Grossman, receivers put on a show

BOURBONNAIS -- In what coach Lovie Smith called one of the better practices of training camp, the offense showed its considerable quick-strike capabilities Thursday night.

First, Rex Grossman launched a ball 65 yards in the air that appeared to be well covered by cornerback Nate Vasher and free safety Mike Brown.

But Devin Hester, who was a step behind and bracketed by the defenders when the ball left Grossman's hand, caught up to them, accelerated past both and caught the ball in stride just before streaking across the goal line.

Moments later, Bernard Berrian got far enough behind strong safety Adam Archuleta that he was able to slow down and wait at the goal line for another Grossman bomb. After scoring, Berrian ran to the goalpost and dunked the ball over the crossbar as several thousand applauded.

"They love to see us throw the ball deep, and I like seeing the ball thrown deep," Smith said. "On the other side, of course, defensively, we can't give up those type of big plays. But Bernard and Devin are going to score a lot of points as I see it this year. Both are definitely deep threats that can do a lot with the football."

Doing it all: Defensive end Mark Anderson continues to show that he's more than the impact pass rusher who led the Bears with 12 sacks last season as a rookie.

When the offense tried to get cute Thursday night with a reverse to Devin Hester, Anderson sniffed it out and was there for what would have been a 10-yard loss in a full-contact situation.

"Devin Hester is a heck of an athlete; Mark Anderson is, too," Lovie Smith said. "We expect plays like that from Mark, and of course we know he's capable."

Despite common perception, Smith said Anderson, a fifth-round draft pick, has always been an effective player against the run.

"We gave him a limited number of reps (last season), and he was productive with it, and I think playing more will only get a lot more big plays from him," Smith said. "I think it's a misconception that he can't play the run (just) because he's such a good pass rusher."

Popular place: The Bears and Olivet Nazarene University officials are negotiating an extension, as the second three-year agreement comes to a close with Saturday's final training camp practice. That session is closed to the public and the media.

There won't be any debate about the success of the 2007 camp, considering the total attendance figures have been at least equal to and perhaps superior to the first year.

That was previously the most popular, when an estimated 130,000 attended.

"Some feel it's been equal to that; some feel that it's been more," said ONU's training camp liaison Gary Griffin. "It's kind of hard to know for sure. I just know based on parking and on how early fans have been getting here (often 2-3 hours before practice starts), it definitely rivals the first year."

Injury update: Rookie cornerback Trumaine McBride didn't practice Thursday night because of a sore toe on his left foot. Wide receiver Mark Bradley (knee) also sat out, as did guard Ruben Brown and tackle Fred Miller with general soreness, the same affliction that sidelined fullback Jason McKie for part of the workout.