Bears conduct joint practice with Colts

The Chicago Bears held a practice at Halas Hall today before heading off to Indiana for two joint practices with the Indianapolis Colts on Wednesday and Thursday. The only minor flare-up came when Colts cornerback Jalil Brown and Bears cornerback Terrance Mitchell got their arms tangled on punt coverage.

“I thought (Cutler) had a good outing”, Fox said Wednesday about the exhibition opener.

It was a very stiff test for the Bears’ defense. About an hour later, the plan was changed again, with everyone working out at the Colts’ complex. They tend to be a little quicker and faster maybe, a different style of defense. I thought that was good work for our guys to see. “So we’ll have some good film to watch tonight we’ll make some corrections for tomorrow”.

After concluding the first of two joint practices with the Colts, John Fox seemed pleased with the level of competition and opportunity for his Bears to battle different players and schemes.

Fox looks at the joint practices as a measuring stick for the Bears. “I pretty much know their roster and what they’re capable of”. They’re a good football team and that’s all part of it; getting the extra work and watching how they do things.

The Indianapolis defense is better than the Chicago offense at this point. That might have been by design for practice, but overall the Bears’ did not stretch the field.

“We get a different offense we’ve got to face”, said Colts safety Mike Adams. “We want to get a lot out of this”. Colts receiver Quan Bray (groin), offensive lineman Hugh Thornton (knee) and defensive end Kendall Langford all left early with injuries. Undrafted rookie Cameron Meredith provided the play of the day, splitting two defenders to catch a touchdown pass down the left sideline from Jimmy Clausen. “I just continue to work hard, which[Gore] has done his whole career, too”, said Forte. “We carry the same message, if something happens and it gets out of hand then guys are going to miss practice time”.

According to a report from ESPN’s Jeff Dickerson, Fox is hoping that things go smoothly this week against the Colts in lieu of the highly publicized brawls between the Houston Texans and Washington Redskins in Richmond, Va. on August 8. “I thought it was good work and we’ll be able to coach off of it and watch the tape tonight and hopefully get better and repeat it tomorrow”. And obviously it’s nice to hit on someone other than your own team.

“It’s a tight fraternity of people”, Fox said.

“When you get into the habit of going up against the same person, you pick up on little keys and tendencies that they have, and you can sometimes play out of your technique, but going up against someone new forces you to get back to the basics”, added Allen.