Lovie Smith is fond of talking about “a starting rotation,” but it was the Bears’ coach who spun his wheels Wednesday during a good-natured, cat-and-mouse session with reporters.
As players trickled into Olivet Nazarene University in advance of Thursday’s first training camp practice, Smith originally dodged questions about who his starting running back is. He merely said Cedric Benson, Thomas Jones and Adrian Peterson all would be out there “rotating in some form.”
Pressed further, Smith finally relented.
“The starting rotation as we go into training camp will be exactly how it was as we finished OTAs,” Smith said.
That means Benson is ahead of Jones, who skipped the organized team activities because of dissatisfaction with his contract. Jones also grew tired with Benson hanging over his shoulder despite his career-best 1,335 yards last season.
For good measure, that also means Leon Joe will be ahead of Pro Bowl linebacker Lance Briggs. Expect that situation to last only slightly longer than Smith’s stonewall.
Pressed even further, Smith revealed he felt uncomfortable talking about the depth chart before meeting with his players early Thursday morning.
Most players, however, didn’t seem surprised by Benson’s ascension. Fair or not, the perception has existed that General Manager Jerry Angelo didn’t burn the fourth overall pick in the 2005 draft and then lavish him with $16 million of guaranteed money for Benson to warm a bench.
How it sits if the running back rotation stays that way long-term would be interesting to monitor given Jones’ popularity and respect within the locker room.
“Obviously, Cedric is a young guy who has a lot of talent, and we’re excited to see what he can do,” quarterback Rex Grossman said. “And Thomas is a proven player, the emotional leader of our team in the huddle. So we’re set at running back.”
Grossman also praised Peterson. But his praise for Jones, who wasn’t spotted arriving Wednesday, spoke volumes about the running back’s standing with his teammates.
Smith downplayed any friction developing, pointing to last season as an example. All three backs played prominent roles in victories, with Jones posting five 100-yard rushing games and Peterson one. Benson started the one game Jones missed with an injury.
“We’d even take a fourth one,” Smith said. “You look at our history. We’re a running team. We need as many good running backs as we can get. We have that. I’m anxious to see all three of them play.”
Benson’s shot will just come first.
“I know the playbook better,” Benson said. “And I’m not going to focus attention or waste energy on the sideshow. I’ll stay focused on the task at hand.”
Asked if he thought he would relinquish the job to Jones eventually, Benson was succinct.
“No,” he said.
Let’s go camping
Tribune reporters K.C. Johnson and John Mullin provide regular updates from Bourbonnais at chicagotribune.com/bearscamp. But if you’re heading down there, here’s what you need to know:
Where: Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais (60 miles south of Chicago).
Directions from Chicago: I-57 south to Bradley/Bourbonnais exit 315. Follow exit ramp as it curves to the right. Follow signs.
Admission: Free in Bourbonnais, except for ONU Appreciation Night on Aug. 4.
Upcoming practice schedule (subject to change): Thursday (noon), Friday (3 p.m.), Saturday (9:30 a.m., 7 p.m.) and Sunday (3 p.m.)
Note: Gates open an hour before day practices, two hours before night sessions. Admission is free except on the evening of Aug. 4.
