2008 Training Camp Opens

OK, I have to get these two things off of my chest...

Devin Hester is not a Number One Wide Receiver AND
Chris Williams signing and getting into camp ON TIME is the lead story of the opening day of camp in Bourbonnais.

Now for some more thoughts...

I heard from Hub Arkush that Devin Hester was offered a contract that would make him the highest paid Return Specialist ever. He went on to say that it also includes an escalator clause that would pay him more if he produces as a wide receiver. Given that information, I am 100% on the Bears side of this little disagreement. If that is the case, then every day that Devin Hester holds out, I would decrease the offer and not increase it. Because if Mr. Hester is ever going to be a true #1 WR, he needs to learn the position - he has not been anything close to being a WR, but just a gimmick on offense and the worst thing that the Bears ever did was to complete a long touchdown pass to him from Brian Griese because that is the only clip that I have heard on the radio today. I did not hear any talk about how many times he was out of position as a wide receiver and how many times he ran the incorrect route, or how many times he was caught for a loss behind the line of scrimmage on a reverse... Devin Hester should use his God-given speed and sprint to sign the deal that the Bears have offered him. The Bears are not using good judgement if they capitulate and pay him as a wide receiver because he has not proven in college or the NFL that he can be relied upon to be a real WR.

Back to the real story... Chris Williams signed on time! That is the best news so far out of camp... I knew that somehow he would be in on time. Very, very good news and congrats to Ted Phillips and Jerry Angelo for getting that accomplished. I now have some hope for the OLine this year...

The Marty Booker that I remember can catch the football. That is what I like in a wide receiver - good hands. Now this is a weapon on offense, he is not flashy, never has been and he is not on the time to light up the world. But if he can catch all of the routine passes that Moose Muhammad did not catch, than we are worlds better with him than with Moose.

Mike Brown healthy means that this defense will be good again. Mike Brown hurt again means a shaky defense.

Alex Brown is the starter on the Right Side of the defensive line and not Mark Anderson. I like Mark Anderson a lot, but Alex Brown makes the run defense much, much better.

That's all for now.

- Slim Tim.

Forte Signs...

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d8091e154&template=with-video&confirm=true

So, just one day after posting that the Bear had signed 10 out of their 12 draft picks, the Bears up the ante and sign Matt Forte, their 2nd round pick. Congrats, I have much higher hopes for this Bears running back now that he will be in camp when it opens. Nice work Teddy Phillips and Jerry Angelo!!!

- Slim Tim

Three more draft picks reach contract agreements - Chicago Bears

Three more draft picks reach contract agreements - Chicago Bears


I have to share this news with y'all... best news from the draft thus far... The Bears have now signed or agreed to terms with 10 of their 12 players chosen in this year’s draft, the most in the NFL. To date, 67 picks from the 2008 NFL draft have signed or agreed to terms with their respective teams. Slim Tim is very happy. I like to see the guys in camp without holdout.