Limited practice for Cutler
Limited practice for Cutler
Recovering from concussion, Bears QB participates in drills and practice reps Wednesday
Jay Cutler never has missed an NFL start because of injury and he took a step toward keeping that streak intact Wednesday when he returned to practice for the Bears on a limited basis.
But an independent neurologist has yet to clear him to return and the NFL's guidelines are interesting for handling a player who has been knocked out of a game with a concussion as he was Sunday night on his ninth sack in 27 snaps.
The policy states "the player should not be considered for return-to-football activities until he is fully asymptomatic, both at rest and after exertion, has a normal neurological examination, normal neuropsychological testing, and has been cleared to return by both his team physician(s) and the independent neurological consultant."
Practicing on a limited basis would seem to qualify as a return to "football activities," more so than say jogging around the field or running on a treadmill. Obviously, he has to have some type of exertion to be properly evaluated and offensive coordinator Mike Martz said there was a "meeting" Wednesday after practice for the quarterback. With a helmet and full pads on, Cutler took snaps in individual position drills when media viewed practice and Martz said he shared reps with backup Todd Collins during practice, again stuff that would seem to fall under "football activities."
Team spokesman Scott Hagel said Cutler's limited participation "falls within the appropriate guidelines" and an NFL spokesman said the return-to-play statement "serves as a guidance for the medical staff."
It's all good news for the team. While it's impossible to say what will happen Sunday at Carolina, it would appear Cutler is on track for a return. Panthers quarterback Matt Moore suffered a concussion in a Week 1 loss at the Giants and was hospitalized briefly after the game. He returned to start the following week.
Cutler's usual noon Wednesday news conference was canceled, so he has yet to speak publicly on the matter.
"We practiced him just to kind of see how he feels moving around and all that," Martz said.
Said coach Lovie Smith: "He'll have to be checked out by an independent doctor before he's completely released to play in the game."
Limited practice for Cutler
Limited practice for Cutler
Recovering from concussion, Bears QB participates in drills and practice reps Wednesday
Jay Cutler never has missed an NFL start because of injury and he took a step toward keeping that streak intact Wednesday when he returned to practice for the Bears on a limited basis.
But an independent neurologist has yet to clear him to return and the NFL's guidelines are interesting for handling a player who has been knocked out of a game with a concussion as he was Sunday night on his ninth sack in 27 snaps.
The policy states "the player should not be considered for return-to-football activities until he is fully asymptomatic, both at rest and after exertion, has a normal neurological examination, normal neuropsychological testing, and has been cleared to return by both his team physician(s) and the independent neurological consultant."
Practicing on a limited basis would seem to qualify as a return to "football activities," more so than say jogging around the field or running on a treadmill. Obviously, he has to have some type of exertion to be properly evaluated and offensive coordinator Mike Martz said there was a "meeting" Wednesday after practice for the quarterback. With a helmet and full pads on, Cutler took snaps in individual position drills when media viewed practice and Martz said he shared reps with backup Todd Collins during practice, again stuff that would seem to fall under "football activities."
Team spokesman Scott Hagel said Cutler's limited participation "falls within the appropriate guidelines" and an NFL spokesman said the return-to-play statement "serves as a guidance for the medical staff."
It's all good news for the team. While it's impossible to say what will happen Sunday at Carolina, it would appear Cutler is on track for a return. Panthers quarterback Matt Moore suffered a concussion in a Week 1 loss at the Giants and was hospitalized briefly after the game. He returned to start the following week.
Cutler's usual noon Wednesday news conference was canceled, so he has yet to speak publicly on the matter.
"We practiced him just to kind of see how he feels moving around and all that," Martz said.
Said coach Lovie Smith: "He'll have to be checked out by an independent doctor before he's completely released to play in the game."
THURS BEAR NEWS- Cutler,collins,louis,grant,wright,williams,tillman
Bears will turn to Collins if Cutler can't go
Smith expresses confidence in veteran QB
If Jay Cutler is not fully recovered from a mild concussion in time for Sunday's game, the Bears have confidence in veteran backup Todd Collins.
"He's a pro,'' coach Lovie Smith said of Collins. "A lot of times when you're in a backup role you don't get a lot of reps. You have to be ready to go.
"Todd's a smart player, he has been in a lot of systems and he knows what's going on. You pull for guys like that.''
Collins participated fully in practice Wednesday after suffering a neck stinger in New York. He has played in only one career game against Carolina and did not attempt a pass.
Cutler has to be cleared by an independent doctor before he gets the go-ahead to play Sunday. In one game against the Panthers, he has completed 21 of 33 passes for 172 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
No regrets: Smith was asked if he had any regrets about parting ways with veteran defensive ends Alex Brown and Adewale Ogunleye since the Mark Anderson experiment didn't work.
"We don't have any regrets,'' Smith said. "We're looking forward to our future and going this direction with the guys we have.''
Ogunleye, now with the Texans, wanted to remain with the Bears, but his asking price apparently was too high. He ended up signing a one-year, $800,000 deal with the Texans.
"They did what they felt they needed to do," said Ogunleye, who led the Bears with 6 1/2 sacks last season.
Sigh of relief: Panthers receiver Steve Smith didn't practice Wednesday coming off a high ankle sprain and it seems highly unlikely he will play Sunday.
That's good news for the Bears defensive backs. Remember, Smith had 14 catches for 169 yards and 2005.
"He's a little guy who's 5-9, but he plays like he's 6-5,'' cornerback Charles Tillman said. "He is top-two best receivers in my opinion in the league."
Smith didn't play in the last meeting between the teams ('08) because of a suspension. Without him, the Panthers would have to turn to rookies David Gettis and Brandon LaFell after Dwayne Jarrett was released following a second DWI charge.
Extra points: New Bears defensive end Charles Grant, who signed a one-year contract worth $755,000, could see some work inside, according to general manager Jerry Angelo. ""We feel that he's a better fit than Mark at left end. He also has the ability to play down inside as a three-technique. We like his versatility, his experience speaks for itself and he was an upgrade." … Guard Lance Louis (knee bruise) practiced Wednesday but was limited, while left tackle Chris Williams and safety Major Wright remained out with hamstring strains. … For Carolina, running back DeAngelo Williams missed practiced with an illness, while safety Sherrod Martin (concussion) and tackle Jeff Otah (knee) also were held out. Ex-Bear Jamar Williams was limited with a neck injury. ... Smith said rookie Corey Wootton could be in the defensive end rotation with Anderson gone. Smith also didn't rule out Grant being in the mix Sunday. Henry Melton is worth watching there, too.
Bears' Grant hoping to be ready for Carolina game
Bears' Grant hoping to be ready for Carolina game
By Vaughn McClure
New Bears defensive end Charles Grant spent late Tuesday evening dissecting the playbook. He hopes to be up to speed in time for Sunday's game at Carolina.
"That's on the coaches, if I play," Grant told the Tribune. "I'm just here to do my job however they want me to do it."
Grant, 32, said his age should not even come up in conversation. He took the place of 27-year-old Mark Anderson on the roster after the Bears surprisingly terminated Anderson's contract Tuesday.
"Age doesn't have anything to do with," Grant said. "How old are you? If you know how to play this game, you know how to play the game.
"How old was Michael Strahan? When he retired, he had one of his best years. I know the game. I'm just humbled to be back in the NFL. The NFL has given me everything I've wanted, except going to a Pro Bowl."
Bears general manager Jerry Angelo told the team's Web site that Grant is a better fit at left end than Anderson. Angelo also said Grant could play inside.
"We did a lot of work on Charles in terms of game tape in the preseason and in the past, even as recently as his game from the UFL last Saturday,'' Angelo said. "We feel that he's a better fit than Mark was in terms of the left-end position. He also has the ability to play down inside as a three-technique. We like his versatility, his experience speaks for itself, and he was an upgrade."
Grant (6-3, 282), who won a Super Bowl ring with the Saints last season, hasn't played in a regular-season game since suffering a season-ending triceps tear in last year's season finale at Carolina. He was cut by the Saints in March and released by the Dolphins during the preseason.
"I thought I would play 10-12 years in New Orleans," he said. "I had to look at reality. We won a Super Bowl, and Coach (Sean) Payton wanted to go another way."
Grant squashed any talk that he is not a fit for the Bears' defensive scheme, although he admitted his run-stopping skills surpass his pass-rush ability. Grant had 505 tackles and 47 sacks in eight seasons with the Saints.
"I've played in a 4-3 my whole life," he said. "And the Cover-2 is the Cover-2.
"I mean in the NFL, they want to get rid of the old and come with the new. You know what? The old knows the game of football. After a certain period of time, talent only goes so far. It's knowing the game and being able to play. And I know the game. This defense is going to be good for me."
Grant will have to fight Israel Idonije for playing time at left defensive end. Henry Melton also is expected to get more opportunities.
"For me, nothing changes," Idonije said after the Bears signed Grant. "I just have to keep getting better every week and keep getting to the quarterback."
The Bears need someone to provide pressure outside of star Julius Peppers. Of the team's four sacks, Peppers had two.
"Future Hall of Famer," Grant said of Peppers. "I don't know any other end that plays in the NFL that wouldn't want to be on the other side of Julius Peppers. One thing you know you're going to have nine times out of 10 is a one-on-one matchup.
"When both of us go to wreaking havoc, then somebody in the middle is going to have to make plays."
Grant signed a seven-year, $63 million contract in 2007. Now he'll play for somewhere near the $755,000 minimum.
"Honestly, I don't even know how much I signed for here," he said. "To me, money wasn't the issue. To me, it's about playing football."
Here's what else Grant had to say:
*On being released by Omaha of the UFL: "TheOmaha Nighthawks are 2-0 and will win the championship over there. (General Manager) Rick Mueller drafted me min New Orleans. It was a great opportunity for me to go and play football."
*On coming to Bears: "I have a personal relationship with God, and God led me here. Chicago got a great deal. It's up to me not to let this organization down."
*On playing the left side: "I've played there my whole career."
*On his relationship with Brian Urlacher: "Urlacher, that's my guy."
