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Marinelli eager to see game conditions

BOURBONNAIS - After 17 training-camp practices, the Bears will finally get to hit someone in a different colored uniform Saturday night in San Diego against the Chargers, and defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli will have another tool for evaluating his players.

Off-season workouts, minicamp and training camp are all useful in teaching and evaluating, but games - even preseason games - are better.

"There's more stimulus out there," Marinelli said. "The crowd, (an) opponent. But the issue is still us. It's what we do. Communication now is big; they're away from their coaches. Usually (at practice) we're in their ear. Now we're on the sideline (and) they're out on the field by themselves. They have to listen to the call correctly. (They've) got to learn how to listen under duress."

While the final score Saturday night doesn't matter, every single play is crucial to players fighting for a starting job or a roster spot.

"We evaluate every snap," Marinelli said. "We grade it and respect it."

Longer look: Coach Lovie Smith usually limits his starters to no more than a quarter in the first preseason game, but that could change Saturday night, with the offense working hard to install new offensive coordinator Mike Martz's scheme.

"We could let some of the guys go a little bit longer than we normally do, maybe to the half or something like that," Smith said, without specifying what positions might get extra work.

Major test: Rookie safety Major Wright remains in contention for a starting spot on the strength of an impressive two weeks of training camp, and he'll be under the microscope against the Chargers.

"First, you'd love to see the ball skills," defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli said. "But also, 'How do you perform under pressure?' Guys can start guessing and making up new defenses out there that we don't have. You want to see the trust that comes under the bigger lights and see how he functions within a system. Once that starts to happen, a player's instincts start to grow and then come the big plays, the interceptions, those types of things."

No 'Hawk': Almost all of the linebackers are already sporting Mohawk haircuts or are in the process of doing so, led by Lance Briggs, who started the "fashion" trend.

"Actually I'm not the originator," Briggs said. "The originator is (Chargers linebacker) Shawne Merriman. We adopted it this year. I spearheaded the movement amongst the linebackers. I'm hoping that by the end of the year, the whole city of Chicago is wearing it. And if the whole city of Chicago is wearing it, that means we're doing well."

But coach Lovie Smith told a reporter he won't be joining the movement.

"You've got to have hair to get a Mohawk, right?" Smith said. "I'm long past Mohawk. I'll stay with the bald look from now on."

Getting healthier: Wide receiver Earl Bennett (hamstring), tight end Brandon Manumaleuna (knee) and linebacker Brian Iwuh (knee) were the only players who missed Thursday afternoon's practice in scorching 97-degree weather with a heat index of 103. Manumaleuna and Iwuh both were able to run on the side, although none of the three are expected to play Saturday.

Down and out: Running back Harvey Unga, the seventh-round supplemental draft pick, was placed on injured reserve Thursday with a hamstring injury.

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