Pretty much every single NFL starting quarterback holds some sort of passing camp for his teammates during the offseason. Mark Sanchez, who's the current Broncos' starter but might not be for long, even took part in the offseason tradition.
So it's no big deal to hear about Jay Cutler inviting his Bears teammates to his offseason home in Nashville to run some routes. What is a big deal is the presence of Kevin White, who missed his entire rookie season with a shin injury.
In a recent feature on White, the Chicago Tribune's Rich Campbell provided a detailed look at how White has recovered from surgery. In that article was an interesting nugget about White joining the Bears' receiving crew in Nashville.
Oh, and White is completely healthy.
From the Tribune's piece:
When the Bears report to Halas Hall on Monday for strength and conditioning workouts, the asterisk next to Kevin White's name will be gone. No limitations. Those loathsome days of being singled out as physically unable to perform are done.
Finally, White can revert his energy back toward the big question that surrounded his jump to the pros last spring -- his ability to run a variety of routes.
That effort throttled forward Monday, when White flew to Nashville, Tenn., to join several skill-position teammates at Cutler's offseason home. Their itinerary included running routes, a visit to the batting cages, bowling and a minor-league baseball game.
If you're buying into the Bears as a fringe playoff team in 2016 (I am), then you're probably factoring in Kevin White. Considering the Bears own the No. 11 pick in this year's draft, they're essentially gaining two top-10 rookies in one offseason.
The No. 7 pick in the draft a year ago, White gives the Bears a burner to take the top off of defenses. Due to the presence of Alshon Jeffery, defenses won't be able to always zero in on him. And, despite his lost season, White seems to building a rapport with Cutler. Buried in the Tribune's feature was a detail about White lifting weights with Cutler this offseason.
Again, it's the offseason -- a time when many quarterbacks and receivers talk about fine-tuning their chemistry. So let's not overreact to Cutler hosting his teammates in Nashville, which is something he did last offseason as well.
But the news of White's health and confidence shouldn't be overlooked. And, as a result, the Bears shouldn't be either.
Wink of the CBS eye to the Chicago Tribune
