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The Chicago Bears opened a three day mandatory minicamp today at Halas Hall and as advertised, wide receiver Alshon Jeffery was on the practice field. "It's good to have him here," head coach John Fox said of Jeffery, "He looks to be in good shape. He's ready to roll."
Jeffery, who is still seeking a long term contract after signing the franchise tender, met the media after practice and he still believes his future is with the Bears saying, "That's the goal, but that's between Mr. (GM Ryan) Pace and my agent." He also said the plan is for him to report to training camp in July with the rest of his teammates.
With Jeffery at camp, that gave the Bears a full complement of players at practice, although outside linebacker Pernell McPhee was among a handful not on the field. McPhee should be ready to go by the time training camp rolls around, but when asked about the injury, head coach John Fox gave a typical John Fox answer, "I can't predict 5 weeks, day-to-day."
The Bears had a few veterans in on a try out basis today, among them tight ends Tony Moeaki and Ryan Taylor, fullback Darrel Young and defensive lineman Marquis Jackson. With one opening on Chicago's 90 man offseason roster, I would imagine the free agents were going all out to earn that spot.
Here are a few more quick hitting Tweets from the Bears' beat writers.
Alshon Jeffery was characteristically quiet when talking to reporters today. A "It'll take care of itself" theme re: injuries, contract.
— Dan Wiederer (@danwiederer) June 14, 2016
Jeffery on what he likes about #Bears: "The city of Chicago. The Bears got a great fan base...I would love to win a championship here."
— Zach Zaidman (@ZachZaidman) June 14, 2016
Jeffery said he spent the voluntary portion of the offseason on "soft tissue issues that I was working on."
— Zach Zaidman (@ZachZaidman) June 14, 2016
Jeffery on his relationship with John Fox: "I mean, me & Coach Fox, we have a great relationship. I don’t think it’s a problem or nothing."
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) June 14, 2016
Alshon Jeffery believed working in Miami away from the team was best, but added: "The team's always first. I'm on the Chicago Bears."
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) June 14, 2016
Jay Cutler is eager to play with Alshon Jeffery in 2016: "If we got him 100 percent for 16 games, he's going to do some damage." #Bears
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) June 14, 2016
Jay Cutler and Alshon Jeffery both had the same line about Kevin White: "The sky's the limit." #Bears
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) June 14, 2016
#Bears spent 3 picks on DBs but it's UDFA Taveze Calhoun who's consistently caught my eye. Jumped a Brian Hoyer screen today for "pick-6."
— Arthur Arkush (@ArthurArkush) June 14, 2016
Kevin White, who has been struggling a bit w/ drops, made a ridiculous TD catch on the sideline in the 2-minute drill today. #Bears
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) June 14, 2016
#Bears QB Jay Cutler on the new-look D: 'They're faster. They're quicker. From my perspective it looks like night and day from last year.'
— Mark Potash (@MarkPotash) June 14, 2016
Jay Cutler believes in the upside Bears second-year receiver Kevin White: "Physically, he can do whatever he wants."
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) June 14, 2016
Cutler on new O-line: It's a really good group. ... Kyle (Long) has let everyone in Chicago know he's happy to be back at RG. #Bears
— Arthur Arkush (@ArthurArkush) June 14, 2016
Ted Larsen was not present at Bears minicamp today, so Cody Whitehair played LG. Jay: "Cody has kind of stepped in there with Ted being out"
— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) June 14, 2016
Don't know yet if he can play, but #Bears new OT N Chandler brought some attitude to practice. Mixed it up w/ Leonard Floyd & C Washington.
— Arthur Arkush (@ArthurArkush) June 14, 2016
"Table is set for younger guys to eat, they got to get their before the older guys." Long on #Bears youth movement pic.twitter.com/O9gIn2G63v
— Arthur Arkush (@ArthurArkush) June 14, 2016
Not seen during Bears practice: OLB McPhee; LG Larsen; S Bolden; RB Perry. WR Wilson left the session midway through.
— Rich Campbell (@Rich_Campbell) June 14, 2016
Any thing else from day 1 minicamp catch your eye?
If so share it in the comment section...