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BOURBONNIS, Ill. --Chicago Bears starting quarterback Mike Glennon came from Tampa, where tall and talented wide receiver Mike Evans was the clear No. 1 receiver threat. Now, Glennon has a receiver corps of players yet to break through or trying to resurrect careers. He still thinks the Bears receiver corps has something the Bucs lacked.
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"I'd say it's way deeper here," he said. "I mean there are guys here -- I hate to say it -- that could be on a lot of different teams and make the team.
"So obviously, realistically only 53 guys make the team and so that receiver number has to get cut down. But I think it's a very deep group, a lot of guys that are NFL-caliber players. And I think we'll just spread the ball out. We have good, good receivers and good running backs. So I think we'll just be more of a team that distributes the ball evenly.""
--The secondary began to assert itself as the Bears try to bounce back from two straight years with only eight interceptions.
In the fourth practice session, defensive backs had four interceptions. Prince Amukamara, Dandre Houston-Carson, Kyle Fuller and Eddie Jackson made picks. In the next practice, second-year linebacker/pass rusher Leonard Floyd even got in on the act.
"I've always been a believer that you get what you emphasize and we've emphasized it (forcing turnovers) quite a bit as a staff through the whole offseason - really since last season was over," Fox said. "You've got to walk before you can run, so this is a good place to start practicing it and seeing what the results are."
Jackson's pick was a welcome sight. The rookie is coming off a broken leg at Alabama and has stepped into practices slowly, getting most of his work initially in punt return.
"My experience has been when a guy has punt return ability they can play and track the ball a little bit like an outfielder," Fox said. "He's got good ball skills."
--The addition of Jaye Howard allowed the Bears to take a look at second-year defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard more on the left side than last year, although he also has played right defensive end. Howard has held down the right defensive end spot with the second team.
The former Chiefs player said there is an adjustment being with a new team.
"Learning the scheme is very complex," he said. "It's a different scheme. Although it's a 3-4, it's totally different than what I was running in Kansas City.
"Once I get the system down, I'll be able to play much faster."
Howard had a hip injury and missed eight games with the Chiefs last season. Now healthy, he brings what Akiem Hicks added last season - and what Danny Trevathan and Pernell McPhee said they could add before injuries hit them.
"You know, man, I like to be nasty when I play," Howard said. "When I line up against another guy I want them to feel I'm going to go hard and I know they're going to go hard so you know, I'm a competitor."
Howard hasn't been in Chicago long, but saw immediately what McPhee meant to the defense before he went on PUP after arthroscopic knee surgery.
"You know I would love to get him out there and be able to play with him right now, see what he does and be able to feed off of him," Howard said. "But right now we're a unit and trying to build a chemistry right now, it's camp, that's when we come together as a unit and define who we are for the season."
It's more than McPhee's skills as a pass rusher that are lacking - it's leadership.
"He's definitely a vocal leader and the first day I met him he said are you ready to play?" Howard remembered. "And I said, 'Yeah, I'm ready to be here and ready to get after it.' "
NOTES: Guard Josh Sitton missed the first five practices following the birth of a child just as camp began but is expected back on Wednesday (Aug. 2)... Wide receiver Markus Wheaton underwent arthroscopic surgery Sunday after suffering appendicitis. He is out indefinitely... Guard Kyle Long (ankle) continued to work on a limited basis toward the end of camp's first week... Linebacker Pernell McPhee (knee) had arthroscopic surgery July 27 on his right knee and there is no timeline for his return... Running back Jeremy Langford (ankle) continued to be bothered by a low ankle sprain... Linebacker Dan Skuta (hip) suffered soreness after his first practice and was on the field sporadically. He underwent hip surgery last year... Cornerback Marcus Cooper (hamstring) did not practice by the end of the first week and Bryce Callahan took most of the snaps at right cornerback with starters. On Monday Cre'Von LeBlanc received some of the snaps... Veteran Kyle Fuller has been used primarily with the second team... Running back Benny Cunningham missed practices Sunday and Monday with neck tightness... Guard Eric Kush left Sunday's practice due to hamstring tightness... C Tyler Bogg left Sunday's practice with a possible concussion.
