Aug. 10--Here are five observations from Monday's practice ahead of Thursday's exhibition game against the Dolphins
1. Third-year wideout Marquess Wilson had the top highlight of practice with a leaping one-handed catch during a live 2-minute drill session. The 6-foot-4 receiver ran past cornerback Tim Jennings on a deep route down the right sideline, and he showed off his long arms on a ball Jay Cutler had him go up and get at its high point. It was a spectacular grab, evidence why this new regime believes in him the way the old one did.
Wilson made his catch at the other end of the same practice field on which he broke his left collarbone a little more than a year ago. There was a mental component to recovering from that injury, which Wilson faced when he returned during the second half of last season. His acrobatic catch was another sign that he's mentally past the injury and willing to sacrifice his body to make a play.
2. Robbie Gould made one of the two field goals he attempted during the 2-minute drill sessions. He missed from 41 yards and connected from 47. During special teams work before that, he was perfect on seven attempts ranging from 33 to 45 yards.
He was much happier with Monday's results than his 6-of-12 performance on field goals at Saturday's scrimmage. That obviously did not sit well.
"I was 6-for-12 -- I'll get cut doing that," he said Monday. "It wasn't what I expected it to be. If it's not right, you've got to go out and work harder to make sure it's right."
Gould said he focused Monday on rhythm and timing more than he has in any other practice this summer because those factors were off on Saturday.
3. Right tackle Jordan Mills lost to outside linebacker Sam Acho in a one-on-one drill because his hands were too wide and he was upright. Acho got into Mills' body and beat him inside. One-on-ones are tough on offensive linemen, but it forces them to perfect their technique. Mills is striving for the technical consistency necessary to hold down his first-team spot. Earlier in one-on-ones, Lamarr Houston beat him on an edge rush by winning a hand fight.
4. Cornerback Tracy Porter intercepted Jimmy Clausen on a play that broke down and might have been a sack. Clausen went through with the play anyway, which gave Porter a chance to break on the ball and make a leaping catch.
Coaches appreciate Porter's experience as part of an open competition for the second cornerback spot. He's one of several players who should shine against second-string competition in exhibition games. His key is staying healthy.
The other turnover Monday was a fumble by veteran running back Daniel Thomas. Veteran safety Sherrod Martin popped him with a hard wrap-up tackle, and the ball came free.
5. Cornerback Alan Ball has had a quiet camp after missing much of the offseason program with a foot injury. His size and length are obvious (he's 6-2, 195), but I'm interested to see that in game situations. The $3 million contract he signed during free agency equates to fringe-starter money, and he still has plenty of time to flash in the open competition for No. 2 cornerback.
Reserve receiver Josh Bellamy was matched against Ball in the 2-minute drill and beat him on an out route. Later in the drive, Ball slipped when Bellamy cut out, but Bellamy dropped the throw.
