Graham knows special teams often overlooked

Corey Graham doesn't expect to get a lot of attention as the Bears' leading special-teams tackler and a key performer on the return teams as a blocker.

“I would say the return guys get a lot of credit because (fans) pay attention to those guys,” said Graham, who is tied for the NFL lead with 14 solo special-teams tackles. “The fans don't really look at the guys making all the blocks and stuff like that, but that's how it is.

“When you were at home watching games as a kid, did you look at special teams? No, you were waiting for the offensive pieces to get on. I'd go get a sandwich or something when they were kicking off. But we know what we do, we try to help our team win and we'll continue to do that.”

The Bears are No. 3 in punt-return differential, No. 8 in kickoff-return differential and Devin Hester is second in the league with a 15.0-yard punt-return average.

Bears coach Lovie Smith has always stressed the importance of special teams.

Special-teams coordinator Dave Toub's group finished in the top third of the league the previous six seasons and it was No. 1 in 2006 and '07, according to the ranking system of the Dallas Morning News.

“Here it's never overlooked,” Graham said.

“Lovie makes a big deal out of it. We're motivated to do well. We've got a point system, so we have to do well or you look bad in the meetings.”

Winter rules:

All the elements are in place for a sloppy track Sunday at Soldier Field, where the playing surface has never been great to begin with and could be adversely affected by several days of rain and cold.

“We talk about it at the beginning of every year, that in November and December you're going to have to be able to run the ball,” said Bears quarterback Jay Cutler.

“Our field gets pretty sloppy, and the wind picks up. It's going to be harder to throw the ball. You've got to be able to stop the run, which our defense has done a fabulous job of all year, and we've got to be able to run the ball.”

Although the Bears' run game has recently improved, it's still 20th in the league in yards and 26th in average gain per rush.

Well-rested:

The offense's increased use of the run and its improvement in converting third downs have resulted in improved time of possession, which is greatly appreciated by a defense that plays more efficiently the less time it spends on the field.

“It's been huge,” nose tackle Anthony Adams said.

“We're on the sideline talking about different looks that the offense gives us, we're over there stretching. The offense has been doing a good job of keeping us off the field and keeping us fresh.”

In the five games after the season opener, the Bears controlled the ball for more than 26 minutes and 35 seconds just once.

In the past four weeks they've controlled it f0or 30 minutes and 48 seconds or longer in each game, including a season-best 37:51 vs. the Dolphins and 34:39 four days earlier against the Vikings.

Good health:

Every player was a full participant in Thursday's practice, including linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa (knee), who was limited Wednesday.