[CBFF] ESPNi - Observation deck: Benson ready to carry load

[Jerry Madsen]

 Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Observation deck: Benson ready to carry load
By John Clayton
ESPN.com

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. -- Five observations from Chicago Bears training
camp, gleaned from the team's practices:

1. Inside insurance
Dusty Dvoracek missed the entire 2006 season because of a foot injury,
but opened camp as the team's starting nose tackle alongside Tommie
Harris. A third-round pick a year ago, Dvoracek had that Chris
Hovan-look to him as he lined up. In his early days with the Minnesota
Vikings, Hovan was a hard-working overachiever who maxed out his size
in the weight room. It was hard to envision the Bears putting all
their faith in a youngster with durability issues. That's why the
trade for Darwin Walker of the Bills made plenty of sense.

Midway through the first padded night practice, Dvoracek needed
assistance from the trainer to get a wrap around his calf. It was only
a cramp, but still highlighted the importance of Walker's acquisition.
The Bears have lost Tank Johnson, Ian Scott and Alfonso Boone from
their defensive tackle rotation, and Tommie Harris is coming off a
hamstring injury that ended his 2006 season early. Walker is a solid
inside player who should provide a little size in stopping the run.
The happiest Bear is probably Brian Urlacher. If the Bears have
trouble at defensive tackle, guards or center can get to him. The
Bears also added short, but tough defensive tackle Anthony Adams from
the 49ers.

2. Happy returns
Tommie Harris is back to his dominating ways. His injury last season
meant the Bears lost one of the league's most dominating interior-line
players, someone who could have made an impact against the Colts in
the Super Bowl. So far, Harris has looked as strong as ever. The other
day, the offense tried to toss a wide screen to the left, but Harris
took off from his spot as the three-technique tackle and moved through
offensive bodies as if they weren't even there to make the play.
Harris (6-foot-3, 295 pounds) has great straight-ahead speed and is
usually unblockable.

Now that cornerbacks Charles Tillman and Nathan Vasher are signed, and
Lance Briggs is back after signing his franchise tender, Harris is the
next big contract extension the organization will study. He has two
years left on his contract, so he's not going anywhere, but the price
of defensive tackles is going up. Cory Redding of the Lions got $7
million a year, and Harris will command more than that. Many think his
signing bonus in an extension would be around $30 million. The Bears
will pay that if he returns to his Pro Bowl form.

	Cedric Benson
Cedric Benson is excited to finally be alone in the backfield.
3. Ready to carry load
Cedric Benson has a different running style than Thomas Jones, but he
should have a great season. Jones ran for 1,330 yards in 2005 and
1,210 yards in 2006. Benson has the potential to better that. He's
trained hard this offseason, and Benson is lighter and quicker. He
worked at strengthening his stomach muscles in order to give him
better balance and power when maneuvering through holes.

Several times in the recent night practice, Benson took an inside hand
off and blasted through the middle of the defense for a long gain.
Once he gets past the initial wave of tacklers, Benson will compress
his upper body around the ball. He explained that his biggest problem
in sharing the job was a lack of continuity. He's a runner who excels
in the second halves of game after wearing out defenders with his
physical style early on. For two years, he'd get on the field for a
series or two, then return to the bench. It drove him crazy and
prevented him from getting into any kind of rhythm running the ball.

4. The future is now
Veterans were elated when Lance Briggs reported to camp Sunday after
signing his one-year franchise tender. Briggs is one of the most
dependable weakside linebackers in football. He has the speed to cover
tight ends or backs out of the backfield, and the tenacity and speed
to chase down running backs. He's a perfect fit in the team's Cover 2
scheme, which depends on the weakside linebacker to be a playmaker.
But the future still looks bright at linebacker, even though Briggs is
expected to leave after the season.

The future is Jamar Williams (6-foot-0, 237 pounds), a fourth-round
pick last year. Williams played weakside linebacker at Arizona State
and was one of the main playmakers on the defense. Although he is a
little short, Williams has excellent speed and height doesn't matter
in a Cover 2 defense. While Briggs was away from the team, Williams
had the entire offseason to prepare for a starting role next year.
Another player to watch in the preseason is third-round pick Michael
Okwo. Both will be auditioning for Briggs' job.

5. Safety in numbers
Chris Harris and Danieal Manning started at safety against the Colts
in the Super Bowl, but enter camp as backups. The starting safeties
are Mike Brown and Adam Archuleta. This is the healthiest Archuleta
has looked in years. Two years ago, he debated whether to play
football because of back problems. He signed with the Redskins last
year, but didn't fit into their defense. The Bears picked him up in a
trade because Lovie Smith got the best out of him when they were
together in St. Louis. He still has great range.

The Bears defense loves having Brown back because he's a leader and a
playmaker. He has scored seven touchdowns as a defender during his
eight-year career. But injuries have plagued him. He's missed 28 games
over the past three years. Regardless, the team is loaded at safety.
Manning, who started for the Bears last year, could start on most
teams in the league and can also help out in slot coverage.

John Clayton is a senior writer for ESPN.com.