‘Real Deal,' Dvoracek are men in the middle
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<p align="justify">The "Real Deal" is back.
<p align="justify">That's what two-time Chicago Bears Pro Bowl defensive tackle Tommie Harris says he has called himself "for a while."
<p align="justify">"Some of the media got hold of it somehow," he said after Friday's first training camp practice at Olivet Nazarene University. "So I thought since
<p align="justify">I've been here four years, you guys could start calling me that now.
<p align="justify">"I've always called myself that in my mind. I'd say 'Real Deal, Real Deal,' when I'd run out to the huddle."
<p align="justify">Head coach Lovie Smith is just glad to see No. 91 back after Harris hurt his hamstring midway through the team's 19-game schedule last season. By most estimations, he's ahead of the projected rehab schedule.
<p align="justify">"It's the first time I've heard about it," Smith said when asked about Harris' nickname. "Hey, if he's for it, I'll start calling him that. Tommie
<p align="justify">the Real Deal sounds good to me.
<p align="justify">"He is the Real Deal, I will say that. Arguably, he's the best football player on the team. Getting him back, of course, is special."
<p align="justify">With Tank Johnson released in the offseason, the middle of the team's defensive front will have a different look. It might be different by most accounts, but the two first-stringers are longtime acquaintances.
<p align="justify">Second-year man Dusty Dvoracek, who got hurt (foot) after playing in only two preseason games last year, is slotted alongside his former linemate at
<p align="justify">the University of Oklahoma.
<p align="justify">"We have a good feel for each other," Dvoracek said. "It's easier, and we help each other with anything. If we see anything, we relay calls back and
<p align="justify">forth to each other. Anytime you've played with someone previously, it helps a little bit."
<p align="justify">Harris agrees.
<p align="justify">"It feels natural. It feels good," he said. "When you take another guy out you're used to playing with, I played with Tank four years. I played with
<p align="justify">Dusty three years in college and one year here.
<p align="justify">"I'm just getting the feel of having somebody there, the security of knowing he can handle his business. He knows the plays, and we're familiar with one another. There's definitely a confidence boost."
<p align="justify">Helping each other will help the line and the team. Getting a full training camp of repetitions is the goal now, as each battles back from inactivity.
<p align="justify">"The better he plays the easier it's going to make it for me and vice versa," Dvoracek said of Harris. Any time you have two good defensive
<p align="justify">tackles, they complement each other because you can't double-team everybody. If one of you is dominating, one of you has to get a single block."
<p align="justify">Dvoracek also knows he has to focus on more than just Harris. He's knows he's inexperienced, and thus doesn't have the job security his former Sooner pal has.
<p align="justify">"If you ever get comfortable at this level, I think that's a mistake," Dvoracek said. "I don't think any guys are comfortable. You're always
<p align="justify">competing and trying to get better.
<p align="justify">"Right now, it's my position. I'm running with the 1's all the time. I just got to keep getting better everyday and keep my spot. I just feel really
<p align="justify">blessed, very fortunate. At the same time, I've worked really hard to get in this position. I've showed the coaches I can play there and I deserve it."
<p align="justify">Harris just has to prove he's healthy.
<p align="justify">"I've got to get my lungs back and up to speed with my feet," he said. "Then we'll be on track.
<p align="justify">"It just feels good to be back in the thick of things."
Contact staff writer Reed Schreck at 815-987-1381 or rschreck@rrstar.com.</font>