CHICAGO BEARS POOL REPORT

February 1, 2007

BY IRA MILLER

The Sports Xchange

The Chicago Bears devoted much of their Thursday practice, which lasted an hour and 45 minutes, to special situations.

They practiced punt protection, kickoff coverage, third down plays and two-minute offense, among other things.

Practice ended with a drive by the second team offense, highlighted by practice squad player Mike Hass’ juggling catch of a long pass from Brian Griese.

Robbie Gould then made a field goal as practice ended, with the ball landing – and staying – on the top platform of the photographer’s scissors lift behind the goalposts.

There seemed to be a higher level of energy in the workout, conducted in shells and shorts, but coach Lovie Smith said that was normal for a Thursday.

“It always happens like that,” he said. “Wednesday, you start putting in the initial game plan. Thusday, you’ve had a chance to go over it and get some of the kinks out. And Thursday is our third down day, it’s more up-tempo, blitzing, passing game, two-minute drill, that all gets involved a little more.”

Once again, all 53 players on the roster took part and Smith said there were no injuries that would limit any player for the Super Bowl.

For the third practice in a row, Smith wore a different colored t-shirt. He wore white on Monday, gray on Wednesday and orange on Thursday, but he said there was no pattern to his wardrobe and that it didn’t involve any superstition.

“I like changing it up,” he said.

Thursday also was the day that more than 400 people, friends and family, arrived on flights from Chicago.

“The best part is we get to enjoy this with everybody,” said Jerry Angelo, the Bears’ general manager. “That’s the special thing you see, and it’s very gratifying.”

The Bears scheduled another light practice for Friday at the University of Miami and will work out Saturday at Dolphins Stadium. Although Super Bowl teams sometimes change hotels the night before the game, Smith said his team would remain where they are; families are headquartered at another hotel.

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