BOURBONNAIS, Ill.On Tuesday the winds of change blew through the nose tackle spot of the No. 1 defense, where Stephen Paea replaced Matt Toeaina as the starter, as first reported by CSNChicago.com.
On Wednesday the change was happening on the other side of the ball where JMarcus Webb spent a second straight day as the No. 1 left tackle and Chris Williams went over to right tackle with the 1s to give Gabe Carimi a break.
Webb and Williams have been following a strict program of alternating days with the starters, leading to the conclusion that Webb has been declared the winner of the competition at that critical spot on the offensive line.
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Not so fast.
Coach Lovie Smith cautioned against reading too much into the situation, and indeed any final position award is not expected until after at least one or more preseason game.
Six days in, dont look at too much right now, Smith said, except that it safe to say Jay Cutler is going to start at quarterback.
(When pressed, Smith also confirmed, tongue-in-cheek, that Matt Forte is a roster lock.)
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Webb has rated a slight edge in recent days over Williams, who is philosophical about the situation. You just come in and keep working hard like I always do and let that stuff sort itself out, said Williams, who had no clear explanation for the change in program.
Williams subbed for Gabe Carimi, the starter at right tackle, and Carimi took reps with the No. 2 offensive line alongside right guard Ricky Henry, who has had a strong camp.
If you have players that have been around here for awhile, you want to give them an opportunity to play against everyone, Smith said. If a guys on the second team, and hes always going against those guys, you want to see what he can do against some of the other guys. No more than that.
Which, of course, remains to be seen.