Only one Bears player has endured more NFL training camps than coach Lovie Smith, and Ruben Brown believes that experience makes him as qualified to evaluate Smith as Smith is to evaluate him.
“Just like he’s judging me, I’m judging him,” said Brown, who’s entering his 10th NFL season. “I haven’t come to a conclusion, and I don’t have to. I think he’s doing a decent job as a coach comparable to a lot of things I’ve seen in the past. The real test for [Smith] and me is when the season starts. This is just a dress rehearsal.”
That hasn’t made it any less taxing for the 32-year-old veteran guard signed by the Bears last April. He rated Smith’s training camp the second toughest of his career, behind only the boot-camp approach taken by Gregg Williams when he took over in Buffalo before his first season in 2001.
Brown continues to search for his niche on a Bears offensive line that has surprisingly good depth.
He entered camp second on the depth chart at right guard behind Mike Gandy and was passed by Terrence Metcalf after Gandy missed the first week with a groin injury.
Other news of the day
With backup running back Dwone Hicks not expected to return to camp after leaving Tuesday, the Bears have given fullback Jason McKie a look at running back. Such versatility only enhances the chances of sticking on the roster for McKie, also a special-teams standout.
Injuries
During Lovie Smith’s first season as defensive coordinator of the St. Louis Rams in 2001, in which he contributed to changing the pace of practices, six players were hurt during the first week of training camp with hamstring injuries. The Bears have had eight.
Words to live by
On practicing with the Bears, Rams guard Adam Timmerman said, “I’m not a big fan of the scrimmages and any of that stuff. I think the intensity is high enough against your own team that I don’t know if you need to add to it.”
Macomb weather
Thursday’s forecast for the Bears’ temporary home is sunny with a high of 73 degrees and a low of 43. Chance of precipitation: 20 percent.
Rex Grossman news
All four QBs picked in the first round in the 2003 draft (Baltimore’s Kyle Boller, Cincinnati’s Carson Palmer, Jacksonville’s Byron Leftwich and Grossman) should be starters this season.
Job fight
Running back Anthony Thomas’ abdominal strain is expected to keep him out at least for the next two weeks, giving backups Adrian Peterson and Brock Forsey more chances to make an impression on the new staff.
Scouting report on famous bears not in camp
Winnie the Pooh, NG
Short and squat, Pooh bear spent most of the off-season bulking up on honey and training with Tigger to get more explosive speed off the line. He could figure prominently in any games against donkeys.
Fan overreaction meter
A daily gauge of fans’ expectations: 2003-(7-9).
Bears out there
Ex-Bears QB Rick Mirer did not practice Wednesday with the Detroit Lions. Coach Steve Mariucci said some players were held out for precautionary reasons to guard against aggravating old injuries
Next up
Bears practice against the St. Louis Rams Thursday through Saturday at Western Illinois University in Macomb.
