Aug. 08--Position battle: Center
Will Montgomery is well on his way to locking up the starting role. He's having a consistent camp and earning the respect of his fellow linemen. Coach John Fox has plenty of familiarity with the 32-year-old veteran. Fox was part of the Panthers regime that drafted Montgomery in the seventh round in 2006. The two also were together last season in Denver, where Montgomery made eight starts. His experience and familiarity with Fox, offensive coordinator Adam Gase and offensive line coach Dave Magazu give him a leg up early in camp.
Hroniss Grasu projects as the center of the future, an intelligent and instinctive lineman who can be a force in the running game. On Friday, however, the rookie had several rough patches, overpowered on multiple occasions in team drills by defensive tackle Will Sutton. The third-round pick out of Oregon is focusing on finishing blocks better. "Once I get on a guy, don't let him make a play," Grasu said. "So I'm working on that and hand placement and pad level and finishing every single play."
Seen and heard
Quietly, Alshon Jeffery is putting together a superb camp, and his playmaking ability was on display again during one-on-one action Friday. In a span of five minutes, Jeffery first made a terrific touchdown catch on a deep ball from Jay Cutler amid tight coverage from cornerback Kyle Fuller. Moments later, with a swift break into a corner route, Jeffery beat Al Louis-Jean for another big gain, the latest evidence of why he quickly has earned Gase's admiration. "I see a dominant guy," Gase said. "There are times where he looks unstoppable."
Sweet home, Chicago
The Bears' 36-play scrimmage at Saturday's Family Fest will offer players an opportunity to let loose and do their most extended live tackling to date. Fox believes it will be a quick tune-up before next week's exhibition opener against the Dolphins. "It'll be just a snack of what they are going to experience next Thursday night as far as play time and it being live," Fox said.
Injury report
--RB Ka'Deem Carey (shoulder) did not practice.
--OT Jermon Bushrod (veteran's day off) did not practice.
--OL Michael Ola (left knee strain) did not practice.
--OT Tayo Fabuluje (asthma, allergies) did not practice.
--WR Kevin White (shin) remains on the physically unable to perform list.
--QB David Fales remains on the non-football illness list.
Camp schedule
Saturday: Practice, 11:35 a.m., Soldier Field.
Sunday: Off.
Monday: Practice, 11:15 a.m.
-- Dan Wiederer
