until his second season at Saddleback, when he switched from defensive end. The son of Hall of Fame defensive end Howie Long still has a lot to learn about offensive line play in the NFL, but he already has shown he's a quick study.

Long missed all of the Bears' off-season work because of the NFL rule preventing rookies from participating until their schools finish finals. But Thursday, in just the sixth training-camp practice, Long got his most extended playing time yet with the first team, at right guard, where he is competing with James Brown.

Still, the 24-year-old rookie who began his collegiate career as a pitcher at Florida State with a 90-plus fastball isn't making any assumptions.

"Who's counting?" he said of his increased snaps with the big boys.and into the games."

Obviously the Bears want Long to win the starting job and justify their high draft pick, but they won't need to force him into that spot if he continues to improve at the pace he has shown early.

Long has had to play catch-up because of his absence in the off-season, but he's gaining on the starting job as quickly as he did on Lloyd at Thursday's practice.

"He's really a smart guy," said Aaron Kromer, the offensive coordinator and offensive-line coach. "He's smart, strong and tough, and that's what you're looking for in an offensive lineman, so I don't think it's going to take him long to figure it out."

If the Bears are force-feeding Long, it hasn't fazed him. He's clearing his plate with ease and