Improving Dvoracek aims for Indy
BOURBONNAIS - Nose tackle Dusty Dvoracek would love to get some playing time against the Seahawks in Seattle on Saturday night, but chances are he'll be held out to guard against re-injuring the strained calf that kept him out of the first two weeks of training camp. He's back to participating in 11-on-11 team work.
"Every day it's gotten better and better," he said. "It felt great to get in there in team. I did some good things. Obviously I've got some rust on me. I've just got to knock the rust off. But I'm definitely happy with where I'm at. Every day I plan on getting better and better. I'd love to play this week. I want to be ready for next week. But my ultimate goal is to be in midseason form by the time we get to Indianapolis."
The Bears open the regular season against the Colts on Sept. 7, and barring any setbacks, Dvoracek will be on the field.
Running back Kevin Jones has taken giant strides since opening camp on the physically-unable-to-perform list following knee surgery late last year. After missing two weeks, he's running the ball in 9-on-7 contact drills in full pads, but he will not play until at least the third preseason game.
Good answer: Tommie Harris had a one-word response when asked what he was looking to get out of Saturday's second preseason game.
"Healthy," he said. "That's what I'm looking to get out of this preseason game, is healthy. And not another long drive on the first (possession). So we'll see how that works."
Harris was asked if he was worried about the Chiefs' game-opening drive in the first preseason game which used 16 plays, covered 81 yard, and gave them a 7-0 lead.
"No," he said, "I just know you guys get fired up about that kind of stuff. So I guess that was the right thing to say."
Carrying a tune: Before the most physical practice of training camp began Tuesday night, rookie guard Chester Adams, a seventh-round pick from Georgia, entertained teammates with a rendition of "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" by the Temptations.
In a scene reminiscent of the movie "Remember the Titans," Adams stood in the center of the field while teammates who were stretching joined in and clapped along. It was actually an encore performance after Adams sang the same song earlier in the week when required to do so by veterans.
"I sang it the other night at a team meeting and they liked it, so they wanted me to sing it again," said the 6-foot-4, 325-pound Adams. "You've got to do what the vets tell you to do. You're a rookie. It's different. You go from being a senior in college, now you're back to Square One. But it's a good thing."
Working overtime: Coach Lovie Smith will continue to play his starters longer than he has in past years on Saturday night at Qwest Field in Seattle.
"Last week we played them quite a bit," Smith said. "We plan on playing our starters at least a half, possibly into the third quarter this week."
Out of action: Cornerback Charles Tillman was excused for personal reasons, while safety Brandon McGowan (ankle), linebacker Rod Wilson (back) and defensive tackle Anthony Adams (soreness) also did not practice Wednesday night. Offensive tackle Chris Williams (back) and guard Terrence Metcalf (knee) remain out.