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Bumped Brown eyes Ogunleye as competition

Posted August 01, 2007 11:00 pm

Reed Schreck

Alex Brown's T-shirt-a-day promise didn't last long.

First day of training camp, the Chicago Bears defensive end wore a Grumpy shirt. He explained that it's because he likes Disney, that it wasn't describing his personality.

Then came Day Two and a "Hard Work is For People Short on Talent" top.

Lately, it's just been black shirts with the word "Football" on it.

It's obvious, though, he's still carrying his emotions on whatever sleeves he's wearing. He doesn't even attempt to disguise them.

Asked Wednesday if his attitude has changed since camp began last Friday, he said, "Not at all."

Starting camp, he said, "I think I can (earn a starting spot), but I don't think I should have lost it in the first place. That's my opinion."

Brown got the demotion news from a coach before the first minicamp.

"They told me I was the third best defensive end on this team," Brown said.

"I didn't agree with them, but I'm not a coach. I didn't like that part. That's coach (Lovie) Smith's call. "

Because Smith got his big payday at the end of February, we really can now say that's why he's getting paid the big bucks.

"Alex would like to line up with the first team, but that's not the case right now," Smith said.

Smith also likes to say that it's open competition everywhere everyday, so anything's possible. Some positions are just less likely to see change than others.

Smith said he hasn't heard any grumbling from Brown.

"I don't have a problem with Alex causing trouble," Smith said. "I don't know what he's telling you, but he's not doing any of that to us. It's not like he's missing things or acting like a disgruntled employee. I see the same smile on his face every time I come to him."

The rapid improvement of Mark Anderson as a rookie last year led to the reshuffling of the ends. Adewale Ogunleye is slotted opposite Anderson, who had 12 sacks as a rookie compared with 7 for Brown and 6 ½ for "Wale."

"We feel we have created a three-headed monster at defensive end," said new defensive coordinator Bob Babich, "and we feel comfortable with that.

"Only two can start, so we'll have to wait and see how things go."

Brown has nothing but praise for Anderson's ability, saying he'll become one of the best defensive ends in the league. "If he already isn't," he said.

Can Brown unseat Anderson? That might not be the right question. Can he unseat Ogunleye?

"Without question," Brown said, confirming that he sees his best chance to regaining a regular role is to beat out Ogunleye. "That's what I think. It's different. Who knows? I don't know. Maybe I'm in competition with both of them. That's just what I think."

Anderson says he's not taking anything for granted. Ogunleye endorses the three-man competition as being reality.

May the best man - or men - win.

Brown feels content for two to three hours a day during camp at Olivet Nazarene University.

"Yeah, I'm having fun when I'm on the field," he said after lunch. "Not now, though. Off the field, no. I don't have fun off the field."

Just don't ask him if he's working harder this year.

"I don't work any harder," he scowled. "I work as hard as I can no matter what. I'm going to do my best no matter what. Just because the situation is what it is doesn't mean I work harder. No. I work as hard as I can every year, every practice. If this situation hadn't come up, I wouldn't work any harder.

"I come to work. That's what I do. Get ready for the season and play as hard as I can."

Reed Schreck is the NFL writer for the Rockford Register Star. He can be reached at 815-987-1381 or rschreck@rrstar.com

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