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HOT TOPIC
When Mark Bradley suffered a torn ACL in his right knee at the end of last October optimistic predictions had him back on the field for the start of training camp on July 27, although not necessarily 100 percent. But Bradley was on the field running pass patterns all weekend at minicamp, the first weekend of June, without a limp or the benefit of a brace.
"Hard work always pays off, and I attacked it just like I attack practicing and game day," Bradley said of his rehab. "I don't take it lightly. It's a serious matter just to get back on the field with my brothers, so overall I feel good about the situation and the knee is doing fine."
Bears wide receivers coach Darryl Drake is pleasantly surprised to have Bradley back so soon, but he's more concerned with having him healthy for camp.
"I'd almost rather not see him out there right now because it's a long time between now and August," Drake said. "But I'm very pleased with how he's working. I have to keep him out of there because he wants to practice every day. (Saturday morning) I said, 'No, you can't go.' But as long as he has that attitude, it's going to work out for him, and he's going to be hopefully be back (full speed) and ready to go when the time comes."
When Bradley was hurt he had already started four games in his rookie season. His goal is to be back in the starting lineup soon, and he is expected to be completely healthy long before training camp starts.
"I'm starting back from scratch just like I started last year," Bradley said. "I'm going to attack it just like I did last year and hopefully win a spot back in the preseason."
Drake doesn't see why Bradley won't be back with the first team this season.
"He's got to beat out Bernard (Berrian) and Justin (Gage)," Drake said. "It's not going to be given to him, but with his work ethic ... he did it before so why can't he do it again?"
Although he played just seven games last season and started four, Bradley was still fourth on the Bears with 230 receiving yards on 18 catches.
PLAYER NOTES
--Bears tight end Desmond Clark said the assumption that the team is weak at that position is a media notion, not the reality of the situation.
Although most observers considered tight end a major need for the Bears heading into the draft, they did not address that position.
Clark considered that a vote of confidence for him, although the Bears did sign two undrafted tight ends, Oregon's Tim Day and Auburn's Cooper Wallace.
"I know the coaches had confidence in me the whole time," said the seven-year veteran who caught 24 passes for 229 yards last season. "From Day One they told me I'm the tight end, and if there was somebody out there that they wanted, they were going to go get them, but it wasn't a pressing need. I had those discussions with the offensive coordinator (Ron Turner), and that's reassuring for me. It just lets me know that they do have confidence in me."
--Bears defensive end Wale Ogunleye is familiar with the situation that teammates Thomas Jones and Lance Briggs are in. Both are trying to maximize their earnings, Jones by forcing a renegotiation or trade, and Briggs by putting the Bears' feet to the fire for a contract extension before he becomes an unrestricted free agent after the 2006 season.
A similar situation led the Dolphins to trade Ogunleye to the Bears just before the start of the 2004 season.
"It's tough," Ogunleye said. "I've been through that. I know exactly what they're going through. But as you can see across this league everybody handles their business the way they want to handle it. This is a business, and that's the one thing everybody has got to understand.
"Guys get cut. You see the way they treat a guy like Steve McNair so really you don't have any sympathy for the situations because you know that's how it happens. But at the same time, I feel for them because I've been through it. I know exactly what they're going through and I just hope it all works out well."
--Bears 12-year veteran guard Ruben Brown has been riding motorcycles since he was a rookie with the Bills, and he received the same "be safe" advice from then-Bills coach Marv Levy as Ben Roethlisberger got before his recent accident from Steelers coach Bill Cowher.
Brown is always aware that he's at heightened risk of injury while he's on his motorcycle.
"Every time I get on the bike I think about the potential of an accident," Brown said. "That helps you stay aware."
Brown said he wears a helmet in states that require it, but when he's in a state that doesn't, like Illinois, he uses his discretion. On long trips, he wears a helmet, but if he's going on a short errand, he doesn't. Brown takes other precautions to stay safe on the road, like riding in groups of experienced cyclists.
"But there's never a guarantee," said Brown, who avoids unnecessary risks. "I don't do tricks and burnouts. You have to learn over the years what your limitations are. I used to ride the street bikes, and I felt they were a little too fast for me. Now I go with the bikes that people consider for the old men, the cruisers."
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
The Bears signed Oklahoma FB J.D. Runnels to a four-year contract. The sixth-round pick (195th overall) is the team's third player signed from among its seven 2006 picks. Runnels became the fifth player from this year's draft class to sign, following Bears fifth-round pick Mark Anderson (159th overall) and sixth-round pick Tyler Reed (200th overall), who signed June 8. The Bears' four draft picks yet to sign are second-round picks Danieal Manning (42nd overall) and Devin Hester (57th overall), third-round pick Dusty Dvoracek (73rd overall) and fourth-round pick Jamar Williams (120th overall).
FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
--QB Jeff Blake (not tendered June 1).
--S Bobby Gray (not tendered June 1).
--LB Marcus Reese (not tendered as ERFA).
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: None.
DRAFT CHOICES SIGNED
--RB J.D. Runnels (4th): 4 yrs, terms unknown.
--DE Mark Anderson (5th): 4 yrs, terms unknown.
--OG Tyler Reed (6th); 4 yrs, terms unknown.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
--TE John Gilmore: UFA; 2 yrs, terms unknown.
--LB Hunter Hillenmeyer: RFA; $721,600/1 yr.
--DE Israel Idonije: RFA; matched Bills offer $7.4M/4 yrs, $1.6M SB.
--OG Terrence Metcalf: Potential UFA; $12.5M/6 yrs, $3.5M SB.
--TE Gabe Reid: ERFA; terms unknown.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED
--QB Brian Griese: FA Buccaneers; $5M SB, other terms unknown
--CB Ricky Manning: RFA Panthers (Panthers did not match offer and receive 3rd-round pick in 2006 draft as compensation).
--CB Dante Wesley: UFA Panthers; $2M/2 yrs, $475,000 SB.
PLAYERS LOST
--CB Jerry Azumah: UFA; retired.
--WR Eddie Berlin (released).
--S Mike Green (traded Seahawks).
MEDICAL WATCH: No updates.
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