Bears' Conte getting comfortable as starter
PHILADELPHIA — Rookie Chris Conte's third NFL start Monday night was his most challenging, given the Eagles' big-play potential and deep threats DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin.
But the third-round pick from Cal didn't seem to be fretting about it in the days leading up to the game.
“It's awesome,” Conte said of his rapid rise to the starting lineup. “It's surreal at some points, but it's fun, and I love being a part of it. Hopefully I can get to the level that these guys are at and make a few Pro Bowls and be all-pro and all that.”
Conte has replaced veteran Chris Harris, who was released Oct. 27, but he has been accepted by the veteran-heavy defense.
“It's been great so far,” the 22-year-old said. “Everyone's been really supportive of me and helped me out. You still get the rookie treatment, but that's expected. I just roll with it, go with it, and enjoy the time I'm having.”
Conte came in with a good understanding of Jackson from having been teammates at Cal.
“DeSean is very naturally gifted athletic wise,” Conte said. “He's on a level where it just comes easy to him.”
The Eagles had just one pass play of longer than 12 yards in the first half, a 31-yarder to Maclin.
He's got the time:Quarterback Jay Cutler compiled a 96.6 passer rating, completing 18 of 32 passes for 208 yards, 2 touchdowns and no interceptions. For the first time this season, he was not sacked.#8220;Our offensive line has made improvements weekly,#8221; coach Lovie Smith said. #8220;Jay can make all the throws, and he's as good as there is once he has time, and we've been giving him that time to make the throws.#8221;Cutler has thrown 6 TD passes and just 2 picks in the past four games, and his passer rating has been 96.9 or better in three of those games.Back in action:Nose tackle Matt Toeaina, who started the first five games, was back in action Monday night for the first time since suffering a sprained knee in the Week 5 loss to Detroit.#8220;He plays consistent football,#8221; coach Lovie Smith said. #8220;When we've had him out there, we don't have to wonder what type of effort we're going to get, what type of play we're going to get from him.#8221;Toeaina started, while Anthony Adams, who had started the previous two games, was inactive. Amobi Okoye and rookie Stephen Paea backed up Toeaina and Henry Melton at the tackle spots.Return policy:Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson didn't make much of an impact as a punt returner in the first seven games this season, averaging just 5.3 yards on eight attempts. But the Bears are well aware that in his previous three NFL seasons Jackson had 4 TDs on punt returns.#8220;He's definitely in a category with Devin (Hester),#8221; said Corey Graham, the Bears' leading special-teams tackler. #8220;Whenever you've got somebody that's got the speed like that and the capability of breaking it every time they touch the ball, that's definitely what you think about.#8220;We've just got to get a lot of guys around the ball. It can't be one guy, and you think you're going to get him down every time because the guy is going to break tackles and he's fast.#8221;The Bears used that strategy to force and recover a Jackson fumble at the Eagles' 9-yard line on a punt return that set up the Bears' second touchdown. Graham was credited with causing the fumble, while Sam Hurd got the recovery.Sitting it out: Major Wright was temporarily replaced in favor of Brandon Meriweather late in the first half but returned to play in the fourth quarter.Eagles free safety Nate Allen suffered a concussion late in the first quarter and did not return. Pro Bowl cornerback Asante Samuel missed part of the second quarter with a groin laceration.#376;Follow Bob's Bears reports via Twitter @Bob LeGere and check out our Bear Essentials blog at dailyherald.com.