Thanks for the 1,335 rushing yards last season, Thomas Jones. Congratulations on your All-Pro season, Lance Briggs.
Now, welcome to Bears mini-camp in 2006.
“To be at the top of the starting rotation, you have to be here,” coach Lovie Smith said after Friday’s first practice. “That’s how it is.
“Cedric [Benson] is at the top of the starting rotation at running back. Leon Joe worked with the [first team] at the linebacker position.”
The Bears responded to Jones and Briggs leaving voluntary team workouts in late April by demoting their leading rusher and second-leading tackler, at least for now.
Jones and Briggs both eventually took very limited snaps with the first team Friday. But Smith’s message should surprise no one who has watched how he has conducted business in his first two seasons as Bears coach.
If it surprised Jones or Briggs, neither was saying.
“I know what you want to ask me about and I don’t have any comment,” Jones said.
Briggs flashed a sly smile.
“I’m out here to play football,” he said. “I’m a Chicago Bear. I’m happy to be here.”
Smith doesn’t seem concerned if people are happy, just that they’re at Halas Hall.
“Happy campers?” Smith said. “I think they’re happy as far as being back with their teammates. I know the team is happy to see them back. Both players meant an awful lot to us last year. Hopefully, it will be the same this year.”
Smith’s philosophy is the same, one from which he never has wavered and that he explained to Jones and Briggs in private discussions late Thursday. Whether those words resonate long enough for both players to report for training camp July 26 in Bourbonnais remains to be seen.
“Everything starts over,” Smith said. “I wish we didn’t have to play anyone and we could be NFC North champions this year. But they make us play. So all guys will have to establish themselves again.”
Look for Briggs to do so, and not just because he has more leverage than Jones both on and off the field. Joe has made only three starts in his two NFL seasons. And draftee Jamar Williams isn’t projected as an immediate impact player.
Plus, Briggs only has one season remaining on his rookie contract. Even though management pulled its offer after contract extension talks broke off, it eventually must weigh the thought of losing Briggs for nothing as an unrestricted free agent.
As for Jones, he has two seasons remaining on his contract and has dealt with the perception the Bears didn’t use the fourth overall pick in 2005 to have Benson sit ever since the tailback shook Commissioner Paul Tagliabue’s hand on draft day.
Tellingly, Smith praised the conditioning of Benson and backup Adrian Peterson. Never mind that Jones, a workout fanatic, looked more buffed than a waxed car.
Benson dropped at least two passes but believes a better grasp of the playbook will benefit him after he missed all of last off-season because of his contract holdout.
Benson downplayed the Jones’ situation serving as motivation and hoped animosity wouldn’t enter their competition.
“I don’t think it helps make me a better player having him here in particular,” Benson said. “But I don’t like to bring my personal feelings to work. I can’t speak for him.”
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kcjohnson@tribune.com
