Williams much more than just fill-in for Briggs

Career backup Jamar Williams filled in for injured Lance Briggs and did what he has wanted to do for a long time: make an impact.

Williams unofficially was credited with 18 tackles against the St. Louis Rams, which would be the most by any Bears player this season if the coaches' review of the game film produces the same totals.

"He was outstanding," Bears coach Lovie Smith said. "He played with energy. He made the tackles. I don't know how many he had, but I know he was in on quite a few of them. He was good in pass coverage."

Briggs' 17 tackles against San Francisco were tops for the Bears this season, and he also had 15 tackles in two other games. But the four-time Pro Bowler is out with a sprained knee.

"When you have an all-pro go down like Lance and you have a guy like Jamar who can step in for him, it's big for the linebackers," Smith said. "Hunter Hillenmeyer did some good things, too, and Adewale Ogunleye rushing the passer. We got some things we were looking for today."

Hillenmeyer got his first interception of the season and just the second of his seven-year career. A week earlier Hillenmeyer forced 2 fumbles against at Minnesota, matching the total from his previous 94 NFL games.

Ogunleye got his first full sack in eight games Sunday and just missed two others.

But the big story was Williams. He has had opportunities before, starting one game in 2007 and playing in several others because of injuries to starters.

But he never has responded as he did against the Rams, although he's tied for fourth on the team with 9 special-teams tackles and was second last year with 15.

"I've been here four years," Williams said, "and I'm just like any player on this team who's a backup or a special-teams guy. You want to play. I've been waiting and waiting.

"I'm on special teams, and I'm backing up all these guys, and I knew one day, one day, somebody was going to get hurt and I was going to have to step up. I knew I could be ready and I did a really good job this week trying to study my opponent, and I felt it helped a lot. I felt very comfortable out there."

Williams also had 2 pass breakups Sunday and tipped the ball Hillenmeyer intercepted.