For Bears' Graham, the challenge gets bigger today

Even if cornerbacks Charles "Peanut" Tillman and Nate Vasher are able to suit up today at Ford Field, they won't be anywhere close to 100 percent, which means much of the burden of containing the Lions' dangerous passing game fall on Corey Graham.

And that's fine with the second-year cornerback from New Hampshire and with the Bears' coaching staff.

"We've talked about Corey Graham since training camp," coach Lovie Smith said. "We feel comfortable playing him, and we would like to get him into the mix more because we think we can win with him."

Graham will get a chance to prove that against a Lions receiving corps that goes deeper than former first-round picks Calvin Johnson and Roy Williams and includes Mike Furry and Shaun McDonald. Clearly the Lions' preferred method of travel is through the air.

"They pass the ball around," Graham said. "They put a lot of receivers out there, so it'll definitely be a challenge. I've got to be prepared for those guys."

At 6 feet and 193 pounds, Graham has good size for a cornerback, which has already enabled him to get some playing time in place of the less physical, 5-foot-10, 187-pound Vasher. Graham's size should also help when battling the 6-foot-5, 239-pound Johnson and the 6-3, 211-pound Williams.

"Those guys are definitely going to go up and try to attack the ball at its highest point, so it's a challenge," Graham said.