LAKE FOREST, Ill. - The Chicago Bears have sorted through numerous candidates to find a suitable replacement for injured third wide receiver Marquess Wilson the past three weeks. So quarterback Jay Cutler sees nothing wrong with giving a chance to a player with a so-so past. When the Bears signed former Jets and Steelers receiver Santonio Holmes Saturday to vie for an opening caused by Wilsons broken collarbone, it took only a short time before Cutler and Holmes were working together on the offence. "You know, Santonio was here, probably had signed his contract and 60 minutes later he was on the field with Jay, and throwing routes," Bears offensive co-ordinator Aaron Kromer said. Cutler has gotten a good look the past two days in practice at Holmes and anticipates Holmes making an impact in a competition with former veteran Josh Morgan. "It looks good," Cutler said. "Hes explosive. Hed probably to be honest — hes a little bit rusty. Hes been out of football. "But getting in and out of cuts, catches the ball well, extremely explosive, fast. Hes exciting. Weve just got to get him caught up with everything right now. Its hard coming in where we are offensively and just kind of throwing him into the mix." Its possible Holmes will play Friday at Seattle in the third preseason game. But the first chance at the spot Friday will go to Morgan, a former Washington Redskin and San Francisco 49er. "Hes had two good weeks of practice, two good games, productive games," coach Marc Trestman said of Morgan. "Hes made plays out there. "I think he deserves a chance to step up now and get the first opportunity to do that." The 30-year-old Holmes had 23 catches last year, the second-lowest total of his career, while battling a hamstring injury. The Jets cut him to save $8.25 million against the salary cap. He had suffered a career-threatening foot injury in 2012, but says he is over the injuries. Questions still linger about a dispute he had with former Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez, and an argument he got into with tackle Wayne Hunter that led to his benching in a 2011 Jets game. "Thats in the past," Holmes said. "Its neither here nor there right now. I think being in this new organization is a new move for me and a great opportunity for me to take advantage of and be part of a great organization." Wide receiver Brandon Marshall is the Bears receiver leader, and in the past a controversial figure himself. "We came in together," Holmes said about Marshall. "Hes a great guy, first and foremost. Hes a Pro Bowler and he leads by example." Trestman thinks Holmes is a good fit regardless of his past. "I mean, people change, they get into new venues, new environments," Trestman said. "Youre out for a while, you get a hard look at where you are. Not only in your work life as well as in other aspects of your life. "We feel hes coming here in a good place, hes coming into a great locker room. Guys have reached out to him and are willing to help him and give him an opportunity to help our football team, but it will be a process and it will be day to day. But its off to a good start and well see where it takes us." A first-round draft pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2006, Holmes was the Super Bowl MVP in the 2008 season. He had 79 catches for 1,248 yards and five touchdowns but was traded to the Jets for a fifth-round draft pick. In Wilson, the Bears have a second-year receiver who was expected to take over the third spot after Earl Bennett was allowed to leave in free agency. However, the injury could keep him out well into the regular season. So Cutler thinks general manager Phil Emery made the right call bringing in Holmes. "I think it is a good sign that well take some chances on some guys and well bring some guys in because we know weve got a strong veteran group here and some guys that will help young guys or veteran guys along," Cutler said. "I know that, just knowing Phil, I am sure he did his background on Santonio and talked to him numerous times and talked to his agent and was very sure when he brought him in here of what kind of player and person he was getting." NOTES: Defensive co-ordinator Mel Tucker said safety Chris Conte is likely to get his first preseason playing time Friday after missing all off-season work and the first few weeks of training camp due to shoulder surgery. ... Wide receiver Chris Williams, who suffered a pulled hamstring on a 73-yard touchdown catch in the preseason opener, has returned to practice after a week away. ... Starting right tackle Jordan Mills remains day to day with a foot injury. ... Return specialist Darius Reynaud was signed Monday to replace Eric Weems, who was cut when Holmes was signed. He has averaged 9.7 yards per punt return and 22.6 yards a kick return in five seasons. ___ AP NFL websites: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFLJeff Beukeboom Jersey .The 24-year-old quarterback spent four seasons at Northern Illinois and in 2013 was a finalist for the Heisman, which is awarded annually to the most outstanding player in U. Tie Domi Jersey .J. Ward appeared in court Friday on misdemeanour charges that he threw a glass mug at a bartender at a Denver strip club. http://www.authenticnyrangerspro.com/James-patrick-rangers-jersey/ . Under the deal, the Vikings will donate an undisclosed sum of money to five gay rights-related charities over the next five years. Kluwe said he wont receive any money as part of the settlement. "This will help a lot of people that really do need that help," Kluwe said. Mike Richter Jersey . The win puts Arsenal four points clear of Everton in fourth place with two games to play in the Premier League, a position which would qualify the club for Europes top competition for the 17th straight year. Martin St. Louis Jersey . - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are going to meet with Richie Incognito to determine if one of the central figures in the Miami Dolphins bullying scandal can help their struggling offensive line.ALLEN PARK, Mich. - The Detroit Lions won a game in December for the first time since 2011. Theyre also on track for their first playoff appearance since that season.Were focusing on this week and this week only and not worrying about anything else, centre Dominic Raiola said. Thats a good thing around here, it really is. Its a new day.The Lions beat Tampa Bay 34-17 on Sunday. If they win out — beating Minnesota, Chicago and Green Bay to close the regular season — theyll win the NFC North, although a victory at Lambeau Field in the finale certainly wont come easy.If Detroit beats just the struggling Vikings and Bears in the next two weeks, it could earn a wild-card spot.There are a few causes for concern, though, especially since coach Jim Caldwell has a reputation for running a disciplined team.During his first stint as an NFL head coach, with Indianapolis from 2009-11, all three of his teams finished among the least penalized in the league, each averaging 4.7 penalties or fewer per game.This year, Caldwells Lions rank 24th, averaging 7.4 penalties per game. Thats the Lions highest mark since 2011, when they committed nearly eight per game.That is an area we have to improve, plain and simple, Caldwell said. I am more interested in winning. But I know one thing: If you have too many (penalties), they lead to problems, they lead to deficiencies, they lead to losses. That is an area we have to get straightened away.In Sundays win over Tampa Bay, the Lions had nine penalties for 122 yards. Caldwell mentioned that some teams have had great success while posting high penalty rates, such as the 2013 Seaattle Seahawks, who led the league in flags and still won the Super Bowl.dddddddddddd.But that is not Caldwells philosophy.We talk about being somewhere in the top five in fewest penalties, Caldwell said. Were not there. Were working to get there. When were not there, Im not satisfied. ... We wont get there overnight. It takes time. It takes an understanding and development. Its not just training, but educating as well.Caldwell pointed to Detroits 34-17 win over Chicago on Thanksgiving, in which the team had five penalties for 38 yards, as a sign of improvement.Thats closer to where wed like it, he said. Its still two too high. We want one on offence, one on defence, one in the kicking game, maximum. Thats what were looking for.Caldwell also addressed the absence of running back Theo Riddick from the Tampa Bay game.(Reggie Bush) is back, Caldwell said. When Reggie is out, Theo takes on a number of the same roles. When Reggie is back, theres only one spot for one guy. We have talked about (wide receiver) Ryan Broyles. The same thing holds true there. There is only so many spots for guys to occupy. ... We try to spread it around as much as possible, but you cant use everybody.NOTES: Tight end Joseph Fauria has battled injuries this season. He hobbled off the field in the first quarter against Tampa Bay but came back to make a 10-yard touchdown catch. Well see whats going to happen with him, Caldwell said. Theres a few guys that are always, after a ballgame, a little worse for wear. 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