One of the things that has stood out the past couple nights of practice is that Jahvid Best appears to be moving better than he has in weeks. Of course, even with his lingering foot injury, he still has speed. But he seems to be getting back to that real explosiveness we’ve seen from him. He was really bursting through holes and running well tonight, which of course is all good news for the Bears. Best, whose practice time has been limited for the past several weeks, has practiced in full capacity all week so far.

Linebacker Zack Follett was held out of practice tonight with a kink in his neck. Jeff Tedford said it wasn’t serious and should be fine for the game. Follett has a history of neck problems, and whenever he even has the slightest discomfort there, the Bears always play it safe. Follett should be back at practice tomorrow.

It’s looking more and more like safety Brett Johnson won’t play Saturday. He missed his second straight day of practice and Tedford called him doubtful. Johnson is coming off one of his best games of the season. He tied a career high with seven tackles.

The good news is Bernard Hicks appears to be fully recovered from the thigh injury that sidelined him for six games. Hicks came back to play a few downs near the end of last week’s game after Johnson suffered his shoulder injury, so he should be ready to step back into the position he held down earlier.

“He’s played in a lot of games so it comes pretty natural to him,” Tedford said. “You have to get back in and work the kinks out, but it’s not like a freshman getting in there for the first time. He’s played in a lot of games.”

The annual Guardsman Luncheon which is held before every Big Game took place today. Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh expressed his gratitude toward Tedford for seeking him out after the Cardinal’s win in last year’s game to offer congratulations.

Tedford said with the Stanford Stadium field littered with Cardinal fans celebrating the win afterward, he couldn’t get to Harbaugh to shake his hand. So after he addressed the media following the game, he went over to the Stanford locker room to make sure he congratulated his counterpart.

Tedford went on to praise the job Harbaugh has done with the Stanford program. But when asked if the Cardinal’s renewed competitiveness was good for the rivalry, he said “That depends on who you’re talking to.”