08-04-2009, 07:47 AM
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Head Coach
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Join Date: Nov 2003
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Quote:
With new team, Pace feels rejuvenated
By ANDREW SELIGMAN (AP)
BOURBONNAIS, Ill. ? Sometimes, when they're reminiscing about the good ol' days, Orlando Pace acknowledges he and Olin Kreutz sound like old men.
They share laughs, recall how things were.
"We can almost relate to a lot of stuff," said Pace, the Chicago Bears' new left tackle. "We can talk about back in the day, the way things used to be ? the way old men talk about football. So that's kind of exciting. That's almost what we do every day just to get ourselves through camp."
They sound just like old teammates, even though they're new teammates, and Pace is feeling far from old.
At 33, he feels rejuvenated after signing with the Bears and believes he can regain the form that led to seven Pro Bowl selections with St. Louis before being limited by injuries the past three seasons. If that happens, new star quarterback Jay Cutler will be well-protected, as will running back Matt Forte.
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The Associated Press: With new team, Pace feels rejuvenated
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A prolong story
Pace's injuries the last few seasons could help extend his career
August 4, 2009
BY BRAD BIGGS bbiggs@suntimes.com
BOURBONNAIS, Ill. -- Harry Hiestand remembers the first time he sat in a classroom with Orlando Pace.
The then-St. Louis Rams left tackle already was one of the dominant linemen of his era, and Hiestand was a guest of Rams assistant coach Jim Hanifan at training camp in Macomb on the campus of Western Illinois.
Pace sat there diligently following the film work and looking at notes in his playbook, and Hiestand, then an assistant under Ron Turner at Illinois, just marveled.
''I told Orlando I'll never forget that,'' Hiestand said. ''He was just paying attention to detail, and he was so focused. I think he was in his seventh or eighth year by the time I was there. That's the way he is now. It's just fun to see.''
Hiestand, now the Bears' offensive line coach, still is marveling at the 6-7, 325-pound mountain the Bears signed to protect Jay Cutler's blind side. Pace, who has been elected to seven Pro Bowls, is in the best shape he has been in in a few years, and it didn't take Hanifan, a training-camp guest of Lovie Smith, long to notice.
''No question about it,'' Hanifan said. ''He looks like he has more energy.''
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A prolong story :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Bears
Quote:
Orlando Keeps Pace and What Makes Lovie Laugh?
Chicago Bears Training Camp: Day 4
By PEGGY KUSINSKI
Mon, Aug 3, 2009
The White Sox have Jim Thome, the Cubs brought back Greg Maddux, the Blackhawks brought back Stan Mikita and Bobby Hull but they could no longer lace up the skates.
Following in other Chicago teams footsteps of bringing in Hall of Famers to mentor players on the field, the Bears signed Left Tackle Orlando Pace. And he can still play.
"Oh yeah, he's healthy we hope he'll be out there (every down)" Bears offensive coordinator Ron Turner said. Despite twelve years on turf, Orlando Pace still has some tread left on his tires. The six foot seven inch left tackle displays how light he is on his feet during 2 plus hours of workouts every day in Bourbonnais. No Lovie Smith "veteran" days off, just yet.
"He wants feedback" offensive line coach Harry Hiestand said, "He is proud and wants to perform at the highest level every day." His teammates have taken notice. "Just watch the way he practices", Olin Kreutz remarked, "If he can go all out on every play, so can we."
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Orlando Keeps Pace and What Makes Lovie Laugh? | NBC Chicago
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