Meriweather Looking For A Second Chance and Other News.........
Meriweather ready for 2nd chance if Wright can't go
Demoted Bears safety saw significant action against Eagles
By Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune reporter 10:48 p.m. CST, November 10, 2011
You knew a chance would come again for Brandon Meriweather, that the safety wouldn't be banished to the sideline for the remainder of the season after the last meeting with the Lions.
It looks like his return to the starting lineup could come Sunday against the same Lions with Major Wright dealing with yet another minor injury.
Meriweather played for the first time since his benching in Monday night's victory in Philadelphia, getting about 20 snaps, including the game-clinching play when the Eagles were stopped on fourth down at the Bears' 30.
Wright suffered a minor ankle injury during the game and was listed as limited on Thursday's injury report. Wright missed the London game against the Buccaneers with a minor hip injury, and durability is becoming an issue for last year's third-round draft pick.
Meriweather wouldn't say if he has been told he will be starting, but he has kept a positive attitude since he was demoted after the Oct. 10 loss in Detroit. With the Bears paying him $3.25 million this season, it was only a matter of time before he got another shot. He has the sixth-highest salary-cap figure on the roster.
"I'm not really thinking about whether I will start or play?" Meriweather said. "My intention is to be the best I can be."
Has he been angry while riding the bench? He dressed but didn't play against the Vikings and Bucs.
"I don't even think I even need to answer that question," he said. "Coach (Lovie Smith) is doing what is best for the team and I respect that. My job is to be ready when my number is called."
Hester sidelined: Wide receiver Devin Hester was nowhere to be seen during Thursday's practice, three days after suffering a sprained left ankle in Monday night's victory over the Eagles. Also sidelined were defensive linemen Julius Peppers (knee) and Matt Toeaina (knee) and right tackle Gabe Carimi (knee). Smith said none of the issues are serious.
"Hopefully, (Friday) we'll have most of the guys back on the field," Smith said.
That doesn't mean they all will be back and that could make a starter a game-time decision Sunday coming off a short week.
Money matters: The Bears will count 40 percent of the money in Roberto Garza's two-year contract extension against their 2011 salary cap. Garza's base pay over the final eight weeks was boosted by $2.6 million, all money that goes against this year's cap, and a functional "guarantee." The total package is worth $6.55 million. He has base salaries of $1.75 million in 2012 and 2013 with $75,000 workout bonuses each year. There is a $300,000 escalator in 2013 if he participates in 75 percent of the 2012 offensive snaps.
Report card: Offensive line coach Mike Tice was asked to give his group a grade for the first half of the season.
"C-plus," Tice said. "That's fair. We have had really good moments, some of which have gone unnoticed. We have had some really bad moments, most of which have been noticed.
"We're coming off a string of a couple of solid games. But we have to get better because there are some things (against the Eagles) that irked me that we have to clean up."
Copyright © 2011, Chicago Tribune
ct-spt-1111-bits-bears-chicago--20111111 http://www.dabears.com/hive/images/r.../rating_on.jpghttp://www.dabears.com/hive/images/r.../rating_on.jpghttp://www.dabears.com/hive/images/r.../rating_on.jpghttp://www.dabears.com/hive/images/r.../rating_on.jpghttp://www.dabears.com/hive/images/r.../rating_on.jpg
