GRIDIRON ASSASSIN
Footballguy
By John Mullin
http://www.ChicagoSports.com staff reporter
August 7, 2006
Quarter-masters
What's happening under center
Rex Grossman was stung by several great plays by the defense but was strong with his decisions and throws as he prepares for the first preseason game. He drove the offense methodically down for a field goal in the first team session with precise throws against blitz pressure. ... With Muhsin Muhammad off for the day, Grossman went comfortably to his alternates, especially Justin Gage. ... Brian Griese wasn't able to get the offense on track and was victimized by the defense for a TD interception on the final play of practice. ... Kyle Orton threw well after a generally subpar time last week. Passes to Reggie Harrell and Mark Philmore were especially sharp in tight coverage.
'Back talk
What's up with the backs and 'backers?
The good news was Thomas Jones doing some jogging and other drills off to the side, the most he has put his strained hamstring through this camp. ... Hunter Hillenmeyer was strangely absent from the No. 1 defense, replaced by rookie Jamar Williams and then Brendan Ayanbadejo after Williams injured his left knee. ... Brian Urlacher drew the biggest crowd reaction when he skied in the open field to get a hand on a Grossman pass and nearly picked off the deflection. ... Adrian Peterson ran very well in place of injured Cedric Benson and Thomas Jones. Peterson clearly has the confidence of teammates, especially the QBs, who regularly check down to him on precise routes curling out of the backfield. ... Lance Briggs came up with an acrobatic interception of a Grossman pass intended for Rashied Davis. ... P.J. Pope is expected to get a heavy workload behind Peterson against the 49ers and has impressed teammates with his speed into the hole and balance after first hits.
Reception perceptions
Life with the fast guys
Muhsin Muhammad's day off and Bernard Berrian's hip strain left the offense dramatically short of wideouts. Muhammad is expected to go against San Francisco, but there is no rush on Berrian, whose durability is still being established. ... Dante Wesley turned in a defensive gem with a pass deflection on a blitz of Griese that sent the ball into the air and into the arms of Leon Joe for a TD interception. ... Mark Bradley had one bad drop but stepped up with several standout catches, one by outfighting Charles Tillman on a deep sideline throw from Grossman. ... Mark Philmore is continuing to make an impression with his added reps, making tough catches over the middle and showing the good hands that made him a star at Northwestern. ... John Gilmore and Dez Clark put the tight end in the offense with several catches underneath.
Line dancing
Up close with the big guys
DE Khari Long put on a perfect inside move to beat RT Mark LeVoir, then stayed put and didn't bite on a superb ball fake by Griese, ending up right in the QB's face for what would have been a sack on play action. ... The offensive line was unhappy with its pass blocking in the first team session but rallied and was solid with run blocking. Peterson ripped off several nice gains behind Olin Kreutz, Ruben Brown and John Tait. ... Alfonso Boone, playing while Ian Scott recovers from knee surgery, earned a TFL with a strong move inside. ... DE Jamal Green improved his roster chances with a pass deflection against a Griese screen pass. ... Michael Haynes opened practice in pads but was out of uniform before it was finished, still hampered by his back strain.
Boots and return routes
Getting a kick out things
Devin Hester will be a focus of attention in the preseason opener with his returns. Hester continues to catch the ball consistently in stride, giving himself a chance to use his straight-line speed. ... Robbie Gould powered a 40-yard FG to cap off one offensive possession.
Audibles
Speaking of the Bears speaking...
"It's amazing out there with those guys. It's a lot faster." Rookie LB Jamar Williams on his first stint with the No. 1 defense in place of Hunter Hillenmeyer.
New kid
Who is that guy?
P.J. Pope, an afterthought at running back behind Cedric Benson, Thomas Jones and Adrian Peterson, is turning out to be a head-turner. The rookie from Bowling Green has impressed even the veterans on the defense with his slashing style and figures to get a lot of playing time Friday at San Francisco. Keep an eye on this guy.
http://www.ChicagoSports.com staff reporter
August 7, 2006
Quarter-masters
What's happening under center
Rex Grossman was stung by several great plays by the defense but was strong with his decisions and throws as he prepares for the first preseason game. He drove the offense methodically down for a field goal in the first team session with precise throws against blitz pressure. ... With Muhsin Muhammad off for the day, Grossman went comfortably to his alternates, especially Justin Gage. ... Brian Griese wasn't able to get the offense on track and was victimized by the defense for a TD interception on the final play of practice. ... Kyle Orton threw well after a generally subpar time last week. Passes to Reggie Harrell and Mark Philmore were especially sharp in tight coverage.
'Back talk
What's up with the backs and 'backers?
The good news was Thomas Jones doing some jogging and other drills off to the side, the most he has put his strained hamstring through this camp. ... Hunter Hillenmeyer was strangely absent from the No. 1 defense, replaced by rookie Jamar Williams and then Brendan Ayanbadejo after Williams injured his left knee. ... Brian Urlacher drew the biggest crowd reaction when he skied in the open field to get a hand on a Grossman pass and nearly picked off the deflection. ... Adrian Peterson ran very well in place of injured Cedric Benson and Thomas Jones. Peterson clearly has the confidence of teammates, especially the QBs, who regularly check down to him on precise routes curling out of the backfield. ... Lance Briggs came up with an acrobatic interception of a Grossman pass intended for Rashied Davis. ... P.J. Pope is expected to get a heavy workload behind Peterson against the 49ers and has impressed teammates with his speed into the hole and balance after first hits.
Reception perceptions
Life with the fast guys
Muhsin Muhammad's day off and Bernard Berrian's hip strain left the offense dramatically short of wideouts. Muhammad is expected to go against San Francisco, but there is no rush on Berrian, whose durability is still being established. ... Dante Wesley turned in a defensive gem with a pass deflection on a blitz of Griese that sent the ball into the air and into the arms of Leon Joe for a TD interception. ... Mark Bradley had one bad drop but stepped up with several standout catches, one by outfighting Charles Tillman on a deep sideline throw from Grossman. ... Mark Philmore is continuing to make an impression with his added reps, making tough catches over the middle and showing the good hands that made him a star at Northwestern. ... John Gilmore and Dez Clark put the tight end in the offense with several catches underneath.
Line dancing
Up close with the big guys
DE Khari Long put on a perfect inside move to beat RT Mark LeVoir, then stayed put and didn't bite on a superb ball fake by Griese, ending up right in the QB's face for what would have been a sack on play action. ... The offensive line was unhappy with its pass blocking in the first team session but rallied and was solid with run blocking. Peterson ripped off several nice gains behind Olin Kreutz, Ruben Brown and John Tait. ... Alfonso Boone, playing while Ian Scott recovers from knee surgery, earned a TFL with a strong move inside. ... DE Jamal Green improved his roster chances with a pass deflection against a Griese screen pass. ... Michael Haynes opened practice in pads but was out of uniform before it was finished, still hampered by his back strain.
Boots and return routes
Getting a kick out things
Devin Hester will be a focus of attention in the preseason opener with his returns. Hester continues to catch the ball consistently in stride, giving himself a chance to use his straight-line speed. ... Robbie Gould powered a 40-yard FG to cap off one offensive possession.
Audibles
Speaking of the Bears speaking...
"It's amazing out there with those guys. It's a lot faster." Rookie LB Jamar Williams on his first stint with the No. 1 defense in place of Hunter Hillenmeyer.
New kid
Who is that guy?
P.J. Pope, an afterthought at running back behind Cedric Benson, Thomas Jones and Adrian Peterson, is turning out to be a head-turner. The rookie from Bowling Green has impressed even the veterans on the defense with his slashing style and figures to get a lot of playing time Friday at San Francisco. Keep an eye on this guy.
