Camp's heat good fare for NFL Films

here to make a movie.
With the same dramatic music and narration that accompanied the recap of the 1967 Ice Bowl between Dallas and Green Bay, the piece could have chronicled the Bears' efforts to make it through Sunday's practice. - NFL Football -
The opening shot would be the silhouette of safety Mike Brown, kneeling on the sideline with sweat pouring off his face and arms. The voice of pro football, John Facenda – if he were alive – would intone, "These are the times for the men to show they are men and for the boys to head for the nearest water tent."
Or something to that effect. - NFL Football -
OK, so the first practice of the season is not up there with the Ice Bowl. All I know is the elements were similarly severe, albeit on the opposite end of the thermometer.
The Bears kicked off their preseason with a temperature of 100 degrees and heat index of 112 cooking the Olivet Nazarene University field and everyone who set foot on it.
Highlights were scarce, even for a first practice. The problem was not just rust, either.
Even these athletes, some of the best-conditioned in the world, struggled mightily. No wonder I counted 40 fans walking out of the complex during the first half-hour.
"My mind was raring to go," cornerback Charles Tillman said. "My body just wasn't always listening." - NFL Football -
Coach Lovie Smith said afterward the heat was not a significant issue. As far as not completely disrupting what the Bears wanted to do, perhaps Smith was right. - NFL Football -
Rex Grossman still threw the ball, although not always accurately. The receivers still ran their routes with the cornerbacks providing coverage. Tailback Thomas Jones still darted through holes in the non-contact practice, in which players wore helmets but no shoulder or leg pads.
The heat nonetheless was a factor. Instead of focusing on the beginning of a new season, with all the promise such an occasion entails, everyone just wanted to survive.
By everyone, I mean fans and reporters as well as players, who worked hard but mostly seemed to be wondering when the next water break would come. - NFL Football -
"Things were kind of sluggish out there," Brown said. "Don't worry, we'll get it going."
Maybe not today – the temperature is expected to remain well into the 90s, and practice is at high noon. - NFL Football -
The Bears have not worked out in these conditions for a number of years. They apparently had a few – I did not attend them – during the glory seasons.
Mike Ditka talks about loving those sessions. He made his players practice in full pads, although the team reportedly provided man-sized vats of ice for players to jump into afterward.
There were no such ice bins Sunday. Players spent the previous 24 hours hydrating themselves. They took three water breaks during the 2-hour practice.
And so everyone made it through without any noticeable problems. The players will not tell the story of this day to their grandkids the way the Ice Bowl participants probably do.
But they could. - NFL Football -

NICK HUT