Cutler has yet to be intercepted in camp

Jay Cutler, who completed 4 of 7 passes for 42 yards in Thursday night's preseason opener for a 74.7 passer rating, has not been intercepted in team (11-on-11) or in 7-on-7 passing drills in camp.

The quarterback says there's more to it than him making good decisions and throwing accurately.

It's a combination of everything," Cutler said. "(Offensive coordinator) Adam (Gase) does an incredible job scheme-wise and putting quarterbacks in the right position. (And) a lot of (the credit) goes on the offensive line, the way they've played throughout camp, and the receivers getting open.

"They all got to do their job, and I've got to put it in the right spot, and those 10 other guys have done a really good job."

In addition to Gase, Cutler credits quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains, wide receivers coach Mike Groh and tight ends coach Frank Smith with keeping everyone on the same page and finely tuned in the passing game.

But the quarterback is also keeping things in perspective.

"Camp's camp," Cutler said. "We're not getting hit. These aren't live bullets. So we'll see what happens when we start going."

Safety first:

Second-year man Brock Vereen and Antrel Rolle have lined up as the starting safeties through most of camp, but Vereen's position isn't nearly as secure as Rolle's.

Ryan Mundy was a 16-game starter for the Bears last year, and the competition between him and Vereen could continue through the preseason.

"The coaches are looking for a safety that can be physical," Vereen said.

"That's definitely something I need to show in these four preseason games. It's just a mindset. At the end of the day, you're either physical or you're not. So it's about showing that."

Vereen's physicality was inconsistent in 2014, when he started five games and played in all 16. This year he says he's fortunate to be able to tap into Rolle's veteran presence and wisdom that comes with a decade in the league.

"He's seen it all," Vereen said. "Any question I ask, he has the answer."

Trying harder:

Backup quarterback Jimmy Clausen got extensive playing time in relief of Jay Cutler and looked sharper than he has through much of training camp.

Clausen completed 17 of 27 passes for 151 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions for a passer rating of 77.9. He also connected with wide receiver A.J. Cruz for a 2-point conversion.

Clausen took over for Cutler early in the second quarter and played through the first half of the fourth quarter. He directed the Bears to 1 touchdown and 3 field-goal drives.

Clausen threw 48 passes for the Bears last season, the only passes he's thrown in the past four years.

"It's been hard at different times learning it," Clausen said of the new offense. "But I think we're starting to get the hang of it and starting to roll with it."

Injury update:

Cornerback Terrance Mitchell left the field after a helmet-to-helmet collision Dolphins running back Damien Williams in the second quarter.

He was evaluated for a concussion but tests were negative.