Bradley pushes him, but Berrian still starter
November 21, 2006
BY BRAD BIGGS Staff Reporter
The Bears appear to be healed for their game Sunday at New England, with coach Lovie Smith indicating that special-teams performers Leon Joe and Dante Wesley could return.
Both were held out against the New York Jets, but Joe practiced on his tweaked hamstring most of last week and Wesley has had two weeks to rest a deep bruise in his left knee and thigh.
Wide receiver Bernard Berrian came out of the victory over the Jets in good shape, although Mark Bradley took some of his playing time and Berrian finished without a catch.
Berrian missed one game with a rib injury and needed to bounce back to prove he can stay on the field. He had one bad drop on a deep pass down the middle that would have pushed the Bears into New York territory in the second quarter, taking a big hit after the drop.
''Talking with him, he didn't have any trouble,'' Smith said. ''We would like for Bernard to catch that pass. But he made it through the game, took a few shots and he should be fine.
''It's good to get him back into the flow of things. With Bernard coming back and what Mark Bradley has done lately is really strengthening that wide receiver position.''
As far as Bradley pushing for a starting job after scoring a touchdown in each of the last two games, Smith wouldn't go there.
''I'd like for all 53 guys to press the guy in front of them,'' he said. ''That'll make us stronger, but Bernard is our starter.''
