With the Chicago Bears opening minicamp earlier today, the top story was expected to be tight end Martellus Bennett finally showing up after missing all of the voluntary work outs. But that was quickly made topic number two when rookie first round draft pick Kevin White missed practice.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bears HC John Fox on first-round rookie WR Kevin White: "I’ll meet with the medical people and...he’ll be out here when he’s ready to be."</p>— Rich Campbell (@Rich_Campbell) <a href="https://twitter.com/Rich_Campbell/status/610874928229916674">June 16, 2015</a></blockquote>
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John Fox went so far as to call White day to day. Stacey Dales of the NFL Network says White's injury is something "to keep an eye on."
But as for Bennett, he did work out today and he met the media after practice. He wouldn't give up any info on if he requested a trade and he was also cryptic when asked if he requested a new contract.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Martellus Bennett spoke and he wants all of you to try to get a new contract <a href="http://t.co/HVt53oNxEb">pic.twitter.com/HVt53oNxEb</a></p>— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) <a href="https://twitter.com/kfishbain/status/610865179778281474">June 16, 2015</a></blockquote>
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Bennett was his usual goofy self, beginning his media session with "My Fellow Earthicans" and claiming to be "a dark-skinned chameleon" that can blend in where ever he goes.
He did have one other contract specific quote;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bears?src=hash">#Bears</a> TE Martellus Bennett: "Most people don't honor their damn phone contracts. They just switch from Sprint to T-Mobile 1 year into it."</p>— Zach Zaidman (@ZachZaidman) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZachZaidman/status/610905720947511296">June 16, 2015</a></blockquote>
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Bennett also said he plans on attending training camp in July, but when pressed if it's possible he skips it he said, "There's always a possibility. I take it one day at a time."
Head coach John Fox had some thoughts on Bennett's first day.
"I thought he had a good first practice and I'm pleased with his progress," said coach John Fox. "He'd even tell you that there's nothing like practicing football to get in shape. He's obviously been in an offseason conditioning program. But he handled himself pretty well today."
As did quarterback Jay Cutler.
"He's super-smart," Cutler said. "It's going to come pretty quickly. He was out there doing some plays that we were going to hold him back from, but he picks things up so quickly."
And as expected...
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bennett's on-field performance today at minicamp was, to put it kindly, rusty.</p>— Dan Wiederer (@danwiederer) <a href="https://twitter.com/danwiederer/status/610868133671366656">June 16, 2015</a></blockquote>
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With two years left on his deal, it just doesn't make any sense for the Bears to re-do Bennett's contract. Maybe after another solid season, GM Ryan Pace would consider an extension.
Kevin White wasn't the only player making waves at minicamp by missing practice. With starting right tackle Jordan Mills sitting out with an appendix issue, it was Pro Bowl right guard Kyle Long again filling in. The more Long fills in at tackle, the more I'll believe the move could become permanent.
Starting left tackle Jermon Bushrob was also missing, so 2nd year pro Charles Leno was working at that spot.
Here are a few other Bears' minicamp nuggets from Twitter.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">No defender flashed more at 1st open minicamp practice than David Bass, who notched a pick-6 (nearly 2 of them) and fumble recovery. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bears?src=hash">#Bears</a></p>— Arthur Arkush (@ArthurArkush) <a href="https://twitter.com/ArthurArkush/status/610871174629863424">June 16, 2015</a></blockquote>
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Bass is now lining up at outside linebacker in the Bears' 3-4 D.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Encouraging that Bass, now playing on his feet, still instinctively utilizing his length to get hands in passing lanes. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bears?src=hash">#Bears</a></p>— Arthur Arkush (@ArthurArkush) <a href="https://twitter.com/ArthurArkush/status/610872706939097088">June 16, 2015</a></blockquote>
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As is Jared Allen.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bears?src=hash">#Bears</a> OLBs David Bass and Jared Allen both made plays on the field today. Multiple takeaways for Bass.</p>— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) <a href="https://twitter.com/BradBiggs/status/610859532873547777">June 16, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Interesting to see CB Kyle Fuller take his turn catching some punts in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bears?src=hash">#Bears</a> minicamp today.</p>— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) <a href="https://twitter.com/BradBiggs/status/610896177391730689">June 16, 2015</a></blockquote>
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What are some of your thoughts after day one of minicamp?