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HOT TOPIC
When the defending NFC North champion Bears reconvene on July 26 at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, coach Lovie Smith expects to have all hands on deck.
Running back Thomas Jones and Pro Bowl linebacker Lance Briggs, two of the 22 returning starters, missed most of the "voluntary" portion of the Bears' off-season program. Both attended the mandatory minicamp the first weekend in June. Pro Bowl cornerback Nate Vasher, also unhappy with his contract, missed most of the previous two weeks but was back this week, although he was held out of practice to rest his sore knees.
"I would definitely be surprised if we had a holdout for training camp," Smith said. "I think the players know what's at stake. We need to be here. Training camp's important. You can look at what happened last year with (first-round pick) Cedric Benson, who held out, missed most of training camp and never got back on the right footing. Now Cedric Benson has been here throughout the entire off-season and has gotten better and better. We're really excited about what he might be able to do for us this year."
Benson was buried on the depth chart behind Jones last season, but they split carries during minicamp and are expected to compete on equal footing this summer for the featured role. Briggs was dropped to second string behind journeyman Leon Joe during the minicamp, but Smith said talk of demotions is premature.
"We haven't demoted anyone really," Smith said. "It starts all over this year, and the way to get on the depth chart is to be here and give us a chance to evaluate you. We don't really have a true depth chart right now. We're going to training camp and then we'll let everyone have an opportunity to compete."
Smith said Vasher would be in better position than Jones and Briggs based on his off-season attendance.
"He hasn't missed the entire off-season, so his situation is different," the Bears' coach said. "He finished up with us here."
PLAYER NOTES
--After missing two weeks of voluntary workouts to show his displeasure with his contract situation, Pro Bowl cornerback Nate Vasher was back on the field at Halas Hall this week for the start of the final week of organized team activities.
Vasher didn't scrimmage because he's doing some minor rehab work to strengthen his quadriceps muscle in order to take pressure off his sore patella tendon, but he said he's ready to do whatever coaches ask. He and agent Mike Sullivan were hoping to entice the Bears into adding a year to the two years still remaining on his original four-year deal. He will make $900,000 over the next two seasons, making him the 131st highest paid cornerback in the NFL, while Bears nickel corner Ricky Manning Jr. will make about $9 million.
The Bears have stuck to their philosophy of not renegotiating with players who have just two years' experience.
"For the time being I have to be content with my position," said Vasher, who had eight interceptions last season. "I realize it's a business, and I'll continue to get ready to have a great season."
Vasher said he isn't even considering not reporting to training camp on time.
"I'll be there with bells on," he said. "I'll be ready for another Pro Bowl season."
Although the Bears have not engaged in any dialogue with Vasher's agent regarding an extension, it could happen in the future.
"We haven't been promised anything," Sullivan said. "They didn't want to pay attention; we wanted to get their attention. What Nate has accomplished is out there. They could do nothing, but it would be unfair to Nate."
--Bears coach Lovie Smith was not rewarded with a contract extension after leading his team to the NFC North title last season. And he chuckled when asked if he could sympathize with players who skip "voluntary" off-season work as a protest.
"I have a contract that I signed when I got here," said Smith, who has two years remaining on his original deal. "I feel good about it. My contract is no issue. I'm just glad to be the head coach of the Chicago Bears every day I come into work. We have an outstanding team. We can't wait for training camp to start."
Smith was asked in jest if he considered blowing off some of the "voluntary" practices in May and June.
"It never crossed my mind," he said, smiling." Once the team is out here, I want to be a part of it. You know what happens when you miss a day, you find out practice goes on with out you. So I don't want them to get too comfortable with me not being here."
--The Bears are hoping for more productivity in the passing game from the tight end position, and coincidentally, incumbent starter Desmond Clark has performed well enough in the off-season to warrant a more substantial role in the fall.
Clark, who had just 24 catches for 229 yards last season, was singled out for praise by Bears coach Lovie Smith at the conclusion of spring practices.
"I'm just not throwing out Desmond because the tight end has been a position that most people like to talk about," Smith said. "He's played well. He's had a few outstanding days out here and yes, he definitely has earned that right to get more plays, more balls thrown his way."
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
MEDICAL WATCH: Defensive tackle Tank Johnson (hamstring), defensive back Brandon McGowan (knee) and fullback Bryan Johnson (foot) are the only injured players who aren't expected to be ready to practice the first day of training camp.
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).
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