EXTRA POINTS
Say what?
Victor Cruz misheard a question when he met Chicago reporters for the first time, but the answer was interesting. Asked which of the three receivers spots — that would be the X, Z and slot for the football guys — he prefers, Cruz named three Bears receivers who he said “stuck out” to him early on during OTAs. In order, they were: 1. Cam Meredith: “He’s very fluid, and he’s a big target, and he can go up and get the ball and runs really good routes.”
2. Markus Wheaton: “You can see his speed. I know he’s a little bit limited. He had a yellow jersey on [ Tuesday], but you can see what he kind of brings to the table.”
3. Josh Bellamy: “He talks a lot, man. I got here [ and] I’m like, ‘ He’s one of those talkers.’ I like that, though.”
Kevin White was an interesting omission. If asked again, Cruz, the new elder statesmen of the receivers, might list him. They’ll have plenty of time to impress each other.
But with White under the microscope in his third season after missing most of his first two with serious injuries, it’s apparent the first- round pick from 2015 has work to do.
Speaking of White
During White’s recent meeting with reporters, he bristled at the suggestion that outside criticism could motivate him. But more interesting was his revelation that he had to re- learn how to run after his second major surgery on his lower left leg. He changed his gait.
“You could say that,” he said. “I’ve just got to train the body again. Fixing things, correcting things and just getting back to it. Overall, I’m not worried about it. Everything takes time, but I feel pretty good.”
Come and get it
It’s early, but cornerback Marcus Cooper’s physical play during OTAs suggests he has the brash mentality the Bears want defensively. If that holds true, he’ll fit in well with general manager Ryan Pace’s previous free- agent signings, namely linebackers Pernell McPhee, Jerrell Freeman and Danny Trevathan and defensive tackle Akiem Hicks.
Cooper hasn’t changed much since defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and secondary coach Ed Donatell first coached him as a rookie in San Francisco.
“He was just very serious,” Donatell said.