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By Vaughn McClure
Bears veteran Pisa Tinoisamoa simply flashed a Colgate smile when asked about the competition with Nick Roach for the starting strongside linebacker spot.
"I think there's just a respect for each other," Tinoisamoa said after reporting to training camp Wednesday. "It was weird because I didn't know anything about Nick Roach, and I don't think he knew anything about me last year.
"Then we watched each other out there. And we were just like, 'To the best man.' It could be quite a battle."
It might be the most intriguing competition to watch as the Bears hold their first training camp practice Friday afternoon. Roach finished the offseason running with the starters while Tinoisamoa was limited somewhat while still recovering from last year's season-ending knee injury.
Five-time Pro Bowl linebacker Lance Briggs openly lobbied for Tinoisamoa as the starter, while team leader Brian Urlacher constantly has raved about Tinoisamoa's playmaking ability. But both Briggs and Urlacher have praised Roach, too.
Health might be the deciding factor. The knee still appears to be a minor issue for Tinoisamoa, while Roach has had hamstring and concussion issues in the past.
"I haven't really sat down with the training staff and figured that part out,'' Tinoisamoa said. "I'm trying to win the job, so you can't really take any days off. Not this time. It's too close to the season."
Others battles worth watching include Mark Anderson and Israel Idonije at defensive end, Danieal Manning and Major Wright at safety, Josh Beekman, Lance Louis, and Johan Asiata at left guard, and Garrett Wolfe, Kahlil Bell, and Harvey Unga for the third running back spot.
More...
Bears veteran Pisa Tinoisamoa simply flashed a Colgate smile when asked about the competition with Nick Roach for the starting strongside linebacker spot.
"I think there's just a respect for each other," Tinoisamoa said after reporting to training camp Wednesday. "It was weird because I didn't know anything about Nick Roach, and I don't think he knew anything about me last year.
"Then we watched each other out there. And we were just like, 'To the best man.' It could be quite a battle."
It might be the most intriguing competition to watch as the Bears hold their first training camp practice Friday afternoon. Roach finished the offseason running with the starters while Tinoisamoa was limited somewhat while still recovering from last year's season-ending knee injury.
Five-time Pro Bowl linebacker Lance Briggs openly lobbied for Tinoisamoa as the starter, while team leader Brian Urlacher constantly has raved about Tinoisamoa's playmaking ability. But both Briggs and Urlacher have praised Roach, too.
Health might be the deciding factor. The knee still appears to be a minor issue for Tinoisamoa, while Roach has had hamstring and concussion issues in the past.
"I haven't really sat down with the training staff and figured that part out,'' Tinoisamoa said. "I'm trying to win the job, so you can't really take any days off. Not this time. It's too close to the season."
Others battles worth watching include Mark Anderson and Israel Idonije at defensive end, Danieal Manning and Major Wright at safety, Josh Beekman, Lance Louis, and Johan Asiata at left guard, and Garrett Wolfe, Kahlil Bell, and Harvey Unga for the third running back spot.
More...