Bears camp spotlight

[ChiTownBull]

http://www.suntimes.com/output/bears/cst-spt-spot08.html

Quarterback Brian Griese had a little problem with footing on the wet field, but got some work with the first team during run drills, which will familiarize him with center Olin Kreutz. New running back Andre Hall ran with low pad level.

[ChiTownBull]

Andre needs to show what he can do

BOURBONNAIS  Running back P.J. Pope admits that prior to training camp, people would have laughed at the idea that he could get more carries in the Bears' preseason opener than Thomas Jones, Cedric Benson and Adrian Peterson.

With Jones suffering from a pulled hamstring and Benson out with a shoulder sprain, Peterson will be guarded like a national secret because he's the Bears' only remaining experienced back.

Jones is unlikely to play after the first quarter. That should mean Pope carrying the ball a lot in the last three quarters.

"I'm not sure how much time, but I'm expecting a nice amount of time," Pope said. "I don't think they want to get AP banged up too much also. He's a veteran guy.

"I think they want to see what I can do in a game situation. So I would expect the majority of the (playing) time."

Pope wound up with the Bears as an undrafted free agent after a very productive career at Bowling Green. A senior year during which he suffered sprains to both ankles prevented him from rushing for more than 436 yards and kept him out of scouts' minds.

"I wasn't really completely healthy the whole season," he said. "I think I felt my best the last couple of games. But it was tough.

"I definitely expected the worst as far as the draft. I was getting a lot of looks (from scouts) coming into the season, but with the season I had, I definitely didn't expect to be drafted. But I was just hoping to get a shot."

He has that now, and the 5-foot-9, 212-pounder hopes to show the yardage he amassed prior to his injury was no fluke.

Pope rushed for 3,116 yards and 33 touchdowns at Bowling Green despite his lost senior year. He also proved his versatility by gaining more than 1,000 career yards as a receiver, making him the only player in school history to rush for 3,000 yards and gain 1,000 receiving yards.

The Bears like what they've seen of him so far in scrimmages.

"He's had a good camp," Smith confirmed.

After Pope, newly acquired Andre Hall should see some playing time. It's unlikely fullback Jason McKie will get many carries at tailback since he is now the first-string fullback with Bryan Johnson out indefinitely.

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/sports/2_2_AU08_BEARS_S20808.asp

[smazza]

this is andre's opportunity