Can't get any worse for Bears on third downs
Considering the Bears were 0-for-12 converting third downs last Sunday, quarterback Jay Cutler is pretty confident they'll be better Sunday against the Redskins at Soldier Field.
“One (conversion) would be an improvement, so it's not going to be that hard,” Cutler said. “Like everything else, it's going to start up front with those guys (on the offensive line), and I'm going to have to identify the coverage and get the ball out on time. We have no way to go but up.”
When it comes to making good on third-down opportunities, the Bears' offense has been at Ground Zero for three weeks. While losing two of three games, offensive coordinator Mike Martz's group has converted just 3 of 40 third downs and have plummeted to 17.6 percent success rate on the year, by far the worst in the NFL. The winless Buffalo Bills are next at 26.3 percent.
“Execution is a big deal,” Martz said. “You go back and look, are you getting guys open, are you protecting, is he making good decisions? It's the littlest things. A tipped ball, a slip on a route. There are just some goofy things that have happened to us here recently. We can certainly change up and simplify as well, but I think we know what to address here. We made mistakes in areas where we normally don't make mistakes the routine things, and that's frustrating. We'll fix that.”
Injury update: Linebackers Brian Urlacher (groin) and Lance Briggs (ankle), safeties Chris Harris (knee) and Danieal Manning (back), guard Roberto Garza (knee) and cornerback Zack Bowman (foot) did not practice Wednesday.
Rookie safety Major Wright returned to practice for the first time since he suffered a hamstring injury against the Cowboys on Sept. 19, but he was limited.
Keep someone warm: On Sunday, before the Redskins game at Soldier Field, fans can donate new or gently worn winter coats at all entrances in support of the Bears 22nd annual Winter Coat Drive, which is conducted in cooperation with Jewel-Osco stores, the Salvation Army and Wm. Meyers Movers.
Coats may also be donated through Dec. 4 at all Jewel-Osco stores. The Coat Drive benefits public schools in the Chicago area and the Salvation Army.
Welcome back: Defensive end Ervin Baldwin was added to the practice squad.
The Bears' seventh-round selection in 2008 spent time on the practice squad and the active roster in '08 and '09 but never appeared in a regular-season contest. He joined the Colts in November of '09, played in three games and had 14 tackles.