The Bears touched down in London today and quickly relaxed into the rarefied air of the member’s room at Oval cricket ground.
We’re excited about the game here and about bringing our brand of football to London, said head coach Lovie Smith.
With the Bears arriving in the UK four days later than the Buccaneers, Smith knows his decision to stay longer on the other side of the pond will be scrutinised. For us we felt like it was important to have a regular work week in Chicago in surroundings that we know, he said.
Smith did point out one major upside of playing in Wembley. It means the Bears won’t be playing in Raymond James.
I’d rather play Tampa in London than Tampa in Tampa, quipped the coach.
Quarterback Jay Cutler – stifling yawns brought on by a long flight and a new time zone – was no less pragmatic.
We’re honoured we’re able to come out here and represent the NFL, he said. The guys are a little bit tired but it is what it is. This is what we chose to do.
Cutler was keen to point out that – regardless of location – this was still a normal game the Bears will approach like any other, a game the Bears need to have heading into the bye.
It’s still going to (come down to) who executes, said Cutler, still the normal things.
Tired or otherwise, the quarterback wasted little time in heading out to the cricket ground to swipe at cricket balls bowled by linebacker Brian Urlacher. I saw some cricket on TV, he told onlookers after hitting a couple of good shots.
We’re excited about the game here and about bringing our brand of football to London, said head coach Lovie Smith.
We’re honoured we’re able to come out here and represent the NFL, he said. The guys are a little bit tired but it is what it is. This is what we chose to do.
