DT Brian Price can't practice for a few days yet due to CBA restrictions, but the new Chicago Bear was getting anxious at the team's first contact practice Saturday night.
"A fresh start," was how he termed being in Chicago after going through the surgical re-attachment of both hamstrings to his pelvis, the death in a hit-and-run of his sister, a fight with a Tampa Bay teammate and now a trade to Chicago.
There were rumors that he failed his physical, but late Friday the Bears said he passed it. He called his physical state good and his mental state much better than after his sister's death in May.
"I'm feeling great, just my mental (state) a couple months ago was nowhere near where I am now," he said. "Just from being here, I feel so much better, like the weight of the world has just lifted off of my shoulders."
The 2010 second-round pick will compete at a crowded DT spot, trying to win time from Stephen Paea, Matt Toeaina and Henry Melton.
"This is a defensive town with great leaders," Price said. "I love it. The love of the game is just coming back to me."
Follow Bears reporter Gene Chamberlain on Twitter @CBSSportsNFLCHI.