Bears should need no extra motivation
Based on their performance in Sunday’s 54-11 defeat at Philadelphia, the Bears might seem to be a team in need of motivation.
But that won’t be necessary this week according to special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis, who said the importance of a win-or-go-home season finale against the Packers on Sunday at Soldier Field should sell itself.
“If you can’t get up for this one, and you have an issue getting up for this one, then you really don’t belong playing in the league in my opinion,” DeCamillis said. “This is what you work for. We don’t want to all be sitting watching the games in a week on the couch. We want to keep playing. If you can’t get up for this one, you need to go on home.”
First things first:The first step in bouncing back from a demoralizing defeat, according to Bears coach Marc Trestman, is to forget about it.#147;No. 1 is we#146;ve got to put it behind us and not get caught up in it,#148; Trestman said. #147;It#146;s certainly disappointing because of the opportunity that we had. I think the guys will have that chance to get away from it (over Christmas), get some rest and have some time to refocus. We#146;ve been able to do that.#148;After losing three of four games, ending with the overtime loss to the Vikings on Dec. 1, the Bears rebounded with 2 victories. #147;That#146;s the encouraging thing,#148; Trestman said. #147;We#146;ve had periodic weeks where we#146;ve had some tremendous adversity in terms of losing football games and have been able to come back and step up and play. So our history says that we can get this thing done, and that#146;s a good sign. We#146;ve got a tremendous opportunity on Sunday.#148; Silver lining:It#146;s not a good sign when about the only positive coming out of the Eagles game was the play of special teams, especially when Devin Hester lost a fumble on a kickoff return that led to a touchdown and Adam Podlesh had a 25-yard punt that led to another TD.But, unlike the offense and defense, some aspects of the special teams play were solid throughout.#147;Probably the only good part of the game was our coverage teams,#148; coach Marc Trestman said. #147;They covered with a sense of urgency and did a good job. Other than that, and Robbie (Gould#146;s) field goal from 50 yards, there#146;s not many positives out there.#148;The Eagles averaged a measly 7.0 yards on 3 kickoff returns and had a total of 2 return yards on 6 Podlesh punts.Task at hand:As the Bears#146; defense sinks lower and lower in the league rankings, some coaches might be tempted to contemplate their job security. But Bears defensive coordinator Mel Tucker says he has not. #147;I just stay focused on the task at hand and working to teach, motivate and develop, and to work with these guys and get them ready for the next outing,#148; Tucker said. #147;That#146;s really my main focus.#148;