Smith keeps QB plan to himself

BOURBONNAIS - Coach Lovie Smith has a plan for how he'll use his quarterbacks Saturday night at Soldier Field vs. the Oakland Raiders in the second preseason game. But he's not ready to divulge that information yet, or even to discuss the arrival of quarterback Matt Gutierrez, whose flight out of California was delayed. Gutierrez was expected to arrive some time late Tuesday night.

While Jay Cutler continues to impress, rookie Dan LeFevour bounced back big time Tuesday night from his 5-pick Monday practice. Despite a light rain that fell throughout the practice, LeFevour demonstrated better touch than he has at any time during camp. He connected on long passes to Juaquin Iglesias and Greg Mathews and was intercepted just once.

"Our quarterbacks we have here are getting better," Smith said. "It's good to get Dan LeFevour some more reps."

With No. 2 Caleb Hanie (shoulder) not expected back for a couple weeks, Cutler is expected to play the first half against the Raiders with LeFevour playing most, if not all, of the second half.

"Believe it or not we have given a little bit of thought to that matter," Smith said. "We have a plan in place, (that) we feel real good about that. When I have something to tell you about the quarterbacks - I'm not trying to run around it - we'll let you know about it then."

Room for improvement: Middle linebacker Brian Urlacher was not pleased with the defense's play in the first preseason game, but he expects a much better showing Saturday night at Soldier Field against the Raiders.

"We didn't do what we wanted to," Urlacher said. "We gave up a touchdown, and we gave up a long (18-yard) run. We'll get better. We know we have to improve."

There has been concern on the other side of the ball about the reconfigured offensive line jelling in time for the regular-season opener. But Urlacher said the defense has no such concerns, even though it will have new starters at both ends (Julius Peppers and either Mark Anderson or Israel Idonije) and possibly two new safeties.

"We know each other," Urlacher said. "(Safety) Chris Harris is not a new guy. 'Pep' is new, but he fits right in with our defense. There aren't any bad guys or anything, so it's not hard for people to fit in."

He really cares: Offensive line coach Mike Tice was not pleased with the performance of his group during the morning practice, and his raised voice could be heard across the field, especially when he removed rookie tackle J'Marcus Webb from a drill.

"It was just one of those days," tackle Frank Omiyale said. "(Tice) is just trying to make sure, really harping this week on getting a good game plan in and really being able to show up. We know he cares about us, and he just wants the best for us. So you take it all in stride."

Injury update: In addition to Caleb Hanie, wide receivers Johnny Knox (hamstring) and Earl Bennett (hamstring), safeties Major Wright (finger) and Craig Steltz (ankle), linebackers Hunter Hillenmeyer (foot) and Matt Mayberry (knee), running back Chester Taylor (hamstring), cornerback Josh Bullocks (quad), long-snapper Pat Mannelly (shoulder) and defensive end Jarron Gilbert (knee) all missed practice.

Wright's surgery "went well," according to coach Lovie Smith, and he could still return in time for the season opener.