Dont be alarmed or surprised that Lions first-round pick Gosder Cherilus has taken snaps at both OT spots. If anything, it shows the team is willing to give extra reps and looks to the rookie, who should overtake George Foster for the starting ORT spot. Cherilus perhaps has OLT starting potential down the line, but hes slated for the right side as a rookie, barring a major injury to Jeff Backus.

Did the Niners and head coach Mike Nolan go out of their way to make Packers QB Aaron Rodgers look bad in their recent preseason encounter because they had passed over Rodgers in the draft three years ago in favor of Alex Smith? They were in an all-out blitz mode big-time, a longtime Packers insider said of the Niners amped-up defense in the second preseason game, which sacked Rodgers four times in the first half. Id like to think pettiness doesnt exist at the pro level, but theres no doubt it does.

Our Packers sources tell us its quite possible the team could go out of its way to pick up a veteran tight end off the waiver wire, with rookie Jermichael Finley looking like a major work in progress and third-year pro Tory Humphrey continuing to be a major injury risk behind starting TE Donald Lee.

Vikings TE Garrett Mills bothersome right ankle has kept him off the field and could cost him a roster spot. His lack of play this preseason has hurt his cause, despite the coaching staffs interest in his ability. If Mills is cut, dont be surprised if the team that drafted him the Patriots take a hard look.

Our Bears sources were quick to mention after the teams preseason loss to the Niners that second-year RB Garrett Wolfe might have very well put himself on the bubble following his fumbled kickoff return that set up a Niners TD in that game. The fact that newcomer Kevin Jones looked impressive in his first preseason action vs. the Niners certainly doesnt help Wolfes cause.

Bears sources who have been dealing with starting LBs Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs on a regular basis report that the two players relationships with the local media have made a 360-degree turn for the better this season. On the field, meanwhile, although Urlacher has looked pretty sharp most of the time, were told Briggs has been uncharacteristically sloppy and slow to reach his normal All-Pro form.

Bears release veteran cornerback Ricky Manning Jr.
By Larry Mayer

LAKE FOREST, Ill. The Bears on Tuesday terminated the contract of vested veteran cornerback Ricky Manning, Jr.


Cornerback Ricky Manning Jr. had five interceptions in two years with the Bears.
Manning appeared in 31 games with 11 starts in two seasons after signing with the Bears as a restricted free agent in 2006. He recorded 106 tackles, three sacks, five interceptions, six passes defensed, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and 13 special-teams tackles.

Manning was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the third round of the 2003 draft. In 79 career NFL contests, he has registered 292 tackles and 14 interceptions, returning two for touchdowns.

Stepping up: Rashied Davis is emerging as one of the Bears pass catchers. After three preseason games, the former Arena Football League star is tied for the team lead with five receptions and two touchdowns and tops all wide receivers with 69 yards.

He runs hard every route, said quarterback Kyle Orton. He comes off the ball and really gives defensive backs trouble. Whether hes running a short route, a long route, inside, outside, he really runs his routes well and hes a smart football player.

Looking ahead: Orton didnt see the Colts lose to the Bills Sunday night, but that doesnt mean that he isnt familiar with Indianapolis, the Bears Week 1 opponent.

Ive been watching them for weeks now, Orton said. Well be ready to go and theyll be ready to go. Theyve got a good defense. They dont do anything fancy. Theyre in the right spot at the right time.

After opening the season Sept. 7 in Indianapolis on Sunday Night Football, the Bears will travel to Carolina to face the Panthers seven days later.

Weve got a couple tough games to start off on the road this season, so we need to get off to a fast start and there would be nothing better than to start off with a win down there in Indy, Orton said. Were going to have to go down there and play well and execute our offense. If we do, we have a good chance.

On the shelf: Long-snapper Patrick Mannelly (neck) and defensive end Mark Anderson (thumb) will not play in Thursday nights preseason finale against the Browns in Cleveland.