Bears' Cutler loves newfound energy in locker room
The difference in the Bears' offense this year isn't just the increased size of the wide receivers, a trend that a lot of NFL teams figured out a few years ago.
According to quarterback Jay Cutler, there's also a difference in the locker room and a different attitude — at least for now.
“There is a different energy in the locker room, especially offensively,” Cutler said. “There is a different confidence in this group. But we have to be careful. We've played only one game. We don't have a lot on tape yet, so we've got to continue to work hard.
“But there's something to be said to being confident about what you're doing and having a feel for what you're doing and going out there and expecting to do good. That's what we've tried to install in these guys.”
That attitude was helped by a season opener in which offensive coordinator Mike Tice managed to get almost everyone involved in the game.
“Guys are feeling good about what we're doing,” coach Lovie Smith said. “You just look at our first game; most of our guys can say that they had an opportunity to prove what they can do on the football field. So it's a good start.”
Just to be clear:
Heading into last week's game offensive coordinator Mike Tice thought he might have to give right tackle Gabe Carimi an occasional breather since he hadn't played a full game since the 2011 season opener.
But, on Tuesday, Tice said he wasn't concerned, and Carimi was just fine against the Colts, earning a game ball for his performance.
“You guys were concerned,” Tice said. “I said, ‘I'm real excited to see where he's at, and he got better as camp went on, and his run blocking got better, and his protection got better. But, at the end of the day, if he needs a little blow, we'll give him a little blow.'”
The Urlacher Plan:
Linebacker Brian Urlacher (knee) and cornerback Charles Tillman (shin) did not practice Tuesday, tight end Kyle Adams (shoulder) was limited and offensive tackle J'Marcus Webb was a full participant.
Urlacher will play against the Packers, but whether he'll play more than the two-plus quarters he did last week remains a mystery.
“Brian is on track,” coach Lovie Smith said. “We have a plan for him. You've just got to trust the plan. Everybody has to.
“I feel pretty good. The plan came through last week. Hopefully it will this week.”
He's back:
Linebacker Patrick Trahan, who was waived on Monday, was added to the practice squad Tuesday.
Trahan appeared in five games for the Bears in 2011, making 5 special teams tackles. He spent the first 12 weeks of the season on the practice squad.