Rookie CB Fuller has eye-opening first day

BOURBONNAIS - As first impressions go, it would be almost impossible to top first-round draft pick Kyle Fuller.

On the first 11-on-11 series of the Bears' first training camp practice Friday morning, the 5-foot-11, 190-pound cornerback from Virginia Tech made a spectacular diving interception of a Jordan Palmer pass intended for Terrence Toliver. That play drew the biggest applause on a cool and mostly cloudy day from the several thousand fans. A bit later Fuller was in the right spot at the right time to intercept a Jimmy Clausen sideline pass intended for Toliver, who ran the wrong route.

"It was a good start for Kyle," coach Marc Trestman said. "That was a terrific play he made on the first series of the day. He's around the football. When Kyle had an opportunity to make a play he made it."

The rookie also got toasted on a deep ball to speedy, little wide receiver Chris Williams, but all in all he justified the confidence that has coaches expecting him to be the team's third cornerback when the regular season begins.

When the Bears' defense shifts into nickel, Fuller takes over on the outside for starter Tim Jennings, who shifts inside to cover the slot receiver.

"That just makes me know that I have a lot of work to do to make sure I'm ready to play," Fuller said of the responsibility. "I'm just trying to show the coaches what I can do and get better, and whatever happens, happens."

Fuller says practicing against Pro Bowl wide receivers Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery will accelerate his development.

"They're making me better," he said. "I enjoy coming out here and competing with those guys every day."

So, can fans expect a pair of picks every day from the rookie?

"I'm going to try," he said. "That's always my goal."

In transition:

Shea McClellin began the next phases of his conversion from defensive end to linebacker by getting reps on the strong side with the first team and playing some in nickel alignments when only two linebackers are on the field.

It's still way too soon to say how successful the change will be for the 2012 first-round pick, who has been working diligently with linebackers coach Reggie Herring since the off-season.

"He's been encouraged by Reggie, and Reggie has a lot of confidence in him; in his ability," head coach Marc Trestman said. "I think he's feeling that encouragement, not only by Reggie but by (defensive coordinator) Mel (Tucker) and all of us. We have a lot of confidence. We're excited about seeing where this can go with Shea."

We're jamming:

In a new twist, loud music is being piped in during some individual drills.

Included in Friday's play list were Bob Marley, Bon Jovi and Guns N' Roses.

"I've talked a lot about this with guys around the league," coach Marc Trestman said. "I just wanted to bring something to practice - just a little more energy to practice.

"Talking to the players about it, we can coach them close up and still get our job done but have a little fun as well with just getting them going. There's music before games, so why shouldn't we have music during that same kind of warm-up period?"

The play list is determined by the players.

Showing up:

Cornerback Sherrick McManis picked off a Jay Cutler pass that deflected off the hands of wide receiver Josh Morgan.

Later in the practice, McManis, who is fighting for a roster spot, scuffled with wide receiver Eric Weems in the day's most notable extracurricular activity.

Injury update:

Guard Kyle Long (viral infection; non-football injury/illness list) did not practice, and neither did safeties Craig Steltz (groin) and Chris Conte (shoulder), who are both on the active PUP (physically unable to perform) list.

Eben Britton started in Long's right guard spot.