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After traveling with the team to Houston and on his way to Bears practice today, Ryan Chiaverini from Chicago’s ABC-7 TV checks in at the Round Table.

Ryan gives us a hands-on look at the Bears as Greg and Ryan cover a lot of ground in this show.

Below you’ll find a few of the highlights.

Rex Grossman
1) It’s a contract year for Rex, that’s always a good sign.

2) Rex looks much better this year at camp.

3) He was 8-10 throwing in preseason action.

4) Up close, you can see he looks in control this year.

5) The Bears passing offense could open up more this year thanks to two players (see below).

Schedule
Got to love the Bears Schedule. In 2006, the Bears had the easiest schedule going into the season. In 2007, they have the 2nd easiest schedule. In fact, outside of week one, the Bears never play a 4for4.com Top-7 defensive team the entire season.

Cedric Benson
1) Benson is clearly the Bears #1 RB this year.

2) He will now be able to put up big numbers.

3) Benson wants to avoid taking as many hard hits this year.

4) Teammates now support him. He’s changed a little from his rookie year.

5) The Bears veteran offensive line has come around to Benson.

6) Benson as the 14th to 17th ranked RB on the draft board could be a huge bargain if he can stay healthy.

7) Ryan believes Benson should be able to exceed expectations this year.

Wide Receivers
1) According to Ryan, Muhsin Muhammad will lead the team in receptions.

2) Regardless, Bernard Berrian is the team’s best FF WR and he will lead them in yards.

3) Nobody in camp can cover Bernard Berrian.

4) Berrian and Grossman have great chemistry at practice.

5) Ryan talked to the Bears Offensive Coordinator Ron Turner. Turner says they are looking to create mismatches elsewhere to get Berrian open deep. Look for the Bears to do this via their new two-TE set.

6) Mark Bradley is having a good camp but health concerns remain so it’s hard to be that high on him.

7) Ryan says almost no chance Bradley will beat out Muhammad as the team’s #2 WR. Muhammad is still a big team leader.

8) Devin Hester is transitioning well from DB to WR. He’s showing us good hands. He could be the X-Factor to help open up the Bears entire offense. Hester and rookie TE Greg Olsen may force opposing defenses to drop double coverage on Berrian deep.

9) All that said, don’t count on big receiving numbers from Hester just yet. He looks to be the team’s #3 WR and Berrian remains the deep threat on the team.

Tight End
1) Rookie Greg Olsen is the guy everyone is excited about, including the Bears coaching staff!

2) Olsen is catching everything insight.

3) Having Olsen will open up more deep balls for Berrian.

4) Look for more 2-TE sets with Olsen and veteran Desmond Clark.

5) TE Desmond Clark is a better blocker than Olsen so that will give Clark his share of time on the field.

6) Olsen told us going up against the Bears defense every day has been the best way to prepare for game speed.

7) Olsen is looking like a nice value-pick in keeper leagues right now.

Defense
1) The Bears defense could be better this year. They have more healthy studs now and on paper are stronger than the 2006 team.

2) In IDP leagues, Mike Brown could be the most undervalued player in Chicago.

3) Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher will continue to lead the team in tackles.

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