"Linebacker Brian Urlacher is just as incredulous as a lot of Bears regarding the chronic turf issues at Soldier Field.

''I don't understand why they don't have FieldTurf yet,'' Urlacher said Saturday at training camp. ''We're a fast team. We play fast on FieldTurf. The injury issues aren't as bad as they used to be. They've gone down a lot in the last few years with the way they've made the turf. So I don't understand it. Use our speed. Let us get out there and run."

The artificial turf became an issue again Friday night when the Bears' Family Fest had to be canceled because open seams from a recent resodding at Soldier Field made the playing conditions hazardous. The Bears returned to Bourbonnais and practiced late Friday night.

''The situation's a joke,'' Urlacher said. ''I don't understand why you can't have the field ready. It sucks for the fans because I'm sure it was a pain in the butt to get down there with all the traffic. But I think Coach [Lovie Smith] did the right thing in not letting us practice on that stuff. We ended up having a late practice, but it's too bad it had to end that way.''"