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Bears confident in safety SteltzAug 23, 2012 (Chicago Tribune - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- The coaching staff repeatedly raved about improvements second-year safety Chris Conte made during training camp. But with the starter out for Friday night's game against the Giants, Craig Steltz will slide into the starting lineup at MetLife Stadium. He fared well starting the final four games of 2011 and also has been impressive in camp. "Craig has had good camps since I have been here," defensive backs coach Jon Hoke said. "He's just consistent. He's in position where he is supposed to be in position and his anticipation is a little bit better than it has been. He has a better understanding of concepts and understands offenses a little better now. He's a tough guy. Good leader. Good communicator." Nevertheless, the plan now is for Conte to return for the start of the regular season. What Steltz lacks is the athletic ability and range of Conte and Major Wright. But the way the Bears go through players at the position, it would be a surprise if Steltz doesn't play a key role this season. The question now is how the depth chart unfolds behind him. The status of rookie Brandon Hardin remains unknown. His absence is providing Anthony Walters, who spent a month on the 53-man roster last season as an undrafted free agent, another opportunity to make the team. "He has matured a lot and he handles himself well," Hoke said. Walters also has become smarter when it comes to the scheme, proving he continued to advance while on injured reserve during the second half of the season with a pulled hamstring. Catching a break: The Giants announced defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, who broke through with 161/2 acks last year in his second season, will be held out Friday for precautionary reasons as he has been troubled this week with back spasms. That will make life a little easier in the trenches for the offensive line. But the Giants still have an array of pass rushers. "When one goes down, another steps up," coach Lovie Smith said. "So I don't think that will really affect too much. When you evaluate guys, if they're both playing against the same guy, you can get a good evaluation, and that's what we'll do. Pierre-Paul would have lined up over left tackle contestants J'Marcus Webb and Chris Williams. There is a pretty good player who also lines up on that side -- Osi Umenyiora, the veteran who sacked Jay Cutler three times in the 2010 meeting. Room for two Former Mayor Richard M. Daley suggests the NFL should put a second franchise in Chicago, something that seems a little farfetched when Los Angeles remains without a club. Of course, the Cardinals used to call Chicago home. "I'm a big sports fan and all that but I love the one team we have here," Smith said. "I can't really talk about it an awful lot. I know our fans love the Chicago Bears so it would be hard for me to even imagine another team being here." Extra points: The Bears aren't any closer to determining the status of punter Adam Podlesh (left hip) and will evaluate rookie Ryan Quigley on Friday night before considering options for Plan B if the veteran is sidelined for an extended period. ... First roster cuts to 75 are due Monday and the Bears currently have 89 on their roster. Final cuts are due 8 p.m. Aug. 31, a day earlier than in the past. [email protected] ___ (c)2012 the Chicago Tribune Visit the Chicago Tribune at www.chicagotribune.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |