span of four plays during a drive that ended with one of Reds

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Bears have a wide-open competition at safety so far in training camp. Through the first eight days of practices, the Bears have used several veterans at filling both safety spots. And its possible some players who are not even dressed at this point will be part of the mix before camp concludes. The Bears defence dropped to 30th in the league last season and the safety play lacked consistency both in pass coverage and stopping the run. Former New York Giant Ryan Mundy, rookie Brock Vereen, former Dallas Cowboy Danny McCray and 34-year-old former Arizona Cardinal Adrian Wilson have all been tried at the starting safety spots in camp. "The rationale is its an open competition, were going to move people around, and youre going to see that throughout training camp and the exhibition season," coach Marc Trestman said. Vereen and Mundy played the spots with the starters through most of organized team activities and in the first five days of camp. Then Trestman put Vereen with the reserves and put McCray alongside Mundy. McCray was largely a special teams player in four years with Dallas and had 10 starts, all in 2012. "Its a big opportunity," McCray said. "I think thats what were all here for -- open competition. Theyre just rolling people around to see who can make plays. "Everybody has an equal chance. Theyve shown that throughout OTAs and minicamp." Its not surprising to Mundy that McCray would get consideration even if he was regarded chiefly a special teams acquisition. "He brings a high level of energy to the game," Mundy said. "Hes very active around the ball. He knows how to get the ball out and thats something that we value here in our defence -- getting the ball out." Vereen said he cant be too concerned about being moved to the second team after so much time spent with the starters. "In my mind, Im still a rookie who has to prove he belongs on the 53-man roster," the fourth-round pick from Minnesota said. "Im far too young to even worry about starting, not starting, whatever. In my mind I still need to prove Im worthy of being on this team." Looking at all the veterans, Vereen acknowledged hed like to be a starter from Day 1. "But these guys have been here three, four, shoot, 10 years," he said. "Im in catch-up mode. Thats the mindset I want to have." Each player has had strong practices followed by struggles against a Bears offence that has operated more efficiently from the outset of camp in Trestmans second year. Wilson was a late arrival, signing June 23 and missing all of the off-season workouts. He needed the time as hes been recovering from heel surgery. Wilson made five Pro Bowls and had 27 interceptions with the Arizona Cardinals. "I think what Adrian has done, hes kind of worked himself back into playing football, and weve kind of just stood back and allowed him to acclimate himself on not only whats going on in the classroom, but let him get his feet underneath him on the field," Trestman said. Wilson said hes playing with a bit of a chip on his shoulder after seeing reports and hearing many regarding him as washed up. Bears general manager Phil Emery saw possible value in him. "I think Mr. Emery gave me a chance," Wilson said. "I think its a low risk for them, high reward. So Im looking forward to the opportunity." Former Green Bay Packer M.D. Jennings has been playing largely with the third team, and two other Bears have yet to join practices. Last years free safety starter, Chris Conte, is on the physically unable to perform list because of shoulder surgery, and backup/special teams player Craig Steltz is also on PUP due to groin surgery. Conte is in the final year of his contract after starting 40 games in three seasons. Defensive co-ordinator Mel Tucker is looking for more consistency from Vereen, but its something all the safeties have to show after the secondary allowed more completions of 20 yards or more (59) than all but six teams. "As we stack more and more practices on and we add more defences and schemes and things like that and now the question becomes can you do it day in and day out at a high level, with the young guys," Tucker said. "And those guys have to prove that. "And not only the young guys, but when you look at veteran guys, you want to see if guys can still do it. Thats a big part of it. Can you still do it on a consistent basis at a winning level? Were all out here to prove that. And thats the challenge." Cheap Adidas Shoes Online .Y. -- Phil Jackson lost out on his preferred coach, but hes working hard on keeping his star player. Adidas Shoes Australia . Rajon Rondo had 18 of Bostons season-high 38 assists and the Celtics committed just seven turnovers in a 118-111 win over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night. http://www.cheapadidasaustraliashoes.com/ . Now, he might be their hottest pitcher. Lobstein earned up his first major league victory Sunday night, allowing one run in 5 2-3 innings in the Tigers 6-1 win over the San Francisco Giants. Buy Adidas Shoes Australia .com) - Edmonton Oilers forward Taylor Hall left Saturdays game against the Senators in the second period with a left knee injury. Cheap Adidas Shoes Australia .Y. -- When the New York Islanders lead was cut in half in the opening minute of the third period, the sense of impending doom began wafting through Nassau Coliseum.LANDOVER, Md. - After all the negative things Jay Gruden has said about Robert Griffin III, the Washington Redskins coach found some positives to discuss after the quarterback earned his first complete-game win in more than a year.So maybe theyll figure out a way to coexist next season, after all.Back as the starter because of an injury to Colt McCoy, Griffin threw for 220 yards and led the drive that resulted in Kai Forbaths 26-yard go-ahead field goal with 5 seconds left Saturday night. The Redskins beat the Eagles 27-24, pushing Philadelphia to the brink of elimination from playoff contention.You have to be impressed with his performance, Gruden said. I just thought he managed the game extremely well, getting out of the huddle and no delay-of-game penalties. He competed, man, and thats what you want to see a quarterback do — be a competer, be a leader. I told him before the game, I dont care if you go 14 for 100, 10 for 10, or 1 for 1, man, just as long as we get the W.Wins have been few and far between in Grudens first season as an NFL head coach: This victory ended a six-game losing streak for Washington (4-11). Griffin, the 2012 NFL Offensive Rookie of the year, hadnt been in from start to finish of a win since beating San Diego in overtime on Nov. 3, 2013.It really isnt about me. This ones about this team. Weve been through the wringer a little bit this year. Weve been through a lot of adversity, a lot of mess, Griffin said. Guys have responded.He was benched a few weeks ago, but regained the job by default because McCoy went on injured reserve this week with a neck injury.Everybodys helped me get through this time, Griffin said.Griffin still looked a bit awkward and unsure at times, and threw an interception in the fourth quarter, but there were flashes of improvement as a drop-back passer. He connected with former Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson for two big gains — 51 yards in the second quarter, and 55 in the third.ddddddddddddobert did a great job, getting the ball out of his hands and making good decisions, said Gruden, who earlier this season was publicly critical of Griffins flaws as a QB.The Redskins certainly got plenty of help from the Eagles (9-6), who now have lost three games in a row and will be out of the hunt for a post-season berth if NFC East leader Dallas beats Indianapolis on Sunday.There were a couple of missed field-goal attempts in the third quarter — from 34 and 46 yards, both wide right — by Cody Parkey, who had botched two tries all season, going 29 of 31 until Saturday.There were three roughing-the-passer penalties by the Eagles, including two in a span of four plays during a drive that ended with one of Redskins fullback Darrell Youngs two 1-yard TD runs in the third quarter.And there were Eagles quarterback Mark Sanchezs turnovers. He fumbled on the games opening possession — setting up a field goal by Forbath — and then threw an interception to Bashaud Breeland with 1 1/2 minutes left that led to Washingtons six-play, 50-yard last drive.On the first play, Griffin completed a 23-yard pass to Pierre Garcon, before five runs by Alfred Morris.You cherish those moments, those moments when you can go out there and lead your team to victory on that final, last drive, Griffin said. And everybody was locked in.Notes: Morris went over 1,000 yards for the season, making him the only the teams second player — along with Stephen Davis — to gain at least that many three years in a row. ... Injured Redskins included LT Trent Williams (re-aggravated right shoulder) and LB Trent Murphy (broken bone in right hand).___Follow Howard Fendrich on Twitter at http://twitter.com/HowardFendrich___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '