Bell answering the call
It’s been a mixed bag for running back Kahlil Bell, who started his second NFL game Sunday night with Marion Barber out with a calf injury.
After not playing a single down last season, Bell had picked up 139 yards on 28 carries for a 5.0-yard average in the previous three games, with injured Matt Forte on the sidelines. But the Bears have not won sine Nov. 20.
“It’s been a blessing getting an opportunity to play,” said Bell, who rushed for 220 yards on 40 carries (5.5-yard average) as a rookie in 2009. “It’s too bad that it had to come by way of an injury, but this is part of the game. Any time you get called on you want to go in there and you want to try to leave an impression.
“I’m just trying to help our team make plays. Obviously it’s not enough because we haven’t won. I’m not going to lie; I’ve had fun, but at the same time we (were) 0-4 in the last month, so it’s tough.”
Bell carried the ball on the first six plays of the game and seven of the first eight, picking up 36 yards. He also caught a 12-yard pass on the first drive. On the Bears’ second possession, Bell carried on the first four plays for 23 yards. The undrafted free agent out of UCLA had 105 yards on 19 carries through three quarters.
You are slumping:After catching 21 passes for 308 yards in the first seven games this season, Devin Hester caught just 4 passes for 47 yards in the next seven games, as he#146;s attempted to battle through a sprained ankle. Even his production in the return game has plummeted in recent weeks. Since his 98-yard kickoff-return for a touchdown against the Vikings on Oct. 16, Hester has returned 12 kickoffs for 196 yards, a subpar 16.3-yard average, with a long of just 25 yards.Since his 82-yard punt-return touchdown against the Lions on Nov. 13, he has 9 returns for 141 yards, an excellent 15.7-yard average, but he was averaging 20.1 yards before that. The only updates offered on Hester#146;s condition during the week were, #147;He#146;s getting better,#148; from Lovie Smith and, #147;He#146;s nicked. He#146;s still a little gimpy there,#148; from offensive coordinator Mike Martz.Hester played Sunday night and had 16 yards on his first kickoff return. On his first punt return, Hester slipped and fell while trying to cut after a 7-yard gain, and on his second attempt he was buried under a swarm of Packers after a 1-yard pickup.His career punt-return average of 13.1 yards is still has the highest in NFL history.Extra points: According to STARS LLC, Lance Briggs is third in the league in stuffs (tackles of a rusher for negative yardage) this season with 9, and he leads the NFL in stuffs since 2003 with 152frac12;, far ahead of runner-up Terrell Suggs of the Ravens, who has 132. #133; Henry Melton came into Sunday night#146;s game third in the NFL in sacks among defensive tackles with 7, trailing only the Bengals#146; Geno Atkins (8) and the Raiders#146; Tommy Kelly (7frac12;). #133; With Johnny Knox on injured reserve and Jay Cutler, Matt Forte and Marion Barber all out with injuries Sunday night, and with the release of Sam Hurd, the Bears were without players who have supplied 65.1 percent of their rushing and receiving yardage this year.Sitting it out:Bears inactives Sunday night were quarterbacks Jay Cutler and Nathan Enderle, running backs Matt Forte and Marion Barber, offensive tackle Levi Horn, tight end Andre Smith and nose tackle Anthony Adams.Among the Packers#146; inactives were starting offensive left tackle Chad Clifton and offensive right tackle Bryan Bulaga, along with defensive end Ryan Pickett and wide receiver Greg Jennings.Bears right tackle Lance Louis left the game in the second quarter because he was ill. He was replaced by Frank Omiyale.FBN33542082Chicago Bears' Edwin Williams (70) recovers a fumble by Kahlil Bell (32) for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 25, 2011, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps) FBN