BOURBONNAIS, Ill. -- Observations from Chicago Bears camp:
1. Bears coach Lovie Smith is now serving as the team's defensive coordinator. He will make the calls on Sundays for the first time since he became a head coach. "I'm going to be more involved," Smith said. "My role has changed a little bit. I love it. We have an excellent defensive staff. My job is pretty easy. Offensive guys have been doing it for a long time. How many offensive guys call the plays? I've been a head coach for a few years, and I know how much time things take and I feel comfortable in this role." The Bears were 21st on defense last season, so Smith has a task trying to get them better. He was a defensive coordinator in St. Louis before getting the Bears job.
| Out of Nowhere Man |
 The Bears are thin at receiver and one guy who has a chance get into the mix is third-year player WR Brandon Rideau . He played two games last season, but has never caught a pass in an NFL game. At 6-3, 183 pounds, he has good size and good speed. If he can show up in the preseason, he has a chance to get on the field as a receiver in 2009. Could he work his way in as the fourth receiver? Special teams will dictate that. |
| bullssoxbears06 picks CB Zachary Bowman |
| In his very limited action last season he did good, and with Tillman out for camp, he will impress the coaching staff enough to earn significant playing time this season at CB. |
| Who is your Out of Nowhere Man? |
2. To a man, the talk among the Bears is that the defense will improve if defensive Tommie Harris improves. Harris didn't play well last season, and it really impacted the Chicago defense. If he plays well, the rest of the front will be better. He has to command more attention inside to help the outside rushers. He had five sacks in 14 games in 2008. That has to be closer to 10. Marcus Harrison, who was expected to start next to him at tackle, isn't practicing because he came to camp overweight. Harrison has immense talent, but has some character issues.
3. The Bears should have a better offensive line in 2009 than they did last season. The addition of veteran left tackle Orlando Pace will help solidify the pass protection. Pace looks to be in great shape, almost better than at any time I've seen him in recent years. Second-year player Chris Williams will start at right tackle. Williams, the team's first-round pick last year, missed time with a back injury that isn't bothering him now. But he didn't practice well the days I saw him play. If there is a concern with those two at tackles, it's that both are more finesse players rather than dominant run players. That could help Cutler and the passing game.
4. The concern in the Bears secondary is with corner Charles Tillman. He is out until September after having back surgery. That's four surgeries for the 28-year-old Tillman. He also had a shoulder procedure in January. Tillman is the Bears best cover player when he's on the field, and without him the corners are beatable. Zack Bowman is the player most think will start if Tillman can't go. Bowman had a nice interception of Cutler in Saturday night's practice. Corey Graham, who started half the season in 2008, is also in the mix. Nathan Vasher is the starter on the other side, but he didn't play well last season. The Bears better hope like crazy that Tillman is back early in the season.
5. With Matt Forte in as starting running back, the Bears are hopeful that Kevin Jones will take over as the No. 2 back. Jones, who is in his second season after tearing an ACL, is trimmer and looks quicker than he did last season. Jones, a former first-round pick of the Detroit Lions, could spell Forte for 10 carries a game.
KillerGreenBud 
