Post by specialk1307 on Jul 30, 2006 13:37:54 GMT -4
Briggs wins back starting linebacker job
Convinces coaches he's in good shape
BY K.C. JOHNSON
Published July 30, 2006
BOURBONNAIS -- In as inevitable an occurrence as a Soldier Field sellout, Lance Briggs reclaimed his starting linebacker job from Leon Joe during Saturday night's practice, the first with full pads at Bears training camp.
"If I didn't, then I stink," Briggs said, smiling.
Briggs kept a positive attitude and wink-wink countenance throughout his demotion, which occurred after he skipped voluntary off-season workouts because talks for a contract extension broke off in late April.
"We wanted to see exactly what type of shape Lance was in," coach Lovie Smith explained. "Lance is a Pro Bowl player. . . . We're going to keep him a while."
Briggs participated in a strong showing for the first-team defense, which included Charles Tillman returning a Cedric Benson fumble for a touchdown and Ricky Manning Jr. blasting Benson on the next play.
Manning also broke up a deep Brian Griese pass to Airese Currie. Fellow free-agent signee Dante Wesley picked off Griese. And Brendon Ayanbadejo did the same to Kyle Orton.
"We're a good defense," Smith said. "It should be hard for teams to move the football on us."
The offense responded with Rex Grossman connecting on deep passes to Rashied Davis and Bernard Berrian. And Benson ran over safety Chris Harris during goal-line situations, spiking the ball afterward though he had been downed at the 1-yard line.
"It's good to see that type of emotion," Smith said.
No laughing matter
While stressing they pay attention, Berrian also admits to joking with close friend Mark Bradley during position meetings about their competition for the No. 2 receiver spot.
But Berrian turns dead serious when asked his mind-set about the battle to start opposite Muhsin Muhammad.
"I'm not letting it go," he said. "It's mine to lose."
In truth, both players have taken snaps with the first-team offense and both have made sparkling catches and flashed promise early in camp.
Berrian hooked up with Grossman in Saturday's morning session for a nifty completion over the middle.
After another catch, he put a spin move on Nathan Vasher that evoked memories of the Blackhawks' Denis Savard and provoked "oohs" from the crowd.
Berrian is trying to continue the momentum he established late last season after returning from surgery to repair sprained thumb ligaments. All but 24 of his 246 receiving yards came in the final five games.
"I'm sure there were still doubts about my ability until I finished the way I did," Berrian said. "There are probably still doubts now. I know you have to prove yourself every year."
Offensive coordinator Ron Turner has called establishing a consistent No. 2 threat a priority for an offense that finished 31st in passing yards. Berrian is as confident it will happen as he is that he can be more than just a speed threat.
"My confidence level is always going to be high," he said. "I don't get down much. If I drop a ball, it's gone. And I can take a hit."
Extra points
Muhammad, Bradley, Griese, Brian Urlacher, Dusty Dvoracek and Tommie Harris were allowed to sit out the morning practice, which ended 30 minutes early at 11:15 a.m. because of the stifling heat. . . . Thomas Jones missed his third straight day of practices with his sore hamstring. . . .
The Bears brought punter Brooks Barnard in for a camp workout. . . . Quote of the day went to Benson, talking about increased expectations for him: "If they want to see `CB' shine, put me in the game. And I'll shine."
Convinces coaches he's in good shape
BY K.C. JOHNSON
Published July 30, 2006
BOURBONNAIS -- In as inevitable an occurrence as a Soldier Field sellout, Lance Briggs reclaimed his starting linebacker job from Leon Joe during Saturday night's practice, the first with full pads at Bears training camp.
"If I didn't, then I stink," Briggs said, smiling.
Briggs kept a positive attitude and wink-wink countenance throughout his demotion, which occurred after he skipped voluntary off-season workouts because talks for a contract extension broke off in late April.
"We wanted to see exactly what type of shape Lance was in," coach Lovie Smith explained. "Lance is a Pro Bowl player. . . . We're going to keep him a while."
Briggs participated in a strong showing for the first-team defense, which included Charles Tillman returning a Cedric Benson fumble for a touchdown and Ricky Manning Jr. blasting Benson on the next play.
Manning also broke up a deep Brian Griese pass to Airese Currie. Fellow free-agent signee Dante Wesley picked off Griese. And Brendon Ayanbadejo did the same to Kyle Orton.
"We're a good defense," Smith said. "It should be hard for teams to move the football on us."
The offense responded with Rex Grossman connecting on deep passes to Rashied Davis and Bernard Berrian. And Benson ran over safety Chris Harris during goal-line situations, spiking the ball afterward though he had been downed at the 1-yard line.
"It's good to see that type of emotion," Smith said.
No laughing matter
While stressing they pay attention, Berrian also admits to joking with close friend Mark Bradley during position meetings about their competition for the No. 2 receiver spot.
But Berrian turns dead serious when asked his mind-set about the battle to start opposite Muhsin Muhammad.
"I'm not letting it go," he said. "It's mine to lose."
In truth, both players have taken snaps with the first-team offense and both have made sparkling catches and flashed promise early in camp.
Berrian hooked up with Grossman in Saturday's morning session for a nifty completion over the middle.
After another catch, he put a spin move on Nathan Vasher that evoked memories of the Blackhawks' Denis Savard and provoked "oohs" from the crowd.
Berrian is trying to continue the momentum he established late last season after returning from surgery to repair sprained thumb ligaments. All but 24 of his 246 receiving yards came in the final five games.
"I'm sure there were still doubts about my ability until I finished the way I did," Berrian said. "There are probably still doubts now. I know you have to prove yourself every year."
Offensive coordinator Ron Turner has called establishing a consistent No. 2 threat a priority for an offense that finished 31st in passing yards. Berrian is as confident it will happen as he is that he can be more than just a speed threat.
"My confidence level is always going to be high," he said. "I don't get down much. If I drop a ball, it's gone. And I can take a hit."
Extra points
Muhammad, Bradley, Griese, Brian Urlacher, Dusty Dvoracek and Tommie Harris were allowed to sit out the morning practice, which ended 30 minutes early at 11:15 a.m. because of the stifling heat. . . . Thomas Jones missed his third straight day of practices with his sore hamstring. . . .
The Bears brought punter Brooks Barnard in for a camp workout. . . . Quote of the day went to Benson, talking about increased expectations for him: "If they want to see `CB' shine, put me in the game. And I'll shine."