In this Friday edition of Bears Bites, we take a look at a couple of surprising players who are making a splash so far in Bourbonnais, as well as a look at some of the new faces on the team that are looking to make an impact in 2014.
- We start out with Pro Bowl right guard Kyle Long, who is expected to rejoin the Bears this weekend for practice at Soldier Field. When he hits the field, he will be a bit leaner than he was last season, but he’s still an imposing force on the line. [CSN Chicago]
- Matt Eurich spent a couple of days in Bourbonnais this week, and he has an interesting piece about WR Chris Williams, who has been one of Jay Cutler’s favorite targets. [Chicago Bears Huddle]
- There are plenty of players who are pursuing the starting safety jobs that the Bears have available, but a new one has entered the mix in recent days, as Danny McCray has taken some first team reps. [CBS Chicago]
- That decision to put McCray at safety has been part of a process where the Bears are trying a bunch of different combinations at safety. [Daily Herald]
- Defensive tackles Will Sutton and Ego Ferguson are both rookies in the NFL, but they’ve already been drawing some rave reviews for their performances in training camp. [Chicago Sun-Times]
- The Bears have two really solid defensive ends in Jared Allen and Lamarr Houston, but Willie Young has been stepping into the role in nickel packages, and Brad Biggs writes about his adjustment to the Bears’ scheme. [Chicago Tribune]
- Former Bear Julius Peppers is working in a new role with the Green Bay Packers, and Matt Bowen headed up to Wisconsin to check out how he was doing. [Bleacher Report]
- Marshawn Lynch ended his holdout with the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday, and got a bit of extra coin as a reward for returning to practice. [Shutdown Corner]
- Finally, an excellent piece by Robert Mays about the lonely life that JJ Watt lives, and how he’s looking to bring the Houston Texans back from the darkness they experienced last season. [Grantland]
