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Bears confident in Williams
After year of seasoning, Martz certain guard up to starting task
By Vaughn McClure, Chicago Tribune reporter 8:26 p.m. CST, November 16, 2011
Last year, maybe Mike Martz wouldn't have felt so comfortable turning to Edwin Williams.
The Bears offensive coordinator praised Williams as a physical, prototypical offensive guard, but Martz realized his complex scheme was too much for the inexperienced Williams to digest initially.
"He wasn't ready for that,'' Martz said. "The new system, getting used to everything. He got a little overwhelmed.''
The 6-foot-3, 315-pound Williams, who started three games at right guard last season, will start his first game at left guard Sunday because starter Chris Williams is on injured reserve after dislocating his wrist.
"Having been here now for a while and been through the preseason, we feel very good about (Edwin Williams),'' Martz said. "He's ready to play."
Williams' insertion means the Bears will have their sixth different starting offensive line in 10 games, but the same line started the previous four games. In those four contests, the Bears allowed just five sacks as compared to 18 through the first five.
The Chargers, Sunday's opponent at Soldier Field, ranks 13th in the league in sacks per pass play.
Injury update: Receiver/kick returner Devin Hester returned to practice Wednesday but was limited coming off an ankle injury. Hester, named the NFC's Special Teams Player of the Week after his 82-yard punt return touchdown, only played special teams versus the Lions while nursing his ankle and recovering from strep throat.
Defensive end Julius Peppers was held out of practice as he continues to recover from an MCL sprain in his left knee. He was held out of practice last Wednesday and Thursday but still dominated the Lions.
Peppers and tackle Gabe Carimi (knee surgery) were the only players to be held out of practice.
"Peppers should be fine,'' coach Lovie Smith said.
Carimi walked around Halas Hall Wednesday without a limp, just a few days after having his right knee scoped. He politely declined to talk about his status.
Linebacker Lance Briggs (neck) and running back Matt Forte (shoulder) were limited, while defensive tackle Matt Toeaina (knee) had full participation.
In San Diego, the Chargers placed four-time Pro Bowl offensive guard Kris Dielman on injured reserve after he suffered a concussion and seizure. The Chargers could be down three offensive line starters with guard Louis Vazquez (ankle) and tackle Marcus McNeill (neck) sidelined Wednesday.
Coach Norv Turner said receiver Malcom Floyd (hip) doesn't look good for Sunday, and five other Chargers didn't practice Wednesday, including ex-Bear defensive tackle Antonio Garay (hip).
Extra points: Nickel back D.J. Moore said Wednesday he had yet to receive word from the NFL on whether he was fined for hitting Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford. The hit led to Moore's ejection. … The Bears put offensive lineman Jordan Black through a workout Wednesday. Black, who played his college ball at Notre Dame, last played for the Jaguars and once played for Mike Tice with the Jaguars. He could be signed Monday. … Hester leads all NFC returners in Pro Bowl voting with 101,932 votes. Forte is second at running back with 348,880 votes, behind Vikings star Adrian Peterson (469,117).
vxmcclure@tribune.com
Twitter @vxmcclure23
Copyright © 2011, Chicago Tribune
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