Clausen looking forward to second chance

Because the Bears had Wednesday off after their Monday night loss to the Saints, freshly anointed starting quarterback Jimmy Clausen only gets two days of practice before he leads a 5-9 team against the Lions, who possess arguably the NFL's best defense.

Clausen has thrown just 9 passes in NFL games since his last start in the final week of the 2010 season, when he was a rookie. Asked if two days of practice was a fair amount of time to prepare for the Lions, Clausen said: "It doesn't matter if it's fair or not, that's the time we have right now."

For a guy who hasn't started in almost four years, any opportunity isn't to be taken lightly. There were times Clausen wondered if he'd ever get another chance, especially when he sat out all last year with an injury to his throwing shoulder.

"It was a tough four years going through that whole entire transition, being hurt last year, and rehabbing every day," he said. "It's just a great opportunity for me. A lot of people don't get second chances to showcase their talent in the NFL."

Desperate to stop the bleeding after eight losses in 11 games, the Bears hope a switch at quarterback can be a difference-maker.

"Maybe Jimmy can give us a spark," coach Marc Trestman said. "We're hopeful that he can. He's practiced well during the course of the season. He's immersed himself in our offense.

"He appeared ready to go throughout (Thursday's) practice; very confident. We'll see where that takes us."

As the Carolina Panthers' second-round draft pick out of Notre Dame in 2010, Clausen was shoved out of the nest and asked to fly, starting 10 games on a rancid 2-14 team. He was intercepted nine times while throwing 3 TD passes and going 1-9.

"That was four years ago, so it's obviously a little different," said the 6-foot-2, 210-pound Clausen. "I've gained more knowledge since 2010, just being around different guys, different coaches, just being around the game, seeing it from a different perspective on the sidelines. I think that's going to help me on Sunday."

Clausen will face a Lions defense that is the NFL's best vs. the run, has allowed the fewest points and is No. 2 in total yards allowed.

"I've been in way worse situations than this," Clausen said. "The only thing we can do as a team right now is go out and work, that's what Coach Trestman and the rest of the coaching staff is stressing to us."

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