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Chicago Bears Announce Campbell As Starter For Monday Night With Cutler Healing

16th November 2012 by under Bears News     

Chicago Bears’ Jason Campbell walks off field after failed 4th down play late in 4th quarter of 13-6 loss to Houston Texans during NFL game at Soldier Field in Chicago on Sunday, November 11, 2012. (Scott Strazzante/Chicago Tribune)

The Chicago Bears are still in control sitting on top of the NFC North at 7-2, but if they want to make a deep run into the playoffs they have to start racking up wins again.

Coming off a 13-6 loss against the Houston Texans it certainly doesn’t make the Bears feel too bad about themselves.

But with quarterback Jay Cutler (concussion) hurting and the Bears’ offense struggling to find continuity it could be tough to win on the road.

Backup quarterback Jason Campbell was informed yesterday that he would be the starter on Monday night. The Bears didn’t announce the move until today.

Campbell has started 70 games from 2006-2011 with the Washington Redskins and Oakland Raiders.

The 30-year old Auburn product has 14,511 yards passing, 74 touchdowns, 50 interceptions, a 60.8 completion percentage and a 82.6 passer rating in his eight NFL career.

Last week, he came off the bench in the second half to replace a concussed Jay Cutler. He completed 11 of 19 passes for 94 yards, which included a 45-yard bomb to wide receiver Brandon Marshall.

Even if Cutler was healthy it would likely be a tough matchup against a stout 49ers defense. The Bears are doing the right thing with giving Cutler time to rest.

If he was cleared by the doctors prior to the game, I’d say let him decide if he was ready or not, but its probably best he heals up for the Week 12 matchup against Minnesota.

At 6’5″ Campbell has a bigger frame than Cutler. He has had success scrambling out of the pocket at times, but he seems to be more of a pocket passer than Cutler.

Campbell has 1,075 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns in his career.

The Bears felt comfortable this off-season adding Campbell as the backup on a one-year deal worth $3.5 million.

With a full week of practice with the first-team offense, Campbell will be more prepared than he was on Sunday night. He has a big arm and he could flash that this week.

After the Caleb Hanie experiment a year ago, the Bears had to bring in an established veteran like Campbell. Expect Campbell to have more success this week with the ample amount of practice and more weapons on offense.

That’s right the Bears will get much-needed help on offense this week. Rookie wide receiver Alshon Jeffery will be back on Monday night, which should be huge for this offense.

Tight end Kellen Davis and WR Devin Hester have struggled to make plays with Jeffery out of action with his fractured right hand.

If the Bears’ defense can continue its dominance, there is no reason the Bears can’t win with Campbell under center. Rookie defensive end Shea McClellin (concussion) has been ruled out of Monday night’s game as well.

Campbell is a smart quarterback and that will help him on Monday night at a rowdy Candlestick Park in San Francisco.

Do you think the Bears can beat the 49ers with Campbell running the offense on Monday night?

 

Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Bears.

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Backup Plan: Bears Bring Back McCown With Cutler Likely Out

13th November 2012 by under Bears News     

With Chicago Bears’ QB Jay Cutler likely doubtful for Monday night’s matchup against the San Francisco 49ers the Bears made sure they had an insurance policy.

They announced today the signing veteran QB Josh McCown to a one-year deal. McCown spent three games with the team after the Caleb Hanie experiment in 2011.

McCown who started two games a year ago completed 35 of 55 passes for 414 yards with two touchdowns, four interceptions and a 68.3 passer rating during that span. He also ran for 68 yards on 12 attempts.

He was on the roster this training camp until August 31. The Bears opted to keep just Cutler and Campbell on the active roster and undrafted rookie Matt Blanchard on the practice squad.

The Bears released backup tight end Brody Eldridge to make room for McCown.

Honestly the Bears are very lucky a guy like McCown was on the street. He is familiar with the offense and he showed poise under center especially in the season finale.

In the season finale against Minnesota, he completed 15 of 25 passes for 160 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Not great numbers, but pretty solid for a guy who spent most of the 2011 season coaching high school football.

In his eight year career, he’s made 31 starts throwing for 6,584 yards with 35 touchdowns, 40 interceptions and a 71.3 passer rating.

If Cutler can’t go McCown will backup Campbell and likely be a coach on the sideline for him.

Due to the fact that Cutler has a history of concussions dating back to his Vanderbilt days and most recently his Denver days, he is a longshot to suit up on Monday night.

He will have to pass several tests and I’m sure Cutler and the Bears don’t want to risk a more severe injury. Concussions are something you don’t want to mess around with especially with your starting quarterback.

It’s certainly tough for Cutler and the Bears to deal with yet another injury after the team got off to such a great start. A year ago, the Bears were 7-3, when Cutler went down with a thumb injury and now the Bears are 7-2, with Cutler out.

The thumb injury was more severe last season. He could potentially play in Week 12 against Minnesota if cleared by the doctors.

Bringing back McCown was really the smartest thing the Bears could do at this point with Cutler dealing with his concussion symptoms.

It also creates competition for Jason Campbell, who didn’t perform very well in the second half of Sunday night’s game.

Campbell should be better prepared this week with a whole week of practice with the first-team offense.

 

Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Bears.

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Bears Open As Early Favorites Over Texans In Sunday Night Showdown

5th November 2012 by under Bears News     

Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) enjoys himself on the bench in the fourth quarter Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012 at LP Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Coming off their seventh win of the season in Tennessee, the Chicago Bears have now won six straight games.

At 7-1 they have the same record as the 2006 Chicago Bears, who went on to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl that season.

They host the 7-1 Houston Texans this Sunday night, who currently sit on top the AFC South right now.

Led by QB Matt Schaub, RB Arian Foster and WR Andre Johnson this Texans’ offense can really get things going in a hurry.

The Texans’ defense allows the third fewest yards per game (286.1) and the fourth fewest points per game (17.1).

Led by DE J.J. Watt, this Texans’ defense can scare you as much as the Bears’ defense at times.

Watt has 10.5 sacks and 10 pass deflections so far this season. Starting cornerbacks Kareem Jackson and Jonathan Joseph have combined for five interceptions.

The Texans rank sixth in the league in sacks on the season with 24. The Bears rank third with 23.

This a matchup of two 7-1 teams, who are really getting things done in their respective conferences.

Both teams have seen incredible defense and solid play from their offense this season.

The Bears have scored 236 points, while allowing 120 points this season. The Texans have scored 237 points, while allowing 137 points this season.

The Bears’ defense ranks second in points allowed per game (15) and ranks sixth in yards allowed per game (318.1)

They know the task at hand. The Texans have turned the ball over just six times all season.

“You are what your record says you are,” Bears head coach Lovie Smith said via Chicagotribune.com. “We are a 7-1 football team. We’re a good football team. We’re excited about playing the Texans. Each game as you continue to win, the stakes go up a little bit higher each week. We realize that and we’re going to embrace that.

These are two very similar teams. It should be no surprise that the Bears open up as the favorites (-1.5) at home over the Texans.

This should one heck of a game on Sunday Night Football.

 

Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Bears.

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Bear Breakdown: Analyzing the Titans’ Defense for Week 9

2nd November 2012 by under Bears News     

After a surprising 9-7 finish to last season, the Titans were expected to compete in the AFC South.  After eight games this season, they sit 3-5 with one of the worst defenses in the league.

This season, they are 30th in the league in average yards per game allowed with 421.2 and are 31st in points allowed per game with 32.1. Defensive coordinator Jerry Gray has found himself on the hot seat after his defense has been unable slow teams down on third down and they only have 11 sacks on the season.

Gray is known for his utilization of the “Ruby” package, where the defense lines up in a 3-2-6 configuration with three down lineman, two linebackers, three safeties and three cornerbacks. The added dimension of speedy defensive backs give the defense the opportunity to bring blitzes from all different directions, but the Titans have not utilized the formation much this season.

Coming into the season, the defensive line was looked at as a strength for the Titans, primarily with their defensive tackles. Sen’Derrick Marks and Jurrell Casey are the starters but they also have a nice rotation with Karl Klug and rookie Mike Martin. Martin has been a spark plug with two sacks and three tackles for loss but he has been the only real threat to the quarterback.  Casey has been good against the run, but the group as a whole has struggled, allowing 139 yards per game on the ground, the fifth worse in the NFL.

The last few weeks the Bears have faced defenses that have struggled against the run, yet they have not made it a focus to grind out the football. Running backs Matt Forte and Michael Bush should both get a solid number of carries against a run defense that has struggle slowing down runners up the middle.

Kamerion Wimbley was the prize free agent of the Titans this offseason after speculation that the Bears were interested in signing the 28 year old after he was a salary cap causality of the Raiders (h/t Chicago Sun-Times). He is more of a 3-4 outside linebacker than a 4-3 rush end, but his athleticism and quickness helps him against the bigger and stronger offensive tackles. Through eight games, he has two and half sacks and will pose a problem for left tackle J’Marcus Webb.

Opposite of Wimbley is former first round pick Derrick Morgan, who also has two and half sacks on the season. Morgan’s strength is in run defense and will be matched up against arguably the Bears best run-blocker, Gabe Carimi. Carimi has struggled in pass blocking, so Morgan may be licking his chops for a chance to free rush against him.

The linebacker trio of Colin McCarthy, Zach Brown, and Akeem Ayers for the Titans all have potential that they quite haven’t lived up to yet.

McCarthy missed time earlier this year due to injury, but had 11 tackles Sunday against the Colts and has been very good at stopping the run in the past. The jury is still out on Brown, who is fast and athletic but has struggled at times in pass coverage.

The Bears have been talking all season about getting tight end Kellen Davis more involved and Davis on Brown would be a mismatch in their favor.  Ayers is a tackling machine, leading the team in tackles with 67 and has the ability to rush the quarterback.

After losing Cortland Finnegan to former coach Jeff  Fisher and his St. Louis Rams, the locked down cornerback Jason McCourty with a five year $43 million extension. He is solid in man-to-man coverage and has two of the teams six interceptions. He will likely be matched up all day against the Bears’ Brandon Marshall.

Alterraun Verner lines up opposite of McCourty and is fourth on the team with 50 tackles, never a good sign for a cornerback.  He is a solid tackler but his lack of elite speeds makes him vulnerable against quicker receivers. The Bears have been searching for the home-run play much of the season and if they can matchup Devin Hester on Verner, expect them to try and take a shot deep.

Jordan Babineaux replaced Robert Johnson after he struggled at the free safety position and the Titans moved Michael Griffin back to free safety and put Babineaux at strong safety. He has been a tackling machine since replacing Johnson and is second on the team with 64 tackles. He has the potential to get beat deep, but plays solid against the run and is a good tackler.  The Bears will try and exploit his weaknesses against the deep pass with trying to match him up against their slot receiver or tight end.

Michael Griffin has been stellar in the past for the Titans, going to two pro-bowls and named an All-Pro in 2010. This season though, he has been average at best. He struggled against the run when playing strong safety and has had a tendency to get beaten deep. He has gotten caught cheating up often times this season and the Bears could take advantage of that by trying to use more play action and quarterback roll outs with Jay Cutler.

Matt Eurich is a contributor to Bearsbacker.com. Follow Bears Backer on Facebook and Twitter for up to the minute news about the Bears. Also, check out Matt’s work on BleacherReport.com and follow him on Twitter @MattEurich.

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Hard To Believe Panthers WR Steve Smith Is Talking Trash After That Game

29th October 2012 by under Bears News     

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) makes a catch under pressure from Chicago Bears cornerback Tim Jennings (26) in the first half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

The Bears beat the Panthers on Sunday for the second time in two seasons.

One of the Panthers clearly has no respect for the Bears’ defense.

He has been a “Bear Killer” dating all the way back to the NFC Divisional game in 2005.

He was constantly running his mouth at Soldier Field and talking trash towards safety Chris Conte and cornerback Tim Jennings.

His name is Steve Smith.

Smith hauled in seven passes for 118 yards and made some fantastic plays including a 47-yard reception in the third quarter.

But the final score was 23-22 in favor of the Bears. All that matters in the end is who comes out on top.

Individual stats and and yards gained don’t matter much in a loss.

Smith says he wasn’t picking on Conte after plays on Sunday.

“No, weren’t jawing,” a frustrated Smith said via CSNChicago.com. “There’s nothing for me to jaw with. What’s his number? 47?” I know he plays for the Bears, but he’s not on my level. Sorry. You can go interview him, though.”

The Bears comeback was strongly assisted by Tim Jennings’ first career interception return for a touchdown. It came on a bad pass by Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, who was looking for Steve Smith.

Smith slipped on the play and Jennings took advantage of the errant pass by taking it 25-yards to the house to put the Bears ahead 20-19 with 6:44 left in the final quarter.

 ”That [touchdown] was the best play he made all game on me, but it was a key moment and changed the momentum,” Smith said via CSNChicago.com. “I know you want to pump him up, but I’ve been kicking his ass every time I come up here and today was no different.”

Smith has an argument towards being better than Bears cornerback Tim Jennings considering he’s racked up 783 yards receiving in just five games against the Bears. He was held to under 100 yards receiving only one time coming in 2002, when he had 97 yards to his name.

Jennings hasn’t been considered an elite cornerback up until this season, so Smith is right about beating him up and the rest of the Bears’ defense in the past, but not on Sunday.

Just because you reel in 118 yards doesn’t mean you’re better than a player or an entire defense. In the end, the Bears made more plays . Simple and plain.

Steve Smith is a cocky player, who has lots of talent, but he needs to show respect where respect is due. His actions are what separate Bears players and other team’s players.

The Bears are a respectful bunch. Obviously that has a lot to do with the coaching staff and the leaders in the locker room. The Bears simply don’t make any flashy gestures on or off the field.

The 2012 Bears’ defense is elite. They have allowed just 100 points through seven games. They have six defensive touchdowns through seven games which is an NFL record.

If they can keep creating turnovers on defense they could be that much closer to reaching their goals on the season.

 

Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Bears.

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One Last Look: Breaking Down Some Key Topics For Tonight’s MNF Matchup

22nd October 2012 by under Bears News     

Let’s take one last look at some key matchups in tonight’s Lions-Bears game here on Monday night.

I broke down some key topics on SiriusXM’s (Sirius 210/XM 87) show Rotoexperts with Dr. Roto Monday afternoon.

QB Jay Cutler’s fantasy value.
Who will step up with rookie WR Alshon Jeffery out with a hand injury.
TE Kellen Davis’s role in tonight’s game.
RB Matt Forte’s health status.
Optimal amount of carries between Forte and Bush.
How much longer will Alshon Jeffery be out?
What will the Bears do to pressure Lions’ QB Matthew Stafford?
Which Bears cornerback will cover Calvin Johnson, Charles Tillman or Tim Jennings?
What is different about CB Tim Jennings this season compared to season’s past?
Will the Bears be focused coming off a long break?
Will the next two week’s be trap games against Carolina and Tennessee?
The Bears will win if?
Over/Under 10 receptions for WR Brandon Marshall.

 

Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Bears.

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Marshall Open To Using Bears Legend Mike Ditka As A Mentor

17th October 2012 by under Bears News     

Chicago Bears’ wide receiver Brandon Marshall has done a fine job on and off the field this season.

He’s reeled in 35 catches for 496 yards and three touchdowns.

Over the past two games, Marshall has caught seven or more passes for 130 yards and one touchdown.

He is on pace for 112 catches and 1,581 yards, which both would be franchise records.

He’s done a fine job staying out of trouble off the field as well and has really opened up to the idea of becoming a changed man. The only mishap was the feud he had with former NFL star Warren Sapp.

He said a couple weeks back (via ESPNChicago.com) that he would like to finish his NFL career with the Bears, “I have the opportunity like a lot of other guys to end my career as a Bear.”

Marshall seems open to the idea of letting Bears legend Mike Ditka into his life as a mentor and friend.

“He just told me it’s a great opportunity here for me,” Marshall said Tuesday on ESPN1000 of his meeting with Ditka. “There’s a lot of things I can do on and off the field, especially with the foundation we’re trying to establish in the community, and just take advantage of it. Coach Ditka has been support for me. I think in the next week or so we’re going to sit down with him and his wife and have dinner.”

 

“I’m going to pick his brain every chance. Coach Ditka, he’s a pro’s pro. He’s one of those guys that you really need to pay attention to when you’re around him.”

Coach Ditka, who is still active as a Bears hero and fan said he talked Marshall for a little bit during the beginning of the season when the two first met at Ditka’s restaurant.

Ditka had this to say about Marshall’s talent and fit with the Bears:

“He’s a unique athlete with a great opportunity,” Ditka said via ESPNChicago.com. “This is a pretty good town to play football in, especially if you’re playing on a football team that’s good and can win. This is a Bears town, guys, no matter how you want to cut it. They’re going to show up, and they’re going to pull for the Bears and root for the Bears, and that’s how it should be.

 

“This kid’s got a great opportunity here. I like what’s going on right now, I really do.”

In two career games against the Detroit Lions, Marshall has 19 catches for 198 yards.

He had a big night during Week Four against the Cowboys on Monday Night Football reeling in seven catches for 138 yards and one touchdown.

He will likely be looking to build off of that impressive performance against the Lions in a NFC North battle.

 

Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Bears.

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Bears Waive Running Back Bell, Add Tight End Eldridge

15th October 2012 by under Bears News     

Kahlil Bell #32 of the Chicago Bears runs past Jo-Lonn Dunbar #58 of the St. Louis Rams at Soldier Field on September 23, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Rams 23-6.
(September 22, 2012 – Source: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images North America)

Running back Kahlil Bell just can’t stick with the Chicago Bears.

After being released during the end of the preseason after refusing to take a pay cut, the Bears brought him back.

Unfortunately for him his stay wasn’t too long. The Bears announced Monday that they decided to waive the UCLA product.

Tight end Brody Eldridge was signed to take Bell’s roster spot.

Bell played in two games after being re-signed on Sep. 15, racking up 12 carries for 32 yards and one reception for 11 yards.

He was inactive for the Jacksonville game in Week Five.

According to Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune, Bell was upset about that and desired to play elsewhere after getting benched.

Second-year back Armando Allen is currently the third back because of his play on special teams and his success on offense.

Bell will likely find a new team very soon considering the amount of injuries around the league right now.

Whoever that team is will have to pick up his salary of $615,000 for the rest of the season.

The man who replaces Bell on the roster is Brody Eldridge.

Eldridge is a 25-year old tight end, who was drafted in the fifth-round in 2010 by the Indianapolis Colts.

He played two seasons in Indy before being waived this off-season. The St. Louis Rams put in a claim for the 6’5″ blocking tight end.

But Eldridge was suspended the first four games of the 2012 season for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances and the Rams decided to let him go.

The Bears brought him into Halas Hall for a workout during their Week Six bye and signed him on Monday.

Eldridge started 16 games in his two seasons with Colts (2010-2011) making 14 catches for 84 yards. He will likely play on special teams while also being used on offense as a blocker.

With Matt Speath, Kellen Davis and Kyle Adams all in the mix at tight end it could be tough for Eldridge to get playing time on offense.

It’s a good move for the Bears. With Matt Forte and Michael Bush back and healthy, the need for Bell wasn’t there.

Despite Bell’s talent and fit in the offense, the Bears clearly think adding another blocker up front is important.

I can’t agree more. It’s sad to see a solid player like Bell go, but he will find a team in need for a running back.

Expect Eldridge to suit up next Monday night against the Lions.

 

Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Bears.

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Does Jay Cutler Have What It Takes To The Lead The Bears To The Super Bowl?

11th October 2012 by under Bears News     

Jay Cutler heads to the locker room at the half at EverBank Field Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012, in Jacksonville, FL. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)

Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler has been up-and-down in his fourth season in the windy city.

The 29-year old Vanderbilt product has completed 90 of 156 passes for 1,209 yards, seven touchdowns and seven interceptions through five games this season.

His QB rating of 78.7 ranks 21st in the NFL this season. His career QB rating is 84.2

He ranks 13th in passing yards (1,209), 26th in completion percentage (57.7), fifth in interceptions (7) and 13th in touchdown passes (7).

So, do these stats mean he isn’t able to lead his team to the Super Bowl this season?

The answer is no.

He proved last season during the Bears five-game winning streak that he could lead this team.

He threw five touchdowns compared to just three interceptions and was sacked only five times during that winning streak.

The Bears defense has clearly carried the team so far this season, but Cutler has made some great decisions at times as well as some bad ones.

Week One against the Colts, Week Four against the Cowboys and the second half of Week Five against the Jaguars Cutler really showed up to play.

You have to wonder what happened during the Week Two matchup in Green Bay, the Week Three matchup against St. Louis and the first half of the Week Five matchup against Jacksonville.

Week Two against the Packers the Bears’ offense stunk it up Cutler included. The receivers got zero separation, left tackle J’Marcus Webb got exposed with no help and the running game stalled once Matt Forte got hurt.

But against an average Rams defense in Week Three Cutler posted a QB rating of 58.9. This past week in Jacksonville he had a tough start getting the offense going, but found his rhythm in the second half tossing two touchdown passes.

The additions of big receivers Brandon Marshall (6’4″) and Alshon Jeffery (6’3″) has really helped Cutler this season. WR/KR Devin Hester has been making big plays the last two weeks and Earl Bennett should be back and healthy for the Week Seven Monday night matchup with Detroit.

Cutler has great chemistry with Marshall and Bennett. He spent three seasons with Marshall in Denver and he played with Bennett at Vanderbilt and over the past three seasons in Chicago.

Tight end Kellen Davis has gotten into the mix as well as of late. The offensive line has done a decent job at keeping  Cutler upright allowing 14 sacks so far this season.

Running backs Matt Forte and Michael Bush have done a good job on the ground by averaging 123.6 yards together, which ranks 11th in the league.

Is Jay Cutler good enough to help this team make it to Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans?

Bears general manager put the pieces together for Cutler this off-season and he says he has faith in him to lead this team.

“I am a Jay Cutler fan,” Emery said via ChicagoBears.com. “I believe in what he is doing as a quarterback. If you look at the simple things, the 9-1 in the last 10 games, the (23-9) over the last three years, those stats say something, that we have a winner at a key position for our franchise. I said early in the year that I felt Jay was a franchise-level quarterback. I will continue to say that.”

At 4-1 through five games, the Bears are sitting at the top of the NFC North tied with the surprising Vikings (4-1). But many analysts and fans remain skeptical about the 2012 Bears. A lot of the skepticism is about Cutler and the offense.

The Bears have this week off to rest up and get healthy.

Then they host three of their next four games at Soldier Field.

They have tough stretch from Week Ten-Week 16 (v.s. Houston, at San Francisco, v.s. Minnesota, v.s. Seattle, at Minnesota, v.s. Green Bay and at Arizona).

We’ll see what the 2012 Bears are made of very soon. Cutler has to play just good enough to lead this team, he doesn’t need to play great and I think that’s something people don’t understand.

If the defense stays healthy all season they will be at this elite level while the offense can get by just by playing decent.

The Bears have never been a pass-happy team and now that the league is transforming into that I think that’s why the pressure for Cutler to step up is amounting  around the league.

Cutler can lead this team to the playoffs and to the Super Bowl. I strongly believe that and you should to.

With proper time in the pocket and separation from his receivers Cutler can be just as elite as Tom Brady or even Drew Brees.

He’s learning over the past few weeks to step up and run if their are no receivers open down field.

You have to like the Bears’ Super Bowl chances with a healthy defense and a healthy Jay Cutler under center.

 

Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Bears.

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With Alshon Jeffery Out For a While, Bears Could Use Rookie Joe Anderson

9th October 2012 by under Bears News     

Rookie wide receiver Alshon Jeffery has been very impressive so far this season.

He’s reeled in 14 catches for 184 yards and two touchdowns playing opposite of Brandon Marshall.

Unfortunately, it looks like he will be out an extensive period of time.

The Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that Jeffery suffered a fractured right hand in Sunday’s game against Jacksonville. He will likely miss roughly four to six weeks, but he won’t need surgery.

He reeled in a touchdown in the fourth quarter on Sunday that put the Bears up 20-3 and sat out the rest of the game after that.

It isn’t known if he suffered the injury on that touchdown catch or it happened earlier in the game. Either way the Bears will miss Jeffery’s size and production on offense.

With Jeffery out, Marshall will be keyed in on by defenses much more now. That could certainly make things tough for Jay Cutler and Co.

Earl Bennett has been battling hand issues, but should be back for Week Seven when the Bears host Detroit on Monday Night Football. He will be an integral part of the offense moving forward.

Devin Hester has been making big plays the last two weeks and should see more playing time with Jeffery out.

Dane Sanzenbacher caught his first pass of the season last week. Even though it was just a seven-yard reception, Sanzenbacher made a nice catch. He should be ready to fill in nicely.

Eric Weems hasn’t reeled in a catch this season as he has been used exclusively on special teams. He might get a few opportunities now that Jeffery is out of the lineup.

The guy that could surprise everyone is undrafted rookie Joe Anderson. He had a great training camp with the Bears. He was stashed away on the practice squad and now it looks like the Bears will be promoting him to the active roster.

It could take him a few weeks to really get comfortable in the offense, but because of his size, 6’1″ and his speed he could be used sooner rather than later.

 

Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Bears.

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