Giants' defense poses two major problems in Strahan, Umenyiora
Even in the best of times, it's not easy keeping Giants defensive ends Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora away from the quarterback, and these are not the best of times for the Bears' offensive line.
Right tackle Fred Miller has been trying to play with rickety ankles for the past few weeks, and he did not practice Wednesday or Thursday, leaving eight-year veteran backup John St. Clair to fill in with the first team.
The 6-foot-6, 315-pound St. Clair has started two games in each of his previous two seasons with the Bears, three at left tackle and one on the right side. He started at left tackle in Game 5 this season when John Tait was out with a sprained ankle.
The 34-year-old Miller has struggled the past two weeks. He was unable to finish against the Denver Broncos and was beaten for 3 sacks by the Seattle Seahawks' Patrick Kerney a week earlier.
"Fred is our starter at right tackle, period," said Bears coach Lovie Smith, who quickly added, "Guys don't play if they're injured."
Unless Miller makes a miraculous recovery, it's unlikely the Bears would ask him to battle Strahan, who is tied for ninth in the NFC with 8 sacks and has 140½ in his 15-year career. That's the most among active players and fifth in NFL history, 3 ahead of former Bear Richard Dent.
For now, St. Clair assumes he's starting.
"I prepare every week like I am the starter," St. Clair said, "and if I play, I play. Wherever they put me, I just play."
Whoever draws the assignment opposite Strahan will have his hands full, even though the Giants' left end turned 36 last week.
"He's a great player," St. Clair said. "I've played against him before. I blocked him, I'll say that much. I don't think it's all that.
"I just go out and play, but you can just look at what he's done this year, what he's done in the past, and that says enough for itself.
"He's quick, and he's strong, so he knows how to take advantage and find guys' weaknesses because he's been around so long, and he can exploit that. But I'm up for the challenge."
Tait, at left tackle, won't have it any easier on the other end of the Bears' offensive line. He will have to deal with Umenyiora, who leads the Giants with 10 sacks and had 14½ two seasons ago.
The Bears don't want to make major adjustments in their pass protections, but against the Giants they don't have much choice. They'll have to help their tackles with assistance from tight ends and running backs.
"You've got to change it a little bit and obviously get help to them," offensive coordinator Ron Turner said. "You've got to be aware of (Strahan and Umenyiora) every play.
"But the tough part comes because they've got two real good inside guys (nose tackle Barry Cofield and defensive tackle Fred Robbins), too. So you can't give too much attention to those guys because someone else will burn you."
Even in the best of times.