Chicago Sun-Times

Linebacker James Anderson comes with a teacher feature for Bears rookies

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 02:40:49 -0500

Luke Kuechly remembers when it was just him and James Anderson. Injuries had kept other linebackers off the field during the Carolina Panthers’ organized team activities last offseason, and Kuechly came in with big expectations after being drafted ninth overall. He needed someone to learn from. ‘‘When I got in there, I really didn’t know what was going on,’’ he said. ‘‘I had to learn a lot of new stuff, and [Anderson] was always there. He was very helpful from the start, helping me out, teaching me how to get plays set up, how to do things, how to conduct …

Four downs with Ditka: About Jay Cutler and Tim Tebow

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 02:40:27 -0500

Of the 32 starting QBs in the NFL, where would you rank Jay Cutler? I don’t think you want to do that — it’s too hard. I think Jay Cutler is an outstanding quarterback and can be one of the best in football. Could he be the greatest? I don’t know what that is. But when you talk about the Mannings and [Drew] Brees and some of those people, I think Jay Cutler has every bit as much talent as anyone we’ve talked about. I think part of it is his production and the part about production is his consistency. …

Here’s what’s simmering this summer for the Bears

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 02:40:39 -0500

With organized team activities over and mandatory minicamp complete, the Bears have scattered, but they now have what should be a full understanding of the Marc Trestman way. ‘‘We think we’re a strong, more explosive football team going into this offseason,’’ the first-year Bears coach said. ‘‘We’ll see where that takes us here as we get into camp.’’ With the Bears going on break before training camp opens in late July, here are some topics to consider over the next few weeks: Melton matters Getting a long-term deal done with defensive tackle Henry Melton is the most significant off-the-field matter. …

Bears guard James Brown impressing new coaches

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 21:58:23 -0500

It took a string of injuries and a player to leave to set things in motion for Bears guard James Brown last season. But there has been little to slow his rise since. “James has ascended during camp, and I’ve talked to [offensive coordinator/offensive line coach] Aaron [Kromer] and [assistant offensive line coach] Pat [Meyer] about that almost each and every day,” coach Marc Trestman said after the final day of minicamp Thursday. “He’s locked in, and he’s grown as a player.” Gabe Carimi, the Bears’ first-round pick in 2011, likely still would be with the Bears if that weren’t …

Bears wide receivers nicked up at minicamp

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 21:58:23 -0500

The Bears wrapped up what coach Marc Trestman called “just a heck of an offseason” on Thursday, the final day of a mandatory minicamp at Halas Hall. Most importantly, the Bears are virtually unscathed. “We came out of it pretty much injury-free,” Trestman said. “Couple of nicks, but nothing where guys won’t be available for the start of training camp. So I think we got a lot done, and looking back, a lot of things came together.” The Bears’ receiving corps dealt with the most injuries. Alshon Jeffery and Marquess Wilson were sidelined by hamstring injuries. Brandon Marshall, although cleared …

Tucker putting his stamp on Bears’ defense

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 02:26:26 -0500

Defensive tackle Henry Melton appeared to be out of place, but he wasn’t. Lined up against the offense, he stood among the Bears’ linebackers. His hand was nowhere near the ground. He was upright. And then Melton, with a few steps of momentum, attacked upon the snap. “It’s fun. It’s definitely something different,” Melton said Wednesday after the Bears’ second day of minicamp. “[Defensive coordinator] Mel [Tucker] is seeing my athleticism, and he knows what I can do. We’re just testing out some things.” And it’s a sign that Tucker is leaving his mark — installing his own tricks and …

The return of the returner: Bears’ Hester says he feels energized

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 02:26:35 -0500

The oft-stated offseason plan for Devin Hester was to focus on being the Bears’ kick returner. General manager Phil Emery and coach Marc Trestman said it months ago and repeated it again this week. But there was Hester in a backpedal, covering a receiver Wednesday during the second day of minicamp at Halas Hall. He took a turn during a drill that matched defensive backs against receivers. “Yeah,” Hester said afterward. “I was just out there playing around.” And that’s just it. Hester said he’s still having fun even though he has been relegated to watching from the sideline with …

Cutler learning another new offense; Trestman is impressed

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 22:18:23 -0500

At some point, Jay Cutler’s head just might explode — the result of trying to remember and effectively handle too many plays, checks, formations and terminology during his playing career. Yet here he goes again. It’s well-known that Cutler is entering his fifth season with the Bears and is learning his fourth offensive scheme, with coach Marc Trestman and offensive coordinator Aaron Kromer now in charge. It can take years to master an offense. Cutler probably understands that better than most. On top of that, Trestman’s playbook is complex and detailed. ‘‘Really, whenever you want to get into it, it’s …

Bears’ Shea McClellin has no lingering foot worries

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 21:47:59 -0500

Bears defensive end Shea McClellin wants everyone to know that the plantar fasciitis that first appeared in his right foot four months ago is gone and has been gone for a while. “It started in February,” McClellin said Tuesday after the first day of mandatory minicamp. “I went in right away to see what it was and just got treatment, and it hasn’t affected anything. So I’m good.” McClellin, the Bears’ first-round pick in 2012, stressed that the injury didn’t bother him during his rookie season and it hasn’t been a significant issue this offseason. “I haven’t missed anything, so …

5 things to watch at Bears’ minicamp

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 17:05:35 -0500

A week ago, Bears general manager Phil Emery took question after question about two main topics: offensive lineman Gabe Carimi’s decision not to join the Bears’ organized team activities, and fullback Evan Rodriguez’s partying ways and legal problems. Now, with the team’s mandatory minicamp beginning Tuesday, both players are gone. Emery essentially eliminated two potential distractions, and he was bold and confident enough to part with young players. Carimi, the 29th pick in the 2011 draft, was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. Rodriguez, Emery’s fourth-round pick in 2012, was released Monday. Still, Emery said he saw a …

Bears trade offensive lineman Gabe Carimi to Buccaneers

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 16:15:31 -0500

In no time, offensive lineman Gabe Carimi will be poked, prodded, X-rayed and examined from head to toe, with extra attention given to his right leg. But it won’t be by the Bears. It will be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Sun-Times was first to report Sunday that the Bears traded Carimi to the Buccaneers. The Bears received a sixth-round pick in the 2014 draft. The deal is contingent on Carimi passing a physical with the Bucs. A source said Carimi was set to travel to Tampa, Fla., on Monday morning. The trade comes just before the Bears’ first mandatory …