Bears must stop Panthers running game
The Bears' defense faces a potent Panthers rushing attack today, but it's one that hasn't yet lived up to expectations, ranking just 17th in yards despite featuring former 1,000-yard rushers Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams.
The passing game is a work in progress and also one in transition because of the ankle injury that will keep Steve Smith out Sunday. Veteran Dwayne Jarrett was released during the week after his second DUI arrest in three years. That leaves rookie Jimmy Clausen, making just his third start, throwing to rookie wide receivers Brandon LaFell, David Gettis and Armanti Edwards.
Bears defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli believes there are a number of ways to attack young quarterbacks like Clausen.
“It's physical and mental, Marinelli said. “Sometimes it's the looks that you give him. Sometimes mental pressure is as good as physical pressure. But with him, it starts with that running game. That takes the pressure off their quarterback. They've got a fabulous running game. We've got to make sure we're on top of that.
The Bears' defense is No. 6 in rushing yards allowed but 27th against the pass.
Business as usual: Despite starting a new quarterback and coming off a game in which they allowed 10 sacks, the Bears claim they won't scale back the offense with Todd Collins under center.#8220;You have a player like Todd on your roster for times like this, coach Lovie Smith said. #8220;You need a guy to come in, and you need the offense to keep moving, and that's what we're able to do. It's not like we watered down what we had planned on doing if Jay (Cutler) were in there. We haven't done that, so we expect Todd to play well.Collins hasn't started a game in nearly three years, and he's only been with the Bears since Aug. 23, but he anticipates offensive coordinator Mike Martz using a normal repertoire of plays.#8220;I don't see why not, Collins said. #8220;I don't call the plays here, so you'd have to ask coach Martz that. But I don't think he's a one to limit playbooks much.But this week's game plan will not be as expansive as last week's because Martz believes that's what led to most of the struggles against the Giants.#8220;Clearly we (were) just doing too much, Martz said. #8220;Not the wrong things. We're just doing too many things with guys who are trying to think under pressure. Things start going bad, and you can't regroup, and things snowball. Crystal clear: First there were the benchings of defensive tackle Tommie Harris and cornerback Zack Bowman, and now the release of opening-day starting defensive end Mark Anderson.Coach Lovie Smith has said he's not trying to send his players any messages, but they seem to have an understanding of what it all means.#8220;Everybody's expendable, said cornerback Charles Tillman. #8220;Nobody's job is secure. You've got to go out there and work for your check like everybody else.Getting stronger: The Vikings, a popular Super Bowl pick, have been a major disappointment with a 1-2 start, but the acquisition of Randy Moss makes them a better team, according to Bears cornerback Charles Tillman.#8220;It puts them up there a step higher, Tillman said. #8220;They're a force to be reckoned with in the running game and the passing game. The NFC North, people used to say that we had the sorriest division, but us, Green Bay, Minnesota, (and) Detroit's coming, so it's a good division.