Aromashodu could be leading target

BOURBONNAIS - Devin Aromashodu was the Bears' leading receiver over the final four games last season, even though he started only two of the games. He's still listed as the team's No. 3 wideout behind Devin Hester and Johnny Knox, but Aromashodu could wind up leading the team in receiving this year.

"We've seen improvement, but he finished the '09 season strong, too," coach Lovie Smith said of Aromashodu's 22 catches for 282 yards and 4 TDs down the stretch. "He's been in that third receiver role for us. He's a different body type from Hester and Knox, a big target (6-feet-2, 201 pounds). We know what he can do. We know he can perform under the lights."

Aromashodu has the responsibility of learning all three wide receiver positions, which has kept him in his playbook for much of camp, but the results have been worth the extra homework.

"He's learning to play this game at a high level," offensive coordinator Mike Martz said. "And the conditioning aspect for the receivers, for what we ask them to do, is incredibly important. He's learned that. He's been excellent so far. He has progressed every week, and we're making it hard on him now, making him learn three positions, and we put him in all three positions. We've made it very difficult for him, and he's done a good job of (learning) that. He's playing fast, and he's getting in game shape."

Too much heat: Part of the reason that Jay Cutler took just eight snaps in the first preseason game was the aggressive nature of the Chargers' defense, which blitzed more than would normally be expected in a preseason opener.

"Our approach was to get him in there and get him some nice throws down the field, get him loosened up with the receivers a little bit," offensive coordinator Mike Martz said. "San Diego had a different approach to it, and there was a lot of pressure. We probably pulled him a little bit earlier than maybe I would normally. I just wanted to make sure we are further along with what we do before we keep him in there under that kind of circumstance."

It's amazing: Brian Urlacher has made more than his share of highlight-film plays the past 10 years, but the six-time Pro Bowler said defensive end Julius Peppers routinely makes plays that amaze him.

"It's every day with the things he does, his speed off the ball and his reactions," Urlacher said. "Every day I'll watch film on and I'll be like, 'God, how does he do that? A guy that size?' "

Odds and ends: Quarterback Caleb Hanie (shoulder), wide receiver Earl Bennett (hamstring), safeties Major Wright (finger), Josh Bullocks (quad) and Craig Steltz (ankle), linebackers Hunter Hillenmeyer (foot) and Brian Iwuh (knee), cornerback Josh Bullocks (quad), long snapper Pat Mannelly (shoulder) and defensive end Jarron Gilbert (knee) all missed practice.

Running back Chester Taylor (hamstring) and wide receiver Johnny Knox (hamstring) returned to practice. Guard Vince Vance was waived, and linebacker Matt Mayberry was waived injured to make room for quarterback Matt Gutierrez and safety Aaron Webster.