Donnell Woolford has been telling Jeremy Lincoln some ghost stories around the fire at training camp. Scary ones about that big, bad dragon Mike Ditka.
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“He tells me all the criticism he got early in his career from Ditka,” Lincoln said, “and that helps me. He tells me not to listen to what is in the paper or what I hear on radio and TV.
“That’s just the life of a cornerback. I’ve got to roll with the punches and take some.”
Lincoln could take a punch later this week if the Bears coaches decide James Burton has outplayed him in practice. Coach Dave Wannstedt said Wednesday that the next couple days will determine if Burton replaces Lincoln as the starter in Sunday’s game against Arizona.
Not right now: You can be sure one reason Wannstedt isn’t planning to start Rashaan Salaam Sunday is his unfamiliarity with picking up the blocks on the blitz. Wannstedt doesn’t want to leave starting quarterback Erik Kramer vulnerable to a big hit because Salaam misses an assignment. The rookie running back will play at least a quarter.
Watch your step: Kicker Kevin Butler was icing down his foot Wednesday afternoon after safety Anthony Marshall stepped on it. Offensive tackle Andy Heck’s strained foot is expected to put him out a day or two. Safety Cedric Walker was cut Wednesday, proving that no one should drop out early from running the 110-yard sprints, as he did last month in Lake Forest.