Bears expect to expand Paea’s role
With Matt Toeaina out Sunday with a sprained knee, rookie Stephen Paea will get another opportunity to build on his successful debut in Week Six.
“Players always expand their role by taking advantage of the limited reps you get early on,” coach Lovie Smith said. “He did that. We like what he did out there rushing the passer, and of course playing the run, too. We liked him coming out (of Oregon State). He’s doing it by playing good football. Practice wise, he’s the same guy, he’s eager to learn, and he will start getting more reps.”
The Bears’ second-round pick sacked Donovan McNabb for a safety last week on his second NFL snap.
Defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli said Paea will play a bigger role in the tackle rotation.
“He has a lot of quickness, which we knew,” Marinelli said. “He’s got a great motor, and he’s just been very productive. We’re very excited about him, and we need to keep him going. He’s been coming along each week. You get an opportunity, and then you have to cash in on it, and he did. That’s everything in this league.”
Safety shuffle:If strong safety Major Wright#146;s hip injury prevents him from playing Sunday, Chris Harris could be back in the starting lineup a week after being benched in favor of the second-year player.#147;He (Wright) is injured,#148; coach Lovie Smith told reporters in London. #147;It could affect his status for Sunday, yes.#148; After being inactive last week, Harris requested a trade, which didn#146;t happen. But Smith said he had no doubts about the seven-year veteran#146;s mindset.#147;Each week your role changes,#148; Smith said. #147;Chris Harris and the rest of our players realize that. Last week, after I told him his role would be different, he was on the sideline coaching the guys up. All of our players are ready for me and us to tell them what they will be doing this week, and they#146;re going to do the best of their ability to get that done.#148;Injury update:Wide receivers Devin Hester (chest) and Earl Bennett (chest), tight end Kellen Davis (elbow) and safeties Major Wright (hip) and Anthony Walters (knee) all were full participants in Friday#146;s practice at The Oval, a cricket facility in south London, and were listed as #147;probable.#148;There seems to be no doubt that Hester and Bennett will play, while the others aren#146;t as certain.#147;Devin is ready to go,#148; coach Lovie Smith told reporters in London. #147;It should be a treat for some of the fans over here that have never had an opportunity to see him play; the greatest returner in the history of the game getting a chance to play here. I enjoy it every time I see him play.#148;In addition to Matt Toeaina, offensive tackle Gabe Carimi (knee) did not practice and will not play.For the Bucs, running back LeGarrette Blount (knee) is #147;doubtful,#148; center Jeff Paine (biceps) is #147;out#148; and defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (ankle) is #147;questionable.#148; None of them practiced Friday.FBN40002575The Bears held a training session at the Oval cricket ground in London Friday. Defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli, center, said rookie Stephen Paea will play a bigger role this weekend.Associated PressFBN