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After the Chicago Bears Superbowl run in 2006 / 2007, they headed into 2007 with high expectations. After losing Mike Brown, and several other key players on defense their 2007 season soon began to fall apart.
Rex Grossman continued his eratic play and was benched after only a few games into the season. Brian Griese didn't offer much more and eventually Grossman was brought back and given another chance. Although Rex Grossman played at a higher level upon his return, fate soon dealt another blow to this team, and Grossman went down with injury.
Eventually Kyle Orton was given the job to finish up the season, but by then their playoff hopes had already disappeared. Kyle Orton did show that he could lead their offense effectively, and going into the 2008 season he will be competing with Rex Grossman for the starting job.
Marty Booker has returned to the Chicago Bears and has his sights on the #1 receiver role, since Bernard Berrian and Moose has been signed by other teams.
In 2001 Marty Booker caught 100 passes for the Chicago Bears, but his numbers have declined over the last few years in Miami. Some can argue that his declining numbers may be due to the poor teams the Dolphins have put on the field in recent years. Others show concern that Marty Booker's skills have declined and is no longer the go to receiver that he once was with the Bears.
Chicago Bears running back Thomas Jones and linebacker Lance Briggs participated in Friday afternoon’s opening minicamp practice, but both could be gone again following practices today and Sunday.
Both starters dropped out of the Bears’ voluntary off-season conditioning program in April in hopes of receiving more lucrative contracts. Neither had much to say Friday about absences from workouts the past month.
Neither attended last week’s organized team activities Wednesday and Thursday, the first two of 14 off-season practices, and it’s unclear whether they will participate in the remaining 12 OTAs, which continue Monday through Thursday the next three weeks.
Steven Wilks is the newest occupant of the ever-changing position of Bears defensive backs coach.
Before hiring Wilks, the Bears struck out with Michigan defensive backs coach Ron English, who accepted the position but then backed out when he was given a promotion to defensive coordinator with the Wolverines.
Wilks is an 11-year college coaching veteran who spent the past two seasons under Ty Willingham (at Notre Dame in 2004 and Washington last year).
Wilks inherits a secondary that features two Pro Bowlers, cornerback Nate Vasher and strong safety Mike Brown, and he believes the group will benefit from his enthusiasm.
Cedric Benson wasn’t positive what kind of response he’d get from the right knee he sprained seven weeks earlier. But he came out of the Viking game feeling better.
“I was about 95 percent sure I was OK, and a couple of hits finished the rest of the 5 percent for me,” said Benson who picked up 35 yards on 9 carries. “It felt pretty good. It was a little sore (afterward), but that’s expected. I made it through; did pretty good, too.”
Benson said he’d be even healthier for the Bears’ playoff opener.
The Bears added some much-wanted speed at wide receiver Wednesday when they moved rookie Airese Currie onto the active roster after Currie spent all of training camp, exhibitions and the regular season on the non-football injury list because of a foot injury suffered at Clemson.
Currie, the Bears' fifth-round draft choice, has yet to play in an NFL game.
Slow and steady
Refusing to set a target date for his return, a contemplative Cedric Benson said he has been riding a stationary bicycle and hopes to resume light jogging next week as he works to return from a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee. Speaking to reporters for the first time since the Bears said Benson would miss three to six weeks following the Nov. 13 injury, Benson said he has pain unless he walks straight.
Jerry Azumah (hip), Ruben Brown (chest) and Olin Kreutz (elbow) had the day off from practice but are probable and expected to practice Thursday. Benson and Bernard Berrian (hand) are out.
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