Chicago Bears Switch Up Lineup in Second Week of OTAs
Published by Gene Chamberlain on June 3, 2009
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
By Gene Chamberlain
LAKE FOREST, IL — The second week of Bears organized team activities saw several lineup changes as coaches looked at the hand they’ve been dealt.
Guard Frank Omiyale practiced with the first team at left guard Wednesday while Josh Beekman practiced exclusively as Olin Kreutz’s backup at center. Beekman had split time between starting guard and center in the first week of OTAs.
“That’s where he’s competing right now, with Beek at left guard,” offensive coordinator Ron Turner said about the free agent acquisition. “He’s a new player, and just like all our new players he needs a lot of reps (practice plays) with the guys, playing together. But it’s moving along for him.”
Newly acquired linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa has practiced with the team just this week since signing last week. Nick Roach continued practicing with starters this week at strong side linebacker, but Tinoisamoa is expected to challenge, if not take the job outright.
Tinoisamoa confirmed his agent fielded better offers from elsewhere in the league, but he wanted to play with the Bears under Lovie Smith and linebackers coach Bob Babich, who both coached him in St. Louis as a rookie.
“Just the chance to be on a winning team is worth it to me,” he said. “I’ve been fortunate to get paid in this league and that was good, but I still had to go home a loser.
“I’d give all the money back if I could win again.”
“I’d give all the money back if I could win again.”
Former starting strong side linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer remains sidelined after hernia surgery and his future in Chicago remains in question, although he has been at OTAs on the sidelines.
Tinoisamoa had dropped weight in St. Louis to fit into his role in the Rams system and was near 220 pounds, but said he is trying to bulk back up for the strong side spot in Chicago and is now at 225.
Also at Wednesday’s practice:
- Running back Matt Forte left the field with a member of the training staff with what was termed as “leg stiffness” by Bears officials. During OTAs, players with the slightest bit of stiffness or hint of an injury are not allowed to practice as the team tries to play it safe.
- Cornerback Zach Bowman continued to play with starters with Charles Tillman still sidelined while recovering from shoulder surgeries. Bowman made an interception of quarterback Brett Bazanez but was beaten deep by quarterback Jay Cutler on a touchdown bomb to Devin Hester.
- Safety Josh Bullocks split playing time with Kevin Payne at starting strong safety, and got most of the snaps during full-squad scrimmage. The former Saints safety had been with the second string during the first week of workouts.
- Rookie fifth-round pick Johnny Knox flashed his speed for the first time in OTAs when he caught a pass on a skinny post pattern and cut up field to break away from the third-team secondary.
- Backup middle and weak side linebacker Jamar Williams has had three interceptions in the first five OTAs.
- Kicker Robbie Gould took advantage of strong tailwind to drill a few 58-yard field goals with ease.
