Pickup trucks and luxury SUVs already were parked outside the players’ dormitory before the final training camp practice started Wednesday at Olivet Nazarene University. The Bears were anxious to put the past three weeks in their rear-view mirrors, and here’s a peek of what one might see when looking back.
Winners
Wide receiver David Terrell: Facing a make-or-break training camp, Terrell heeded the advice of his coach at Michigan, Lloyd Carr, and took a businesslike approach to football that makes him a serious threat in a dangerous passing game.
Strong-side linebacker Marcus Reese: After a good season this summer for the Cologne Centurions of NFL Europe, Reese passed Joe Odom on the depth chart not long after passing through customs at O’Hare.
Defensive tackle Bryan Robinson: Savvy veteran at one point was considered a possibility for a pink slip, but his work ethic at camp and ability to play end have made him perhaps the most valuable lineman on an unproven front four.
Losers
Running back Anthony Thomas: During the first few days of camp, Thomas resembled the running back from 2001 who had a spring in his step and a chip on his shoulder. Then a mysterious abdominal strain sent him to the sidelines for the rest of camp and his chances to carve out a role in the Bears’ offense look more remote every day he watches.
Defensive end Michael Haynes: It’s never good when a coaching staff moves a first-round draft pick around in the lineup in an attempt to stimulate his progress. The Bears need the nicest guy on the team to develop into their fiercest pass-rusher, and coach Lovie Smith didn’t sound like a patient man when moving Haynes to the right side.
Right offensive tackle Aaron Gibson: If Gibson had stayed on the course of consistency his first week of training camp implied, the Bears might not have been so quick to lock John Tait into the right-tackle spot and allow untested Qasim Mitchell to start on the left side. In three weeks he went from potential starter to potential cut.
Bests and worsts
Best speech: Defensive coordinator Ron Rivera blistered the eardrums of defensive players Sunday morning by invoking the Bears tradition and challenging their manhood.
Worst speech: AWOL running back Dwone Hicks, still fighting for the No. 3 tailback spot, left camp and let his agent explain his absence to the Bears’ front office.
Best example of preparedness: Studious quarterback Rex Grossman came to camp with an obvious grasp of the voluminous playbook, and that allowed Grossman to display a command that made many observers forget he has started just three NFL games.
Worst example of preparedness: In the first week alone, nine Bears went down with hamstring injuries, suggesting that not every member of this team was ready for the shock created by Smith’s track-meet-style practices.
Impressive, surprising
Most impressive use of hands: While covered, Marty Booker made a one-handed catch on the sideline and held on after hitting the ground hard enough for his helmet to pop off.
Most impressive use of fingers: Tommie Harris entertained his teammates by playing the piano at the dining hall.
Most surprising development among recent NFL draft picks: Rookie Bernard Berrian was anointed the kick returner to replace Jerry Azumah before and after dependable veteran Ahmad Merritt’s 87-yard return against the Rams.
Most surprising development among recent CFL draft picks: Defensive ends Alain Kashama and Israel Idonije, who went high in last year’s CFL draft, have earned their way onto the Bears’ depth chart.
Extra points
Most overblown theory: Only conspiracy theorists and Smith bashers looking to draw attention to themselves would attempt to link a perceived increase in contact at practice and the rash of injuries. Those people should watch more practice. The Bears, for instance, will spend only two practices in full pads this week.
Biggest under-the-radar development: Free safety Mike Brown has been given flexibility to force the action more this year rather than merely stay deeper than the deepest, and looks poised to return to form.
Biggest risk: Letting Azumah practice two days while a specialist reviewed MRI results of a herniated disc that required surgery.
Closest position race: At different points in camp, the Bears tried three different starting right guards and could have lived with any of them–Ruben Brown, Mike Gandy and Terrence Metcalf. With Brown moved to replace Rex Tucker on the left side and Metcalf healing slowly from a sprained ankle, Gandy narrowly won.
Closest shave: Defensive tackle Tank Johnson let fellow rookie Harris shave off his dreadlocks.
Shortest fuse: Haynes and Mitchell traded blows during a full-team drill in the best fight of camp.
Longest fuse: The body language of veteran Brown made it look like the only thing that might bother him would be an early wake-up call.
