Earl Bennett Looks To Grow from a Cub to a Bear in 2009

Written by Mike Summa of Bleacherreport.com

To many, it was like he was not even on the roster.

Throughout 2008 and into the offseason, many Chicago Bears fans have speculated about the absence of third-round rookie pick Earl Bennett.

The Vanderbilt superstar set numerous SEC receiving records, but during his rookie season in the NFL, Bennett did not catch a single pass and saw little offensive playing time.

Not knowing what to make of the it, fans have been speculating about the situation ever since the lack of talent at wide receiver grew from a hot topic to a raging inferno late last season.

Some fans feel the Bears are such poor evaluators of offensive talent that they overlooked Bennett and were more awe-struck by guys like Marty Booker and Rashied Davis.

Others say Bennett did something to anger the coaching staff.

But it was Bennett himself who cleared the air this week in a Chicago Tribune article.

"I struggled [learning] the plays last year," Bennett said Wednesday. "I was lethargic because of it. It probably took me until Week 6, Week 7 to pick them up.

"Toward the end, I started grasping the concepts. Once you put things aside and just play, you can play a lot faster."

The Bears are very thin at wide receiver at this point.

With veterans Brandon Lloyd and Marty Booker out of the picture, the up-to-speed Bennett has been working with counterpart Devin Hester in this week's veteran mini camp, the team's first set of organized activities this off season.

Hester, Bennett, and Davis are currently the team's top three receivers, along with longtime practice squad enigma Brandon Rideau, former Indianapolis Colt Devin Aromashodu, and reserve/futures contract signee John Broussard.

Further depth will likely be filled through next month's draft and the post-draft free agent market, but the coaching staff has promised a more prominent role for Bennett in 2009.

Then again, the same was also said about the injury-prone Mark Bradley during every offseason he spent in a Bears uniform.

Will Brandon Lloyd ever play?

Brandon Lloyd was listed as probable on friday's injury report, but said his knee sprain still need some time to heal.

Lloyd seemed confused that he didn't play.


He was happier on Monday:

"I don't think it was some sort of punishment or anything like that," when it comes to doing the things I need to do as a receiver, I'm just not there. It's as simple as that."

Brandon Lloyd hasn't played since getting injured against Eagles on Sept. 28, missing five games.

They really need Lloyd, because without veteran Marty Booker gets more playing time and Booker doesn't look very good lately.

I'm starting to wish we still had Mark Bradley, who looks great with the Chiefs.


Lovie on decision to let Lloyd rest:

"He was close this past week, [he] probably could have [played]. I ... decided to wait one more week."

Lloyd previously stated he wouldn't return for a game until 100 percent.

"I'd say he was just probably saying when he was ready to go and he could go out there and not hurt his football team, it's nothing more than that."

Bradley signed by the Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs added wide receiver Mark Bradley, signing him to a two-year contract.

He was released last month by the Bears.

Bradley joined the Bears in 2005 as a second-round draft pick but spent three-plus mostly disappointing seasons in Chicago.

He had his best season when he was a rookie, making 18 catches.

Bears Release WR Mark Bradley

The Chicago Bears have announced the release of former second-round pick WR Mark Bradley today.

Bradley was injured in his first two years, from 2005-2006. He injured his knee, ankle, and ACL in the time span.

Last season Bradley played in 15 games, catching just six passes for 71 yards and one touchdown. He primarily played on the special teams.

I always thought Bradley had the big play ability, but I guess the Bears didn't see that.

DT Tommie Harris, who is coming back from knee surgery, didn't agree with his former teammate's release.

"I don't feel like he had a fair chance," Harris said. "I feel like he just had his job taken from him. You know how it goes: He had a knee surgery, then he lost his job."

Bradley knew his release was coming; he thought during the preseason that he would be waived. He was surprised he even made the 53-man roster.

Harris said he had a conversation with Bradley in the preseason, where Bradley indicated he asked the team for his release.

"Mark understood that this was going to happen from the beginning," Harris said. "He asked for his release so he would have a fair chance to be on somebody else's roster. But I guess they wanted to wait until week four for whatever reason."

Bradley was inactive for the opening game against the Colts, and he played on special team against the Panthers and Buccaneers.

Bradley had 36 catches for 583 yards and four touchdowns in his three seasons with the Bears.

What's Next for Bradley?

Harris believes Bradley's future is bright.

"He's a great receiver, he'll get picked up by another team and do well," Harris said.

Harris and Bradley were teammates at the University of Oklahoma and developed a good relationship in their time together in Chicago.

What Now?

Lovie Smith said in the preseason that Bradley would have the No. 1 WR spot to start the season, but then Bradley had knee surgery and he lost his spot.

The Bears expected Bradley to take over for Muhsin Muhammad (released) and Bernard Berrian (signed with the Vikings).

Expect the Bears to promote WR Brandon Rideau from the practice squad if Devin Hester stays out of the lineup for a while.

So, Hamilton Played Against Us Four Days Ago and Now He Is on Our Team?

Yes, after spending his entire rookie season on Tampa Bay’s practice squad last year, Marcus Hamilton made his NFL debut Sunday against the Bears, recording one tackle and two pass breakups.

The seventh-round draft pick from Virginia forced the Bears to punt on their first two possessions of the second half by breaking up third-down passes intended for Brandon Lloyd and Marty Booker.

Hamilton was brought in to help a struggling secondary.

Did You Know?

Bradley's release leaves quarterback Kyle Orton as the lone member left from the Bears' 2005 draft class.

Bradley is also the second second-round pick Jerry Angelo has cut in the last month, following Dan Bazuin out the Halas Hall door.

Why Was Bradley Released?

Obviously Bradley couldn't stay healthy and when he played he struggled to keep focus. Look for the Dolphins or Seahawks to pick him up.

Bears DT Anthony Adams, WR Mark Bradley Among Inactives from Week 1

The big surprise from the inactives from week 1 is that Bears DT Anthony Adams has gone from being a starter on the depth chart to being inactive.

Wide receiver Mark Bradley, who expressed frustration last week over his role in the offense, is also inactive.

Also down are safety Craig Steltz, guard Dan Buenning, defensive tackle Matt Toeaina, wide receiver Earl Bennett, offensive tackle Chris Williams and quarterback Caleb Hanie.

Devin Hester and Brandon Lloyd named Starting WR's

The Bears named WR/KR Devin Hester aka Windy City Flyer or ridicilous and WR Brandon Lloyd their starting WR's.

Behind them will be Earl Bennett, Marty Booker, Rashied Davis and Mark Bradley, who all look like good solid options.

Taking a Look at Their Final Preseason Game

At the end of the Bears final preseason game against the Cleveland Browns, the Bears came out the winners.

The won 16-10 and held the Browns to zero points in the second half.

But, Head Coach Lovie Smith had this to say about his defense "I'm disappointed."

"The plan was to get a couple of three-and-outs and then take the players out, but it didn't turn out that way. We didn't play well. Believe me, if we could put our finger on it we would have done something about it before now. We've got a little bit more time to get it right.

"We haven't played well. That is all you can say about it. We have not made all the effort we need to play well. All the things that go into playing well, we haven't done. Once we get all our guys going, I feel we will have a very strong defense."

Starting CB Charles Tillman was aksed about the D's bad play this preseason and he had this say "If I had an answer I'd tell you right now, we have to get this cleaned up."

Keep in mind the Bears did rest two key starters on the defense, S Mike Brown and DT Tommie Harris.

They also kept G Terrance Metcalf, who has been injured for a while on the sideline and TE Desmond Clark out.

Backup G Chester Adams was injured on the last play of the first half and reportedly went out with a knee injury.

That is why they need to get Fred Miller in uniform as a backup, just to get a veteran presence in there.

Read my Fred Miller article for more info, http://bleacherreport.com/articles/52003-fred-miller-waiting-to-make-decision-with-bears.

Offensively:

On the bright side for the Bears, 3rd string QB Caleb Hanie finished the game 12/17, for 115 yards and led the Bears down the field for two field goals.

Grossman led the Bears to there only TD drive, in a 19 yard pass to Brandon Rideau.

Orton was 4/7 and threw a bad ball because John St. Clair missed his block.

P.J. Pope, who was on the practice squad last season, carried the ball eight times for 34 yards in the second half.

The last WR spot on the Bears roster could come down to Marty Booker, Mark Bradley or Brandon Rideau.

This will be a tough call because the Bears depth at WR looks like this, Brandon Lloyd, Rashied Davis, Devin Hester, Mark Bradley, Marty Booker, Brandon Rideau.

Don't forget 3rd round pick Earl Bennett from Vanderbilt.

I think Rideau and Bradley should both make the team, because last night they combined for eight catches, 105 yards and one TD.

I don't know what you do with Marty Booker, he hasn't showed much this preseason.

This will be a tough call for the Bears, but for sure you have to keep Mark Bradley, because he is the type of play maker Bernard Berrian was.

Did you know?

Because the Bears beat the Browns last night, they prevented themselves form going 0-4 in the preseason for the first time since 1998.

Good Stuff:

On a fourth and goal for the Browns in the 4th quarter the Bears Craig Steltz tipped the ball and stopped the Browns from scoring.

Before, that play S Leonard Peters, who was on the practice squad last season, forced a fumble, which was later overturned.

Also, undrafted free agent CB Trey Brown who took Cedric Benson's #32 picked off Ken Dorsey in the fourth quarter.

Lastly, the Bears K Robbie Gould looked "good as gold" last night, he kicked he made all three field goal attempts he had and his longest was a 48 yarder.

Heading into the regular season:

Cutting there roster to 53 men, is going to be tough for the Bears.

They must make there moves by Saturday.

The D is dissapointed in themselves, and they should be, they gave up an average of 25 points, 326 total yards, 161 of that on the ground per game.

If they want to be the D they were in 2006, they better step it up a couple of notches

Update at Halftime From The Last Preseason Game

This is an update from the Chicago Bears last preseason game at halftime.

Kyle Orton played the first quarter and a little of the second.

He threw one interception and was 4/7 for 51 yards. The interception wasn't his fault, because LT John St. Clair made a bad play and left Orton exposed.

Rex Grossman came in and played most of the 2nd quarter until the two minute warning.

He went 5/7 with one touchdown throw to Brandon Rideau and 59 yards.

Then Caleb Hanie got his shot to run the offense and looked good as well.

Hanie was 6/6, with 55 yards.

He also had a 23 yard touchdown pass to Mark Bradley taken away from him because of a holding call on 7th round pick Kirk Barton.

The game is 10-10 at the half, but Grossman and Hanie looked good helping the Bears tie it up.

Positives:

The "other" Adrian Peterson (He had six carries for 36 yards)

Rex Grossman (He was 5/7 and lead the Bears to there only TD drive).

Caleb Hanie (He was a perfect 6/6 and looked good)

Brandon Rideau (He had two catches for 25 yards and a TD).

Mark Bradley (For a guy trying to find his groove after two knee surgeries, I think he did). He had five catches for 42 yards.

Brandon McGowan (He looks the real thing, whether he moves to nickel back or stays at safety, he makes the right moves).

Negatives:

Craig Steltz (He got beat a couple times and I haven't seen look real good this preseason, he might still be injured or it might be Adam Archuleta's jersey).

Corey Graham (He was supposedly getting a whole lot better, but I haven't seen that this preseason and defiantly not tonight against the Browns).

Kevin Payne (For a guy, who was supposedly a big hitter, he looked real slow to the ball).

Brian Urlacher (He might still be hurt, because he is not the same old Urlacher anymore).

Hopefully the negatives must improve soon, because the Bears need everyone to contribute this season.

This has been Chicago Bear Report at halftime.

Why Rex Grossman Has To Start the Regular Season

Written by Farooq Ahmed from Bleacherreport.com

Yes. I said it. Rex Grossman must start for the Bears.

Call me crazy, but in 30 starts, he has a 19-11 record. Yes, people will say that he turns the ball over way too much, but as many Bears fans know, the players around him respond to the guy for some strange reason.

And don't forget that he was "the guy" that helped lead the Bears to a Super Bowl only two years ago.

He definitely has a chip on his shoulder after Super Bowl XLI, where the Bears ran the ball well and defended solidly. Despite the Bears' great defensive play, Grossman's turnovers cost them the game. He threw three interceptions, including one that resulted in a touchdown, which sealed the Colts' victory.

That’s why I believe Rex will start the season opener against the Colts and continue to play throughout the regular season. He wants to prove himself as an elite NFL quarterback. But first comes the much-publicized QB competition in the Windy City.

It's clear that Rex is the favorite to win. In fact, Bears officials have said that they expect Rex to win the starting job. He has the talent to lead a team. Whether or not he wins the starting role is another question.

We all know that when he’s hot, he can be unstoppable, as was the case when he threw four touchdown passes against Detroit in 2006 which was his best game to date.

When he’s cold, he can be awful. This was apparent when he threw for zero touchdowns and three interceptions against Green Bay.

With a career rating of 70.9 in 30 starts, Rex is definitely under pressure to perform like a 22nd-overall pick should.

Rex will have a better season this year.

I can see him easily beating out Kyle Orton in the QB competition and throwing well in preseason games before Lovie Smith declares him as the starter. Much to the outrage of thousands of Bears fans that will shout and scream, “WE WANT FAVRE,” it won’t happen.

One thing Rex has to do is mature and stop the stupid, unwanted turnovers and vow to protect the ball. He's shown glimpses of the great quarterback he can be, and that’s what the Bears will need to see from him in the 2008 season.

He doesn't quite have the weapons he had in 2006, but he does have Devin Hester providing a deep threat at WR, along with veteran receivers Marty Booker, Brandon Lloyd, and Mark Bradley.

With much-hyped running backs Matt Forte and Kevin Jones in the mix, and a re-jigged offensive line, the Bears should improve on their 29th-ranked offense from a year ago.

Add a solid top-10 defense and a No.1 special teams, and the Bears can set their sights high this season and make a playoff run. The mood around camp is very positive, with Jerry Angelo dishing out contracts like lunch. But it is up to the players and team to prove that money was well spent.