Harris trade surprises teammates

<font size="2">

<p align="justify">Halfway through Thursday's training camp practice, Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith pulled safety Chris Harris aside.

<p align="justify">Harris got news that no doubt surprised him and his teammates - he had just been traded to Carolina for a reported 2008 fifth-round draft pick.

<p align="justify">"He took it like a pro," Smith said. "He knows there's a business side of it. Guys want opportunities to play where they have the best chance to play, so I think this is a good move for him. I know Carolina has liked him for awhile."

<p align="justify">Harris was in his third year with Chicago after being drafted in the sixth round in 2005 out of Louisiana-Monroe. He started a total of 20 regular-season games and all four playoff games over the past two seasons.

<p align="justify">Cornerback Nathan Vasher wondered where Harris was.

<p align="justify">"I hadn't heard him all day," Vasher said. "I didn't have any clue until I was looking around for him.

<p align="justify">"A lot of guys are kind of surprised by it. It takes away from our depth just a little bit."

<p align="justify">Smith explained that the organization thought it had six quality safeties, and that's too many. That leaves starters Mike Brown and Adam Archuleta and backups Danieal Manning, Brandon McGowan and rookie Kevin Payne.

<p align="justify">"It's real tough," Brown said. "That's someone who came in as a rookie and picked it up real quick. He was a big part of the secondary, not only in the way he played but with his personality. He was fun to be around, and was one of the guys who kept a room loose. He'll be missed."

<p align="justify">Manning said he heard the rumors on the sidelines.

<p align="justify">"I was with Chris when he had his first kid. I've seen a lot of improvement in his game. He helped me out a lot," Manning said.

<p align="justify">Archuleta himself was traded to Chicago from Washington in the offseason.

<p align="justify">"You're going to have turnover on your roster," he said. "There's always going to be new people coming in and always real popular guys in the locker room going out."

<p align="justify">Cornerback Charles Tillman said what he'll miss most about Harris "is his hitting. I have fond memories of him hitting those receivers."

</font><font face="FrankGoth XCn BT" size="4">

<p align="left">Hester still dinged

</font><font size="2">

<p align="justify">Returner/receiver Devin Hester was given a second straight day off to rest what coach Lovie Smith said was his hamstring. Smith called Hester's availability "day-to-day."

<p align="justify">"This is how training camp goes with skill guys across the league," Smith said. "Just about every team has a guy dealing with something like that. When you get a little sore, you let them sit out for awhile. Rest is the only thing that can take care of a hamstring."

<p align="justify">Also sitting out on a hot afternoon were WR Muhsin Muhammad, RB Garrett Wolfe, WR Fontel Mines, FB Jon Goldsberry, DE Dan Bazuin, DT Antonio Garay, OL Ruben Brown and DT Tommie Harris.

<p align="justify">Camp sights

<p align="justify">Arena Football League product Timon Marshall dropped back-to-back passes. ... Brian Griese, after his first day without an interception, was picked off on a strange play. Rod Wilson deflected the pass to Jamar Williams, who then had it pop out to Israel Idonije. Griese completed Red Zone touchdown passes to Adrian Peterson, Greg Olsen and Brandon Rideau. . ... Linebacker Lance Briggs rested for a few minutes on the back of a trainer's cart. ... DE Alex Brown suffered a shoulder strain.

<p align="justify">Reed Schreck is the NFL Writer for the Rockford Register Star. He can be reached at 815-987-1381 or rschreck@rrstar.com.

</font>