Bears' offensive line sticks together

Offensive linemen spend a lot of time together on the field and at practice, literally, since they line up on every play next to each other.

But the Bears' offensive linemen take the togetherness thing a step further.

“When I was with a different team, the O-line was a tight group of guys, said right guard Edwin Williams, who was signed to the Bears' practice squad on Sept. 5 after he was cut by the Redskins and made his first start last week. “But they didn't really do things together like we do here. We always go out to eat every Monday. We go on the field together. We do everything as a group. We don't go anywhere without everybody.

As the line leader, a team captain and unofficial locker room chief, 13-year veteran Olin Kreutz keeps the group together. It took Williams a while to get the idea one of his first days with his new team.

“I'm out on the field and nobody's out there, he said. “I'm like, ‘Where's everybody at?' They were in the locker room waiting for me. So we all go out to together, and I think that's a good thing. Olin keeps everybody together.

“It's kind of a different culture. Everybody's fighting for each other. We feel like brothers out there. It doesn't really matter who's in there. We're all just going to try to fight and play as hard as we can.

Platoon system: Last week's 218-yard ground explosion was the first time this season the Bears' running attack asserted itself, partly because the focus of the offense has been the passing game.

But coach Lovie Smith says he's satisfied with the platoon system that features Matt Forte as the starter and Chester Taylor as his trusty sidekick.

Taylor is averaging just 2.9 yards per carry but has found a niche as a short-yardage runner and a player who is interchangeable with Forte, whose 166-yard effort last week boosted his average per carry to 4.2 yards after a very slow start.

“We have two good players we feel comfortable with, Smith said. “Matt is our starter, but we feel comfortable putting Chester in. He's a good player. Last week I liked the way the reps ended up coming out. (Forte had 22 carries, Taylor 18.) They both have things that are strengths for them, but they can both do everything. It's not like one of them is only a pass catcher and one is a rusher. They both are complete running backs and that's what we like.

Injury-list: Cornerback Charles Tillman (calf) returned to practice Thursday, but linebacker Lance Briggs (ankle) missed a second straight day, casting doubt on his availability for Sunday.

“Whenever you don't practice for two straight days it's a little bit of a concern, coach Lovie Smith said. “But going on his history, he normally comes through at the end of the week.

If Briggs doesn't play, he will be replaced by Brian Iwuh, who filled in for him in the second half last week.

“I've prepared well (but) I'm still learning things, said Iwuh, who was signed by the Bears in May after he was cut by the Jaguars. “I'm a little more involved (in practice) this week because the chance of me playing is better.

Iwuh is tied for third on the team with 6 special-teams tackles.