Mini-camp Notes

Some news and notes from Bears mini-camp, which started yesterday. The three-day camp, which is traditionally held in May or June, was moved up as a way to kick-start a crucial season. Without big improvement Lovie Smith will find himself on the hot seat.

Injury News – There are a number of players who won’t be participating in the camp. Hunter Hillenmeyer is out with an ankle injury which is not particularly good timing given his job is on the line.

Dusty Dvoracek is in the same boat still recovering from the torn bicep that put him on IR for the third straight year, he needs to get healthy quick or is going to lose out to Anthony Adams and Marcus Harrison.

In the secondary the Bears will be missing projected starters Charles Tillman and Kevin Payne who are both still rehabbing shoulder injuries. This means Nathan Vasher and Corey Graham will be the starting corners during camp and Josh Bullocks will be slotted in at free safety next to Craig Steltz.

Trumaine McBride will also not participate in camp.

Danieal Manning stays at nickel and under Lovie’s wing – With questions surrounding the free safety position there were early off-season rumors that Manning might be moving back there. Those rumors have been officially put to rest.

Manning finally began to emerge as an impact player in the nickel role while getting a lot of 1-on-1 coaching from Lovie Smith. And that situation will continue in ’09 as Lovie plans to keep close tabs on Manning along with his new defensive play-calling duties.

Zach Bowman moves to FS – While Manning is staying it will be Zach Bowman moving to safety. Bowman is an attractive option at free safety for many of the same reasons as Charles Tillman, who was rumored about making the switch, because of his combined size 6’1”/200lbs and athleticism.

Bowman made a mark early in the season with a game clinching interception against the Vikings but was then out the remainder of the season with a bicep injury. Now he can hopefully be molded into the playmaker in the secondary this team so desperately needs.

Omiyale still working at LG – With John St. Clair now in Cleveland the Bears options are getting very thin at right tackle. With Angelo, Smith, and Co. sticking to the plan of keeping free agent signing Frank Omiyale at left guard as camp opened and the only choice is Cody Balogh, who spent last year on the practice squad.

So far the company line is that Omiyale will compete with Beekman at left guard, Roberto Garza and Dan Buenning competing at right guard and right tackle will be fixed later. Balogh is fine when the players are going through the motions in shorts and t-shirts , but without an addition through free agency the Bears better be ready to move Omiyale back to tackle.

UPDATE: Well it didn’t take long but the Bears have officially moved Frank Omiyale to right tackle. He’s stated that’s where he is most comfortable and how long he stays there could depend on if it’s easier for the Bears to add someone else to the mix at guard or tackle.