holding out. I'm surprised, but then again I'm not surprised. The Bears have shown that they're willing to cave to a star player's contract demands, and Hester is only the best kick returner in NFL history. And while he IS the best kick returner in NFL history, he's only played two years, he's making $445,000 and gas is $4 a gallon. The fans don't want to hear it. I understand where he's coming from, though. Football is a demanding sport. If he blows out his knee this year, he gets nothing. The only thing he can do to gain leverage is to hold out, so he's doing it. Still, the timing isn't the best. The Bears have spent the last few days weeks negotiating with Urlacher and Williams, and Hester is under contract for two more years. The Bears know he wants more money, they just didn't have time to negotiate. He should have come into camp on good faith. Oh well, I'm sure he'll sign a long term deal within the week and two years down the road when that bonus money is gone he'll sit out again. Good times!
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Kreutz and Dvoracek are hurtin. Kreutz is leader of the offense, and his presence is a necessity to fully integrate two new starters on the line. I'm hoping his injury is nothing and they're simply being extra cautious. And what's the deal with Dvoracek, man? He's been an absolute beast the last two preseasons, but he's only played two single quarters in his career due to injury. That's less than Mike Brown even! I'm afraid he'll end up in the dustbin of "what could have been".
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Grossman won the coin flip. Your opening day starter.
Let's see what happens on Day 2!