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LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Bears rookies returned to Halas Hall Monday for the first time since their minicamp two weeks ago, mixing with their veteran teammates for the first time.

“It’s different than rookie camp, that’s for sure,” said quarterback Dan LeFevour, a sixth-round draft pick from Central Michigan. “You have different faces and people that have been around here a while.
“You just try to follow the example of the older guys, do the best you can and learn as much as you can at this point because it’s all brand new for all the rookies.”

Bears players lifted weights, attended position meetings and practiced Monday morning with the offense working on one field and the defense on another.

“It’s been good,” said defensive end Corey Wootton, a fourth-round pick from Northwestern. “I’m just trying to watch [the veterans] and get every piece of knowledge and advice from them that I can. I see why they’re veterans. They’re really skilled in what they do.”

Being an NFL player became a lot more real for Wootton Monday when he attended meetings alongside veteran Pro Bowlers he’s watched on television the last several years.

“It’s definitely sunk in,” Wootton said. “It’s been a dream of mine. It’s crazy playing with guys like Tommie Harris and Julius Peppers. They’re tremendous players and it’s an honor playing with them.”

Bears rookies were relieved that the veterans treated them well. Of course, that doesn’t mean that they won’t spend the summer carrying their teammates’ equipment and singing their college fight song.

“You hear all kinds of different stories, so you really don’t know what to expect,” said linebacker Matt Mayberry, an undrafted rookie free agent from Indiana. “But everyone in the linebacker room was real nice and helping me out.”

“At first it was kind of quiet,” said offensive tackle J’Marcus Webb, a seventh-round pick from West Texas A&M. “I didn’t want to say anything. I was just going to keep my eyes forward and do what I was told. But after a while, we got things going and got a little conversation going.”

LeFevour was more worried about executing during practice than being hazed by veterans.

“I had more anxiety about on-the-field stuff,” he said. “There’s nothing you can do about what happens off the field. It’s definitely something that’s brand new to you. You’re used to being in college for five years and being in similar surroundings and now it’s all brand new, so there’s a little anxiety.”
Minicamp approaching: The Bears will conduct their mandatory full-squad minicamp this weekend at Halas Hall, practicing twice Friday and Saturday (8:30-10:30 a.m. and 3:30-5:30 p.m.) and once Sunday (11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.).

It’s the first time since Lovie Smith’s second season as Bears coach in 2005 that two-a-day sessions will be held during minicamp. The practices are open to the media but not the public.