Focus will be on Bears' offensive line
The Bears' offensive line can make amends Sunday for its part in last week's sackfest, which left quarterback Jay Cutler concussed and unavailable to play against the Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.
The damage has clearly been done, the culprits identified, and the blame leveled. Now it's time to remedy the situation.
Offensive line coach Mike Tice was his usual upfront, blunt and honest self when describing the events that led to the New York Giants' 10 sacks. That included an NFL-record 9 in the first half, all at Cutler's expense.
“It wasn't (missed) assignments, Tice said. “We went into a street fight and got our butts kicked. (We) had the normal mental errors, four or five as a group. The thing is, we took turns getting our (butts) beat, and that's the bottom line.
Which isn't to say that all the blame lies with the offensive line.
Tight ends, especially Brandon Manumaleuna, who was brought in because he was supposed to be an excellent blocker, were just as bad as the offensive linemen.
Running backs weren't much better, and Cutler brought nearly half the sacks upon himself by holding the ball too long.
“It wasn't just those five guys, Tice said of his linemen, “it was other positions. You add that all together, it adds up to 10.
“It's not a very good night; in fact it's an all-time ugly night. We just have to continue to work to get better, try to get five guys out there that can work with continuity.
Continuity is a much more realistic goal when the five O-line starters are healthy.
But that hasn't been the case since left tackle Chris Williams left Game 2 after one series with a hamstring injury that hasn't allowed him to return to the practice field.
Right tackle Frank Omiyale switched sides to fill in for Williams, and backup tackle Kevin Shaffer moved into the starting lineup in Omiyale's previous spot.
Rookie J'Marcus Webb has been getting an occasional series at right tackle, and he could be in line for more playing time.
Right guard Lance Louis was unable to play the second half against the Giants because of a left-knee injury, forcing Edwin Williams into the starting lineup less than a week after he was promoted to the active roster from the practice squad.
Louis practiced this week, but if he isn't ready to play Williams would be back in the mix, and he also could spell Roberto Garza, who has been playing despite a knee injury.
That's a lot of moving parts to coordinate, which can be especially harmful to the development of an offensive line.
“It's not good, Tice said. “But we're not the only ones, so we can't make excuses for that. And that's why we keep guys. We keep guys that have potential in case someone gets hurt. They can step in and play winning football for you.
When the season started, center Olin Kreutz was the only member of the O-line playing the same position he did in the 2009 opener, so the group was expected to be a work in progress in the early going.
“I had hoped that six games into it, with the same five guys, we would start to show some improvement to the point where we wouldn't be the trash-talk of the neighborhood, Tice said.
“(But) we haven't had the same five guys in there except for one game and one series, so it's been a little tougher.
“It's a challenge, and we have to rise to the challenge. Whoever we put out there in a Bears uniform (has) got to play winning football for us. If they don't, then we've got to put someone else out there that will.
Realistically, it may take more than six games for the line to come together, so Tice was asked if his timetable now was eight or 10 games.
“I wouldn't say that, Tice said. “I would hope that we can get markedly better this week and then markedly better next week. I wouldn't say 10 games. I might be out of work.
ŸFollow Bob LeGere's Bears reports via Twitter@BobLeGere. Check out his blog, Bear Essentials at DailyHerald.com.