No messing with Bears’ Henry Melton impressive at DT

BOURBONNAIS — Defensive tackle Henry Melton has been one of the most impressive players in camp so far, looking nearly unblockable at times from the 3 technique position.

“After we watched the video from last year, he did a lot of good things,” said Bears coach Lovie Smith. “That’s why we started him off as our starting 3-technique. (He has) everything you’re looking for in a defensive lineman. I’m talking about quickness, speed, strength. He’s gotten his weight up. He’s a good pass rusher inside. Right now he just needs to play and continue to get reps. He’s working hard and I’m expecting a big year for him.”

Melton was listed last year at 260 pounds, although he was closer to 275, still undersized for a tackle. This year he’s up to 295 and doesn’t appear to have lost any of the quickness that he used to achieve mismatches against bigger but slower guards and tackles last season. The 2009 fourth-round pick was fourth on the team in 2010 with 2½ sacks and tied for second with 9 quarterback pressures.

Muscle beach:Wide receiver Johnny Knox has added about 10 pounds of muscle to his wiry frame, and his teammates have noticed.#147;Johnny has been on P90 or something,#148; fellow wideout Earl Bennett said. #147;He bulked up; he#146;s pretty big. Hopefully he can still run as fast as he could; I#146;m pretty sure he can. We#146;ll see how he blocks this year.#147;He said he can bench more than me, but he probably can#146;t. We#146;ll see one day.#148;Here and gone:Defensive tackle Marcus Harrison practiced for the first time Saturday. Harrison reported at 327 pounds, 11 over his prescribed weight and had been held out until he lost the extra poundage. ... Wide receiver Johnny Knox (general soreness) and rookie linebacker J.T. Thomas (lower leg) missed Saturday afternoon#146;s practice. ... Undrafted rookie wide receiver Dane Sanzenbacher got some first-team reps in Knox#146;s absence. ... Running back Harvey Unga missed his fifth straight practice with an excused absence. ... After quickly busing back to Olivet Nazarene for Friday night#146;s practice, which was supposed to be at Soldier Field, the Bears didn#146;t get off the field until about 10:45 p.m.