Emma's Notebook: Bears Rookies Begin Fight For Roles

By Chris Emma--

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (CBS) -- Mini-camps bring coaches back to teaching the basics. A long list of rookies, drafted and undrafted, join veterans looking for their chance to go through the most simple football instruction.

The Bears on Friday had 64 players in uniform for their rookie mini-camp -- nine draft picks, 11 undrafted free agent signings, 13 NFL veterans and a long list of rookies taking a shot at landing in the league.

Coach John Fox calls it football in "underwear" when players wear jerseys and shorts, but he doesn't dial down practices. Still, the instruction from his coaching staff isn't life-altering by any means. It's back to the basics.

"Hell, lining up in the stretch line -- how to warm up, how to stretch," Fox joked.

What comes of mini-camp is the beginning for the Bears' new draft picks and a chance to solidify depth at the bottom of the roster. Fox and the Bears will look for potential contributors in this camp.

Last season, the Bears had several undrafted rookies dressing for important roles. The Bears are in a better place in terms of personnel, though they would love to find a diamond in the rough. That was certainly a topic of tutoring Friday.

"They understand you get an opportunity," Fox said. "They got one of those chairs in the room last night. They understand that they're being evaluated."

Competition will be fierce as the Bears move through the coming months leading to the opener in Houston. Mini-camp at Halas Hall is the next step in the process of fortifying a roster.

Howard ready for his role

Full pads aren't donned in mini-camp, but rookie running back Jordan Howard is eager for his chance to suit up. He's excited to take the field for game action against an opposing linebacker.

"If it's short yardage, I'm running straight through them," Howard said.

Howard is an Indiana product who came from UAB, which shut down as a program in 2014. He still wears a wristband that says #FreeUAB and donned Blazers shorts at mini-camp on Friday.

Upon arriving at Indiana, Howard impressed with his abilities in Big Ten play. Against Michigan's defense, one of the top run-stopping units in college football last season, he ran for 238 yards on 35 carries, arriving to the scene. Still, the Bears hadn't met with Howard after the NFL Combine, catching him somewhat off guard to hear his name called by Chicago in the fifth round.

"I was very surprised to be picked by them but very grateful for this opportunity," Howard said. "I'm not coming in trying to replace Matt Forte or anything. I'm coming in to compete and help make the running back room better and this team better."

Howard looks every bit of the 6-foot-1 and 230 pounds, and he touts his ability to make an impact in the passing game, too. He projects to play a short-yardage role behind likely feature back Jeremy Langford, though Howard is ready to compete for the starting spot.

"It's definitely special, knowing Walter Payton played here, Gale Sayers, Matt Forte," he said. "It's a proud running back franchise."

Bush greeted by business side of NFL

The day Deon Bush was drafted out of Miami to the Bears, he explained his respect for another Hurricanes safety, Antrel Rolle. The two were teammates for less than 24 hours, with Rolle cut the day after the draft.

In making the move, the Bears released an aging veteran who came off an injury-plagued 2015 season. They also made room for Bush and showed the tough business side of the NFL in the process.

"Antrel is still like a brother to me," Bush said.

Both Bush and Rolle have worked out together in the past, forming a strong relationship. Bush was looking forward to learning from Rolle as teammates.

Rolle spoke out in a recent interview with the Spiegel & Goff Show, claiming the Bears' facilities were subpar and the poor turf caused his knee injury. But Rolle had good feedback to say about the organization when speaking to Bush.

"He said it was a good situation with the Bears," Bush said. "He said he liked the Bears. He said I was walking into a good situation -- good coaches, good people around here, great fan base. I'm just very thankful to be a part of this organization right now."

Mini-camp brings the beginning of Bush's push to become a Bears starter. Last season, Adrian Amos started 16 games after being picked in the fifth round.

Bush was selected in the fourth round this year, and he enters a roster with an opening next to Amos at safety.

"Right now, I'm just coming in here with a mentality to work," he said. "Just going each day, learning each day and trying to get better."

Whitehair worked in his own way

Everybody comes from a unique background in the NFL. That surely can be said for the Bears' second-round pick out of Kansas State, Cody Whitehair. The Bears' slotted left guard developed his lineman strength on the farms of Abilene, Kansas.

"I'm a farm kid," Whitehair said. "I like to spend a lot of time at the farm.

"I threw a lot of hay bales.

"I just like to be on a farm. I like the outdoors, and I like to work hard. It's just what I am, it's who I am, it's what I like to do."

Chris Emma covers the Chicago sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.