Via the SportsFansNetwork, Monday’s Training Camp highlights:

• Neither Rex Grossman nor Kyle Orton are resurrecting lost faith in the quarterback position
• Grossman fumbled the snap from center twice
• Corey Graham looks impressive
• Mike Hass is hot and cold, but the hot is nice
• Can’t say enough about the hands of Earl Bennett
• Devin Hester is getting back into the swing of things

UPDATE: SportsFansNetwork has made highlights private. The link(s) will not work. Go to ChicagoBears.com for Training Camp highlights.

Just a short couple of days after praising SportsFansNetwork for broadcasting to the public – what remains to most of us — a private event, SFN has changed course and decided to make their video highlights of the Bears’ 2008 Training Camp…well, private. And at least for now, the highlights will be made accessible only through invitation.

Nonetheless, you can still view Training Camp highlights from the Bears’ official Web site, ChicagoBears.com. As a matter of fact, as one would expect, the highlights on the official site have a much better production value and are generally, more extensive. So, take that, you SFN bastards!

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Continuing our list of…well…read the title, buddy.

# 4. Brian Urlacher

Carrying on the tradition of the great Bears middle linebacker, Brian Urlacher has, unquestionably, been the most recent in a long line of franchise faces for the organization.

Urlacher’s abilities to run sideline to sideline, make jaw-jarring hits, and drop back in coverage have made him the ideal weapon in Chicago’s Cover 2 defense.

A contract dispute earlier this month thought to create a rift between Urlacher and the Bears organization, but general manager Jerry Angelo stepped up and made a deal. And now that the six-time Pro Bowler is happy and seemingly, feeling no ill effects from offseason neck surgery, he can get back to business.

Urlacher or Yerlicker – regardless of how you want to pronounce his name — is the big name, at the glamorous position, in the best football city in the world. Before Devin Hester, you couldn’t find a Bears jersey in the West Coast aside from Urlacher’s and Walter Payton’s.

Urlacher is a symbol of the Bears brand of tough defense, and even if he’s fallen off a little bit, just his presence alone should be enough to carry the team and turn fans into believers.

With respect to safety Mike Brown, Bears running back Kevin Jones has to be the most physically ripped of all the players on the Bears squad. Even as rehabilitation from knee surgery limited his movement, Jones entered training camp looking as stalwart and impressive as ever. Still, the Bears would like to see him lose 10 pounds.

It’s a request maybe more fitting for Refrigerator Perry or Cedric Benson, but per Brad Biggs of the Chicago Sun-Times, “The thinking is Jones will better be able to handle the the wear and tear of the job on his surgically repaired right knee if he’s a little bit lighter.”

Makes sense, I suppose. Jones is currently 228 pounds and on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. If my math skills serve me right, that means the Bears want him 218 pounds. You’ve got to love the California public school system.

The Bears added the former Lion back on July 15. As of now, it’s uncertain whether or not Jones will be able to participate in any offseason activities. When ready, he’ll likely either split time with, or back up, rookie Matt Forte. Duh.

Via the SportsFansNetwork, Saturday and Sunday’s Training Camp highlights:

• Brandon Lloyd looks impressive, as does Rashied Davis – once again
• Garrett Wolfe shows explosiveness
• Brandon McGowan gets run over twice
• Greg Olsen seems to be the reliable target
• Kyle Orton throws another pick
• There is a Ryan Grice-Mullen sighting (#15)

UPDATE: SportsFansNetwork has made highlights private. The link(s) will not work. Go to ChicagoBears.com for Training Camp highlights.

Thanks to the guys most awesome people ever over at the SportsFansNetwork, we are offered lengthy glimpses into the Bears’ first three days of training camp. I’m too lazy to embed the videos right now, so to watch, you’ll have to exercise some finger mobility and click here.

Also, just a few notes from what I saw:

• Matt Forte looks quick — really quick
• Earl Bennett has some seriously nice hands
• Kyle Orton and Rex Grossman apparently can hit the tight end up the seam
• Orton threw a bunch of picks (something like 3 or 4)
• You’ve heard it before, but Rashied Davis really is impressive; No. 1 receiver potential?
• Trumaine McBride was all over the ball; could compete for nickel spot

It’s refreshing to see the team out on the field again. Can’t wait until the preseason.

UPDATE: SportsFansNetwork has made highlights private. The link(s) will not work. Go to ChicagoBears.com for Training Camp highlights.

Continuing our list of…well…read the title, buddy.

# 5. Devin Hester

There is really no need for me, or anyone else, to mention how valuable Devin Hester is to the Chicago Bears. But, for the sake of the list, I will do it anyway.

In two short years, Hester has managed to seize the role of top Bears superstar from linebacker Brian Urlacher. His style of play is exciting; his moves Jordanesque, and he wears number 23 to boot. Hester’s return ability is like none other before him and has changed the way in which the game is played.

This year, teams that thought they could simply kick away from Hester to avoid getting burned might have to think twice. With Hester expected to see a huge bump in his touches at wide receiver, opposing defensive coordinators will need to gameplan for two Hesters.

One Hester will ensure the Bears always have excellent field position — whether he returns a punt 60 yards or scares the punter into kicking the ball out of bounds at his own 40. The other — after an offseason of polishing his route running and learning the playbook — will get his hands on the ball anyway he can. It could be a quick slant over the middle that allows him to zip by linebackers and safeties alike, or it might be a deep bomb that he — five yards ahead of his closest combatant — catches in stride and takes to the house. (more…)

(phone rings)

Ryan Grice-Mullen: Yeah, mon.

Lovie Smith: Hi Ryan. This is Lovie Smith, head coach of the Chicago Bears. I’m calling to see if you’d be interested in playing for us.

RGM: Irie, mon. Les do a dis ting alretty.

Lovie: Great. We’ll need you here today.

RGM: Sounds good, mon. I a bring me baseball bat n’ glove.

Lovie: Wait… Son, did you just say you’ll bring your baseball bat and glove?

RGM: Yeah, mon. Wah wrong wit dat? I be dee nex Cheepah Jonez, you see, mon.

Lovie: No, Ryan. I’m a football coach. We want you to play football. You played football at Hawaii.

RGM: Ahhhh. Dahs rye, mon. I be a playin some football.

Lovie: …Well, we’ll see you soon, ok?

(hangs up)

RGM: Haha. Erry tine I a smoke dee erb, I a be fo gettin’ wah I a be doin’, mon.

(day dream sequence to 2006 Hawaii practice)

No, Ryan! I ain’t a Goddamn curveball!

Bring it, mon. I a be dee next Cheepah Jonez! Hahaha.

All-Pro return man and wide receiver Devin Hester has decided to skip the Bears’ first day of training camp.  Hester, the third-year pro, is due to make $445,000 this year – far less than what any two-time Pro Bowler should be making.

The Bears are expected to fine Hester $15,000 a day until he shows, but they’d be smarter to actively pursue a contract resolution. Without a doubt, Hester brings an exciting, game-changing ability to an offense that sorely needs it. His 11 career return touchdowns are fourth most in NFL history.

Bottom line is if Hester is indeed expected to vie for a more significant role in the passing game — which Bears coaches have indicated is true — he needs to be out on the field right now.

Considering Kevin Jones is coming back from reconstructive knee surgery, a song entitled “Break Stuff” probably isn’t the best choice to score his highlight film. Regardless, here it is:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beUfbtB00IQ]

Devin Hester might be the most exciting player in football, but how can you expect him to translate that moniker into success at the wide receiver position if he isn’t getting the ample amount of opportunities?

As first pointed out by RotoWorld.com, David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune writes that he believes Hester playing half of the offensive snaps in 2008 is a realistic goal.

Only half? I realize Hester’s bread and butter lies in kickoff and punt returns, but we’re talking about a guy many believe will give the Bears some long-awaited respectability at – what has been for them – a historically weak position. Of course, those are those naysayers too, who don’t believe the hype.

Either way, the only way to find out for certain is to give Hester every chance possible to prove himself as a wide receiver. The difficult task comes in striking the right balance as so it doesn’t take away from his returns. I get that. But playing only half the snaps reeks of gimmick – something the Bears need none of.

If it’s true, Hester will be nothing more than a No. 3 receiver. This means Marty Booker, Brandon Lloyd, Mark Bradley, Rashied Davis and rookie Earl Bennett will be left to fight it out for No. 1 and No. 2.

Continuing our list of…well…read the title, buddy.

# 6. Chris Williams

Part of the Bears’ success on offense this year will rest on Chris Williams’ ability to digest the blocking scheme and improve his run-blocking skills. If he does, Rex Grossman/Kyle Orton will have the much-needed time to throw and fellow rookie Matt Forte will have lanes to run through. If he fails, opposing defenses will be in the Bears backfield — as another famous Commodore put it — all night long.

Williams, the Bears’ first-round pick, finds himself in the unenviable position of being thrust into the left tackle spot as a rookie. This year alone, he’ll have to face the likes of the Dwight Freeney, Trent Cole, Jared Allen, KGB and Rams rookie Chris Long. It would be a harrowing task for anyone, and if he struggles early, his confidence could be shaken.

With last year’s left tackle, John Tait, moving to the right side, and Ruben Brown gone, the left side of the offensive line will be inexperienced at best. This means Williams might need to develop a mean streak to get him through some games. If he looks lost out there, the Bears will be forced to turn to journeyman John St. Clair — a prospect I don’t St. Care for… duh dum ksh.