Thread: SAT BEAR Practice and injury notes..

Moving from left tackle to left guard is no big deal for Chris Williams.

''They told me to play guard, and I do what my coaches tell me,'' he said. ''It wasn't like a lengthy explanation was needed.''

Williams has played right or left tackle since the Bears took him 14th overall in the 2008 draft.
''A job's a job,'' Williams said. ''I'm just going out here to play football, and it doesn't matter where I line up. I'm going to give it my best shot and play as hard as I can, and if it's left guard, left tackle, D-tackle, safety, whatever, I'll play whatever.''

Offensive line coach Mike Tice is so impressed with the job Frank Omiyale has done at left tackle that he's moving Williams, who played left tackle before being injured early in Week 2, inside. Williams downplayed the difficulty involved with switching positions.

''The guys in there are bigger,'' Williams said, ''it's closer quarters, so it's a different position, but it's all football, technique's all the same.''

Briggs questionable

Linebacker Lance Briggs hasn't been ruled out of Sunday's game against Seattle, but he was held out of practice for the third consecutive day with a high ankle sprain.

''He's a quick healer,'' coach Lovie Smith said. ''We have a lot of time before the game, but he hasn't practiced.''
Safety Major Wright (hamstring) and guard Roberto Garza (knee) will not play. Garza underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Friday morning.

The inactive story

Fans and the media might be surprised when certain players aren't activated on game day. The players themselves usually aren't.

''If you're not a starter and you're not on special teams, you're probably not playing,'' backup cornerback and special-teams ace Corey Graham said. ''It's pretty easy to figure out.''

Smith has raised eyebrows while making receiver Devin Aromashodu, defensive tackle Tommie Harris and tight end Desmond Clark ''inactive'' in recent weeks, which means they aren't among the 45 players who dress that week.

Some players learn their game-day fate in team meetings on Saturday night or Sunday morning. It's also common practice for players to learn they're inactive when they arrive in the locker room before the game and don't see their equipment in their locker.

''I wasn't stunned at all,'' Clark said of being inactive before an Oct. 3 game against the Giants. ''It's something you get a feel for when you go through the week and get a look at the game plan and the practice reps you get. You put all that together.''

Teams must submit their eight-man inactive list 90 minutes before every game. Some decisions on which players will be active may be made earlier in the week while others come right down to the deadline as coaches try to determine which players are healthy, which provide the best matchup against that day's opponent and which are best-suited to contribute on special teams.

Five things to watch: Bears-Seahawks


1. How Jay Cutler handles pressure

Jay Cutler’s not a ticking time bomb. His head won’t explode upon first contact. But it’ll be interesting to see how Cutler returns from the nine-sack beating and concussion administered by the Giants. Cutler and Bears coach Lovie Smith both say the quarterback won’t change his style moving forward. But that could change once the pressure mounts. With Cutler having missed a week of live action, it won’t be a surprise to see the quarterback’s timing and reaction somewhat off early on in the contest. It’s also worth watching whether Cutler continues to live up to the criticism that he holds onto the ball too long.

2. Chris Williams’ impact on the ground game

With Williams set to take over at left guard in place of injured starter Roberto Garza, the expectation is the Bears will improve on inside runs. Whether Williams lives up to that bears watching -- considering he began the season as the starter at left tackle, which is the highest-paid position along the offensive line. Offensive line coach Mike Tice said Williams is a better run-blocker than pass-protector at this point in his career. We’ll see whether that’s the case Sunday against the Seahawks. Coming out of college, scouts said the tackle lacked aggression, and the agility to consistently make it to the second level as a run-blocker. Concentration lapses were also an issue for Williams coming out of college, and those woes could surface against the Seahawks with him playing a new position.

3. Mike Martz’s play calling

Coming off a 218-yard rushing performance in a victory over the Panthers, the Bears proved adept at grinding it out on the ground. But Seattle enters the contest with the second-worst pass defense in the league, allowing an average of 302 yards. Knowing that, it’s almost a given Martz will call for a Bears aerial strike. But there’s question as to whether that’s the best course of action with Cutler coming off a concussion. Martz bucked his own pass-first philosophy with Cutler out of the lineup last week, and the move paid dividends. It’ll be interesting to see whether Martz can resist the temptation to exploit Seattle’s struggling pass defense in favor of his quarterback’s long-term health.

4. Chicago’s special teams

Four top-10 returners on punts and kickoffs clash in this outing, and Smith says the matchup “should be a treat for the fans.” Seahawks kick returner Leon Washington ranks No. 1 in the NFL, with a 40.4-yard average and Danieal Manning sits at 10th averaging 29.8 yards per return. On punt returns, Devin Hester and Seattle’s Golden Tate currently rank No. 1 and 2, and the duo has returned a combined five punts for 20 yards or more. The winner of this third-phase matchup could determine the outcome of the game. So the coverage units of both teams should play huge roles. Corey Graham, the Bears’ leading tackler on special teams (11 special-teams stops) needs to have a big game.


5. Whether Israel Idonije can duplicate last week’s performance

Coming off the best game of his career -- a three-sack outing at Carolina last week -- Idonije needs to replicate that production against Seattle, and he should get plenty of opportunities to do so with the Seahawks expected to devote much of their pass-blocking schemes toward neutralizing Julius Peppers. Defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli said he didn’t do anything special to coax more production last week out of Idonije other than to say, “Get there.” Marinelli added, “If you’ve got a single [blocker], you have to [win]. That’s part of our responsibility in this defense.” Idonije proved efficient last week at handling said responsibility, but how he fares this week could foreshadow what the team can expect in the future.

Manning excelling, on verge of top form

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Chicago Bears safety Danieal Manning ranks third on the club in tackles with 32, and he's broken up three passes, in addition to eliminating most of the mistakes that have plagued him throughout his career.

Still, Bears coach Lovie Smith seeks a vintage performance from the strong safety in the midst of a contract year, so to speak, since he signed a one-year tender signed in May

"He's done a good job," Smith said. "But as Danieal would say, I'm still waiting for him. ... Danieal is capable of having a huge game like he did against Cleveland last year [six tackles and an interception he returned 35 yards]. Interception-wise, we're still waiting for him to make a couple of plays like that."

Manning nearly pulled one off Sunday against the Panthers. After backup quarterback Todd Collins threw his fourth interception of the afternoon, the Panthers immediately took to the deep ball on their next play from scrimmage.

Manning stepped in front of a Jimmy Clausen throw down the middle intended for Brandon LaFell and batted the ball down with both hands, when he likely could have made the interception.

"It was a mistake on my part," Manning said after the game. "I kind of lost the ball in the sun, then -- bam -- it was right there in my face. All I could do was knock it down."

Manning finished the contest with three tackles and a pass break-up, a week after contributing 12 tackles in the loss to the Giants.

With his three pass break-ups, Manning already has matched his production from 2009, and he is just two break-ups from his 2005 career high of five.

Smith sees more of that in Manning. The safety just hasn't completely tapped into it just yet, Smith said.

"I've been very pleased with everything he's done, from the offseason all the way [to now]," Smith said. "He's one of the guys now, and he's ready to take the next step."

Urlacher: 'We know we can play against anyone'
By John Mullin
CSNChicago.com

He has his fun with teammates and with opponents on the field, but Brian Urlacher isn’t typically given to talking a little smack publicly. So the fact that he’s issuing simple, matter-of-fact declarations is the best indication yet of where the Bears’ defense is and sees itself.

Forget the numbers for a minute – the No. 5 ranking in points allowed; the No. 6 in yardage; a rushing defense allowing fewer than 80 yards per game. Just listen….

“We should be confident,” Urlacher said. “The way we’re playing, we make plays. When we need to make a play, we do. We have the confidence someone is going to make a play when we need a play. We didn’t need to make many last week because we ran the ball so well but we know we have enough playmakers on our defense that we can make plays when we need to. I’m not worried about what the offense does. I worry about the defense. We’re confident on defense.

“We know we can play against pretty much anybody in this league.”

“We know...” – not “We think...” – not “We believe...” – “We know.”

Coming from Urlacher, the linchpin of the defense irrespective of Julius Peppers’ dominating play, the man of few words, that is a proclamation.

Line dance

Last thoughts on the Chris Williams Situation...

Something still doesn’t quite add up in the comments from coaches on the reasoning behind making Williams the starting left guard and leaving Frank Omiyale at left tackle and J’Marcus Webb at right.

The explanation, from Lovie Smith, Mike Martz and Mike Tice, was that the Bears just wanted to change one position on the line and not two or three, given that left guard Roberto Garza is out with knee surgery.

But if that coach-think is to be taken at face value, when Garza returns, there’ll be another shuffle and that one will be more than one position anyway. Or will it?

What appears to be the case is that Webb has secured right tackle for the foreseeable future. Coaches speak of Omiyale in terms that say left tackle is his job to lose. Same for Edwin Williams, a 10-pound and performance upgrade from Lance Louis.

Tice declaring that Williams is a better run blocker than pass protector says that he is done at tackle, where the premium is on pass blocking. Garza is a better run blocker than Williams, who may be the knee-bender that Tice declared him but who is also 6-6.

If Williams has not distinguished himself at his new position by the time Garza returns from knee surgery, one more one-player “shuffle” may be in the offing.

The problem could still be the ever-elusive cohesion. An offensive line in constant flux is a situation where the whole is less than the sum of the parts.

“Guys, by their play, tell you who should start, who should play what position,” Lovie Smith said. “You just kind of let them practice and let them play, and it becomes obvious to everyone.”

Yep. Right about that.

Corey conundrum

Corey Wootton’s first appearance in an NFL uniform in a regular season may be his last for at least a little while. Charles Grant, who has three sacks in three career games against the Seattle Seahawks, is expected to be active this Sunday and Wootton, the Bears’ fourth-round pick in this year’s draft is not after brief playing time against the Carolina Panthers in which he had one assisted tackle.

Wootton showed flashes and positives throughout training camp but some of the flaws in his game remain, in coaches’ eyes. “He was solid; it was a good effort,” said defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli. “But he’s got a lot of things still to clean up, in terms of especially body mechanics and the fundamentals of the position.”

Seattle news:

Carroll declines to name starting running back

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll refused to say Friday who'll be the starting running back when the Seahawks line up against the Chicago Bears on Sunday morning, leaving a measure of uncertainty for the opposing defense as well as fantasy football players.

Carroll, of course, is more worried about the Bears' stout defense and clearly isn't looking to give them any extra advantage of knowing what's coming.

"We'll let you know at game time," Carroll said after Friday's practice when asked if Marshawn Lynch or Justin Forsett will get the opening snap.

It's probably not a huge deal either way, given Carroll likes to rotate his backs. He's made it clear all week that Lynch will get a lot of work in his first game since being acquired from Buffalo and that Forsett remains in the game plan as well.

"We're hoping to see Marshawn for the first time in a big way," Carroll said. "We're anxious to add him in and see what kind of factor he offers us. He's worked really hard and been great about everything. He's up on his assignments and stuff, so he'll play a lot."

The Seahawks running game will be challenging a Bears' defense that ranks third in the NFL in fewest rushing yards allowed per game at 78.6.

Seattle ranks second in rush defense at 72.8 yards, but faces a potentially critical situation with the health of defensive tackle Brandon Mebane, who didn't practice Friday due to a sore calf.

Carroll was unusually curt when asked about Mebane's status.

"We've got to find out about him," Carroll said.

The club listed Mebane as "questionable" on its official injury report to the league Friday afternoon, meaning he's 50-50 to play on Sunday.

If Mebane can't go, the backup tackles are Kentwan Balmer, Junior Siavii and Craig Terrill.
Outside of Mebane, the Seahawks are pretty healthy coming out of their bye week. One who likely won't play is guard Chester Pitts, but he has yet to suit up for a game this season as he's coming back from microfracture knee surgery.
Pitts practiced Friday and is also listed as questionable on the injury report, but Carroll said Mike Gibson will serve as the backup left guard to Ben Hamilton.

Rookie Russell Okung has fully recovered from his ankle sprain and will go at left tackle.
"We'll get the same group we started last time," Carroll said. "Russell is in much better shape now and conditioned and ready to go, so hopefully we'll be able to get him out there the whole game.

"I'm anxious to see these guys start to build some continuity and start to work with Marshawn behind them. It's a really important time for us. We're going against one of the best rush defenses in the NFL, so it'll be a really big test."

Backup defensive end Dexter Davis, coming back from a hamstring issue, practiced full speed Friday and will be active and part of the game plan, Carroll indicated

"Fortunately we've got pretty good health going into this thing and guys practiced well," Carroll said. "We've put together the kind of week that gives us a chance to play real well this weekend. Now we've got to go do it."

Manning finished the contest with three tackles and a pass break-up, a week after contributing 12 tackles in the loss to the Giants.

With his three pass break-ups, Manning already has matched his production from 2009, and he is just two break-ups from his 2005 career high of five.

Smith sees more of that in Manning. The safety just hasn't completely tapped into it just yet, Smith said.

"I've been very pleased with everything he's done, from the offseason all the way [to now]," Smith said. "He's one of the guys now, and he's ready to take the next step."

really like How Manning has stepped up this year, and slowly putting away the doubter and haters of him. Its good to see him finally coming into his own, not just as a returner,but Solid Safety... now just needs a few INT's : )

Do you think Miami beats GB if Rodgers starts (as expected)? They may, but do not underestimate Rodgers.

Originally Posted by GeorgiaJeff

Do you think Miami beats GB if Rodgers starts (as expected)? They may, but do not underestimate Rodgers.

think will be a close game, be shocked if rodgers can't start, the much bigger problem for Packers this week, is the Miami run game/wild cat... you need LB's to stuff that- and with barnnett and mathews gone, going to really hurt them tommorrow, i'm leaning towards miami run game being the ultimate decider and "W"

ChiBearsPromos Eat great food and listen to exclusive game breakdown by Jeff Joniak and Tom Thayer at Wildfire tomorrow! Details: http://bit.ly/9XhYdh about 2 hours ago via web