Fangio still believes McClellin can make positive impact
Inside Chicago Bears linebacker Shea McClellin didn't have a very good game against Washington Sunday, missing three tackles and, like his teammates, failing to cover or tackle tight end Jordan Reed with any consistency.
“He didn't play as well as he had been playing up to this point,” defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said. “The game just didn't work well for him. He was off kilter a little a bit. He's still nicked up a little bit, but I don't think he would use that as an excuse.”
Fangio said he believes McClellin, who missed three games with a knee injury earlier in the season, can be a more effective player down the road. Fangio said he's seen occasional signs of play-making ability from the former first-round draft pick, as he becomes more accustomed to inside linebacker after playing defensive end his first two years and outside linebacker in 2014.
McClellin's 88 tackles are second on the team to safety Adrian Amos' 90, but he has just 1 tackle for negative yardage and very few impact plays overall.
“I think he'll keep growing and growing and eventually be that (impact) player,” Fangio said. “It's a new position and the Mike (middle) linebacker is a very hard position to come in and adapt to and learn, particularly to being most of his career up on the ball and I think he's done well overall.”
The votes are in:
Guard Matt Slauson was the recipient of the 2015 Good Guy award, presented by the Chicago chapter of the Professional Football Writers of America for his professionalism, courtesy and respect this season.
Slauson also won the award from the New York chapter in 2011 when he was with the Jets.
“I try to help out as much as I can,” Slauson said. “We have to utilize our opportunities because the media is the pathway to the fans.”
Quarterback Jay Cutler feigned outrage at the result during his session with the media just before the announcement was made public.
“I was holding out for the nice guy award, but I heard Slauson got it,” Cutler said. “You guys obviously don't know Slauson that well.”
Attitude adjustment:
Back-to-back losses at home to opponents who had not previously won on the road all season have the Bears hovering at the same win total as last year's 5-11 disaster. But players seem to be in a better frame of mind this year.
“It does feel a lot different,” quarterback Jay Cutler said. “I think we have a great group of guys in (the locker room). We have a lot of no-quit attitudes. I think the coaching staff and management know how to win. You know it's going to get done in there.
“It's just a matter of who's going to be on that team because they're going to figure out a way.”
Ending the slump:
Like the Bears, the Vikings have lost three of their last four games.
But the Vikings come into Sunday's matchup at 8-5, just a game behind the first-place Packers in the NFC North.
“I think we were fairly confident, and then we might've lost some confidence after the Seattle game (a 38-7 loss two weeks ago),” said Vikings coach Mike Zimmer, a graduate of Lockport Township High School. “But I think we played better against Arizona (last week's 23-20 loss).
“We just got our butts kicked pretty bad against Seattle. It was a game we just didn't do anything well — special teams, offense or defense. I just think sometimes that causes you a little bit of doubt maybe, but we have a pretty resilient group.”
The Vikings' last three losses have been to the 9-4 Packers (30-13), the 8-5 Seahawks and the 11-2 Cardinals. The 5-8 Bears have lost to the 10-3 Broncos, the 4-9 49ers and 6-7 Washington by a total of 11 points in the past month and they defeated the Packers 17-13.
Injury update:
Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery did not practice because of an illness, and he also has a calf injury that limited him on Wednesday. Cornerbacks Bryce Callahan (quad) and Sherrick McMannis (concussion) also did not practice.
Tight end Zach Miller (rib), linebacker Pernell McPhee (knee), defensive lineman Will Sutton (knee) and cornerback Tracy Porter (ankle) were limited.