The Sports Xchange

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Wide receiver Kevin White, the Chicago Bears’ first-round draft pick out of West Virginia this year, lined up with the second team through much of organized team activities this week and is patiently trying to fit into the new offense at a level much higher.

“You don’t really want to rush it too much,” he said. “There’s a lot on me right now. It’ll happen slowly but surely. It’ll all come together.”

White, the seventh overall pick, did not have a lot of time working with quarterback Jay Cutler, but he made an observation about the way the Bears’ starter works.

“He wants to have everything down early and quick,” White said. “He wants everything done on time, but he’s willing to help all his receivers, too.”

Some coaches are hard to sell on starting a rookie wide receiver on opening day. Coach John Fox couldn’t recall whether he has ever had one, but he did remember starting a rookie defensive end named Julius Peppers on opening day.

–Last week the Bears added journeyman cornerback Tracy Porter, who has a total of 60 starts with New Orleans, Denver, Washington and Oakland. The Bears are looking for depth in a secondary that has Kyle Fuller, Tim Jennings and a number of question marks in backup spots.

Porter’s stint with the Broncos in 2012 amounted to just four starts, but Fox was there and remembered him as someone who can help.

“I think he’s smart, he knows how to cover, he’s got excellent ball skills,” Fox said. “He’s been with a couple teams since I last had him, but I like what I’ve seen so far.

“We haven’t put him in a bunch because he’s still learning the system. But he’ll pick it up fast. We’re hoping he helps us.”

Fox said he thought Porter could play inside or outside.

–Fox fielded his weekly mandatory question about whether the team knew whether absent tight end Martellus Bennett would make an appearance when practices are mandatory on Tuesday.

“Don’t know that,” Fox said. “Again, it’s different implications on mandatory minicamp. But we’ll wait and see.”

–The safety mix has taken on the look of the two old-timers and the two youngsters with veterans Antrel Rolle and Ryan Mundy backed by second-year player Brock Vereen and rookie Adrian Amos.

“I think it’s going to work great,” Rolle said. “We’ve got the young guys pushing us and the veteran leadership there, too. We’re going to grow, but this is a good group to grow with.”

–The team will not talk about injuries to specific players in OTAs, so linebacker Jon Bostic’s absence from practices remains a mystery. Bostic watched as Shea McClellin and Christian Jones got a big jump on him in terms of reps in the new 3-4 defense at inside linebacker.

–The Bears will conduct two practices in Indianapolis, Aug. 19 and 20 before their preseason game with the Colts. The practices will be closed to the public.

–Guard Kyle Long noted some similarities in blocking schemes to the last coaching staff, and ultimately the change will take time for all linemen. However, Long is seeing benefits of working under line coach Dave Magazu.

“You have certain techniques you use for different coaches,” Long said. “There’s differences and things you can take from each set of coaches to improve your game.

“There’s definitely a lot of stuff that carries over from a previous staff. But coach Magazu gives you a lot of stuff to think about that maybe you hadn’t thought about before this season.”