Numbers game

by Barca Blog - According to ChicagoBears.com, Earl Bennett will go with a different look for his sophomore campaign in the NFL. The former Commodore wideout will switch from N0. 85 to No. 80 for the upcoming season.

“I just wanted to change my number," Bennett told Larry Mayer. "I feel like ‘80’ fits me a little bit better. I think it’s in my character. I didn’t really think ‘85’ really fit it.

“Number 80 has so much tradition behind it with Jerry Rice and Cris Carter and those guys, and hopefully I can become one of those guys and be a legend like they were.”

Bennett initially wanted his college number which would have set up a No. 6 to No. 10 connection one more time after the Bears acquired Jay Cutler in an offseason trade. Unfortunately, the NFL prohibits receivers who have a number in the 80s from switching to a number from 10 through 19... so No. 80 will have to do.

Also, cornerback D.J. Moore has been assigned No. 30, but it could change before the season.

Read the full article here. (Photo by Bill Smith)

Bennett weighs in on Cutler

by Barca Blog - Chicago Bears wide receiver Earl Bennett talked with the Chicago Tribune and The Tennessean about his reaction to reuniting with former Commodore teammate Jay Cutler. Here are a few quotes with links to the full article:

Vaughn McClure, Chicago Tribune
On what Jay told him after the trade
"Jay just asked me if I was ready. He is going to be a great asset to our offense, and I think we're going to get things rolling. He is a great guy. He's going to do a great job for our organization.''

Jim Wyatt, The Tennessean
On getting on the same page with Cutler again
“We’ll get back in sync quick. It means a whole lot, having the chemistry we have from playing at Vandy, and it means a lot because I know what kind of person he is, I know his character and what kind of leader he is. Just being around him and playing with him again will be great. He’ll fit in real well."