Benson gets 10 carries as Bears go to the run

INDIANAPOLIS -- In their first preseason game, the Bears had 43 passing plays and just 21 runs, which is not indicative of their offensive philosophy.

That changed Monday night against the Colts with 32 rushes and 31 passes.

"We run the football," coach Lovie Smith said before the game. "We get off the plane running the ball, playing defense. That will never change as long as I'm the head coach."

Featured ball carrier Cedric Benson got just 5 carries in the opener but had 10 Monday, although he struggled to pick up 24 yards, just 1 more than he had in the opener.

"No doubt I'd like to see more from it, and I think in time we will," Smith said of Benson and a running game that produced a disappointing 68 yards on 32 carries. "We're a running football team."

Jones is expected to get a bigger majority of the carries this season than Thomas Jones did last season. Jones rushed 296 times in 2006, while Benson got 157 carries.

"Last year we split time a little bit," Smith said. "This year we're not in that situation. Cedric is our lead … he'll get the majority of the carries."

Benson also caught 2 passes for 11 yards Monday.

Rise and fall: Brandon Rideau, battling for a possible sixth wideout spot if the Bears keep that many, had his second straight productive outing, catching 2 passes for 44 yards before leaving the game late in the third quarter with a sprained ankle. The second-year player from Kansas caught 3 passes for 43 in the opener.

Rideau's main competition for a roster spot is expected to come from Mike Hass, who had his first 2 catches of the preseason, for a total of 48 yards.

Fifth-round cornerback Corey Graham has been overshadowed by seventh-round corner for most of training camp, but Graham showed up Monday with an interception and 27-yard return, shortly after tipping away a long pass that could have gone for a touchdown.

Third-round running back Garrett Wolfe was the Bears' leading rusher, picking up 30 yards on 6 carries in the third quarter but finishing with 28 yards on 8 attempts.

Goal setting: Safety Mike Brown and the defense were looking for specific areas of improvement Monday.

"We would like to be a little bit more dominant," he said.

Playing one quarter plus one play, the first-team defense again failed to come up with a turnover, although Adewale Ogunleye sacked Peyton Manning for a 7-yard loss. The Bears stopped the Colts twice at the 1-yard line on their second possession to keep them off the scoreboard.

Taking it easy: For the second straight game, defensive tackle Tommie Harris (hamstring) and offensive left tackle John Tait (ankle) did not dress, as the Bears took a cautious approach with their returns from surgery. They were joined on the sidelines by wide receiver Mark Bradley (ankle) and Trumaine McBride (toe).

Darwin Walker started in place of Harris, while John St. Clair started for Tait.

Get over it: Losing the Super Bowl wasn't a pleasant experience for cornerback Charles Tillman, but he believes it can serve a purpose.

"Naturally, I'm mad we lost," Tillman said, "but I've got to let that be in the past. Obviously I want to win one. That's the No. 1 goal -- not just go, but to win a Super Bowl.

"So I think you have to get over your feelings. Remember them, but get over them and let them be your drive and let them fuel you."