Dionne Miller's 'Happenings at Halas' - August 27 - My50 Chicago - Television - WPWR

"The Chicago Bears waived RB Harvey Unga this afternoon. The Bears roster now stands at 75 players." That was the whole press release Monday afternoon. Two sentences. Relatively inconsequential in the grand scheme of the season but a life changing moment for Unga.

I hate cut week. It's hard for us on the outside to realize how difficult this week is. Anthony Walters is a guy who understands. He went through this last season before making the practice squad then getting his chance when injuries struck. And he knows that has no bearing on the fact that he's on the bubble again. So Thursday is big for him. And many others. Twenty-two more players must be cut by Friday.

Being a veteran, Rashied Davis really gets it. He said many times "it is what it is." He reminded guys that you can't do anything about it except perform. The coaches are going to make the best decision they can for the team. You can either make it easy for them, or make it hard for them. So it's really up to the play on the field. And they all want the coveted spots on the roster. Even the practice squad keeps hope alive. Cut days are just difficult. Unga has a dream of taking the field as a pro. And while his release is a footnote, it isn't to him. It means everything. Hopefully he lands somewhere. As Eric Weems said, Thursday night isn't just about impressing the Bears. It's about being noticed by the 31 other NFL teams as well. This is football at the highest level - prove you can play it and someone will give you a chance. Weems is living proof.

After Practice

Coach Marinelli further emphasized the importance of this week saying the players on the bubble "can't miss" in practice. It's a tremendous amount of pressure but it can't make them undisciplined in the game Thursday. They have to be smart.

It is however, next to impossible at this point to change the coaches mind about what a player can do. They've seen them in about every situation and practice they can and they know what these guys can/can't do. Four quarters against the Browns isn't really going to change that. Still it's a big game for guys who know if they don't play their best, a Friday press release awaits.

NOTES: Brian Urlacher was in great spirits Monday walking through the halls. No limp. Lots of smiles. Let's just take that as a good sign. I chatted with Julius Peppers for the first time this pre-season. Interesting guy. We'll air that interview with him in our preseason special on FOX. I also chatted with Jason Campbell for this weeks pre-game show. I asked him if he still thinks he's a starting QB, if this team is the most talented he's been on, and if he's loving Chicago pizza. Wait, who doesn't?