Chicago Bears

--Defensive coordinator Ron Rivera blew up and unleashed a profanity-laced tirade during one of the Bears' final training camp practices at Olivet Nazarene University.

Rivera challenged defensive players to be more accountable for their performance on the practice field. He referred to the defense's effort as embarrassing and unacceptable and concluded by telling players if they didn't like it, they "could leave."

"I've got nothing to say," Rivera told reporters as he stormed off the field.

Having cooled off only marginally after lunch, Rivera said, "It was something that I just felt they needed to hear."

His mood wasn't much better during the afternoon practice. After yet another defensive lapse, Rivera snapped: "Get in the huddle," Then, a little louder, "Get in the huddle." Finally, he barked: "(Blank-blank) it, get in the huddle."

Lackadaisical play goes against what Rivera said is the most important characteristic of his defense.

"I think the biggest thing is just being aggressive," he said. "That's what we want to do."

According to players, there was no specific area of play that irritated Rivera but more a general lack of emotion.

"We came out there flat," safety Mike Brown said. "We didn't have any intensity, so we got our (butts) handed to us early on in the practice (by the offense). But we turned it around, which is the positive."

But not enough to satisfy Rivera, who is in his first season as a defensive coordinator after spending the past five seasons as the Philadelphia Eagles linebackers coach. Rivera played linebacker for the Bears for nine years from 1984-92, and he didn't consider what he saw Sunday morning to be up to Bears standards. He said he believes he will be held to a higher standard by fans and by the organization because of who he is.

"And I think rightfully so," Rivera said. "I'm going to go out and give it the best I can, give it my best effort, and in a few years, if it's not good enough, well then I should move on. And if it is good enough, then we'll just continue to build on, and hopefully we'll get better and be competitive like we need to be. Be a team that competes every year to get into the playoffs (like the Eagles) and get to the Super Bowl."

If there was any doubt in his player's minds about Rivera's commitment, there shouldn't be anymore.

"He said what he felt that he needed to say," Brown said. "I think it was warranted. He just let us know how he was feeling, how he feels that we should come out, how he feels we should be performing every day."

Head coach Lovie Smith agreed with Rivera, after pretending he wasn't aware of the diatribe.

"What lecture?" Smith said. "Oh, that lecture. Well, they got it, so evidently they did (deserve it). There's a learning curve. We're a game past right now, and we would like for that growth to speed up a little bit. Coach Rivera was letting the guys know.

"I wouldn't say it was our best practice that we've had, but we made progress in a lot of areas. The defense didn't play as well as they needed to. I thought the offense did some good things out here today."

The defense allowed just 306 yards and 10 points in the preseason-opening 3-point victory over the Rams, but that's in the past, according to cornerback Charles Tillman.

"It's a preseason game," Tillman said. "Don't start letting up now. We haven't done anything."

Rivera made sure they knew that.

--Coaches have not been pleased with Ruben Brown's failure to practice with the same intensity that he displays in games.

Not until starting left guard Rex Tucker was lost for 8-10 weeks with a dislocated elbow did the eight-time Pro Bowl pickup from Buffalo get elevated to the first team.

"You go to practice to prepare for a game; you don't go to practice to play a game," Brown said. "I don't think it's about turning it up a notch. It's just knowing game speed and things of that nature."

Brown said he doesn't know if coaches wanted him to practice harder before they promoted him to the first team.

"You have to ask them about that," Brown said. "I have no idea. I just go and do what I'm told. I don't know what's going on. All I know is when they call my name I go in, and I do what I can do."

Brown was asked if he's still the same player who has been voted to the Pro Bowl the past eight seasons.

"I'm still Ruben Brown, yeah," he said. "But I don't make the depth charts; (the coaches) make those decisions."

--Defensive end Alex Brown has not practiced in more than a week, and he sat out Saturday night's second preseason game.

Brown's absence means more playing time for undrafted rookie Alain Kashama, from Michigan; and first-year player Israel Idonije, who spent half of last season on the Bears' practice squad. Both played high school football in Canada.

"The longer guys stay out, the more you find out about different guys," Smith said. "Alain Kashama is getting better every day."

Neither the 6-foot-4, 270-pound Kashama, who started just six games at Michigan; nor Idonije, who was undrafted out of Manitoba University, arrived at camp with great expectations, but that's unimportant to a team desperate for pass-rush help.

"Once they get here, it doesn't matter whether you were first round or free agent, or whatever," Smith said. "I just know (Kashama) is a fast guy, he's got good height, he's got very good speed, and he's got some power. He's making plays. Izzy Idonije and him, both of them did a good job of playing the defensive end position when they got reps. "Neither one has played a lot of ball; that's kind of how it happens. That's the beauty of training camp. You find guys like that that can contribute and help you."

After finishing dead last in the NFL in sacks last season, the Bears will take help anywhere they can find it, and the 6-7, 290-pound Idonije had two of their three sacks in the preseason opener.

Kashama helped force both those sacks by putting initial pressure on the quarterback, however, he suffered a sprained ankle late in the game and did not play in Saturday's second preseason game.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"Guys jumping offsides, that'll cost a guy somewhere down the road; or cost the coach a job." -- Bears offensive coordinator Terry Shea, after the Bears had seven false-start penalties in their preseason opener.