Chicago Bears need their WR's back working with Jay Cutler

LAKE FOREST, iLL, -- The absence of wide receiver Alshon Jeffery through the Chicago Bears' organized team activities only heightened anticipation for his expected return at the mandatory June 22 minicamp.

The Bears badly need to have their entire receiver corps back working with quarterback Jay Cutler before the start of training camp after the disruption caused when the top four finished last year out of the lineup because of injuries.

In fact, it's been since last August that Cutler was able to work with all four of his top receivers at the same time.

Considering they have a new offensive coordinator, Dowell Loggains, the need is all the greater. The general perception has been that the offense is simply moving forward from last year exactly as when Loggains served as quarterbacks coach and Adam Gase offensive coordinator.

However, this is not 100 percent accurate.

"Well, the shell of the offense will stay the same," Loggains said. "It's been the same since Xoach (John) Fox has been a head coach. The language and everything will be the same, but it will evolve like it would have if Adam would have been here."

As a result, Jeffery would come into minicamp not entirely on the same page.

"I'm not concerned about that," Loggains said. "I know Alshon is working hard right now and we're excited to get him back when he shows up."

Last year's first-round pick Kevin White must overcome an inexperience factor after missing the season following shin surgery, but he finds some of what he learned during idle time last year useful.

"It's a lot easier now," White said. "Last year everything seemed so fast. It was really hard trying to learn the concepts."

White is essentially a rookie-plus, but he's leaving an impression on other receivers like Eddie Royal with his work ethic and the knowledge he gained watching last year.

"Now he's out here and he's playing and he doesn't look like a rookie at all," Royal said. "Just seeing how big and fast and strong he is, I think he can make a lot of big plays I know if I was calling the plays, I'd definitely use him."

Loggains' assessment of White isn't much different.

"It's hard but I can tell you about his character and he's everything that we expected," Loggains said. "He's a hard worker. His attitude is contagious because he is very positive; he doesn't have bad days.

"I think that between him and Eddie and some of the other receivers, they're bringing out the best of each other, and competition does that."

Royal, also among the injured last year, sees a benefit to the practices held so far without Jeffery.

"We have a lot of young guys at receiver," Royal said. "And it's given them opportunity to get some reps and a chance to prove themselves.

"Yah know? It's all about getting out there when you get a chance and making the most of it. So we've got some guys out there who are making plays and really proving that they deserve a shot at making this team."

The problem is, the Bears offense went through much of last season using those same backup receivers: Marc Mariani, Josh Bellamy and Cameron Meredith and Deonte Thompson.

Even fourth receiver Marquess Wilson, who has been impressive in OTAs, was out for five games.

The Bears need Jeffery and White to make plays and stretch the field so others can also make them.

"We're excited about those two," Loggains said. "I can't wait to get them both on the field at the same time, something we've never seen in Chicago."

--Third-round draft pick Jonathan Bullard, who signed earlier this week, discounts all the pre-draft talk he was undersized to be playing a defensive end position in the 3-4.

"I've got the power to do it, the size, my lower half," Bullard said. "I know what the people were saying when I was coming out, that I was a tweener. But if you watch my tape I'm setting the edge against whoever. "So I can do that. That isn't going to be a problem."

Bullard was viewed as a possible player who can line up in the 3-technique spot when the Bears are in a four-man front in passing situations.

In OTAs, he hasn't been with the first-team much in this regard. The Bears have used Akiem Hicks and Eddie Goldman at the tackle positions in those drills.

Bullard said it will be a matter of learning when to use his speed and gamble by shooting a gap or being safe while maintaining gap integrity. Coaches have told him this much.

"Eventually when you understand it, and know the blocking schemes and things, then you can go back out and take them," Bullard said. "They don't want to take that from you."

--Nate Chandler's addition on June 2 brought the Bears more depth at tackle in case of injuries, or if inexperienced left tackle Charles Leno Jr. were to backslide. The Bears also considered free agent Jake Long.

Chandler hasn't played since 2014 after suffering a torn right lateral meniscus ligament in 2014. He went on injured reserve, then re-injured it last year and missed the Super Bowl season for Carolina.

The Bears earlier in OTAs cut tackle Tayo Fabuluje, their sixth-round pick last year, so the need was there.

Chandler also can play guard, and is known for overall athletic ability. He played defensive line and tight end in college and was a defensive lineman as a rookie with Carolina before switching.

"Just knowing the mentality of a defensive lineman and their techniques or their responsibilities kind of helps me as far as our schemes go," Chandler said.

After two years away from the game, Chandler is more worried about other aspects of his comeback than learning the Bears playbook.

"My biggest challenge is getting back onto the field and getting my feet wet and getting back out there and competing," he said.

--When the Bears signed right tackle Bobby Massie, they talked about how his friendship with Kyle Long was a factor in getting to know their new blocker. And Long said he'd be helping Massie fit in with the team.

Massie revealed at OTAs that he can be a help to Long, who has had more than his share of unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.

"I just try to keep him focused because, you know Kyle," Massie said. "Once he gets his mind on something, when something is bothering him, it will keep bothering him.

"So I just try to keep his mind on track and things like that."

Does he listen?

"Yeah, I mean, he listens at times," Massie said. "But you know, Kyle is his own guy."

--By making the successful transition to 3-4 linebacker from 4-3 end, Willie Young thinks he made a statement.

"I'm pretty good at what I do," Young said. "Whatever situation that I'm thrown in, I do pretty good of coming out smelling like a rose.

"I haven't always been put in the right position or the right situation, but I somehow manage to figure out how to come out smelling like a rose. I had to figure it out. That's part of why I'm here today."

NOTES: LG Cody Whitehair has been getting some snaps with the first team, indicating the team is open to giving him a real shot at starting as a rookie over veteran free agent acquisition Ted Larsen when training camp begins. ... LB Christian Jones, who came into the NFL on the outside but was moved inside by the coaching staff last year, has been lining up as a pass rush outside linebacker during OTAs. Whether it's a permanent move isn't known yet. The signing of Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman meant the Bears didn't have as much need at inside linebacker. The Bears have second-year player John Timu and rookie Nick Kwiatoski backing up the starters at inside linebacker. Also, inside linebacker Jonathan Anderson still is with the team and played inside last year. Anderson missed the June 1 practice. ... S DeAndre Houston-Carson, the team's sixth-round draft pick from William & Mary, worked with the second team secondary alongside former Broncos safety and special teams player Omar Bolden. ... RB Senorise Perry, who sustained a torn ACL in preseason last year, is back working with special teams and at returning kicks. Bolden, Marc Mariani, rookie Daniel Braverman and undrafted free agent acquisition Kieran Duncan all have been taking back kicks. ...TE Rob Housler conntinues working with the first team extensively in two-tight end formations when starter Zach Miller is on the field. Khari Lee, acquired last year in a trade with Houston, is Housler's chief competition, although 6-foot-7 Gannon Sinclair has also received a look. The second tight end spot continues to remain a Bears weakness after Miller was promoted following the decision to let go of last year's starter Martellus Bennett. ... G/C Manny Ramirez was placed on the reserve/retired list. Ramirez played in 83 games with 65 starts over eight seasons for the Lions and Broncos. The move means the Bears may need to look for another experienced free agent who can be a backup to Hroniss Grasu.