Bowman gets right to work

The Bears' cornerbacks didn't intercept any passes during their first three exhibition games.

Then again, potential starting corner Zack Bowman didn't play in any of those games.

Bowman, out with a hamstring injury since the second week of camp at Bourbonnais, wasted little time easing concerns about the team's cornerback play.

On the first snap of the Bears' 26-23 victory over Cleveland on Thursday night at Soldier Field, Bowman diagnosed Brett Ratliff's quick out pass to Brian Robiskie and made a diving interception.

"I was kind of nervous," Bowman said. "But once I made that play, I was good to go for the rest of the game."

Speaking of good to go, the Bears just might have their regular secondary ready to roll for their opener Sept. 13 at Green Bay.

Safety Danieal Manning, who also missed the first three exhibitions with a hamstring problem, made his preseason debut Thursday as well.

Manning took his usual outside spot on the kick coverage team, then produced 2 solo tackles as he completed eight snaps at nickel with no health issues.

"That's the good thing," Manning said with a laugh. "I did that and (it was like), 'All right, get him out now.' I was just so happy to be out there."

Starting cornerback Charles Tillman's surgically repaired back kept him on the physically unable to perform list for the fourth exhibition in a row, but Manning made it sound more like a precaution than a problem.

"I think he's going to be back (for Green Bay)," Manning said. "That's just me going on how I've seen him work out and where he is vs. where we thought he was going to be. I thought he could've played tonight."

If the Bears are going to have all of their regulars at the ready, it means a few guys who saw extensive preseason reps could be waived this weekend.

Seven-year veteran Rod Hood, who signed with the Bears on Tuesday after being waived by Cleveland, played right corner for more than two full quarters.

While he led the Bears with 7 tackles, Hood also missed at least two open-field tackles and got burned by a tight end for a 29-yard fly pattern on fourth-and-2 in the third quarter.

"I just want to come in and compete," he said.

Third-year corner Trumaine McBride received just one full series to improve on earlier struggles. He broke up a second-quarter pass in the end zone to force the Browns to settle for a field goal.