Drawing a penalty for roughing during a post-play shoving match with Redskins CB DeAngelo Hall on Saturday failed to earn Bears rookie WR Alshon Jeffery the same kind of reaction that he got for his three-catch, 62-yard effort.
However, teammate Brandon Marshall understood how the rookie could get drawn into rough stuff with Hall.
"I mean, one thing we talk about around here is we want to play physical," Marshall said Monday. "We're going to be smart, absolutely. We don't want to get those penalties. But it's hard to play this game ... wow ... letting people punk you. Everyone knows D'Angelo Hall -- what type of player he is. He's a great player. But you know, he's feisty and he knows how to get under people's skin. We'll be smarter next time, but we want (Jeffery) to be physical and have that aggression out there on the field."
It's often said that wide receiver is a difficult position for rookies to step into immediately, but Marshall sees Jeffery as part of a new NFL breed.
"I’m seeing guys like A.J. Greene, Alshon, Julio Jones, you’re seeing those guys come in and make an immediate impact right away," Marshall said. "For me, I wasn’t the professional right away that I should have been. You can see (that) Alshon is a guy who gets it early. You’ve got guys like myself who talk to him about continuing to stay on that path and be professional. He’s ahead of schedule.”
Payton Center: The Bears had to go indoors for practice due to the threat of severe weather. Being on artificial turf wasn't exactly what offensive coorindator Mike Tice wanted to see for RT Gabe Carimi considering the second-year player's surgically repaired knee. "I'm sure that tomorrow he's not going to be feeling great," Tice said. "I'm concerned about Gabe's knee because we want him to stay on track."
Mystery solved: After Saturday's game, quarterback Jay Cutler wouldn't say whether his 41-yard pass on the first play from scrimmage was an audible or called by Mike Tice. The answer: It was called, but Cutler added a twist of his own at the line that he may not have been able to do last year.
"We had an all-out blitz," Carimi said. "That’s where they bring eight guys. He (Cutler) changed the (pass) protection, and we were able to get a shot down the field.”
Watching: LB Brian Urlacher watched practice and actually participated a little in footwork drills during the individual technique part of practice. He had arthroscopic knee surgery six days prior. ... Starting NT Stephen Paea had his ankle out of a boot cast and watched practice. He plans to return to practice after the Giants game and hopes to get some reps in the preseason finale at Cleveland.
New watchers: TE Matt Spaeth (right leg) and DE Corey Wootton (unspecified) joined the ranks of injured watching practice.
Macromanager: Tice shed some light on who decides who gets cut and how. Asked if the battle for third running back is close between Kahlil Bell, Lorenzo Booker and Armando Allen, Tice said, "I have other stuff to worry about. I'm not going to worry about who the third back is. I think we have good backs. I think we have more than two good backs. But I'll let the higher beings take care of that." Tice said Lovie Smith and GM Phil Emery make the final call. Running backs coach Tim Spencer will make his recommendation.
Follow Bears reporter Gene Chamberlain on Twitter: @CBSportsNFLCHI.