Bears' defense has Peppers on the prowl

The Bears have been experimenting with Pro Bowl defensive end Julius Peppers, moving him around on the line, creating mismatches by allowing him to exploit weak areas in the opposing offensive lines.

Peppers probably will do some shifting Sunday against the San Diego Chargers, as he did in last week's victory over Detroit. He lined up at left end and at the 3-technique tackle, in addition to his usual spot at right end.

Whether he moves or doesn't, Peppers will find weak areas to attack all across a Chargers offensive line that has been decimated by injuries.

Left tackle Marcus McNeill, who started the first 10 games, won't play because of a neck injury. His replacement, Brandyn Dombrowski, struggled last week against Oakland after McNeill was hurt. He was primarily responsible for allowing the Raiders' Kamerion Wimbley to get 4 sacks.

Chargers Pro Bowl left guard Kris Dielman was placed on injured reserve Wednesday with lingering effects from a concussion. His replacement for the past three games, Tyronne Green (hand), is doubtful. Right guard Louis Vasquez (ankle) also is doubtful.

The Chargers (4-5) weren't doing a very good job of protecting quarterback Philip Rivers even before the injuries — they're 18th in sacks allowed.

Peppers has 4 of his team-best 6 sacks in the past four games. His moving and shaking last week resulted in a sack, a forced fumble, a pass breakup, a quarterback pressure and a tackle for loss.

Despite the Chargers' problems, Bears defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli prefers to focus on perfecting what his guys do rather than dwelling on the opponent.

“You try not to look at them, to be honest,” Marinelli said. “It's about gauging our progress and our improvement. We have a standard to get better at what we do and then we come out on game day and play our game.”

The Bears' offensive line doesn't come into this game in the best of health either.

It will be the first full game without left guard Chris Williams, who went on injured reserve following wrist surgery last Sunday night. Edwin Williams, who started three games at right guard last season, steps in.

The Bears had started the same five offensive linemen in the previous four games, all victories, and their protection of quarterback Jay Cutler was the best it has been in two seasons.

Cutler hasn't put up huge numbers this season, but lately he's avoiding negative plays better than he ever has. He hasn't thrown an interception in four of the past five games, and the line deserves some of the credit.

“We're protecting much better,” offensive coordinator Mike Martz said. “I think that (Cutler) is a lot more comfortable as each game goes by with what we're doing.

“He's managing the game very well. He's getting rid of the ball if something downfield doesn't happen for him. He's just playing like a veteran right now, making really good decisions.”

The slumping Chargers are headed in the opposite direction from the Bears (6-3), having lost four straight. But Bears players and coaches refute the idea that Sunday's matchup could be a trap game, the last four Chargers losses having been by 7 points or fewer.

“They scored 38 points against the Super Bowl champions,” coach Lovie Smith said of the Chargers' 7-point loss to the Packers in Week 9. “They have capable, big, physical receivers who can catch the ball.”

Starting wideouts Vincent Jackson and Malcom Floyd are both 6-feet-5, but Floyd is out with a hip injury.

Jackson leads the Chargers with 635 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns on 35 receptions for an 18.1-yard average. He is likely to be shadowed by 6-2 cornerback Charles Tillman, who did a brilliant job on the Lions' 6-5 Calvin Johnson last week.

Tillman leads the Bears with 10 pass breakups and 2 forced fumbles, and he's third with 68 tackles, an exceptional number for a cornerback.

“We don't match up very often, but when we see that there's a definite No. 1, we want to put Charles on him,” Smith said. “You just can't find many guys with his size who competes like he does. He does everything you want a great corner to do.”

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