Vasher not worried about Chargers' WRs
Bears spotlight
At 5-feet-10 and 183 pounds, Nate Vasher is almost always smaller than the receivers he's assigned to cover, but it's usually nothing like the size disadvantage the Bears' cornerback will have to overcome today against the Chargers.
San Diego's starters -- Malcolm Floyd and Vincent Jackson -- are both 6-5. Floyd weighs 225 pounds, Jackson 241. On paper, it looks like a mismatch, but Vasher isn't the least bit intimidated. Far from it.
"They're big in stature," Vasher said. "I really don't know what else to say about them. I really don't know their names."
Vasher, who was voted to the Pro Bowl after the 2006 season, is the Bears' active career leader with 16 interceptions in just three seasons. He has seen the best the NFL has to offer, and he obviously doesn't consider the Chargers' duo in that class.
"From what I see, they really don't look like they throw the ball a whole lot to those guys," Vasher said. "As far as getting in and out of routes, I think they're more or less just tall wide receivers."
Jackson, in his third year out of Northern Colorado, caught a modest 27 passes last season but averaged an impressive 16.8 yards per catch with 6 touchdowns. Floyd entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2004 and caught 15 passes for 210 yards last year, his first full season in the league.
Eric Parker, who played at Joliet Township High School, was the Chargers' leading wide receiver last season, but he won't be back for a while after having toe surgery Aug. 3.
While Vasher doesn't consider Floyd and Jackson big threats in the passing game, he admits they can make it even more difficult to contain all-world running back LaDainian Tomlinson.
"I know that they're real big in the running game as far as blocking downfield," Vasher said. "It's kind of like having two extra tight ends out there. Being able to get off their blocks and then try to make the tackles on 21 (Tomlinson) can be tough.
"Wide receivers can really make the long runs for the running backs. They do an exceptional job of that. But besides that, I really can't see any other challenges."