Final Thoughts From Bourbonnais

After 3 weeks of watching the Bears in Bourbonnais, I leave the practice field confused and conflicted. I won't be so flippant to say that I didn't learn anything about this team because I did, but I'm not quite sure I can take what I've learned and give you any conclusions on how this team will do once the games actually count.

It will be strange for you to read this and find it believable, but the 2010 camp was one of the tougher camps under Lovie Smith. The problem is that it's only comparable to the other Smith camps. Bears players spent a lot more time in full pads. The practices themselves were longer in length by an average of about 20 minutes. There was more contact and more individual teaching sessions. All those things are true and admiralable, but I felt after 3 seasons of no playoffs, there needed to be more. You may be asking yourself right now: more what? Honestly, I don't have an answer other than...I just thought there would be more.

I like what Mike Martz is trying to accomplish offensively. It seems like a big undertaking. This offense will take a ton of trust: Jay Cutler will be asked to trust that his line will hold blocks during 5 and 7-step drops. Cutler will have to trust that receivers will be where they're supposed to be. The receivers will have to trust that how they run routes will result in open space and big plays. The offensive line will have to trust their own line calls as this offense shifts and motions, in an effort to catch the opponent off guard. My issue is that after spending time watching practices and listening to Martz throughout the summer, I walk away less convinced that it can work...at least enough to make a difference.

I am not a hater of the Bears version of the "Cover-2". In fact, I think the addition of Julius Peppers plus the health of Tommie Harris and Brian Urlacher are fantastic arguments for its continued implementation. The problem is that the Bears leave Bourbonnais in the same situation that they left the 09 season with: ISSUES AT SAFETY! There has been no continuity at those spots for the better half of a decade and this year is no different. I like Chris Harris, but I think he's out of position. Unfortunately he's the only Safety that the Bears trust to make a final call on defense which means he has to be at the FS spot.

Count me as one of the people who would endorse moving Charles Tillman to Safety. This year more than any other it makes sense to do and here's why: The Bears have always bristled at the idea of moving "Peanut" but that's because they think of him as their best corner. With the move to the right side, they're admitting that isn't the case anymore. Tillman (ever the good soldier) has taken the change like a pro, but still finds himself fighting his instincts on certain techniques. If he isn't your best DB, he's still your most trustworthy. Wouldn't it make sense to have him make the final call at FS and let Chris Harris where play he is naturally suited, SS?

I leave with so many questions and so few answers, but let me at least leave you with some things I'm fairly confident in:

-Johnny Knox is poised for a breakout season. It's clear to me that he is this team's best WR. A year of NFL strength training and diet have him looking less scrawny. A year of NFL coaching has him looking more sure of himself. He has been consistent in every practice and seems to know where to be in this offense. He also isn't shying away from the spotlight.

-Devin Aromashadu is a "football player". He has pretty good instincts and has impressed everytime he's taken the field in a Bears uniform. He's learning all 3 positions: X, F and Z and the offensive coaches hav pushed him to see if he'd fail. He hasn't.

-Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs could both go to the Pro Bowl this year.

-Julius Peppers will make plays this year that will make you say "WOW!" He's an absolute freak. My personal belief is that he will give effort as long as the Bears are competitive.

-Bears Special Teams will be fixed by opening day...

That's as far as I'm willing to go. Under Smith, I've never left camp as perplexed as this year. I thought I would find clarity. I thought I would would walk away with more confidence. I'm left thinking that this will be a season of football ecstasy or disaster. My only conclusion is that with the 2010 Bears there will be no middle ground.

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