‘The explosion of the monsters’

by Omar Ureña (Gráfico Sports)

The inflatable Bear was ready to roll, the Blue Cross Blue Shield building’s windows lit up ‘# ROCK EN ROLL’, the Chicago Bears were ready to rock in Training Camp. They rolled right into this August night in Downtown Chicago. The majestic rims of the sky were displayed over Soldier Field, they brought, as always, the spirits of those who were about to rock, the families who have supported the Bears for almost one full century, for those who went to Wrigley Field, and now to Soldier Field, we salute you. We salute you Bears fans, families, parents and furious kids, singing, breathing, anxious to see their beloved Bears on the field.

The 2014 Bears are going to be the team to watch in the NFC North. These Bears are going to give headaches and bruises, this offense is for real, with an offensive line and a powerful duo in the backfield, not to mention Jay Cutler (6) and Brandon Marshall (15). Roberto Garza (63), the iconic, tremendous center, is the one in command, he controls, he leads, he is an example of hard work. He was called for duty and since the drills, has been leading. This warrior was ready to block and roll at the family fest.

New faces and big bodies showed up in the reinforced offensive line, I mean BIG bodies; tackle Cody Booth from Temple was a devastating blocker playing for the Green Wave. Joe Long (79) from Wayne State is also a big dude getting a lot of reps. These guys follow fundamentals set by coach Pat Meyer and have powerful explosiveness to attack defensive players. Jordan Mills (67) looks solid as a rock in his second year after making an impact as a rookie in 2013. Mills told me about the Bears confidence to be the best team in the NFC North: “We are ready to face the season game by game, we are confident in winning games, the goal is to move step by step and win the Super Bowl”.

At that point, Lollapalooza was exploding and thousands of sounds, mixed with the wind. Massive guttural expressions from a crowd of 100,000 people, the energy floating by Foster The People and Outkast was felt in the air, but Soldier Field had its own party going on. Rock and electronic music, 26,000 fans enjoying a marvelous Saturday of happiness in the city which survived a devastating polar vortex.

Being the 2014 first round pick for the Bears, It was time to shine for Kyle Fuller. Now that Devin Hester is gone, this new #23 in town is a warrior, being the 2014 first pick for the Bears. The spirit of the Monsters of the Midway is here, the furious defense is back and the fight goes on. After practice Stephen Paea and Jeremiah Rattliff were named starters, when the Bears host Philadelphia.

Jay Cutler was throwing precise passes to all his receivers, in the middle and down the field. This offense is going to be devastating, having a sensational rookie RB. He will speak for himself with legs and heart, he is number 25, and will generate fear in defenses: Ka’Deem Carey ran with the Chicago wind and played as a scary wildcat, full of motion and elusiveness, like no other rookie RB has shown with the Bears in recent years. I see Carey striking eventually to be Matt Forte’s backup over Shaun Draughn and Michael Ford, Carey will help this team to win, loud and clear: the Bears offense will strike down opponents.

The offensive elements did their job finishing this Family Fest strong at Soldier Field, the power is on and these offensive players are ready to punish teams. Practices are intense. Yesterday Martellus Bennett (83) got into a fight with Kyle Fuller. The veteran tight end has been suspended and fined by the Bears for conduct detrimental to the team. Also yesterday, WR Marquess Wilson (10) broke his clavicle.

These players belong to the city of concrete and broad shoulders.  Every snap is part of a long-ass road to the Super Bowl for these guys. It’s getting close to their first game against the Eagles, but first it was time to show it at Soldier Field. The practice had a fast tempo, the sounds of helmets crushing in the scrimmage line was LOUD. These Bears want to protect their field in armor made out of iron and courage, the Bears electricity is on.