Tice believes in Frank Omiyale

BOURBONNAIS - In order for the offensive line to play better as a unit than it did last season, the Bears need two things to happen:

• Frank Omiyale has to play better at right tackle than he did last year at left guard.

• And someone has to step up at left guard where Josh Beekman is currently the starter but Johan Asiata and Lance Louis are contenders.

New offensive line coach Mike Tice believes Omiyale was miscast last season.

"I thought he was out of position for the most part at left guard," Tice said. "I felt he kind of had two seasons. He played early, sat a few games (when he was benched in favor of Beekman), and then played late. I thought the second part he played better. Early in the season he was lost; later in the season he was better."

In film review of Saturday night's first full-pads practice, Tice singled the squatty Beekman out for playing with low pad level and added one of his frequently entertaining one-liners.

"He had a solid night," Tice said. "He did a lot of good things, not only at guard but at center, too. I did single him out for having good pad level, but then again he's only 4-foot-11."

He's back; maybe: Julius Peppers gives the defense a dominant player wherever he lines up. But the Bears need a complement on the other side who can take advantage of the opportunities that will arise when opponents focus on Peppers.

"That player needs to be able to win a 1-on-1 battle," coach Lovie Smith said. "Of course teams will look to Julius first ... they'll try to deal with him with the double-team. It should open up opportunities for our other guys."

Early indications are that Mark Anderson might be the player who prospers most from Peppers' presence. Anderson beat offensive left tackle Chris Williams three times during Sunday afternoon's steamy practice.

"I'm a speed type of guy working edges," said Anderson, who burst on the scene with 12 sacks as a rookie in 2006 but had been a disappointment after that until flashing again late last season. "I try to work edge-type moves and change it up sometimes with a little power. We'll try to do a little bit of both and try to match Julius' energy on the other side."

Bumps and bruises: Linebacker Brian Urlacher and center Olin Kreutz returned to practice after getting a planned rest Saturday night.

"I thought Brian practiced today as well as he's practiced in a while," coach Lovie Smith said.

Wide receiver Juaquin Iglesias (groin) and running back Harvey Unga (hamstring) were unable to finish practice with what were believed to be minor injuries. Safety Chris Harris (back) remained out but said he should be back soon. Cornerback Tim Jennings (knee) returned after sitting out Saturday and picked off Caleb Hanie on a sideline route intended for Iglesias.