Linebacker crunch time: Roach, DeCicco getting extended time

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Nick Roach will start in place of Brian Urlacher at middle linebacker and could play longer Thursday than the rest of the No. 1 unit, if only to give him more time at the position.

But Dom DeCicco, who made the Bears last season as an undrafted free agent and former college safety (like Urlacher), has played his way into strong consideration and will get an extended look on Thursday.

Dom has work to do, said linebackers coach Bob Babich. "One thing about Dom -- hes a hard worker. He comes out every day and hes trying to get better, striving to get better, but hes got work to do.

He hasnt seen a whole lot. He missed all last spring, when we had the lockout. Then at training camp he got some work there. But once we get in season he doesnt get a whole lot of work. So the spring and this training camp have been invaluable to him. So hes done a lot of good things. But hes a work-in-progress. Hes only in his second year of playing linebacker, period. But hes instinctive and he has ball skills. He had safety. He had 13 picks I think at Pitt. We like those things. We can work with him.

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