GRIDIRON ASSASSIN
Footballguy
From John Moon Mullin of the Chicago Tribune
Quarter-masters
What's happening under center
Brian Griese was given the day off from practice, which was in the searing 3 p.m. heat after a 7 p.m. practice the night before. … Strong wind appeared to affect several throws by both Kyle Orton and Rex Grossman. … Orton took a heavy load of reps and ran the No. 2 offense generally well, although cornerback Dion Bynum intercepted him when his pass went of the hands of Bryan McClendon. … Orton missed an open Adrian Peterson in the right flat and struggled with touch in a number of cases. … A call of "Touchdown Bears" was heard when Orton hit Justin Gage with a slant and a 15-yard score. … Grossman spread the ball around again nicely but was victimized by a number of solid plays against the No. 1 defense.
'Back talk
What's up with the backs and 'backers?
Cedric Benson and some of the defensive players continue to trade hits with just a little extra, although there have been no confrontations of any real substance, Benson or otherwise, throughout the camp so far. … Benson looked completely over his one-day knee soreness and swelling. … Adrian Peterson was given a little lighter load Wednesday with Benson back. … Lance Briggs stepped in front of a Grossman pass perfectly but juggled the possible interception on an otherwise outstanding play. … Brian Urlacher was in place and deflected a Grossman pass but Desmond Clark stayed on the ball and made the catch of the re-directed pass.
Reception perceptions
Life with the fast guys
Bernard Berrian's fingers bear watching after the speedy wideout appeared to take a pass squarely on the fingertips, with an audible pop heard up in the stands. Berrian remained in for the next play but dropped a softly thrown pass before Justin Gage replaced him. … Gage earlier did a solid job of holding on to a Grossman pass against Charles Tillman's strong strip attempt. … Tillman turned in a strong strip and pass defense on Rashied Davis, although Davis repeatedly made good catches in traffic for both Grossman and Orton. … Safety Todd Johnson got high-fives from teammates with a diving breakup of a pass to Gabe Reid.
Line Dancing
Up close with the big guys
Israel Idonije took a few nickel reps at defensive tackle, putting some real height (6 feet 6 inches) into the interior pass rush. Idonije also beat rookie guard Tyler Means cleanly with a perfect spin move in pass protection. … The offensive line earned its high-fives blowing open a big hole between right guard and center for a Benson run. … Adewale Ogunleye is not playing full out yet but is dropping into coverage on occasion and getting upfield fast out of his stance.
Boots and return routes
Getting a kick out things
Robbie Gould ended the No. 1 offense's two-minute drive with a 49-yard field goal through a swirling wind. … Punter Joel Stelly boomed a punt more than 70 yards in the air (with a little help from the wind), prompting one veteran observer to comment, "He'll be kicking somewhere this year if not here." … All the Bears returners handled kickoffs and punts well in the windy conditions and showed good form getting back upfield after being driven back by the long boots.
Audibles
Speaking of the Bears speaking …
Coach Lovie Smith on the return of Benson to practice after a day off with knee soreness: "That shows you a little bit about him, too. He was out [Tuesday] and could not wait to get back out there."
Smith on possible reasons why pony-tailed rookie DT Dusty Dvoracek was beaten up by the heat at the end of practice: "Could be the heat, the long hair … "
New Kid
Who is that guy?
Veteran Brad Maynard is going easy on his camp punting but rookie Stelly from Louisiana-Monroe launched several rockets Wednesday. Stelly and safety Chris Harris were college teammates.
Quarter-masters
What's happening under center
Brian Griese was given the day off from practice, which was in the searing 3 p.m. heat after a 7 p.m. practice the night before. … Strong wind appeared to affect several throws by both Kyle Orton and Rex Grossman. … Orton took a heavy load of reps and ran the No. 2 offense generally well, although cornerback Dion Bynum intercepted him when his pass went of the hands of Bryan McClendon. … Orton missed an open Adrian Peterson in the right flat and struggled with touch in a number of cases. … A call of "Touchdown Bears" was heard when Orton hit Justin Gage with a slant and a 15-yard score. … Grossman spread the ball around again nicely but was victimized by a number of solid plays against the No. 1 defense.
'Back talk
What's up with the backs and 'backers?
Cedric Benson and some of the defensive players continue to trade hits with just a little extra, although there have been no confrontations of any real substance, Benson or otherwise, throughout the camp so far. … Benson looked completely over his one-day knee soreness and swelling. … Adrian Peterson was given a little lighter load Wednesday with Benson back. … Lance Briggs stepped in front of a Grossman pass perfectly but juggled the possible interception on an otherwise outstanding play. … Brian Urlacher was in place and deflected a Grossman pass but Desmond Clark stayed on the ball and made the catch of the re-directed pass.
Reception perceptions
Life with the fast guys
Bernard Berrian's fingers bear watching after the speedy wideout appeared to take a pass squarely on the fingertips, with an audible pop heard up in the stands. Berrian remained in for the next play but dropped a softly thrown pass before Justin Gage replaced him. … Gage earlier did a solid job of holding on to a Grossman pass against Charles Tillman's strong strip attempt. … Tillman turned in a strong strip and pass defense on Rashied Davis, although Davis repeatedly made good catches in traffic for both Grossman and Orton. … Safety Todd Johnson got high-fives from teammates with a diving breakup of a pass to Gabe Reid.
Line Dancing
Up close with the big guys
Israel Idonije took a few nickel reps at defensive tackle, putting some real height (6 feet 6 inches) into the interior pass rush. Idonije also beat rookie guard Tyler Means cleanly with a perfect spin move in pass protection. … The offensive line earned its high-fives blowing open a big hole between right guard and center for a Benson run. … Adewale Ogunleye is not playing full out yet but is dropping into coverage on occasion and getting upfield fast out of his stance.
Boots and return routes
Getting a kick out things
Robbie Gould ended the No. 1 offense's two-minute drive with a 49-yard field goal through a swirling wind. … Punter Joel Stelly boomed a punt more than 70 yards in the air (with a little help from the wind), prompting one veteran observer to comment, "He'll be kicking somewhere this year if not here." … All the Bears returners handled kickoffs and punts well in the windy conditions and showed good form getting back upfield after being driven back by the long boots.
Audibles
Speaking of the Bears speaking …
Coach Lovie Smith on the return of Benson to practice after a day off with knee soreness: "That shows you a little bit about him, too. He was out [Tuesday] and could not wait to get back out there."
Smith on possible reasons why pony-tailed rookie DT Dusty Dvoracek was beaten up by the heat at the end of practice: "Could be the heat, the long hair … "
New Kid
Who is that guy?
Veteran Brad Maynard is going easy on his camp punting but rookie Stelly from Louisiana-Monroe launched several rockets Wednesday. Stelly and safety Chris Harris were college teammates.