[Be Da Bear]

From ChicagoBears.com

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – If Anthony Oakley were a stock, now would probably be a good time to call your broker.
The backup center’s value is seemingly on the rise after he performed well with the No. 2 offense in last Saturday’s preseason win in Houston and held his own while subbing for Olin Kreutz with the first unit Wednesday in practice.

Backup center/guard Anthony Oakley has played well so far in training camp and the preseason.“Oak’s done a nice job,” said offensive coordinator Ron Turner. “He’s had a really good camp, and he had a great offseason. He’s a smart guy and he’s watching Olin and learning and picking up as much as he can from Olin.
“The biggest thing he needs to work on is consistency with the snap and he’s been doing a great job of that all camp.”
Oakley entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Cleveland Browns in 2004. He spent the entire 2005 campaign on the Bears’ practice squad and all of last season on Chicago’s 53-man roster, though he has yet to appear in an NFL regular-season game.
Given his inexperience, Oakley was determined Wednesday to prove that he belongs when he worked with four veteran starters in John Tait, Ruben Brown, Roberto Garza and Fred Miller who have combined to play 37 NFL seasons.
“I didn’t play any game last year,” Oakley said. “So by me coming in I have to step up to the plate every time and show them that I’ve got it and I won’t let them down when I get in. Working with the ones, you’ve got to step it up.”
Oakley can also play guard and knows that versatility isn’t only a plus but a requirement. Last season the Bears generally only dressed seven offensive linemen on game day with John St. Clair and Terrence Metcalf the only reserves in uniform.
“The more positions you can play, the higher your chances are of making the team,” Oakley said. “To play for the Bears, you have to know more than one position to get on the field.”
Workhorse back: Unlike last season when Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson shared the workload in the backfield 65-35 percent, respectively, Benson is expected to receive a much greater percentage of the rushing attempts in 2007.
“Last year we split time a little bit,” said coach Lovie Smith. “This year we’re not in that situation. Cedric will get the majority of the carries.”
Although that scenario will change, the team’s identity will remain the same.
“We’re the Chicago Bears,” Smith said. “We run the football. We get off the plane running the ball and playing defense. That will never change as long as I’m the head coach.”
Sights seen: At Wednesday’s practice, cornerback Greg Fassitt made the play of the day, a juggling, diving interception on a deep pass down the left sideline; rookie cornerback Trumaine McBride continued to impress, leaving the receiver he was covering to pick off a Brian Griese pass; and Bernard Berrian produced sensational plays on back-to-back snaps, leaping high to catch a pass over the middle before beating cornerback Charles Tillman on a deep post pattern.
Also on Wednesday, Bears owner Virginia McCaskey attended practice; Ricky Manning Jr, batted away an underthrown pass intended for Berrian; and Grossman connected on several tight throws to tight ends Desmond Clark and Greg Olsen.
Players who sat out with what the Bears refer to as “general soreness” or minor injuries included Kreutz, middle linebacker Brian Urlacher, defensive tackle Tommie Harris, receivers Devin Hester and Mark Bradley, and safety Tyler Everett.
Roster moves: The Bears waived/injured rookie tackle Aaron Brant, a seventh-round pick from Iowa, and signed tackle Steven Vieira, a UCLA product who spent part of the 2005 season on the Cincinnati Bengals’ practice squad.

[EmpireWF]

I doubt they would move Kreutz away for an undrafted rookie this year. Perhaps in the future though. The new kid sounds like he could be a valuable asset if he can handle up to three positions (Center and either guard spot).

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by EmpireWF

I doubt they would move Kreutz away for an undrafted rookie this year. Perhaps in the future though. The new kid sounds like he could be a valuable asset if he can handle up to three positions (Center and either guard spot).

Kreutz is an All-Madden type of player and a Pro Bowler...don't see him just fading away...the rookie will have to wait.

[bears9]

No way Kuertz leaves someone i have never heard of