[CBFF] Bears have one Brown in, one Brown out

[mactbone]

http://www.dailysouthtown.com/sports/392956,192SPT2.article
Bears have one Brown in, one Brown out

May 19, 2007

By Gene Chamberlain Staff writer

Anyone who saw the Bears defense play in Super Bowl XLI would have had a difficult time recognizing the group that took the field Friday during minicamp.

Changes had been made on the line, among linebackers and in the secondary.

Right defensive end Alex Brown took a spot on the sideline while Mark Anderson played much of the time with starters. Brown confirmed that Anderson is regarded as the starter at right defensive end. Brown spent some of his time playing left defensive end, a spot new to him.

Brown has asked the Bears for permission to seek a trade, but head coach Lovie Smith said Friday no such permission has been granted.

"I was practicing them both today," Brown said about the two defensive end spots, "and I'm hoping I can learn them both and play wherever it ends up in training camp, wherever it's at."

Asked how he felt about the move, Brown could summon only an "I don't know."

Second-year player Jamar Williams was working at weakside linebacker, replacing the disgruntled Lance Briggs, who's not at minicamp.

"I'm just going to try to rely on history a little bit," Smith said. "History tells me that guys will occasionally miss minicamp. History will tell you that they're sometimes late for training camp, some maybe miss training camp.

"History tells me that players don't miss an entire football season. Lance is a part of us. We would like to have him here. Hopefully in time, we'll get him back."

Smith said he's spoken with Briggs, who's been tagged the franchise player by the Bears and has threatened to hold out through the first 10 games of the regular season. Smith's "glass-half-full" approach tells him the situation will get settled before the regular season begins.

"These things happen," he said. "At the same time, we're getting a chance to look at all of our other players, Jamar Williams in particular. Players go down at any time, so you have to have a Plan 2. That's where we are."

The secondary took on a vastly different look with Mike Brown surprisingly healthy and participating at free safety, while newcomer Adam Archuleta played strong safety. Charles Tillman, who is recuperating from minor back surgery, was replaced at cornerback by safety Danieal Manning.

"Danieal is a versatile athlete," Smith said. "And right now, as much as anything, you want to take a look at players at different positions. He could easily be our most skilled defensive back."

Mike Brown has healed far faster than anticipated from serious foot ligament surgery.

"We're a different football team, a different defense with Mike Brown out there," Smith said.

Sparkling debut

Devin Hester's debut on offense generated some excitement Friday.

Players were hollering whenever he got the ball. Hester made one touchdown catch downfield, beating rookie cornerback Trumaine McBride and rookie safety Kevin Payne, and also broke an end-around into the open.

"I grew up playing everything, street football, where you had to play quarterback, receiver," Hester said. "I'm a Florida-type football player. We go out and just play everything."

The Bears plan to use Hester like the Saints use Reggie Bush, as a runner/receiver/return man.

Just don't call Hester Reggie Bush.

"I'm Devin Hester, not Reggie Bush," Hester said.
Missing

The Bears were without starting tackle John Tait, who is recovering from ankle surgery, the first surgery he's had as an NFL player. ... Tight end Greg Olsen and running back Garrett Wolfe are missing the camp to attend a photo session for rookies who are to appear on trading cards. The NFL-sanctioned event is held every season and is mandatory for those who are invited. ... Rookie linebacker Michael Okwo still has classes to attend at Stanford and won't be participating in minicamp.


       
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