Bright spot? The tight ends

BOURBONNAIS - The offense is banged up along the line, neither quarterback has taken the bull by the horns, and the wide receiver position is in flux. But the Bears can take some solace in the tight end position.

Last year's first-round pick, Greg Olsen, has Pro Bowl potential as a pass catcher, and 10-year veteran Desmond Clark seems to get better with age. Rookie Kellen Davis, a fifth-round pick, already looks like a keeper, showing excellent receiving skills and athleticism for a 6-foot-7, 262-pound hulk.

"He looks the part, but you have to play," coach Lovie Smith said. "Looks are good, but now we're in pads, so you have to put up, and he's definitely made his presence known. We have good defensive ends, so he gets a chance to go against good football players each day, and that'll make him better."

The Bears are hoping the Michigan State product will fill the void left by the departure of John Gilmore, who signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a free agent. To do that, Davis will have to do the dirty work that was Gilmore's specialty - blocking.

"He's really stepped up," Smith said of Davis. "You notice him. You want him to get off the bus first. He has that type of body, but he's (also) made good catches. He can block well, and we do need someone to replace 'Gilly' and step up in that third role."

In Olsen and Clark, the Bears have two solid weapons in the passing game. They combined for 83 catches, 936 yards and 6 touchdowns last season, as Clark finished third on the team with 44 catches and 545 yards.

"They both had excellent years last year," Smith said. "Dez Clark is a very good football player, a good blocker and a good pass catcher. Greg Olsen, we know what he can do, especially in the passing game."

Camp tidbits: Corey Graham and fifth-round rookie Zack Bowman both had interceptions in 11-on-11. ... Defensive tackle Matt Toeaina overpowered Josh Beekman in individual pass-rush drills. ... Running back Kevin Jones, who remains on the physically-unable-to-practice list and has yet to practice, was close to full speed while running and cutting on the side. ... Defensive tackle Israel Idonije, wide receiver Marty Booker and tight end Desmond Clark were held out of practice Monday with minor ailments. ... Cornerback Charles Tillman and defensive tackle Anthony Adams were excused from Monday's noon practice for personal reasons and both are expected back for today's 3 p.m. practice.

Bringing the heat: On Sunday, coach Lovie Smith said he appreciated the relatively cool weather that accompanied the start of camp and the lack of heat-related injuries, but he also said he wanted his team to get some work in warmer weather. They got it Monday with a heat-humidity combination that raised the heat index to 96 and made for the most uncomfortable practice of camp.

"You need this," Smith said. "We were out here over two hours. We have quite a few 12 o'clock games; that's why we practice at this time. But the guys don't complain."

Warmer weather is expected for today, with a heat index that could hit 106.