Watch out for Bears in pick-em-up trucks

At 4:50 p.m. Bourbonnais time, Bears equipment manager Tony Medlin blew the airhorn that signaled the official end to the team's 22-day camp in Kankakee County. Much hooting and hollering ensued -- by far the most enthusiasm showed all afternoon during their restrained walkthrough.

Less than two minutes later, third-string QB Brett Basanez established his leadership credentials by leading the sprint to the Olivet Nazarene parking lots. Not everyone made a beeline for their sweet SUVs and other impressive rides. A few Bears hit the fan ropes to sign autographs, safeties Craig Steltz and Kevin Payne stuck around on the field to work their techniques...and Tommie Harris proved he's injured by moving slowly enough to become the only Bear caught by the media horde.

Harris, by the way, ought to play in Saturday's exhibition home opener against the Giants (7 p.m., Channel 32). Lovie Smith said everyone who sat out last week's game at Buffalo should play on Saturday. That means starting RB Matt Forte and TE Greg Olsen will get their first work, but I don't think everyone means everyone. I'd be surprised if the defensive back trio of Peanut Tillman, Danieal Manning and Zack Bowman suit up. They're still limited to conditioning workouts on the field away from the action.

Last but not least, the final day of Bourbonnais means jersey-swapping day for the fellas. That's why Brian Urlacher donned Jay Cutler's orange No. 6 -- and Cutler threw his daily spirals while wearing Urlacher's white 54 jersey.

Other swaps: Matt Forte (91) and Tommie Harris (22); Hunter Hillenmeyer (65) and Patrick Mannelly (92); Peanut Tillman (76) and Orlando Pace (33). In the biggest size mismatch, DT Israel Idonije stretched the heck out of Garrett Wolfe's No. 25 jersey. Idonije is 11 inches taller and at least 85 pounds heavier than the third-year RB out of NIU.

Well, time to hit I-57 and see how well the speed traps worked...

LW