Players solely responsible for effort level

Q. There was talk early in the week about a lack of effort by the Bears last Sunday. Do players and coaches share the blame for that?

A. If there's a lack of enthusiasm or effort, the blame always goes on the players. The coaches can only get you prepared during the week to implement the game plan they have devised. When you evaluate the tape after the game or leading up to the game, constant positive reinforcement is needed from the coaches. But as far as effort, it's only on the players.

Q. The Bears' defense has already allowed 149 points this season, while last year they had allowed just 59 points after six games. Are injuries a legitimate excuse or are there other factors?

A. The first three games, the lack of offensive time of possession really did a lot to wear out the defense. You're not talking about a bunch of huge guys that kind of waddle around the field; you're talking about a bunch of finely tuned athletes who play fast. When you get no complement from the offense, it hurts the overall long-term performance of the defense by wearing them out so early in the season.

Q. What about the last three games, when the offense put up 85 points?

A. I think there's still a carry-over of the fatigue factor from the offense not maintaining their responsibility on the field the first three games. If you look at the last game, it's all big plays (by the Bears' offense). They need some methodical, time-consuming drives to win the time-of-possession battle. That's the way you assist your defense as an offense. Look at the great defensive teams and look at the time of possession -- the defense is never on the field longer than the offense.

Q. What does the defense have to do to get its swagger back?

A. The big-time players have to play up to the financial rewards they're getting, and everyone has to accept responsibility for their performance and their effort. Every day in training camp we saw 11 guys surrounding the ball. But now you don't see all 11 running to the point of attack. They have to have more of an all-for-one-and-one-for-all mind-set instead of one for one.

If you make a big play, stand in the spot where you made the big play and celebrate with your teammates. Stop trying to get out and identify yourself as the guy who made the play. This is a team sport; this is not individual accomplishments. It's about getting back to the naive enthusiasm that they had when they were becoming superstars. Now some of these guys want to identify themselves as superstars, and it really hurts you as a player and it hurts the team.

Q. Do you see a lot more of that this year?

A. I see guys who are concerned about their financial future. I see guys who make a big play, and they want to identify themselves as having made the big play rather than celebrating with their teammates. I think camaraderie is one of the most important aspects of a team, and during the three hours of game time, it has to be them as a group. It can't be any of their outside entourage, it can't be an agent influence, it can't be looking to the future.

Q. Are you talking about No. 55?

A. No, I think Lance (Briggs) has played well, but there's been so much attention focused on him because he was given the franchise tag. You read articles in the paper about Bernard Berrian firing his agent and hiring (Drew Rosenhaus) and worrying about that. Hey, catch the ball; that's your only job. You're not going to have to worry about who your agent is and what your financial reward is going to be if you don't catch the ball. And it's not only Bernard; there are other people. They all have to understand that there has to be a team concept here, above and beyond all else.

Q. Is today's game vs. the Eagles as important to the season as the Packers game was two weeks ago?

A. Yes, and it's going to be a reflection of how much the players actually respect Lovie Smith. If they go out there and get throttled in Philly and give a real lackluster effort, then that means the respect that Lovie gives his players is not being reciprocated. This is not a great Philly team. These guys owe Lovie some respect because he has built an organization and an atmosphere around here that's been getting glowing reports around the league from prospective free agents and other players. Now they better go out and play with desire and determination.