Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher is ready for training camp. The veteran sprained his left knee during the Bears' Week 17 win over the Minnesota Vikings. Though the injury didn't require surgery, Chicago choose to keep the star out of offseason activities. Now Urlacher is back and set for action in Bourbonnais, and he likes what he sees.
Urlacher echoed sentiments already shared by many of his teammates as the Bears arrived in training camp: there is a noticeable amount of talent here, maybe more than the Bears have had in a decade or two.
"I think we have the talent now to reach our expectations," Urlacher said. "We're stacked at every position. As a team, we've got to be more consistent on both sides of the football. Defensively, that's all I'm worried about, being good against the run and the pass. Getting sacks, turnovers ... we've always done since Lovie's been here.
"Offensively, I think we'll be able to run the football. They'll be able throw with Brandon (Marshall). If we just protect our quarterback, we should be all right."
It's, of course, the addition of Marshall that has people most excited. For a team that was 7-3 last season before quarterback Jay Cutler went down with a broken thumb, expectations are as high as they've been in recent memory.
Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the Chicago Bears, be sure to visit Windy City Gridiron.