Hass (as in pass), hopes to catch on

Thursday night's preseason finale against the Cleveland Browns at Soldier Field is the last chance for wide receiver Mike Hass to prove he belongs on the Bears' 53-man roster, since final cuts must be completed by Sunday.

Hass already has made a favorable impression, catching everything within reach since the start of training camp and adding 3 preseason receptions for 58 yards.

The 6-foot-1, 206-pound Oregon State product spent last season on the Bears' practice squad, but only recently have the media and coach Lovie Smith learned the proper pronunciation of his last name.

"It's Hass, like pass," said the 2005 Biletnikoff Award winner, who caught 220 of them in college. "It usually happens. Most people say Haas, but it's Hass."

Even Smith has gone back and forth between "Haas" and "Hass" as recently as Tuesday.

"If you look at what Mike Hass, or is it Haas?" Smith began. "I've got to make sure. After I leave here, I'm going to go talk to … Mike … to make sure I get it right. Mike has done a great job throughout camp."

Informed of Smith's uncertainty, Hass just smiled.

"Yeah," he said. "He'll figure it out … hopefully."

Hass believes his ability to play at the same high level day in and day out has been his biggest accomplishment.

"Just being consistent, coming out every day and doing the same things," he said. "I don't think I just had one or two good days. I think I put a lot of good days together and I played well. I think that was important."

With just one more chance to make his case, Hass admits he's anxious about Thursday.

"You try not to think about it, but it's there," he said. "It's part of the game, part of what guys have to go through. I'll be happy when Sunday comes around, either way, because it'll be over with."

Injury update: Defensive lineman Israel Idonije (shoulder), cornerback Charles Tillman (knee) and safety Kevin Payne (rib) all missed practice and appear doubtful for Thursday's game.

Defensive tackle Tommie Harris (hamstring), who has yet to play in the preseason, appears to have a chance to see some time against the Browns -- maybe.

"Tommie Harris has had a good week, a good few days, I should say, of practice," coach Lovie Smith said. "Will Tommie play? He's getting better each day. How about game-day decision? I like that."

Later, Smith said: "Tommie Harris should play. He's ready to go."