Tuesday tidbits: Tackling the tackles and another visit

It will be awfully interesting if something unexpected happens when the draft begins and USC defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis slides.

There is always a twist or two at the top half of the first round that surprises, and the Bears would be hard-pressed to pass on Ellis if he fell into their laps no matter how pressing the need is for help on offense. Its just how they landed Tommie Harris from Oklahoma back in 2004 when some teams took him off their draft boards because of concerns about his knees.

For the sake of this entry, lets assume Ellis is long gone before the Bears go on the clock at No. 14. (For the record, I dont see any way Ellis makes it out of the top 10).

Bears coach Lovie Smith met with Arkansas Marcus Harrison last week at the pro day in Fayetteville, Ark. Hes a potential first-day pick who is athletic and moves well.

The club met with Florida States Andre Fluellen at the Senior Bowl and again at the combine. Hes undersized and disruptive and would be a good match for what the Bears seek. The Lions are bringing him in for a visit next week, so obviously Detroit coach Rod Marinelli figures him to be a good fit for his Motown version of the Tampa Two.

Arizonas Lionel Dotson and Virginia Techs Barry Booker could also fit. Dotson is a little bigger at 6-4, 296, and has quick feet and pursues the ball well. He lacks long arms but would be an ideal fit for the nose tackle in the Bears scheme. Booker is agile at 6-4, 288, and ran the 40 in 5.06 seconds with a time of 1.69 in the first 10 yards. Hes a durable performer who started the last 26 games for the Hokies.

*** Georgia offensive lineman Chester Adams will make a pre-draft visit to Halas Hall next week.

Adams started at right tackle last season for the Bulldogs after playing guard for his first three seasons. Most scouts project him as an interior lineman on the pro level. Adams was not invited to the combine, so the Bears need to gather medical information on him. At 6-4, 331, hes pretty athletic. He played in the Texas vs. The Nation all-star game and worked at guard during the practices.

*** Count ESPNs Skip Bayless among those questioning how the New England Patriots and Dallas Cowboys were left off the prime-time television schedule for Kickoff Weekend. The Bears will help the Indianapolis Colts open Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 7, in a “Sunday Night Football game on NBC.

“Are you kidding me? Bayless said this morning on ESPN2s 1st and Ten. “The Bears might well be the worst team in the NFC North.

As it stands, the Detroit Lions are the only team left out of prime time from the division that weekend. Minnesota will travel to Green Bay for the first tilt in an ESPN “Monday Night Football doubleheader Sept. 8.