Lance Briggs appears to be improving with age
Coach Lovie Smith wasn't all that impressed with Lance Briggs' last two games, when he had back-to-back, team-high totals of 15 tackles.
“He's a great player, and I've seen him play so many great games,” Smith said. “So this is just another one of them. We expect it from him. He'll tell you that's great, the tackles, but even more (important are) the impact plays. He had a big impact play (last week) with the caused fumble. We need our stars to play like that each week, and he's definitely one of our stars.”
Briggs has been to six straight Pro Bowls, but at age 30, he's on pace for a personal best in tackles for a season. Is he getting better?
“Probably,” Briggs said. “I talked about vintage a couple weeks ago (regarding 33-year-old Brian Urlacher). I'm trying to get to that vintage level.”
Defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli agrees with Briggs.
“Each game he's gotten better this year,” Marinelli said. “He is a premier tackler in space. He's exceptional; he's got great instincts. I just see him starting to get better and better.”
The fun bunch: Offensive line coach Mike Tice refuses to be discouraged by the disappointing early-season efforts of his guys, and he also refuses to blame them.#8220;It's a great, diligent group of guys that are trying to do really well,#8221; Tice said. #8220;We've got to do a better job of putting them in positions to do well, and we'll continue to work at that. #8220;We've got to have fun, man. This is supposed to be fun. I bought into this job of coaching 16 years ago to have fun. Right now it's not so much (darn) fun, so we have to win a game so we can have fun again.#8221;Right guard Lance Louis was removed from the injury report Wednesday after missing the past two games with a sprained ankle and could be back in the starting lineup Sunday. The bigger they are:Brian Urlacher was asked if he expected that tackling the Panthers' 6-foot-5, 248-pound quarterback Cam Newton would be like bringing down former Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper.#8220;He's tall,#8221; the 6-foot-4, 250-pound Urlacher said of Newton. #8220;He's not like Daunte Culpepper. He's not that big. Daunte was big, like thick. I don't see Cam as being as big as he is. They're all big. Peyton Manning is 6-6. They're all tall. It's not a big deal. We're pretty tall too.#8221;Injury update:Running back Kahlil Bell (back) and safety Chris Harris (hamstring) joined wide receiver Earl Bennett (chest), offensive tackle Gabe Carimi (knee) and tight end Matt Spaeth (calf) on the sidelines at Thursday's practice.Harris, who has missed the past two games, participated fully in Wednesday's practice but suffered a setback. Bell's condition is a recent development, as he also practiced on Wednesday.Running back Marion Barber (calf) and safety Major Wright (head/neck) both had a second straight day of full practice, and long-snapper Patrick Mannelly (hip) returned after being limited Wednesday.For the Panthers, cornerback Chris Gamble (head) was out again Thursday, but offensive tackle Jeff Otah participated fully. #376;Follow Bob's Bears reports via Twitter @Bob LeGere and check out our Bear Essentials blog at dailyherald.com.FBN15642318In this Sept. 11, 2011, file photo, Chicago Bears linebacker Lance Briggs walks off the field during warm-ups before an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in Chicago. Briggs has made it clear he wants a new contract, but that's not happening. What is though is that the Pro Bowl linebacker is wreaking havoc as usual for the Chicago Bears. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File) FBN