Training Camp Notes
I messed up training camp last night, so while I hoped to regale you with tales of the incredible unused talent of WR Mike Hass (whom the Tribune called "Mr. Bourbonnais" on Sunday), I instead have to tell you the cautionary tale of not being prepared for your opportunities.
Don't get me wrong, I love Bears training camp. But there's a right way and a wrong way to do it. And despite knowing better, we did it the wrong way last night. Fact is, you have to arrive EARLY or you have to arrive LATE, because the middle ground is not much fun, my friend.
Night practice last night, starting at 7. We arrived just before 7. Bad move. Gates open to the public an hour before that, and that's your best parking and best seating. You come right before 6 and you're a short walk from bleacher seats and the best view. Come at 6:20 and you can still line up right on the fence. 7 o'clock? Forget it. Parked just about off-campus, trudged through the heat and humidity like Lawrence of Arabia (I guess he probably had a dry heat) and are four deep away from the fence. Even after wiping the sweat out of your eyes, not much to see from that venue. Heard some cheers while Robbie Gould was doing field goal practice, so I'm betting he hit some boomers - (saw him go just shy of 60 yards on Saturday), but it's just not the same as seeing the ball go through the uprights.
Should have held out another hour. The early arrivers start heading out about an hour into the practice, so you can usually get a bleacher spot around then. Which is cool, because they actually run plays the second hour (vs. the blocking drills and passing drills and kicking drills of the first hour). It's more like actual football, and what's wrong with that. We were still around at 8, but the only Bear we were seeing was Staley the mascot, and our heart was no longer in it. We filed out, chalked it up to experience, and will come back all the wiser next time.
Couple of insider Training Camp tips coming next time...
CHILI DAN
"That's right, Jerry. Reach into those pockets..."
