Despite questions, Trestman rarin' to go

Coach Marc Trestman's high expectations for his team are tempered with uncertainty that still exists in several areas, among them, special teams and the performance of young and unproven players.

In that regard, the Bears are like almost all the other 31 teams in the NFL. (Based on their dominating performance Thursday night, the defending Super Bowl-champion Seattle Seahawks may be the only team that doesn't have any concerns.)

"We have expectations that we're going to play very well, and here's why," a fired-up Trestman said. "We work hard at it. We prepare for it. Now, we can get into all the hypotheticals: We don't have a lot of experience. We haven't played together. This is a new team."

"But 31 other teams are saying the same thing."

Specific Bears uncertainties include the safety position, where three of the four players on the roster are new this year, and whether offensive right tackle Jordan Mills will make a seamless transition into the starting lineup after missing all of the preseason.

On special teams, no one has proven to be comparable to departed Devin Hester, who is now with the Falcons. The punter (Pat O'Donnell), holder (also O'Donnell) and long-snapper (Jeremy Cain) are all new.

"That's why it's exciting, isn't it?" Trestman said. "Because we don't really know. We know we've got a talented team. We've got talented players, (general manager) Phil (Emery) has done a great job of bringing in some young players, some free agents.

"Just look across the board at what we've done there."

In addition to Cain, five other free agents will be in the starting lineup Sunday or playing prominent roles - ends Jared Allen, Lamarr Houston and Willie Young, safeties Ryan Mundy and Danny McCray - and that's just on defense. Also, strong-side linebacker Shea McClellin will be playing his first game at a new position. Including O'Donnell, four rookies will ontribute, including cornerback Kyle Fuller and defensive tackles Ego Ferguson and Will Sutton.

"There's doubt we've got a talented team," Trestman said. "There's no doubt this team likes each other. But we've got to play the games now. As we continue to work through the first month, you'll get a good look and you'll get an honest evaluation on where we are."

DE OK with QB:

When defensive end Jared Allen was weighing his options in free agency during the off-season, one thing he wasn't concerned with was the Bears' quarterback situation.

"I know enough about Cutler," Allen said, chuckling. "That's one of the reasons I came here. I've been playing against Jay since he came into the league."

Cutler was a Denver Broncos rookie in 2006 when Allen was in his third season with the Kansas City Chiefs after accumulating 20 sacks in his first two seasons.

"He's a competitor, I respect that about him," Allen said. "You don't have to be a rah-rah guy. We were actually laughing about it the other day. I was like, 'Man, I miss when you used to run your mouth every single snap.' It was fun playing against him. Jay is incredible."

Allen was teammates with future Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre for two years (2009-10), and he says Cutler compares favorably with the long-time Bears nemesis.

"You see it in really good quarterbacks," Allen said. "Brett would make some throws that some people would say 'Why would you?' Because he can. And that's Jay. Jay can make every throw, and Jay can make throws that most people can't make.

"From playing against him all those years, I know how difficult that is to defend against and what he's done to us in years past, and that's why I was excited to get here."

Injury report:

Safety Chris Conte (concussion) and center-guard Brian de la Puente (knee) participated in full in Friday's indoor practice and are probable for Sunday. Fullback Tony Fiammetta (hamstring) was limited and is questionable. Quarterback David Fales (shoulder) is out.

Fiammetta is the only fullback on the roster, but all three tight ends -- especially No. 3 Matt Mulligan, plus starter Martellus Bennett and Dante Rosario -- can fill in on the limited occasions when the Bears use a fullback.

"Really all three of them know that role as well," coach Marc Trestman dsai. "There are certain things we do with Tony that are limited to just Tony, but they don't take us away from everything that we're doing."

For the Bills, cornerback Stephon Gilmore (groin) went through a full practice but is questionable. Rookie wide receiver Sammy Watkins (ribs) and linebacker Brandon Spikes (knee) are probable after full practices.