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Brandon Marshall is a Beast and the nickname is well earned, Chicago has not seen a W.R. of this caliber since I don't know when and I've been an avid fan for over 30 years.

Alshon Jeffery is a rookie W.R. with a ton of upside, not the fastest on the field but great hands and crisp routes. Still pretty raw selling routes and getting off the jam but if he watches and learns from Marshall the Bears could become very dangerous on offense. Hester and Bennett will also benefit from Marshall's presence as it's evident Marshall will command double coverage. It should also help Forte and Busch in the run game as defenses will no longer be able to simply bring 8 down in the box and stop the run and stop the Bears offense. Marshall so far has been Emery's prize acquisition.

Rookie T.E. Evan Rodriguez is making his presence known at camp and the coaches a taking notice, it's evident Tice and Bates are bringing back the T.E. role in Chicago and the Bears have three very good T.E.'s on their roster each with their own niche.

I'm still not sold on the McClellin experiment, at times he's looked good and you can see his quick burst off the line but once a lineman locks up with McClellin he is unable to shed the block, needs to get a little stronger and work on some moves, reminds me of the old Boxer vs Wrestler scenario. Time will tell but as of the moment he is/will be a situational pass rusher only and probably why he has been on the kick off return team and working with the #3 and #2 units mainly and sparingly against the #1 unit. He's still receiving a lot of one on one time with Marinelli so you can tell the importance of this experiment but Izzy is more than likely the day one starter and McClellin will be in the rotation.

The LT battle between Webb and Williams is in full swing and no clear winner as of yet but I get the feeling the Bears are favoring Webb for one reason or another. I still feel that LT and safety are the Bears weakness so far, and stiff competition for the starting cornerback job opposite Tillman between Hayden and Jennings.

Emery took a chance on trading for Brian Price and I hope it works out not only for the Bears as they was in need of D.T's but also for Price as he's had some tragic past in his life. I will say he is a BIG man, reminds me of when the Bears had Keith Traylor and Ted Washington in the middle. Emery is holding true to his philosophy when he said in his opinion football was a big mans game and it's evident in his player acquisitions both via trades and the draft, gone are the days of the smaller quicker players Lovie preferred.

I know it's only day two of padded practices but there is a buzz at camp and rightly so, record crowds at ONU the last couple days, several drinking the Koolaid so don't feel like the lone ranger BG...........LOL myself included and that's scary.

QUOTE:

Originally posted 09:04 PM ET  07.29 by bearsfan6522009

It's almost time. The NFL is in Training Camp mode. Only about a month to go until the Regular Season starts. Now is the time, that we all have been waiting so impatiently for, since Phil Emery added Brandon Marshal and company. Now is the time, to get interested since Bears started wearing Pads two days ago. Now is the time, to evaluate our players and learn who is going to line up where. Now is the time, we find out who starts and who sits. Now is the time, to find out just what this team is made of or at least get a good idea.Now is the time, for Bear fans to sound off! GO BEARS!!!

I'm sure you're excited about your team but I don't expect the Bears to win the NFC North this season. The Packers have upgraded their defense and their offense is just as high powered as last year. The Lions are also a team on the rise.

QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 10:09 PM ET  07.30 by Old No. 4

I'm sure you're excited about your team but I don't expect the Bears to win the NFC North this season. The Packers have upgraded their defense and their offense is just as high powered as last year. The Lions are also a team on the rise.

When you rank 32 out of 32 in defense...there is no where to go but up...

The Packers running game has not been improved, but you did not have one to start with, and you also have new lineman...Let's be real, all the Packers have is Aaron Rodgers, that's it...but that is a great piece to start with.

I do not think your defense will lead the NFL in takeaways...and your Aaron Rodgers will not have a QB rating that averages 122....maybe 100-105, which is still great.

The Lions are over rated, a porous defense and no run game...damn they sound like the Packers...also neither team has any depth anywhere.

So in my mind the division is up for grabs...there is no favorite.

QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 10:09 PM ET  07.30 by Old No. 4

I'm sure you're excited about your team but I don't expect the Bears to win the NFC North this season. The Packers have upgraded their defense and their offense is just as high powered as last year. The Lions are also a team on the rise.

As I don't see the Packers as dominant as they was last year, both the Bears and Lions have closed the gap. Every team upgrades every year via free agency and the draft and it's a new season so it's anybody's guess as to how the season will shake out. You will not catch me bragging on the Bears as I go into every season thinking every team is a .500 team until the season gets under way and starts sorting out exactly where every team stands. Anything posturing beforehand is just that IMO and I'll leave that up to y'all to hash out amongst yourselves.

QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 12:45 PM ET  07.30 by GSH1

I know it's only day two of padded practices but there is a buzz at camp and rightly so, record crowds at ONU the last couple days, several drinking the Koolaid so don't feel like the lone ranger BG...........LOL myself included and that's scary.

This year has a different feeling...You always expect the Bears to be at least competitive, but this year you expect them to win...Have not had this feeling since the Walter Payton days...

GO BEARS !!!

QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 10:45 PM ET  07.30 by BGDUECE

This year has a different feeling...You always expect the Bears to be at least competitive, but this year you expect them to win...Have not had this feeling since the Walter Payton days...GO BEARS !!!

I tell you they look totally different on Offense, I really like what Tice and Bates are doing on offense. I don't see how anyone can match up defensively if the Bears have Marshall, Jeffery, Davis on the field at the same time as Jeffery is the shortest at 6'3" then Marshall at 6'4" and Davis at 6'7" and then a burner like Hester and Forte out of the backfield.

Cutler will no longer be a sitting duck with seven step drops and now has the option of audibles based on what he sees the from the defense combined with implementing a no huddle if Cutler sees a mismatch he likes.

I'm liking what I've seen from camp so far and should get even better as they get more familiar with each other. Keep your fingers crossed no injuries this season as that is key IMO because once this teams fully gels and if they can remain injury free I can see them going far.

Your Boy Roy's take on training camp up to this point.

QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 10:45 PM ET  07.30 by BGDUECE

This year has a different feeling...You always expect the Bears to be at least competitive, but this year you expect them to win...Have not had this feeling since the Walter Payton days...GO BEARS !!!

I always expect the Bears to win and approach each season with that mindset. I enjoy attending the games and cheering the team to victory. It will be very competitive in our division this season.

Bears vs. Packers
Packers vs. Bears

Sheesh...there are 30 OTHER teams you guys!!! ;)

QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 11:49 AM ET  07.31 by Sweets

Bears vs. PackersPackers vs. BearsSheesh...there are 30 OTHER teams you guys!!! ;)

Not for me!!

Some divisions (NFC East, NFC North, AFC North) no real clear favorites and some (AFC East, AFC South, NFC West) pretty clear who should win.

QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 11:49 AM ET  07.31 by Sweets

Bears vs. PackersPackers vs. BearsSheesh...there are 30 OTHER teams you guys!!! ;)

Best rivalry in all of sports...

QUOTE(#12):

Originally posted 02:13 PM ET  07.31 by BGDUECE

Best rivalry in all of sports...

Damn near the oldest also.

QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 11:49 AM ET  07.31 by Sweets

Bears vs. PackersPackers vs. BearsSheesh...there are 30 OTHER teams you guys!!! ;)

I didn't know that! Hey thanks for informing us. GO BEARS!!!

I fully expect by the end of the season that Brandon Hardin and Chris Conte will be our starters and this will be the first of many seasons together. ie I'm thinking that they will FINALLY put the revolving door to rest at Safety for the Bears.

Brandon Marshall is one of the very few recievers who even when double teamed is still more likely to catch the ball than most recievers who are wide open. This ability of his will make the Bears one of the most dangerous teams in the NFL.

Michael Bush will make the Bears an easy gimmie on short downs to get the first down and or TD. This is something we have been missing since Sweetness left.

Our offensive line will suprise EVERONE! Between Mike Tice's changes, Jay Cutler's abilities, and the addition of Marshall and Bush this offense will become one of the most potent in the NFL.

Even with a just above average Defense this team will make the playoffs and do some damage in the playoffs. The SuperBowl is NOT out of their realm of possiblilities. Especially if they get a lead. GO BEARS!!!

How's it going EZ? I really hope that your Bengals can avoid a sophmore slump. That would be a real bummer.

I just heard on one of the TV channels (Adam Scheffeter?) that he doesn't expect Mike Holmgren to return to the Browns next year. Well that will be at least two more bad seasons for the Browns. This year and next if if happens. Come on man!!! I would love to see the two Ohio teams dominate that division for 10 years or so. Wow wouldn't that be some payback!

Good luck to your Bengals EZ go BEARS!!!

QUOTE(#19):

Originally posted 08:40 PM ET  08.03 by bearsfan6522009

How's it going EZ? I really hope that your Bengals can avoid a sophmore slump. That would be a real bummer. I just heard on one of the TV channels (Adam Scheffeter?) that he doesn't expect Mike Holmgren to return to the Browns next year. Well that will be at least two more bad seasons for the Browns. This year and next if if happens. Come on man!!! I would love to see the two Ohio teams dominate that division for 10 years or so. Wow wouldn't that be some payback!Good luck to your Bengals EZ go BEARS!!!

It's not Eazy but rather someone using EZ to make you think it's the Eazy that got banned.