Big Cheese: Bears News And Notes
By Rob Winn in Add category on Sep 26, 2014 4:30PM
It’s Packer Week, that worrisome but wonderful time of year. At this point in the young season, the Bears are riding high coming off two road wins in San Francisco and New York. As for our neighbors to the North, the Packers have a 1-2 record and are reeling from a frustrating loss to the Detroit Lions. Here are the stories coming out of Halas Hall before Week 4:
Offense Infirmary Report
Wide receiver and press conference aficionado Brandon Marshall reinjured his ankle in Monday’s game against the Jets. While he came out for a period of time, he did return and finished the game. Marshall hasn’t practiced yet this week, but also he didn’t practice last week and still managed to play. Say what you want about Marshall, but he has proven to be extremely durable and will most likely attempt to play through the pain against the Packers. On the offensive line, center Roberto Garza and guard Matt Slausen haven’t practiced since they both suffered high ankle sprains in Week 1. Marc Trestman said he was “not optimistic” the two would be available Sunday.
Safety Carousel
Starting safeties Ryan Mundy and Chris Conte both returned to practice this week, after suffering injuries against the Jets. Mundy turned in a strong performance in Week 3 with an interception and touchdown, but suffered a stinger in the second half against the Jets. Conte meanwhile has been up and down, with two interceptions, but has now left multiple games due to a reoccurring shoulder injury. After Mundy and Conte were ruled out, the Bears were down to practice squad and special team players. If the Bears are going to continue their string of strong defensive play, they're going to need Mundy and Conte to come back and avoid missing time with injuries.
Paging Jared Allen
Swiping Jared Allen away from the Vikings during the offseason was supposed be the icing on the cake for Bears general manager Phil Emery's new defensive line. But up to this point the problem has been Allen isn’t the arm-waving, sack generator that Bears fans remember from his time in Minnesota. Heading into Week 4, Allen has zero sacks, seven tackles and one forced fumble. At times during Week 3 Allen seemed to find his speed, chasing down the ball carrier and causing the quarterback to hurry. But those instances have been few and far between. The Bears defense and their beleaguered secondary would benefit greatly if Allen could find his game and consistently rush the quarterback. But now that he’s in his 11th season, a flash of speed here and there might be all the Bears get.
With a sputtering offense and several uninspiring defensive performances, the Packers seem more vulnerable than normal. But for the Bears this still is Aaron Rogers, and they’ve faired about as well against him as a Ferrari racing a Vespa. By 4 p.m. Sunday, we’ll know if the Bears were able to get over their latest hurdle and come out of the matchup with a victory. Until then, grab an Oktoberfest from Revolution and avoid Will’s Northwoods Inn at all cost.