The Chicago Bears unloaded their belongings and filed into Bourbonnais as they reported for training camp Thursday. Parrott Hall on the campus of Olivet Nazarene University will be their home away from home for the next three weeks.
"Is that Mike Martz' playbook?" Johnny Knox was asked as he dragged a packed suitcase.
"It might as well be, its about that big," he said.
Knox rode around on Chris Harris' Segway greeting players as their massive SUV's arrived.
And though the players unloaded La-Z-Boy recliners and large screen TVs from rental vans, they're well aware that this year's training camp is all about business.
"We got to worry about our own jobs!" said Devin Hester.
Quarterback Jay Cutler, much villified last year for his finicky performance, said he still believes in his receivers and has full confidence in Mike Martz's offense, despite its complexities.
"I think everyone does," Cutler said to reporters. "I definitely do. I think this offense does as a whole. You know, it's a young group of guys. There have been ups and downs. Some guys have been successful. Some guys haven't been successful. I think everyone has a little bit of a chip on their shoulder, which is I think a great thing."
Coach Lovie Smith, meanwhile, said he was optimistic for the season, and shook off the "Win for Lovie" storyline that has been developing in the Chicago press.
"We need to win for the Chicago Bears," he said.
Matt Forte echoed the players' cry to get back to being the team that went to the Super Bowl. Safety Chris Harris said that trip is still as familiar as the drive down Interstate-57.
"I remember!" Harris laughed.
