Back from Bourbonnais

I had a great time covering the Bears in Bourbonnais on Saturday. As always the people who work for the Bears are easy and pleasant to work with, and can't thank them enough for the opportunity to attend.

I'm going to cut right to the chase on my thoughts about the offensive line. It still looks iffy. I like the potential of Webb and Carimi being our tackles of the future. Chris Williams continues to struggle in camp. It's mind boggling considering he's big and athletic, but can't seem to put it all together. The depth on the defensive line really showed during drills. When the 2nd team offensive line was on the field. Every defensive linemen went through them like butter.

The rest of the offense looks to be on the right track. Even with Martz in Canton, OH for Marshall Faulk's hall of fame induction. Both Cutler and Hanie seemed comfortable running the offense. At one point Cutler even stood where a defensive linemen would to observe plays unfold while Hanie ran the offense. Even without his offensive coordinator he still seemed really engaged in practice.

Forte looks even more explosive than last season. Probably a result of his off-season conditioning which saw him bulk up. Barber is very physical even in practice. Taylor doesn't look bad, but he doesn't stick out. Considering his lack of special teams ability I'm not sure if he'll make the team. So I'd imagine Kahlil Bell will remain the 3rd string running back. As a group I'm very pleased with the running backs.

I didn't get to see Knox (back) practice at all. Roy Williams was on a bike for part of practice. It let Dane Sanzenbacher undrafted rookie from Ohio State get a chance with the 1st string unit. He continues to impress catching everything in sight. I also liked what I saw from undrafted rookie receiver Onrea Jones from Hampton. He runs solid routes and has shown good hands. I have a feeling even if the Bears keep 6 wide receiver Andy Fantuz won't be one of them. The CFL star doesn't look bad, but he doesn't show big play making ability like Sanzenbacher. Plus Sanzenbacher was also returning kickoffs in practice, and special teams depth only helps his case.

The tight ends all looked solid. Clark has the occasional drop, but he hasn't been back in camp very long. It's very obvious we don't have a play making tight end akin to Greg Olsen. It's also not what the system calls for, and it seems like Martz now has a group that can do what he ask of them.

I have much less to say about the defensive side because there's not a lot of question marks. I think Tim Jennings could have played better. Charles Tillman almost had a couple picks, and did some push ups as a result. I really like the move of Chris Harris back to strong safety and Major Wright at free safety. This defense looks better than they did last camp. There's so much depth. Amobi Okoye looks like he could a free agency steal. Keep in mind he's only 24 after entering the NFL at 19. I have a lot of faith in Marinelli. I think it goes without saying Peppers, Urlacher, and Briggs all looked great.

After practice ended we were afforded the opportunity to conduct interviews with the players. These were the results:

Bears Training Camp 8-6-11 by zachwithers

At the end of the day this season rest in the hands of Mike Martz, Mike Tice, and the offensive line. This team is going to be able to run the ball. Will Martz try to pass too much like early last year? Tice needs to continue to have positive development with our young linemen. If the offensive line can perform as a unit the Bears will have a great chance to surpass last year. Lance Briggs has already said this team is better than the 2006 Super Bowl team, and last year's NFC Championship team. From what I've seen I have to agree.

Taking the Next Step

Rick Reilly is concerned about Jay Cutler's facial expressions, and his ability to command a room. As a Bears fan all I care about is Jay Cutler's ability to be a great quarterback. Hands down one of, if not the, most gifted quarterbacks in the NFL.

In his three seasons in Denver, Cutler was never called a winner. It's not a fair label because as a rookie he started 5 games. He wasn't given much of a chance to make an impact. In his first season starting he threw for 3,497 yards 20 TD's and 14 INT's. In his second season he went to the Pro Bowl, as he became one of three players ever, to throw for 4,500+ yards at age 25 or under. The Denver faithful, post-trade, put the short comings on Cutler, not their crap defense.

He was put on a huge stage the second he was traded to Chicago. Directing the #2 offense in 2008 didn't matter. It's almost as if he didn't have a career before the trade. In a new system, surrounded by inferior talent, and an offensive coordinator who didn't like working with Cutler, things went badly. Cutler led the NFL with 26 INT's and was enemy #1 by the media. Eli Manning throws 25 INT's this year and no one talks about it. Peyton Manning threw 100 INT's in his first 5 seasons. Jay Cutler threw 79 INT's.

In a season where everyone expected failure for the Bears. Cutler has led them to an 11-5 record and a 1st round BYE. While the defense deserves their fair share of credit. Cutler has had many chances to choke games away. Fast forward to the game against the Seahawks. Everyone said the game would be close, and Cutler would struggle. QB's making their first start have been terrible in recent years. Instead Cutler started his post season career with a 58 yard TD. He became the first QB to throw a TD on their first post season pass since Chad Pennington in the 2002 season.

When everything was said and done. He became just the 2nd player in NFL history to have 2+ passing TD's and 2+ rushing TD's. Otto Graham accomplished it in 1954 and 1955. Now Cutler is presented with a story book game against the Green Bay Packers. Cutler has yet to perfect his game, and he still has sloppy mechanics. A win Sunday over the Packers would raise the perception of Cutler around the league. He'd go from the playoff virgin to just being known as a winner. Lets just hope Cutler is up to the challenge.

For All the Wrong Reasons

The Vikings will host the Bears, in a game the NFL seems hell bent on playing in Minnesota, on Monday Night Football. It marks the 29th anniversary, to the day (Dec. 20, 1981), of when the Vikings last played an outdoor home game. Which was a 10-6 loss to the Chiefs in their final game at Metropolitan Stadium.

Earlier in the week several Bears players spoke out. Robbie Gould is the Bears players rep, and he spoke to the media:

"I think every player in the locker room is, obviously, a little worried about the fact that the field is going to be frozen and there is going to be more risk involved for injury," Gould said. "But I think at the end of the day, the NFL and the NFLPA and the Bears and Vikings will make the right decision, being that the NFL has placed such a high standard on player safety. And it all started with the helmet-to-helmet hit. This is no difference than one of those hits. I think everyone will make an educated decision. And at the end of the day, we will play on what would be the safest playing surface for that game.

I think the NFL understands that there is a concern with that (outdoor stadium) and I don't think they are going to put anyone out there on a frozen field. If they do, then obviously the safety issues are going to have to be re-asserted to a point," Gould said. "Because every player in here deserves to be put in the safest position as an athlete to play the game and make sure the fans are entertained on Monday night"

The Chicago Bears starting quarterback Jay Cutler let his feelings be known about the situation. Keep in mind Cutler has already suffered a concussion this season in the Sunday night game against the Giants.

"In the locker room it is kind of the buzz," Cutler said. "That's the concern of the guys. We don't really care where we play, it's just that that field isn't heated," said Cutler before the Bears practice at Halas Hall.

"They can heat it up all they want, but we're going to be out there for three hours in zero-degree weather and it's going to be a hard surface. I think that's my main concern with the guys in the locker room."

Chris Harris was vocal about his concerns early in the week:

Bears safety Chris Harris has been outspoken about his concerns.

"If you're going to preach player safety, you would think you would put (players) in the best position to be safe," Harris said. "And I don't think playing on an icy field is the best conditions.

"Nobody expected this (collapse of the Metrodome ceiling), and I feel sorry for what happened up there. You can't prepare for a dome collapse, so you don't really have a backup plan. If there are that many 'ifs' and what ifs,' then you would think that you would just move. You can go to any dome."

When the decision came out that the game would be played at TCF Stadium he seemed upset with the decision.

"Man, it's a dictatorship, so it is what it is," Harris said shortly before the end of an open locker room session. "If they say that's what is going to happen, then that's what's going to happen.

"What they say is the law. It doesn't matter what I think. We just have to get ready and prepared to play there."

I think a fellow member of the secondary, Charles Tillman, put it best.

"If I'm a Minnesota player, [or the] organization, yeah, I would like to have the last home game in Minnesota," Tillman said. "But that being said, you got this icy field that nobody has played on since, I don't know, months.

"Is that right for the players, for their players, for us and our safety? No, it's not."

"If the field is frozen, who the hell wants to play on that?" Tillman said. "I would much rather play in Minnesota, I'd much rather play in the Metrodome, but it was an unfortunate accident that happened, and I don't think anybody could have prepared for what exactly happened at that dome. [And now] everybody is scrambling to get that game in Minnesota. Icy field, players, safety, this is the year when we are cracking down on player safety and concussions and stuff like that. You want to fine guys $75,000, but are we going to play on this frozen field? I don't know, it really doesn't make much sense to me. "If they get everything done in time, and it passes the NFL inspectation, [there is] nothing to complain about. If they said it's up to par like any other stadium, sweet. If not, I don't think it's smart for the Minnesota players or us as well."

While concerns had seemed to quiet during the weekend. The Vikings had a walk through at the field today. The Bears had practiced at Northwestern to simulate field conditions, but they might have a hard time doing that. Punter, and World of War Craft fanatic, Chris Kluwe took his concerns to Twitter.

Serious time - All respect to the people that cleared the field and got it ready, you did an amazing job. That being said, it's unplayable. The field is as hard as concrete an hour and a half after they took the tarp off, and anyone that hits their head is getting a concussion. I find it interesting that the NFL can claim an emphasis on player safety, and then tell us the field is fine. It's beyond hypocritical. I can only hope, however unlikely, that no one gets catastrophically injured at the trainwreck that's about to take place tomorrow night.

To everyone - that was a totally serious post on the field conditions. It is like walking on concrete. They took the tarp off at the same time they'll take it off before the game. The problem isn't heating it, it's retaining that heat. Like a lot of you are saying, hopefully the snow will at least provide a cushion tomorrow night.

When asked by a fan "I cannot believe the NFL is allowing this. Do the players have any recourse?" Kluwe responded: What can we do? They already shot down Chicago's petition (and that's a team used to these conditions).

That response promted another fan to ask "If it's like this on Monday, will this be the worst surface you've ever played on?" to which Kluwe responded: "Without a doubt. It's worse than that old AstroTurf they used to have (and got rid of for safety reasons)."

Someone with the Vikings or the NFL didn't like all this honesty. His last tweet on the subject matter: "I've been asked not to tweet anymore about the field so as not to distract teammates (who were there) and I will honor that. Time for WoW."

Great job NFL! With guys like Adrian Peterson, Jarred Allen, Jay Cutler, Brian Urlacher, Devin Hester, Percy Harvin, Julius Peppers, Sidney Rice, and Lance Briggs playing in this game. I'm happy to see you don't mind risking a few star players careers. I'm sure this will really help your case in your quest for an 18 game schedule. For all the reasons to play the game in Minnesota. Safety isn't anywhere on this list, and it's the only one the NFL should care about.

Vince Young benched, needs to grow up.

The 2006 draft saw three quarterbacks taken in the 1st round. With the 3rd overall pick the Tennessee Titans took Vince Young from Texas. Matt Leinart of USC and Jay Cutler of Vanderbilt would go with the 10th and 11th picks. While Cutler was the 3rd QB taken that round. He was the top choice of, long time and respected, Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher. Titans owner Bud Adams, the guy who flipped off Bills fans last season, is a huge believer in Vince Young. While Fisher may not have wanted Young. There isn't a whole lot of evidence to suggest he couldn't live with him in 2006 or 2007.

In the 2008 season opener Vince Young basically took himself out of the game after getting booed. He'd later have the police looking for him when his family grew concerned of his well being. The end result was Kerry Collins started the rest of the year and the Titans had a fantastic season. In 2009 the Titans first 6 game were brutal. They managed to start off 0-6. It caused Bud Adams to put pressure on Fisher to let Young start. While Fisher had stated he wanted to stick with Collins, Vince Young was reinstated as the starter. With the easier part of the schedule, and Chris Johnson running out of his mind. The Titans went 8-2 in their final 10 games.

Much was made about Vince Young's maturity this offseason. That he finally grew up and was an all around better person. Yet in June he finds himself issued a Class C assault citation for attacking Creiton Kinchen. If you've seen the video, you'll see Kinchen flash an upside-down "Hook 'em Horns" hand sign. Dem' be fighting words.

You'd think this guy would finally grow up, but there's been issues this whole season. During a Week 2 game against Pittsurgh he was benched. He had missed meeting that week, and sources said the team had a short leash because Fisher and the coaches weren’t happy with his preparations. Week 10 Young's toughness was questioned when he didn’t start because of an ankle injury. Collins would eventually get hurt, and Young would play the 2nd half. The ankle looked fine.

In Sunday's game against the Redskins. Young suffered a torn flexor tendon in his right thumb, an injury that could require season-ending surgery. While Randy Moss may have 1 catch in two games with the Titans. It looks like Fisher might think Young is the problem. He didn't name names, but said Moss was open several times in the first half and that any lack of production was not Moss' fault. When Young over threw Moss in the endzone during the 2nd quarter, he was once again booed. Unlike in 2008 he tried egging on the crowd. You can see his hang gesture in the picture at the top of this blog post.

Fisher let it be known that after having Young's thumb examined in the third quarter, he didn't think he could throw the ball properly after watching him throw on the sideline with his thumb taped. He even attempted to throw with a glove.

"He never came to me and said he was okay or wanted to go back in," Fisher said.

Vince just sat on the sidelines and sulked. After the game Fisher said Young threw his jersey and shoulder pads into the stands on his way to the locker room. Witnesses verified that police or stadium personnel had to retrieve Young's gear from the stands. Five minutes after the game had ended Young was already leaving the locker room for the players parking lot. Former USC teammate Michael Griffin chased after him, but couldn't get him to stay.

Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean reported the following

According to sources, Young was talking under his breath, uttering expletives, as Fisher prepared to address the team. When Fisher told him to keep quiet, Young finished dressing and started to leave. Fisher told Young to stop, saying not to “run out on your teammates.”

Young then told Fisher “I’m not running out on my teammates, I’m running out on you,’’ sources said. More words were exchanged and Young left.

Safety Michael Griffin, wearing only a pair of shorts, ran out of the locker room and chased Young to the players’ parking lot. Griffin was seen telling the quarterback “You can’t leave, you can’t do this.’’ Young shrugged him off and kept going.

Players were discussing the incident when the media entered the locker room a few minutes later, but they chose their words carefully when approached by reporters.

Wide receiver Nate Washington said players were told to “keep their mouths shut.”

Said tight end Bo Scaife: “I am sure (Young) is upset. But what happened is between him and coach. Hopefully they can get some stuff resolved.’’

Griffin denied chasing Young even though several media members witnessed it.

“I don’t know what you are talking about,’’ he said. “You didn’t see that.’’

Shortly after this Fisher spoke to the media:

"Clearly, that's no way to respond so we have some things we have to work out with him," Fisher said. "He may need surgery and if that's the case he's done for the year."

When asked if he lost his job regardless of the injury, Fisher said, "Right now he has. There are some things that have to change. I can't ... what went on is just between us."

When asked if Young said anything to him after the game, Fisher said, "Yes he did and that's between me and him and the team."

Fisher added: "I'm very disappointed. His teammates are disappointed. There's going to be frustration with losses. There are times when you really have to just dig deep and fight and turn to one another. I don't think you run and so I am disappointed."

Earlier tonight Vince Young went to Twitter to put his own spin on this:

“Just want to say I'm fine sorry to my teammates I just a cop”
“Competitive”
“Just want to play.”
“But God is great.”

While those four tweets remain. There was one apparently retweeted by Adam Schefter, but has since been deleted by Vince Young.

"for your info I have my shoulder pads stop believing everything u here."

Hard to believe someone went to Texas that long and can't use here correctly. It's even harder to believe Vince Young thinks any of these tweets explain anything.

Cutler on the Mic

Many of you may, or may not, remember Cutler was mic'd up for his 5 INT Thursday performance against the 49ers.

Cutler 49er's Game

Now a year later he's hooked up again and he gives us this audio from his performance against the Bills.

Cutler Bills' Game

Bases Loaded... Again?

We tried, but didn't hit a grand slam. Those were John Paxson's feelings on the offseason pursuit of the big three. Rarely in the NBA when you whiff on a franchise altering move does another opportunity follow so quickly. Had you told me entering the off-season that the Bulls would just wind up with Boozer, I'd have considered that a failure. I do not blame the Bulls for what happened in Miami. I think they did everything possible to make Chicago a very attractive desination for free agents.

While it seemed LeBron, Bosh, and Wade have decided to play together years ago. From the ashes of those failures rise a second chance. Carmelo Anthony wants to play in New York or Chicago. While it takes two to tango, lets hope the Bulls don't have two left feet. Outside of trading Derrick Rose you do what it takes to get this done.

Trading Noah would be a huge step backwards for this season. He is not a franchise center. You could find another Noah before you could find another top 5 NBA talent to pair with Rose.

Imagine this 2010 starting lineup...

PG - Derrick Rose
SG - Ronnie Brewer
SF - Carmelo Anthony
PF - Carlos Boozer
C - Joakim Noah

I personally don't think you have to trade Noah to get this deal done. Because what other options do the Nuggest have? They've made it pretty clear they don't want to get nothing for Anthony. So take a look at what other teams can offer. Deng is the best player available. The issue is his contract. That's why you offer Taj Gibson, James Johnson, or 1st round picks. Combine it however you need to get that starting 5.

While I think Gibson will turn into a soild pro. His greatest asset is youth and potential. I don't think his stock will ever be higher than it is over the next few seasons. Unless he surpases everyone's projections for the type of player he can be. James Johnson is all potential and I'd gladly give him up.

Low 1st round NBA draft picks are unlikely to contribute heavily to this team anytime soon. If the Nuggets get Noah they will also likely have to agree to a new contract before the deal can occur.

At the end of the day Noah will likely help out the 2010 Bulls more so than Carmelo Anthony. He's the center we need to compliment Boozer. When you have a chance to get a top NBA talent at age 26 you do it. In the long run the ceiling for the Bulls will be that of a championship. So I'm begging and pleading with the Bulls brass. This time hit the grand slam.

Evolution of a killer

The 2006/2007 NBA season saw the Chicago Bulls come one win shy of 50. Many saw the stock of the Bulls going up after a 49-33 win season. Chicago managed to sweep a bad Heat team in the first round. While they lost to a good Detroit team 4-2 in the ensuing Conference Semifinals. Loul Deng was hailed as the next NBA superstar.

That summer Bulls fans would catch Kobe-fever. Rumors were rampant that Kobe wanted to be a Bull, but only under the condition Deng remained in Chicago. This situation continued into the early 2007/2008 season. ESPN.com reported on November 1st that Kobe vetoed a three team deal between the Bulls, Lakers, and Kings because of Deng's involvement. This trade would have been a franchise changer, and altered the NBA landscape. A season of turmoil resulted in a disappointing 33-49 season. The Bulls stock went from going up to crashing down. Recent top draft picks Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah seemed like bust, and Deng never blossomed into a superstar.

Nearly half the NBA, 14 of 30 teams, get to participate in the lottery. Armed with the 9th worst record, the Bulls figured to land a top 10 first round pick. May 20th, 2008 changed everything. The Bulls unexpectedly found themselves in the final three. Your representative says a lot about your expected pick. Standing there for the Bulls in the final three was EVP-Business Operations Steve Schanwald. Somehow, someway, with a 1.7% chance the Bulls must have blackmailed lady luck, and won the lottery.

Not everyone wanted the Bulls to pick Derrick Rose. I'd imagine you'd be hard pressed to find writers that would admit "I was the guy that said take Michael Beasley." but thankfully the Bulls got it right.

It was evident right away the talent Rose possessed. The biggest complaint about the eventual rookie of the year was his willingness to give up the ball. Ben Gordon wound up taking big shot after big shot, and Rose never complained. The Bulls knew they had to take a step backwards before they could take a step forward. They did the unpopular thing and let Big Ben walk.

Early on due to injury in his sophmore season, Derrick Rose struggled. People were worried about his development. In Decemember almost-Bull Kobe Bryant was quoted as saying "Just do it." in reference to Rose and his struggles. Health would eventually find Derrick and the light would go on. Talk shifted from Noah to Rose for who'd likely make the All-Star team as a Bull. Rose eventually received the well earned honor.

It was Roses' emergence that got people buzzing about the Bulls. Suddenly they were just a superstar away from being a championship contender. This would result in the Salmons trade at the trade deadline to clear up cap space. No matter how well he played or how many big shoots he took. The mantra that Rose couldn't be the best player on a championship team never went away. This perception was especially fueled by his low key demeanor.

While his defense remained suspect. He'd come a long way from a college kid at Memphis who ate mostly junk food, gummy bears was his candy of choice, to the gym rat he is now. Lets not forget when it came playoff time Rose continued to impress. While the Bulls eventually lost to the Cavs, they had no answers for Rose. Even when they had LeBron guard him the whole game, Rose wasn't shutdown.

Despite all this people still doubted Rose had the killer within. While everyone was concerned about the Bulls clearing cap space. Rose stayed quietly in the background. He was interviewd by MouthPieceSports.com in June. They asked him about getting LeBron and Bosh. His response? "Just give me one of those players and I'll be all right". He wasn't gushing about the chance to play with superstars. He said "give me" one of them. That doesn't sound like anybody's Robin.

Before LeBron decided to take his talents to South Beach. There were reports Rose didn't want LeBron in Chicago. Word has it that while he texted James, Rose never reached out to beg him to come. Most upper management had their stars reach out to James. Apparently no one sent Rose a memo. According to Rose if James wanted to talk he could have just called him. As Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports put it: James needed to be courted, needed to be wooed and apparently it surprised him there was a star who wasn’t falling over himself to do that.

When the dust settled and "The Decision" was made. You didn't hear anyone on the Bulls crying. They were happy with the additions of Boozer, Korver, and Brewer. More importantly Rose showed you the killer growing within.

"I want to be that guy," Rose said Tuesday in an interview with ESPNChicago.com before the start of Team USA's training camp. "I want to be the reason why the Bulls are back to what they were [during the Michael Jordan era]."

"Why wouldn't I want to be [the face of the franchise]?" Rose asked. "That's the point of playing the game. That's the greatest thing right now.

"I came to a team where they didn't make the playoffs, not for a couple of years. No one was really interested in the Bulls like that in Chicago, not like [it was during the Jordan era]. And I'm making it back [to being] exciting. I'm from Chicago, [and] it would mean a lot if I would just bring back one championship there, or even get past the first round. The city would go crazy. So for me to even bring that team back to like the old days, it would mean so much to this city."

Boastful isn't a word used to describe Derrick Rose often. Earlier this offseason he did talk up the expansion of his game. "It's there; I have a consistent 3-point shot now," Rose said. "You'll see. I just have so much confidence in my jump shot now. It's coming along so good. It's past even my expectations at this point."

Rose is a guy who likes being coached. He's one of the few players who listened to Vinny Del Negro. All indications are that Rose is greatly improving on defense. He's spending lots of time with new head coach Tom Thibodeau. Being the more complete player should give him a huge edge over Rondo for a spot on Team USA.

All of that doesn't matter if Rose can't become the superstar this team needs. Had someone like LeBron James come to Chicago, we'd still be asking that of Rose. Especially with LeBron because he's proven he doesn't want the ball. Analyze what Charles Barkley says about LeBron James, which in my opinion is 100% accurate.

"Let me just tell you this," Barkley said. "Mike and I are in 100 percent agreement on this. If you're the two-time defending NBA MVP, you don't leave anywhere. They come to you. That's ridiculous.

"I like LeBron. He's a great player. But I don't think in the history of sports you can find a two-time defending MVP leaving to go play with other people."

Now compare that with what Derrick Rose said about possibly leaving Chicago.

"I'm never [leaving]," he said, before punctuating that statement a few seconds later. "Never."

Ladies and gentlemen, this is a man who can be the best player on a championship team.