With mini-camp completed, Chicago Bears switching emphasis to NFL draft
March 20, 2009
The end of an uneventful three-day Bears mini-camp featured a newcomer finishing strong, a veteran reverting to his old self and a head coach bracing himself for the next phase of the process.
Coach Lovie Smith moved camp up almost three months to evaluate his personnel before the April draft. He and his staff entered the week with a good idea of areas to address.
Losing John St. Clair to Cleveland no doubt magnified the need for another offensive tackle.
"Most of our thoughts have been geared toward this mini-camp," Smith said. "Now we will shift to the draft to start getting ready for that."
With scouts dissecting draft prospects at Georgia, Virginia and Notre Dame on Thursday, that process is in full swing.
Instant impact: Newcomer Josh Bullocks has caught a lot of grief for an infamous YouTube video featuring lowlights of his safety play. Bullocks earned some positive attention Thursday, intercepting a Kyle Orton pass in full-team drills. Ironically, Bullocks' lone interception with the Saints last season was against the Bears — and Orton.
Interceptor strikes again: Speaking of picks, Nathan Vasher snatched one on Thursday, too, a scene the Bears hope becomes familiar once again. "The Interceptor" seemed to be in good shape coming off a dismal, injury-plagued 2008 season. He will need to remain healthy to reclaim his starting spot over Corey Graham or any drafted rookie.
Missing in action: Defensive tackle Tommie Harris sat out much of Thursday's session, but it was no cause for alarm. The team rested Harris' ailing left knee often last season. "We think Tommie will be good to go," Smith said, "but right now, two days in row is quite a bit when a guy is not in tip-top shape." … Linebacker Lance Briggs was excused from practice for personal reasons, allowing Jamar Williams to fill in with the first team.
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