BOURBANNIS-One year ago, the Bears opened training camp still giddy from an appearance in the Super Bowl. This year, though, there was a different attitude as the team opened training camp at Olivet-Nazarene University.
BOURBANNIS–One year ago, the Bears opened training camp still giddy from an appearance in the Super Bowl. This year, though, there was a different attitude as the team opened training camp at Olivet-Nazarene University.
“We realize what it takes to get back where we want to be,” said head coach Lovie Smith, who begins his fifth season at the helm. “We know it’s going to start right here in camp.”
The Bears are coming off a disappointing 2007 season that saw them finish 7-9 and dead last in the NFC North Division. The key to a return to glory will be retooling an offense that finished 27th in the league last season.
Who will be directing that offense at quarterback is the biggest question at training camp. The battle for the starting job has been the talk of camp as Kyle Orton and Rex Grossman both vie for it.
Smith feels both are capable of leading the team this season.
“I think it’ll be a great competition between Rex and Kyle,” Smith said. “The one that ends up winning the position, we feel real good at leading us to where we want to go.”
The biggest news in camp thus far has been the signing of kick return star Devin Hester to a new contract.
Hester, who had two years remaining on his current contract, signed a four-year, $40 million contract extension that will keep him with the team through 2013.
He will get in excess of $15 million in guaranteed bonuses under the new contract, with $10 million possible in 2013, the final year of the deal.
Hester, who arrived in camp Friday but sat out of practices while the new contract was being worked out, is pleased with the extension.
“The fact that I do a lot of things on the offensive side of the ball impress them, so they rewarded me,” said Hester, who in two seasons is two touchdown returns short of Brian Mitchell’s record of 13 kick or punt returns touchdowns–a mark that took 14 years to set.
Smith was thrilled to have Hester back at practice.
“I’m smiling most of the time I’m talking about Devin Hester,” Smith said.
“Now, I can smile a little bit more. He’s a good football player, and we have some big plans for him.”
Those plans include using Hester as a full-time wide receiver after the Bears waived Muhsin Muhammad and lost Bernard Berrian to the Vikings via free agency.
In an overtime loss to the Vikings at Soldier Field last season, Hester, playing at wide receiver, caught an 84-yard touchdown bomb from Brian Griese that tied the game late in regulation.
“This year, he’s committed to being a full-time receiver and to learn the entire offense,” Bears offensive coordinator Ron Turner said.
“He’s made that commitment, and he’s learned it and done a good job, and we’re excited to get him back out there.”
Local fans will get their first look at the Bears when they host Family Night Thursday at Soldier Field.
The Bears first pre-season game is set for Aug. 7 at Soldier Field against the Kansas City Chiefs. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
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