Bears gear up for Raiders as camp ends

Chicago Bears training camp seeemingly dragged on forever back when Sports Editor T.G. Smith and I spent almost every day in Bourbonnais covering camp for the paper.

We don't cover camp anymore, so the long, repetitive practices are no longer a part of my daily routine ... and this year's camp seemed like it absolutely flew by. It ended yesterday, and the Bears will practice in the relative privacy of Halas Hall following tomorrow's exhibition agaion Oakland. Although I only followed camp from afar, here are a few of my observations:

•   It's a good thing for the Bears that Devin Aromashodu had a strong enough camp to be named the Bears' most impressive offensive player by their flagship radio station. Of the receivers that will make the team, only the 6-foot-2 Aromashodu is tall enough to serve as a regular solition to the red-zone woes that plagued the Bears in 2009. We can debate all we want about how much Greg Olsen will be utilized in the new Mike Martz offense, but it all becomes less relevant if Aromashodu has a breakout season.

•   I'm still worried about the safety position. Chris Harris solidifies one spot, but unfortunately for the Bears, every NFL defense starts two safeties. And let's not make out Harris to be the second coming of Ronnie Lott — he's a decent NFL starter, but not the kind of perennial Pro Bowler that might make up for a weak player starting at the other safety spot. Danieal Manning, Craig Steltz and Major Wright have battled injuries and I don't trust Al Afalava or Josh Bullocks. Someone needs to emerge soon.

•   Tommie Harris did a lengthy interview on 670-AM yesterday and sounded jovial and outgoing instead of the standoffish Harris we've seen during the last few, injury-plagued years. If Harris is healthy — and him not missing a practice in Bourbonnais is a good indication that he is — and plays at or near the level he did when he first came into the league, the Bears defensive line could be almost impossible to stop. Pick your poison when deciding whether you want to double team Harris or Julius Peppers.