Smith: Running game improving
Every NFL team has at least one run of 20 yards or longer this season -- except the Bears, whose longest run is 16 yards by Cedric Benson on 136 carries.
The Bears are 30th in the league with an average of 81.1 rushing yards per game, and they're 31st with an average of 3.2 yards per rushing attempt. No runner in the NFL with more than 62 carries has a lower average per carry than Benson's 3.1.
But coach Lovie Smith insists there is evidence that the Bears' running game is making strides, even if they're baby steps.
"I think the evidence is what we've done on the offensive side," Smith said of a unit that has scored 104 points the past four weeks.
"I'm going to go to the passing numbers. I think that has a lot to do with what we're doing running the football, where a team has to gang up on the run (and) put our guys on the outside in position to make plays.
"We'll continue to run the football, and eventually we'll get more yards from it. You just have to keep doing it, which we will do. I know we all want the numbers. I can't wait until I speak to you and we've rushed for over 150 yards, and I think that that's coming."
Despite the poor production, the Bears have run the ball at least 22 times in every game, although they've averaged 41 passes and 25 runs per game. Smith is adamant that the Bears will continue to get off the bus running the football.
"I have it memorized," Smith said of his signature quote. "That's what we are, period. Most of our games you can see (that). We start out running the football, and then from there you have to take what a team gives you. Our foundation is the run."
In the drink: Lions coach Rod Marinelli has been impressed by the kick-return work of the Bears' Devin Hester.
"Oh, my goodness," Marinelli said. "He keeps you up. You don't sleep the whole week. A red flag goes up when he's in the game. You've got to know where he's at, what he does, and we've got to be on top of him when he's in the game. He's a special talent."
Medical status: Offensive tackle Fred Miller (ankle), defensive tackle Tommie Harris (hamstring), Brandon McGowan (elbow), cornerback Nate Vasher (groin) and linebacker Jamar Williams (illness) all did not practice Wednesday. Defensive tackle Darwin Walker (knee) and guard Ruben Brown (shoulder) both practiced on a limited basis.
Ready for Halloween: The Bears will wear their orange jerseys at home against the Lions for the first time since last Oct. 29 against the San Francisco 49ers.