Strong safety Bobby Gray, subbing for injured starter Mike Green, capped an outstanding first week in pads by picking off Kordell Stewart during a team passing drill and returning the interception for what would have been a touchdown. . . . Tight end Dustin Lyman, whose amazing recovery after last season’s knee surgery occasionally gets overlooked, ran with the No. 1 offense Saturday as Desmond Clark sat out with a thigh bruise. John Gilmore got a closer look with the second unit. . . .
Temperatures were in the mid-80s Saturday morning, feeling like the hottest day of camp, but that didn’t stop coach Dick Jauron from wearing his usual combination of long pants and long sleeves. . . .
Bear receivers dazzled again, making catches sure to make the training camp highlight reel. Ahmad Merritt and Edell Shepherd, who both made great leaping catches, keep making it hard for coaches to decide whom to select for those fifth and possibly sixth roster spots at the position. . . .
Gray and Charles Tillman were the top two “gunners” running down on the punt team, but that always could change. . . . Kicker Paul Edinger hit 38- and 44-yard field goals during special-teams work but was wide right from 47. . . . Brian Urlacher still holds down spots on the punt and PAT teams.
The offense devoted a session to picking up the blitz against the Bears’ nickel defense, and based on the inconsistency of reads and throws, it’s a good thing the Bears still have five weeks until the opener. . . .
Rex Grossman threw a dart to Bobby Wade, who came down with the ball in traffic, and completed a pass covering more than 50 yards to Merritt on the very next play. Besides the Bourbonnais water tower in the corner of the practice fields, Grossman’s arm has been the one thing most obvious to fans on their arrival.
The Bears signed autographs after the morning session before a light walk-through in the afternoon. They have Sunday off.
UP NEXT
– Bears practice at 8:30 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. Monday at Olivet Nazarene University.
