Kreutz center of attention at Bears' camp

BOURBONNAIS - No one who was around in 2002, when Olin Kreutz missed just one start after having an appendectomy, believed he would miss a regular-season game this year, but it still was a relief for the Bears to have him back on the practice field Tuesday.

The sight of the six-time Pro Bowl center taped up and in full pads, leading his team out of the huddle and up to the line of scrimmage was the most positive sign that a maligned Bears offense could have hoped for during a steamy afternoon practice.

Seeing the burly 6-foot-2, 292-pound Kreutz pull out to lead the interference on a running play might not compare to watching Devin Hester streak along the sideline and run down a pass that appears to be overthrown by 10 yards, but it's probably more important to an offense in transition.

Kreutz missed the first six days of practice to rest an Achilles' tendon that required minor surgery shortly before camp began.

Without him the line specifically and the offense in general were without their rudder. The offensive line that opens the 2008 season will have new starters at three of the five positions from a year ago. Both starting wide receivers will be new; so will the featured running back, and maybe the quarterback.

It's rare that the addition of just one player can solidify a unit in search of an identity, but Kreutz has been a team leader since before most of the current Bears joined the team, and no one carries more clout on the field or in the locker room.

"Olin's a leader of this team; not only a vocal leader but just a leader by example," offensive coordinator Ron Turner said. "He's a great football player, so you miss that part of him, but we miss his leadership in the huddle, so it's nice to get him back."

The Bears' chances of improving on last year's lethargic offense, which was No. 30 in total yards, would be slim without Kreutz. But he downplayed his importance and his impact, as he always does.

He denied that his presence Tuesday made a difference, but an offense that had been manhandled by the defense a day earlier, suddenly showed more aggression and enjoyed more success in 11-on-11 running plays at the goal line and in short-yardage situations.

"Not at all," Kreutz said when asked if he made a difference. "There are (other) guys who can do it. I'm just happy to be back out here. It feels great. This is what we do for a living. This is what I love doing."

Relegated to the sidelines for the first week of practice, Kreutz spent his time watching his linemates and offering advice and instruction to younger players while munching on sunflower seeds.

But he also denied his impact as a coach, even though his opinion is valued by every young lineman on the team year after year.

"I don't do evaluations around here," Kreutz said. "I ate a lot of sunflower seeds. I worry about myself. I worry about playing center."

Center is one position the Bears won't have to worry about as long as Kreutz stays on the field, and the only start he has missed in the last seven years is the one six days after his appendectomy.

In his 11th season, Kreutz doesn't need to play in any of the preseason games to get ready for the games that count, but he says he will play in the exhibition opener at home against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 7.

Anything else would be shocking.

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