Giving Orton time to throw won't be easy

The Eagles will come after Kyle Orton on Sunday night at Soldier Field. It's just a matter of how many and from which direction.

"They pose a lot of problems for us defensively," Bears coach Lovie Smith said. "It's been documented how much they're going to blitz us, and we're going to have to deal with that."

The Steelers couldn't deal with it last week, allowing 9 sacks in a 15-6 defeat. The Bears will try different tactics to combat the Eagles' pass rush.

"It's just different philosophies on offense," said Orton, who threw his first 2 TD passes of the season against Tampa Bay. "The Steelers took their chances with dropping back and trying to get the ball out, and we'll try to handle it our way. I don't think we'll see that many sacks. I hope not."

This week, it might be advisable for the Bears to start running even before they get off the bus.

If they can establish a ground game, it should keep the Eagles on their heels and prevent them from sending waves of pass rushers after Orton.

The problem with that plan is that, in addition to leading the NFL in sack percentage, the Eagles' defense is also No. 1 against the run, allowing just 45.7 yards per game. "We'll have a different game plan than Pittsburgh," Orton said. "It's not the same style of offense. As long as we execute, they shouldn't be able to get to the quarterback that often."

When he does drop back, Orton will have to remember how Bucs quarterback Brian Griese negated the Bears' pass rush last by taking short drops, making quick decisions and getting rid of the ball without hesitation. But Orton will need help from everyone in the huddle. The offensive line, which has allowed 6 sacks so far (tied for 15th in the league), will see pressure from all angles and from many players. The Eagles' 13 sacks have come from 10 different players, so pass protection becomes a team effort. "With their type of pressure, the entire offense has to handle it," Orton said. "It just doesn't fall on the offensive line, it just doesn't fall on me or the running backs. The receivers have to be aware of it. Our backs have to be aware of it, tight ends - everybody has to be aware of it, and everybody has to execute. The pressure this week falls on the entire offense."

Undersized left end Juqua Parker (6-foot-2, 250 pounds) leads the Eagles with 2 sacks, and he will be the responsibility of Bears right tackle John Tait. If he and the Bears' other pass protectors can give Orton time, he'll have a chance to exploit 1-on-1 situations created by players coming after the quarterback rather than dropping into coverage. But against the Eagles' defense, it's still a small window of opportunity.

"That's probably easier said than done because they have good players who know their system, and they make adjustments very well," Bears offensive coordinator Ron Turner said. "But anytime someone's going to come after you, that gives you an opportunity, hopefully, to make some plays."