5 Questions Await Bears Entering Camp

Posted by Eric Cook on July 23rd, 2008 filed in Bear Insight, Cook's Corner, Features, Inside The Bears, Main, Opinions, Training Camp
     

Who will line up at Wide Receiver?

I have read reports of all of the following being in the mix: Marty Booker, Devin Hester, Rashied Davis, and Brandon Lloyd. I think this is a fair group to choose from since they represent the players with the most NFL experience, which isn’t saying much. I think the word is Mark Bradley believes he will be cleared healthy and ready to practice, I think he will try, because unless he gets into the mix at camp he has an uphill battle to make the 53-man roster (PUP is an option). I hope Earl Bennett or Marcus Monk can surprise and make good impressions. Mike Hass is supposed to be amazing (good hands), but he never sees the field (no regular season activity). My prediction is that Booker, Lloyd, Hester and Davis will see a lot of time with the 1st team to start camp, and when one of them begins to look pedestrian some of these other guys will get their time to shine, getting their reps to compete for a starting job.

Who will play Free Safety?

I think the team seems a little too high on Brandon McGowan from OTA’s. Which leads me to ask, whatever happened to 2007’s 5th round draft choice Kevin Payne? Is he still recovering from his season-ending arm injury? Danieal Manning is now learning to play the cornerback position (so long, Ricky Manning), as he is slated to be the main nickel back (#3 CB), so he is out of the mix. I am sure former LSU standout Craig Steltz is going to be pushing for time, He just seems to have the “IT”(intangibles), form what I hear!

Who will line up on the Defensive Line next to Tommie Harris?

I believe it will be Dusty Dvoracek, as long as he is 100%. But as the Bears say this is a rotation, so others who will be in the mix are: Anthony Adams, Israel Idonije and of course rookie Marcus Harrison. I believe Israel is a lock to at least get some time on Gameday because of his versatility. Either way this will be a very deep, talented rotation on the DL including the pass rushers with Alex Brown, Adawale Ogunleye and Mark Anderson. After that, you have 2007 2nd rounder Dan Bazuin coming back from injury and 7th round draft pick Ervin Baldwin.

Who will be the best QB on day one?

I am not extremely confident in either of the two lackluster signal callers, but I have some sort of feeling Orton will end up being the man this year, because I believe he will offer more consistency than Rex.

Will Chris Williams suit up on the first day?

I hope so, to quote him “Holdout is not in my vocabulary”.

Brad Biggs from the Chicago Sun time Reports “Negotiations for first-round pick Chris Williams carried late into the night Tuesday as the Bears worked to get the left tackle signed before today’s 3 p.m. practice.”

Come on Chris, late July is no time to be learning new words, plays and techniques.