Dionne Miller's 'Happenings at Halas' - August 21 - My50 Chicago - Television - WPWR

The Chicago Bears returned to practice at Halas Hall Monday.

Week 3 of the pre-season is the most important one, and the Bears are treating it very much like game week. Which makes sense when you're preparing to face the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants.

Jay Cutler met with the media around noon and admitted the test is toughest for the offensive line that needs to solidify quick. Saturday showed promise, but the Giants front four is arguably the toughest in the league. How the Bears front five holds up against them will be very um...revealing. Call it the big measuring stick.

As excited as Bears fans are about the Cutler to Marshall connection, the two admitted it wasn't as flawless as it looked. Marshall said he needs to be better at his route running. Just being in the right spot and being more fundamentally sound. Something he and Jay both lacked in Denver. I'll say again, that can only be a good thing for the offense.

Michael Bush clearly proved his value in the red zone with two touchdowns inside 10 yards. Cutler called him a sleeper because we all didn't know how quick he was. Bush said with a smile, he didn't know why, "what have we been watching." Seriously, how did we miss this? He's huge. But quick and natural at RB. He never even played the position before college, but he wants the ball in his hands. I am curious about his relationship with Matt Forte. I've yet to see either of them really chat it up in practice. Bush said they kind of push each other - if Matt does well, he wants to answer. Works for me. Two RB's who can legitimately start on the same team? That can only be a good thing for this offense (am I repeating myself already?).

A thunderstorm rolled by, moving practice indoors - at Bourbonnais that wouldn't have been possible, so good thing they are at Halas. Lovie said the same thing. The field turf is something they'll play on this season and it's important to put the team in every regular season situation now. So check that off the list, I guess.

We got to talk with coach Tice Monday. He' the best conversation. He said there wasn't a lot he didn't like about the left tackle play against Washington, but he is still looking for the best five lineman who win the battles in the trenches more than they lose them. He stressed this is the week. He told us, once we watch the game, we can text him and tell him who should be the LT. Though he stopped short of giving out his number.

JUST BECAUSE: OK, so the media room at Halas is very much like study hall. We're all trying to work quietly at little cubicles. But that crunching heard round the room was me and my veggies. Wow. Celery crunching carries - sheesh. Jeff Joniak gave me a hard time about my lunch choice...not the noise rather the healthiness...but still what does he care, he has a sound proof room.