Musical chairs continue on offensive line
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Bears coach Lovie Smith continued to juggle the lineup Sunday, especially along the offensive line.
Rookie seventh-round pick J'Marcus Webb started his first NFL game at right tackle in place of nine-year veteran Kevin Shaffer, who had started the two previous games after Frank Omiyale moved over to left tackle following the hamstring injury to Chris Williams.
At right guard, free-agent Edwin Williams, who was signed to the practice squad Sept. 5 and promoted to the 53-man roster Sept. 27, started at right guard in place of Lance Louis. Louis missed practice time during the week with a knee injury that sidelined him in the second half of the Giants game last week.
“I started out slow to be honest, Williams said, “and that's actually when we were doing pretty well. But after a while I got settled down and felt a little more comfortable being with the guys and the tempo of the game. My initial objective was just no stupid mental mistakes, no penalties, no holdings, and that's what I wanted to accomplish first.
“As I get more comfortable I think I can be a lot more aggressive. I didn't feel as physical as I sometimes practice and that just comes with being out there more and being more involved. So hopefully I can keep building on it.
There is sure to be more juggling in the future with Chris Williams expected back in the next week or two, which means Omiyale probably goes back to right tackle.
Off the bus: The Bears came into Sunday's game ranked 31st in rushing yards, but they piled up 218 yards on the Panthers, who were 17th in rushing yards but only managed 85 yards on the ground.#8220;That was definitely old school, coach Lovie Smith said. #8220;Bears ball right there for sure, where you ran the football, played great defense, got some turnovers, and special teams contributed. We know how to win games that way, and it was good to see that we can still do that. I'm not saying we're getting off the bus running the ball or anything. I'm just going to stay away from those comments, but today we needed to and we were able to.Extra points: Linebacker Lance Briggs left the game in the third quarter with an ankle injury and did not return. He will be re-evaluated Monday. #8230; The Bears are 0-for-9 on plays from the opponents' 1-yard line after they failed twice more Sunday with a run by Chester Taylor and an interception by Todd Collins. #8230; Tim Jennings started for the second straight week in place of Zack Bowman at left cornerback, although Bowman saw occasional playing time. Jennings replaced Bowman in the second quarter of the Packers game in Week 3. #8230; Chicago Mayor Richard Daley attended the game as the guest of Panthers owner Jerry Richardson.Sitting it out: Bears inactives were: quarterback Jay Cutler (concussion), safety Major Wright (hamstring), cornerback Joshua Moore, running back Kahlil Bell, offensive tackle Chris Williams, tight end Desmond Clark (a healthy scratch for the second straight week), new defensive end Charles Grant and defensive tackle Marcus Harrison for the fourth time in five weeks.