July 31, 2007

Briggs back on the field with starting unit

2007 8-17: Wolfe in Bears 8-17: Tightends 8-16: 'Peanut' 8-16: Linebackers 8-15: D-Day 8-15: Madden '08 gets 8-15: Mannelly known 8-15: Cornerbacks 8-14: A step ahead 8-14: Offensive guards, 8-13: Benson has clear More

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The mystery, if there ever was one, concerning when Lance Briggs would get his starting spot back was answered Monday.

Briggs, whose arrival was delayed two days for excused absences following a very public contract squabble, was back alongside Brian Urlacher and Hunter Hillenmeyer with the first unit.

Coach Lovie Smith downplayed the move.

"Was he with the number ones today?" he joked.

For the second consecutive day, Briggs spurned media requests for comments and headed to sign autographs immediately after practice broke.

Briggs came back in great shape in the eyes of the coaching staff and looked strong in his first workout with the starters.

"He's our starter," Smith said. "We want to make sure he's ready. He came in in great shape, number one."

* * *

The team participated in a red-zone drill for the first time in camp and Greg Olsen continued his habit of stealing the show.

After grabbing a touchdown pass with the first unit, the rookie out of the University of Miami then made a leaping catch in the back right corner for the second unit.

Olsen is arguably having the best camp for an offensive player in the early going.

If he does nothing else spectacular in the next two weeks, it would probably still be considered a successful camp for the tall tight end, but Olsen is trying to take his fast start in stride.

"Right now I'm just trying to do my responsibility on every play," he said.

"I've just got to continue working on things and getting ready for opening day."

Olsen has been given reps as a wide receiver at times, further displaying his potentially dangerous versatility.

* * *

Mike Brown was given the day off in what was believed to be a Vets' Day, Smith's term for giving veteran players a reprieve from practice.

That didn't stop the free safety from getting involved in the workout, as the vocal defensive leader remained outspoken on the sidelines.

During a 7-on-7 drill, Charles Tillman stripped the ball away from Mark Bradley, who fell to the ground.

Bradley stayed on the ground either dazed or embarrassed, to which Brown shouted, "Man, get up."

Chris Harris and Danieal Manning split time with the first unit in place of Brown.

* * *

Brian Griese has had an inconsistent camp and struggled through a 7-on-7 drill midway through Monday's workout.

The backup to Grossman threw a couple of interceptions while other passes missed their marks badly.

Third-stringer Kyle Orton, meanwhile, has had a pretty successful camp thus far.

With the invitation of former Florida great Chris Leak to ONU, some speculated that Orton's job was on the line, but it appears now that Orton may be competing for a promotion to backup instead.