Although greatly overshadowed by the addition of high-profile free-agent Julius Peppers, the first-string status of Anthony Adams at nose tackle is still quite noteworthy. For whatever the reasons, the Bears seem to have made a habit out of underestimating the normally very reliable Adams, who was stuck behind the departed Dusty Dvoracek a year ago at this time. "They always appear to be looking to make an upgrade at nose tackle, even though Adams always plays well and provides a great locker-room presence," one team insider said. "If he has a shortcoming, it's that he's undersized and probably not durable enough to be counted on as a 16-game starter." Truth be told, we hear the best-case NT scenario as far as the Bears are concerned would be for Adams' starting status to light a fire under third-year DT Marcus Harrison, who has all the physical tools to be a star but, for the most part, has been a disappointing underachiever with a questionable work ethic.

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