Oct 28, 2009 - 6:30 PM
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LAKE FOREST, Ill.(AP) -- Back at practice, Tommie Harris appeared to be in a good mood as he walked off the field giggling with linebackers Lance Briggs and Jamar Williams.
He didn't stop to talk. Didn't acknowledge requests for comment.
Harris had nothing to say, although the fact that the three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle practiced Wednesday for the Chicago Bears was telling. Coach Lovie Smith made it clear he has to practice if he wants to play, and the message apparently got through.
Harris participated without limitations for the first time on a Wednesday since the season opener after sitting out practice last week and being held out of a 45-10 loss at Cincinnati.
"By giving him off last week, he was able to get a little more work in this week so that's got to be good for him," Smith said.
The positive spin came on the heels of a loud message from Smith, who confirmed Monday that he benched Harris against the Bengals even though he could have played after being listed as doubtful because of his chronic left knee injury. On the surface, it appeared to amount to a paid suspension for a player who hasn't always stuck to his rehab regimen.
"It's not like I've had a problem with Tommie practicing," Smith said. "Physically, we've chosen to keep him out to try to let him get in a little bit better position to play Sunday. Giving him the week off last week, we feel like we're ahead of the 8-ball a little bit. It's not like he's bowed up about practicing. He wants to practice."
Asked if Harris will continue to practice without limitations, Smith said, "I can talk on today. Tommie had an excellent day today. There were no issues. Looking any farther to the future is hard for me to say on anyone."
It's not unusual for the Bears to hold Harris out of one or two practices a week and to limit his activity. But the Bears allowed a season-worst 448 yards and touchdowns on the first four possessions to the Bengals, though it would be hard to pin that on the absence of Harris.
The Bears were hoping new defensive line coach Rod Marinelli would bring out Harris' old disruptive ways, but all they've gotten so far are a few flashes and little consistency. Although Harris has just nine tackles with no sacks he's certainly not the only one to blame for a pass rush that failed to produce a sack the past two weeks in losses to Atlanta and Cincinnati.
The Bears' problems aren't limited to that area.
The offensive line again failed to protect golden-armed quarterback Jay Cutler, who has been erratic lately, but if changes are coming there or in another area, Smith wouldn't say even though general manager Jerry Angelo told the team's Web site they are in store.
In fact, Smith he made it clear he wasn't going to talk about his lineup when he was asked about the offensive line, a sharp contrast from a week ago when he insisted a shakeup was not in store.
"I'm not going to talk about anything personnel-wise," Smith said. "To me, that's pretty clear. If that's all you want to talk about, then there's nothing else to talk about."
If the Bears make a change, one possibility might be Josh Beekman starting at left guard over Frank Omiyale. On defense, cornerback Nathan Vasher could play more at safety after seeing time there last week. And Harris figures to play against Cleveland if he gets his work in this week.
He took a big step by practicing on Wednesday.
"It's very important, just to be able to go over different things that he does on the football field as opposed to somebody else out there, because he is a very important part of our defense," defensive tackle Anthony Adams said. "So to have him out on the practice field is definitely a plus."
