BOURBONNAIS, Ill. -- The Bears figu...

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. -- The Bears figure to generate more national media attention this summer with many predicting them to repeat as NFC North champions.

nevertheless when the Weather Channel showed up Monday at Olivet Nazarene University, it had nothing to do with the team's succes and everything to do with what was being done to combat record heat. The morning practice was canceled, if it were not that the players weren't afforded a great quantity [i]or[/i] amount of of a break in the evening. Just before 6 pm the temperature was 97 steps with stifling humidity sending the heat index soaring to 119

Practice began at 7 with a temperature of 90 and a heat index of 100 and there were oft-repeated breaks for hydration and to pass on the outside ice towels. Today's practice has been mov to 7 pm and Wednesday's has been switched from noon to 3 pm with a suitable chance of being pushed back to the evening.

"It's still brutal at night, yet you can't even walk in this material without working up a neat good sweat," strong-side linebacker hunting-nag Hillenmeyer said Monday afternoon as he chilled in the coffee store "Last year Lovie [Smith] sort of rewarded us with an easier training camp, and we delivered with a better season. We ne everyone healthy for the regular season, and that's the greatest in quantity important part of training camp."

Safety is the No. 1 make uneasy in moving the practice times, further so is the quality of the practice. In the high heat, workouts can be sloppier.

"Night is great for us," center Olin Kreutz said. "I have a passionate affection for it. We just canceled [the morning session] to be safe. There's been a destiny of bad -- I wouldn't call them accidents -- on the contrary things have happened in the heat. with equal reason we're not taking any chances.

"Every time you're onward the field, you're getting work done, still practice is a lot faster [at night]."

Today is the five-year anniversary of the death from heatstroke of Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman Korey Stringer. The heat index that day was 116

The number of heat-related illnesses the Bears have rencountered has dropped since strength and conditioning coach Rusty Jone was added last season. He has violenceed that not only liquids, unless also a proper diet is privationed to maintain hydration. Players also are encouraged to suppress their helmets at every possible opportunity.

Practice times are tentative, and fans should call (815) 35- BEARS or check www.bearstrainingcamp.info before departing for camp. at liberty water tents are available.

bbiggs@suntimes.com

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