Chicago Bears see need to seize the moment; defense returning 7 starters together since 2004

Chicago Bears see need to seize the moment

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. — Chicago Bears defensive tackle Tommie Harris understands the fleeting nature of the NFL.

“I feel like we don’t have that much time,” Harris said during Chicago’s training camp on Saturday. “This is our time to really do it.”

Chicago’s defense has seven starters who have been together since Lovie Smith became head coach in 2004, but the defense has struggled to 28th and 21st rankings since ranking fifth when they went to Super Bowl XLI as NFC champions.

“It’s rare that you have this many guys together for a long time, so you’ve got to get it done,” Harris said.

The Bears defense was young and at its peak in 2005-06. Now, players see a need to seize the moment.

“This team is not the same team as last year, so you don’t know who’s going to be here, you don’t know who’s going to get hurt,” defensive end Alex Brown said. “When you’ve got everybody there, make the most of it.

“I don’t think that’s just for this season. That’s for every season.”

Linebacker Brian Urlacher, who enters his 10th season, is coming off his worst year in tackles per game at 6.6. But now he’s healthy and says this year is different.

“I just was able to train this year,” Urlacher said. “Last year (before the season), I had the neck surgery. I was trying to get ready for the season and rehabbing that and get ready.

“But now I was just able to train hard and lift weights and do things I normally have done throughout my career.”

Another key for Chicago is Harris. When completely healthy, he pressured quarterbacks and took up double teams from blockers along the line to make it possible for other defensive linemen to get sacks. After knee and hamstring problems, he’s starting this season strong.

“Tommie can be the best lineman in the game, and he’s healthy right now,” Smith said. “He’s excited to play at that level.”

But other members of the Bears defense aren’t so healthy.

Safety Danieal Manning returned to practice Saturday after missing two practices with calf and hamstring soreness. And Charles Tillman remains sidelined until late in training camp after two offseason surgeries.

“Just so long as we have (Tillman) there during the season,” Harris said.

Players expressed optimism over Smith’s ability to call game day schemes and believe the addition of former Lions head coach Rod Marinelli as defensive line coach will fuel a turnaround.

“Marinelli, obviously is one of the great football minds I’ve been around,” Urlacher said. “He’s got the D-linemen fired up.

“He’s got our whole team fired up, to tell you the truth.”

NOTES: Cornerback Zack Bowman made the first interception of camp off Jay Cutler in scrimmage Saturday night, and shortly afterward Brian Urlacher picked him off as well. … A record crowd of 10,000 turned out for the night practice at Olivet Nazarene University.