Camp is underway for the Chicago Bears in Bourbonnais and if you read into what is going on, you will see that things are very different from what we have witnessed in years’ past. None of us know what will unravel in the next year or two, but you cannot help but feel 100 times better now than you did a year ago (I am looking at you, Chucky). Lovie Smith is out of town and I am still happy about that. What is going on at camp is putting a smile on my face. Who cares if the guy is “weird” by saying odd things. If the guy can coach an NFL team and win games and eventually, a Super Bowl, then that’s all that matters.
1. First, the idea that Trestman has for the Bears this year is something you have to feel good about. When Lovie was here, he always took it easy on the players. No wonder some of these guys were mad. When you don’t have to work so hard or so much, would you be complaining? Probably not. This year, the practices are balls to the wall and all drills are done promptly and quickly.
2. The schedule the Bears practice will be different throughout camp. Trestman has the team practicing at times that they would usually be playing games to help them get use to the times. One practice will be at noon, another, for example will be around 3:00. I like the concept.
3. Devin Hester. Finally, a coach who gets it. Devin Hester is a very important piece to this team. I know he was being a cry baby when Lovie was gone, but we all knew that would blow over. He is where I have been saying he should have been all of these years: Kick and punt returns only. With Lovie and Angelo in charge, they screwed up this guy even more by shoving bullshit down all of our throats by saying this guy will be a number one wide receiver. I don’t ever want to see him on offense again and Trestman is smart enough to know that without even coaching a single game.
4. Another point I should add is what Phil Emery when players reported to camp a few days ago. He said that it is very doubtful that there will be any contract negotiations for any player during the season. I am fine with that. Jay Cutler, Robbie Gould and Charles Tillman are just some of the players who will be free agents after this year and while I am sure they all want to stay, they will have to prove they are worth what they think. The way I see it, Joe Flacco had a point to prove last year and he did what he said he was going to do. I have no problem with Jay Cutler doing the same thing.
While the Bears have lost Urlacher, I still feel the defense could be better without Lovie’s coveted “I-Pass” system. I am already sick and tired of Aaron Rodgers “Danza Slapping” the Bears’ defense into submission twice a year. Mel Tucker will be in charge to make this doesn’t happen. Newcomers like D.J. Williams and rookie Jon Bostic should help the linebackers.
I said this a while back and it’s worth repeating, a new regime is here for the Bears and I’m on board with what they are doing.