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2007 Bears Camp Dates
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August 9, 2007 Linebackers a sore spot for Smith
Coach taking cautious approach with injured Hillenmeyer, Urlacher By Rob Laird rlaird@daily-journal.com If there was someone with collegiate linebacking experience in the audience during Wednesday's light practice, the Bears might have sought him out. During the light workout (players were in shells), the team was already a short two linebackers when Hunter Hillenmeyer left with an injured ankle. Brian Urlacher and rookie Michael Okwo were both out with the popular "general soreness," leaving just six linebackers on the field for much of the practice. As a result, Rod Wilson and Brendon Ayanbadejo received reps with the first unit. Coach Lovie Smith didn't know if any of the three injured linebackers would play in Saturday's preseason opener against Houston, but hinted that Urlacher and Hillenmeyer, both veterans, may sit it out. "If a guy is injured he won't play," he said. "The veterans, the guys we know that can play, we will be extra cautious with." * * * The depth chart was released for the first time this year and it unveiled few surprises, though right end Mark Anderson was officially placed ahead of veteran Alex Brown, who has started 64 straight games at the position. "I'm really not looking too much into it but it's really not a big deal," said Anderson. "As long as we have the three-man rotation, we have the best three-man rotation in the league. Once we get that going, shoot, we're unstoppable." The only other position battle is at nose tackle, where the chart revealed that Dusty Dvoracek still has the inside track on Darwin Walker and Anthony Adams. Second-year reserve offensive linemen Tyler Reed (right guard) and Mark LeVoir (right tackle) are still listed ahead of 2007 draft picks Josh Beekman and Aaron Brant at their respective positions. * * * Adrian Peterson, whose wife recently gave birth, missed his second straight day of practices, but Smith said, he'll be back tomorrow. With Garrett Wolfe still being eased into practices after missing several workouts due to injury, Cedric Benson took many of the reps with both the first and second teams. * * * The first-string offense sputtered for the second straight day, with Charles Tillman recording his third interception off Rex Grossman in two days during 11-on-11 drills. Tuesday, Grossman was intercepted several times and the receivers didn't cut him any breaks, dropping nearly a dozen passes. Because of the poor showing, wide receivers coach Darryl Drake had the wideouts do a little extra practicing Tuesday. "When you have a veteran group they know their job is to catch the football," Drake said. "They understand that what happened last night was unacceptable to them and most certainly not acceptable to myself and (offensive coordinator Ron Turner)." Drake pointed out that the Bears' receivers tied Buffalo for fewest drops in the NFL (12) last season. The extra work seemed to pay off a little, as there were far fewer drops Wednesday. * * * As he does nearly every day it seems, Devin Hester tried to erase another doubt some critics have about his position switch to receiver. Many question his ability to absorb and bounce back from rough hits associated with the receiver position. During 7-on-7 drills, Hester ran a slant pattern and tried to catch a pass that was just out of reach. Safety Brandon McGowan and Hester both moved on the ball and collided, sending Hester crashing to the ground. Hester, though, got right back up. On the next play, he caught a screen pass and nearly juked the jock strap off undrafted free agent rookie cornerback Greg Fassitt, who clasped his helmet with both hands after whiffing at the speedy receiver. |
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