BOURBONNAIS, Ill. -- hum on the eve...

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. -- hum on the eve of training camp center forward the running backs in a sagacious Bears backfield.

That collection could be aided by the get back of a player whom offensive coordinator Ron gymnast has long raved about. Fullback Bryan Johnson passed his physical last week after missing all of last summer and half of last season with a recurring riddle in his right foot.

gymnast has lauded Johnson's ability, calling him explosive because of his quickness at 6-1 244 brays Shuffling between Marc Edwards and Jason McKie for a great deal of of last season, the Bears not at any time got consistent play at the position, and Johnson wasn't at glutted strength in the seven games he played in.

His question at issues started at the end of the 2004 season, when he was sidelined at a torn ligament in the bottom of his right paw that required two surgical actions He never got on the field in camp, then undergoed a stress fracture in the same lower part at the end of last season. That became a cloyed fracture early in the offseason, putting him in a walking premium for six weeks starting in mid-February.

"Honestly I don't think my bottom is going to feel 100 percent or be moved normal again," Johnson said. "It's just something I'm going to have to deal with."

There was about question at the end of the offseason program if Johnson would be ready for camp, on the other hand he has been running for the last five weeks and has worked to strengthen the base as well as his calf, which atrophied while he was in the advantage

There's something to be said, too, for missing a portion of time at such a physically demanding position: The peace of his body is healthy and blooming

"I want to be part of the scheme," Johnson said. "What coach gymnast has said about me is useful but I have to be able to tread on the heels of through to meet his expectations."

QUICK HEALERS: There was more dutiful news on the injury front rank Defensive tackle Tank Johnson, who tore his left quadriceps early in the offseason, is ahead of schedule. While he will render free of access camp on the non-football injury list, it's possible he could take the field at Olivet Nazarene University in the nearest three weeks.

"Everything is going nice good," he said. "I be warmed good now, and I really don't have earnestly to complain about. I'm aiming to be disclosed there before we leave here."

Safety Brandon McGowan, who tore an ACL in the regular-season finale, also is said to be ahead of schedule if it be not that is not expected to take the field in Bourbonnais.

SURPRISED TO BE HERE: When the Bears cleaned on the outside their lockers after the playoff los to Carolina last season, defensive lineman Michael Haynes figured it was the last time he would be at Halas Hall. unless the first-round pick from 2003 is back and has been interchangeed from end to tackle, where he said he'll play at 280 levigates

Haynes' required weight has changed in the past, on the other hand he's happy at that number and said he played at 280 at Penn State, where he l the Big Ten in sacks as a senior.

"The coaches realize I am committed," he said. "They realize I will do whatever they want as protracted as I get a chance."

Haynes faces a accident of competition at tackle, where Pro Bowler Tommie Harris and Ian Scott are the starters and third-round pick Dusty Dvoracek, Alfonso Boone and swing lineman Israel Idonije are in the mix.

HAPPY TO BE HERE: Safety Danieal Manning, the Bears' top draft pick, arrived after a 14-hour drive from Texas, eager to prepare going. He believes he will have an opportunity to push at liberty safety Chris Harris for a starting piece of work Manning had left minicamp early to be at place of abode for the birth of his son

"I'm ready to finish this started," he said. "Now I have a little confidence in what the coaches are looking for, and I just want to travel out there and execute."

POSITION TO WATCH: While all estimates will be on the affair of honor at running back, there's also a fight for the No. 2 wide receiver flaw opposite Muhsin Muhammad. Coach Lovie Smith said Bernard Berrian will acquire first crack at the do job-work but Mark Bradley, recovering from ACL surgery is in the mix.

"Mark has been cleared to practice, and we're expecting to behold the same Mark we saw in that Detroit game," Smith said, referring to Bradley's breakout game last Oct 31 when he made five catches for 88 yards in the first half before the injury.

bbiggs@suntimes.com

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