Bears to take strong look at Graham at free safety

According to sources at Halas Hall, the move of cornerback Corey Graham to free safety is much more than just an experiment.

The move could be permanent for Graham, who started nine games at corner last season when Nate Vasher was injured and was fifth on the team with 93 tackles.

The adjustment won't be seamless for the 6-foot, 193-pounder, but he showed enough toughness and willingness to help in run support last season to make the move successfully.

"It's definitely different," he said. "At corner, you're out there on a receiver, and at free safety you're in the middle of the field watching everybody. You don't have a particular guy. So it's totally different. You've just got to get used to it. Even in man-to-man it's different techniques. It would be a lot easier if you just would go out there and did the same techniques, but it doesn't work that way."

Other than two games at New Hampshire, Graham hasn't played free safety since his senior year at Turner Carroll High School in Buffalo, N.Y.

Graham is currently second team along with free agent Josh Bullocks at the other safety spot, while Craig Steltz worked at free safety with the ones on Wednesday, paired with incumbent strong safety Kevin Payne.

Ready to excel: When tight end Greg Olsen was asked about his spectacular one-handed catch during Wednesday's OTA practice, all he could do was criticize himself for dropping a fastball from Jay Cutler.

"There is really no excuse," Olsen said. "Once you get adjusted, it's really all the same pretty much. You just have to get your eyes around that much faster and just expect it."

After an impressive rookie season in which he caught 39 passes for 391 yards, Olsen was second on the Bears last season with 54 catches and 574 receiving yards. He led the team with 5 TD catches. The 6-foot-5, 255-pounder was anticipating another increase in production this season even before the Bears acquired Cutler.

"I was poised to have a good season in the first place," Olsen said, "but now with the addition of him, I know he feels comfortable with tight ends and utilizing them. I'm expecting to do good things and have a good year."

Back and forth: Cornerback Zack Bowman was switched to safety earlier in the off-season, but he was back at corner Wednesday, starting at left corner in place of Charles Tillman, who is still rehabbing from shoulder surgery.

Nate Vasher was the starter on the right side, but he will have to prove he deserves to remain there after two disappointing and injury-riddled seasons. He could be pushed by rookie fourth-rounder D.J. Moore.

"I'm coming out every day and working," Vasher said. "We'll just see what happens."