LACK OF RESPECT IRKS LONG
But Cutler points out Bears’ record in last two seasons doesn’t lie
BOURBONNAIS — Those who checked into the Bears’ dorms Wednesday at Olivet Nazarene University know few outsiders think they’ll make the playoffs.
‘‘I know that [the outside opinion] is not guiding our decisionmaking throughout the day,’’ threetime Pro Bowl guard Kyle Long said a day before the first practice of training camp. ‘‘I will say that. But I will also say that we are aware of the fact that there’s kind of a leaguewide disrespect on the Chicago Bears. I know that we’re not very appreciative of it, and we’re looking forward to getting after it.’’
Quarterback Jay Cutler, who knows something about being disrespected, had the perfect answer when asked about the lack of playoff projections: Why would outsiders think any differently?
The Bears followed a 5-11 season in 2014 with a 6-10 mark last season. Their combined 11 victories in the last two seasons were fewer than all but the Browns, Jaguars, Titans, Buccaneers and Raiders. If it’s true, then it’s not disrespect. ‘‘Whenever you’re coming off losing seasons back-to-back like that, that’s kind of how it goes,’’ Cutler said. ‘‘There’s no reason for anyone [on the outside] to really expect a huge change from our last two seasons, which is fine.
‘‘That shouldn’t bother [Long] or anyone else in that locker room. Our main goal and our main objective is just to try to get better through training camp and try to win football games.’’
Entering his eighth camp in Bourbonnais, Cutler is the longesttenured Bears player not named Robbie Gould. He knows not to make bold declarations, but he sounded optimistic.
In a camp devoid of big names and personalities — running back Matt Forte and tight end Martellus Bennett are with other teams — quiet optimism feels like the appropriate tone.
‘‘I think all 32 teams are going to say they feel good about their chances right now,’’ Cutler said. ‘‘We’ve got a lot of work to do, but we feel pretty positive about our team.’’
After consecutive last-place finishes, the Bears are ready for their role as a stalking horse in the NFC North — or at least one that has moved close enough to the pack to keep the mud off their blinders.
‘‘Until I got to the Bears, I’d never really been on a team that didn’t have those really, really high experiences of winning championships and running the table and having an opportunity to make our mark in the postseason every year,’’ said Long, an Oregon alum.
He senses progress, though, even if those outside don’t.
‘‘I’ve experienced a lot of new attitudes in the last few years,’’ Long said to chuckles from observers. ‘‘This is above and beyond my favorite attitude we’ve adopted.
‘‘You don’t get paid to play; you get paid to win. I’ve heard [coach] John Fox say that a million times, and I’m pretty sure I’ll hear it two million times this year.’’
Fox has seen both sides. In his second season in Denver, the Broncos went 13-3 with new quarterback Peyton Manning before being upset in their first playoff game. In his second season in Carolina, the Panthers were surprise Super Bowl participants.
Expectations cut both ways, Fox said. Dealing with predicted pros- perity is often as difficult as being an underdog.
‘‘Nobody has higher expectations than us,’’ he said. ‘‘Whether on the outside they’re low, high, medium doesn’t make a rat’s — you know.
‘‘It’s kind of what you do. We’ll define who we are. And that’s the exciting part about starting over every season.’’
‘‘I know that we’re not very appreciative of it, and we’re looking forward to getting after it.’’ Kyle Long, Bears guard, on the disrespect for his team