July 25, 2008 -- Bears Training Camp -- Tillman Reports
Jeff Joniak, WBBM Reporting
TILLMAN REPORTS
Bears cornerback Charles Tillman reported to camp late Thursday afternoon after getting a two-day excused absence from head coach Lovie Smith. He’s expected to be on the field when the Bears meet for a 3 p.m. Friday practice.
BACK SPASMS
Early in Thursday’s practice, rookie left tackle Chris Williams came down with back spasms forcing him to leave the field. He did so under his own power. He later said the back flared up unexpectedly and may or may not practice Friday. Williams says this is the first time he’s suffered the spasms and is not sure why. He called it a “hiccup” and “not a big deal.”
PRACTICE BALL
Tom Thayer’s Thursday practice ball went to veteran receiver Rashied Davis for two difficult downfield catches. The first he tracked down for a touchdown from Rex Grossman, beating rookie cornerback Zackary Bowman. On the second, Davis battled for the ball after what appeared to be a slight push on cornerback Corey Graham and made the grab. This is a carry over from an impressive off-season for Davis. His explosion is clearly evident.
ROOKIE RECEIVER IMPRESSES
Third-round Vanderbilt product Earl Bennett has enjoyed two terrific days of practice after struggling during mini-camp and off-season work. He ’s also fielding punts with Nathan Vasher. Bennett said he feels comfortable in the return game and in particular securing the ball.
ROOKIE TIGHT END IMPRESSES
Fifth-round Michigan State tight end Kellen Davis is 6-7, 262 and sticks out when he’s catching the ball. He’s made some very good progress in his first two days making downfield catches. On one play, he was pulling away from the defensive backs to make the catch. Davis is the second-fastest tight end on the roster, trailing Greg Olsen.
SIDELINED BEARS
Like Wednesday, center Olin Kreutz (Achilles), defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek (calf), running back Kevin Jones (knee), guard Chester Adams (stomach) and cornerback Tillman (excused) missed the first padded practice.
NEW FACE
One of the three 1,000 yard receivers at the University of Hawaii last season is now a Bear. Former Houston Texans undrafted free agent rookie Ryan Grice-Mullen was signed to help out a unit that is missing holdout Devin Hester. To make room on the roster, the Bears waived fullback J.D. Runnels.
ROOKIE SING
During Thursday night's dinner hour rookie running back Matt Forte' was given the annual "treatment" by veterans. Forte' did not need much prodding before getting up on a chair and singing the Tulane fight song!
CrisisOasis Channel Does the economy have you feeling blue? Tune in here and relax to a never-ending stream of soothing sounds, confident that WBBM NewsRadio 780 is watching the economy and reporting to you 24 hours a day.
Face The Nation: CBS News Chief Washington Correspondent Bob Schieffer hosts "Face the Nation." Twenty three days and counting till Election Day. Doug Wilder, the Democratic Mayor of Richmond, Virginia; Colorado Governor Bill Ritter; Republican Congressman Adam Putnam of Florida; and one of John McCain's closest advisors, South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham.
Chicago's Reputation On The Run The Chicago Marathon Race director, Carey Pinkowski, says this is a good example of how Chicago could handle the Olympics.The 26.2-mile course starts in Grant Park near Buckingham Fountain, then heads to the North, West and South Sides before returning to Grant Park. A CBS Radio report.
Transit Hikes At Issue The Chicago Transit Authority may not be the only transportation agency planning to hike its fares. WBBM's Craig Dellimore reports. RTA Chairman Jim Reilly and CTA President Ron Huberman are the guests on WBBM NewRadio's At Issue program, heard tonight at 9:30.
Weis Attends Roll Call In a move to shore up morale among rank and file police officers, Chicago Police Superintendent Jody Weis attended a roll call for officers last night across the street from where a teenage girl was fatally shot a week ago on a CTA bus.
ADVERTISEMENT
Top News
UPDATE: Teen Who Made Up Palos Hills Rape Agrees To Community Service The teenager who perpetrated a fraud in an
accusation of abduction and rape has agreed to do community service as
penance, her attorney said.
T. J. Grinders owner Mark Holda endured public criticism in the days
following the girl’s accusation, as residents questioned why he had
allowed the girl to work alone at night.
WBBM-AM 780 has been the consistent all news radio voice in Chicagoland for over 35 years and is now streaming online for free. Listen online to Chicago news as it happens around the clock, along with Chicago traffic, Chicago weather, Chicago sports and Chicago business. Subscribe to WBBM's free podcasts for additional Chicago business and Chicago community reports and listen to Chicago news on demand. WBBM news radio is also the home for Chicago Bears, Chicago Auto Show and Chicago Air & Water Show. www.wbbm780.com
