Giant Relief: Bears News And Notes
By Rob Winn in News on Oct 9, 2013 7:00PM
The Bears head into Week 6 needing a victory, luckily they are hosting the hapless New York Giants at Soldier Field. The Giants currently sit at 0-5 and quarterback Eli Manning is turning the ball over at a pace that even Jay Cutler can't match. The Bears meanwhile have lost two games against good teams and are looking to close out the first half of the season with victories against the Giants and Redskins. After a short week followed by Thursday Night Football, here is what is coming out of Halas Hall:
Forgetting Brandon Marshall
Wide receiver Brandon Marshall created a stir this week after venting his frustrations over a lack of touches and two straight losses. Fortunately for the Bears, they play on a short week and Marshall has the opportunity to play well and make these distractions disappear. Because of the opposing team focusing in on Marshall, Alshon Jeffery has flourished. Jeffery amassed over two hundred yards against the Saints.
Marshall met the media yesterday in epic, look-at-me fashion, touching on everything from mental health awareness to his lack of receptions. "I don't think any receiver would be happy playing in the NFL and not catching balls...I want to catch footballs. I want to score touchdowns." His foundation for mental health is a serious cause, so hopefully he will rebound and we can go back to just hearing about his foundation and love for Jay Cutler.
Defending the Defense
The 2013 Bears defense hasn't been able to play at the same level they did under Lovie Smith. Injuries and poor play have left them with a nonexistent pass rush that will need to be rectified if they have any hope of stopping opposing offenses. Defensive tackle Nate Collins suffered a season-ending ACL tear Sunday, only two weeks after the Bears lost Henry Melton for the year at the same position. Head coach Marc Trestman blamed too much time on the field for the high point total against the Saints. That may be true, but the defense hasn't been able to stop offenses all year. If they continue to lack a pass rush, the defense will struggle to hold onto their reputation as a top-tier unit.
Get Ready For Your Close-up
The NFL announced Wednesday the Falcons will play a home game in London next year and the Bears just so happen to be on the schedule. Putting two famous teams in London would be attractive for the NFL, especially considering the lackluster games that have been played across the pond over the years. Also, the NFL announced they will reserve the right to force teams to participate in HBO's hit series "Hard Knocks" in the future. The Bears have famously rebuffed any suggestion for them to participate, but for now they do not meet the criteria to opt out. That includes making the playoffs once in the last two years or having a first-year head coach. Considering their national popularity, the Bears should prepare for their turn on the "Hard Knocks" merry-go-round.