Bears' McPhee: 'Don't let our record define us'

Outside linebacker Pernell McPhee is still looking to regain the form he showed in the first half of last season before a knee injury slowed him and resulted in off-season surgery.

But he remains an emotional leader. The Bears' 3-9 record has presented a challenge but also given McPhee a pulpit.

"Just as a man, as an individual, it don't matter if you're a young guy or an old guy, when you're 3-9 it tests your manhood," McPhee said. "It tests your character, it tests reality and how you're going to bounce back off it.

"I preach to the guys all the time, 'Don't let our record define us. Let's go out and be the best we can be. Let's take care of our bodies and finish the season off strong because it ain't gone how we want it to go (so far).' "

Golden touch:

In the first Bears-Lions game in Week Four, Marvin Jones was quarterback Matt Stafford's go-to guy with 5 catches for 74 yards. Golden Tate had 1 catch for 1 yard, but he's become the main man since.

The 5-foot-10, 197-pound former Seattle Seahawk has 65 catches for 762 yards.

"Once he catches the ball, he's an excellent runner with the ball in his hands," Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said. "He's a guy that's been a punt returner in his career. He's built like a running back.

"He's stronger than most receivers. He's very quick, very elusive. He's a hard guy to tackle once he's got it in his hands. That's the reason they give him some wide receiver screens and fly sweeps, etc."

In his previous two seasons with the Lions, Tate has 189 catches for 2,144 yards.

By the numbers:

The 8-4 Lions first seven victories this year were by 4, 1, 3, 3, 6, 7 and 3 points before last week's 28-13 vanquishing of the Saints.

"Whenever you look at a (winning) record in the league," Bears coach John Fox said, "the difference is the team with the better record has won the close games."

The 3-9 Bears have lost three games by 6 points and another by 1, but they've also been beaten by 9, 15, 14, 16 and 26 points.

Making a point:

Third-round draft pick Jonathan Bullard was a healthy scratch last week for the first time.

The demotion was meant as a motivation tool but not necessarily a kick in the butt.

"I wouldn't say it in those harsh of terms," defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said. "He knows he needs to improve in some areas. We've talked to him about that. He's asked about it. It's been good.

"He's realized that he doesn't like it. He wishes he was out there playing that game. He's taken it in a very mature, professional way and self-analyzing."

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