July 29, 2007

Smooth opening day at camp

By Rob Laird

rlaird@daily-journal.com
815-937-3390

Day one of the sixth training camp at Olivet Nazarene University is in the books, and as far as the Chicago Bears are concerned, everything was ice cream.

For the first time since the Bears have been practicing at Bourbonnais, as far as anybody can remember, every single player on the roster who is currently with the team practiced.

The players were just in shells (helmets, shoulder pads and shorts) but there were no players in fishing hats, the accessory of choice for players nursing injuries. There were no players on crutches. No players were one-on-one with trainers. No players seemed to be given extra plays off for rest.

Everyone was healthy. Everyone practiced. No one got hurt.

Lance Briggs was the lone no-show on Friday but has been given three days of excused absences so he can keep previous commitments. He could practice as early as today.

Jamar Williams practiced with the first string in his place.

* * *

One of the few position battles among starters takes place on the defensive line and for now, it appears that second-year tackle Dusty Dvoracek is joining former college teammate Tommie Harris on the first unit.

Dvoracek got a solid portion of the reps with the first unit, though Antonio Garay also saw snaps with the first team. Free agent acquisition Anthony Adams is in the mix as well.

From appearances, though, it seems as if the tackle position is Dvoracek's to lose.

"I just feel really blessed and fortunate, but at the same time, I feel like I've worked really hard to get into this position," Dvoracek said. "I've showed the coaches that I deserve it. I'm just going to continue to solidify that and prove to all the guys and the coaches that it is my spot and I deserve to be out there."

Harris seemed excited about the prospect of lining up beside his old Sooner teammate once again in game situations.

"It feels real natural; a lot like me and Tank (Johnson)," Harris said. "I played three years with him in college. The chemistry is there. We just have to see if we can display it on Sundays."

* * *

Greg Olsen saw lots of reps with the first unit and looked fluid. His noticeable size advantage over the defensive backs made for some easy catches once he found the open areas behind the linebackers.

Offensive coordinator Ron Turner is excited about the promising young tight end.

"Offensively as coaches, we were hoping he was going to be there at 31," said Turner, referring to the position in the first round of this year's NFL Draft. "We could see the athleticism and see the things he could do."

Another exciting young player new to the offense is special teams standout Devin Hester, who split time between the first and second unit, catching about five passes to loud cheers.