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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2015 • CHICAGOFOOTBALL.COM

TOTAL REBUILD

Hub Arkush says Bears can’t deny ‘R’ word after trades; are more to come?

2

IS IT TIME FOR FALES?

Bob LeGere: Bears must find out what 2nd-year QB can do 9

TAKE 2

Patrick Finley, Mark Potash wonder what’s wrong with the Bears special teams unit 15

RAIDERS PREVIEW

Derek Carr, Amari Cooper & much-improved Oakland visit lakefront to face 0-3 Bears 4

NFC NORTH REPORT

Perfect Packers head to West Coast to take on struggling 49ers

IN SEARCH OF

12

REDEMPTION Lamarr Houston looks to return to form against his former team 10

The ‘R’ word now is reality at Halas If they were unwilling or just not anxious to embrace the word prior to the moves of the last few days, George McCaskey, Ted Phillips, Ryan Pace and John Fox can hide from it no longer.

The Chicago Bears are rebuilding.

While Jared Allen was not a difference-maker on the field trying to learn a new position at the age of 33, he was arguably the most important veteran leader on the team.

He has now been moved for whatever the Bears could get for him.

Jonathan Bostic may have been a symbol of destiny unfulfilled to Bears fans, but athletically and pedigree-wise, he also was the best young linebacker prospect on the Bears roster.

Apparently because he did not fit whatever Pace’s and Fox’s visions of their future linebacking corps may be, he has now been moved for whatever the Bears could get for him.

If that’s not the definition of

FROM THE EDITOR

By HUB

ARKUSH

harkush@chicagofootball.com @Hub_Arkush

rebuilding, I’m not a bald old man.

It is fair to ask if the Bears could have gotten more for Allen prior to the 2015 NFL Draft, before he proved he is strictly a hand-on-the-ground pass rusher and unable to be a factor as a 3-4 outside linebacker, but the answer would be no.

No one gives up more than a six for a fading 33-year-old pass rush-

er, and there was no saving the $11.5 million bonus he was paid in March as that was promised by Phil Emery.

Are you beginning to get the picture of what a complete disaster the Emery regime was?

The Bostic deal, though, will serve as the first real litmus test for the Pace regime.

Bostic appears to me, and much more importantly to the majority of NFL scouts I’ve asked, to have a much better chance of being a productive NFL linebacker than Shea McClellin, and the Bears had both playing the same position.

Both are Emery guys, so Pace really has nothing invested in either one, yet Bostic is gone and McClellin remains a Bear.

Who is next with the NFL trade deadline a little more than a month away, at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3?

If Pace is to take a lesson from the wildly successful 2015 Chicago Cubs, there is absolutely no reason not to seek deals – or

at least listen to offers – for Matt Forte, Martellus Bennett, Jermon Bushrod and Kyle Fuller.

They’re the only real trade value he has.

While Forte has the most value, the fact that he is a free agent at the end of the season probably turns the third-round pick that he’s worth into a sixth or seventh.

The Bears are long on those late picks now, so they shouldn’t do it.

There are playoff wannabes who might give the Bears a fifth or a sixth for Bushrod or Bennett, and I would do that because both will be past their primes when the Bears are ready to contend. It also would open up the left tackle spot for Kyle Long.

Fuller is the most interesting piece because he just cost the 14th overall pick in the draft last year.

If the Bears are thinking about trying him at safety, they should keep him. If not, and they could get a third-round pick for him, they should make that move now, as well.

BY THE

NUMB3RS

6-7 Bears’ all-time record vs. the Raiders.

25-20 Final score the last time the two teams met, on Nov. 27, 2011, an Oakland win.

9-7 Bears’ record over AFC opponents over the past four years.

20-290-1 Raiders rookie WR Amari Cooper’s stat line, in receptions, yards and TDs, through three games.

Chicago Football Weekly is produced by Shaw Media, the Daily Herald Media Group and the Chicago Sun-Times in partnership with other Illinois daily newspapers.

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ChicagoFootball.com • Thursday, October 1, 2015

| CHICAGO FOOTBALL WEEKLY

2

4. 2004

Amari Cooper

Five best seasons for rookie wide receivers in the past 15 years By

BEN GARTLAND

bgartland@chicagofootball.com @BenG_Sports

Both the Chicago Bears and Oakland Raiders looked to bolster their receiving core in the 2015 NFL Draft by taking wide receivers in the first seven picks.

The Raiders took Amari Cooper, who has been solid so far, and the Bears took Kevin White, who is likely out for the season. With the jury still out on the rest of the 2015 class, here are the five best seasons for rookie wide receivers in the past 15 years:

1. 2014 In 2014, six of the top 50 receivers in yards were rookies.

The year was full of potential with five receivers taken in the first round, the most since 2009 saw six taken. New York Giants’ Odell Beckham Jr., Tampa Bay’s Mike Evans and Carolina’s Kevin Benjamin each broke the 1,000yard mark, and Buffalo’s Sammy Watkins totaled 982 yards. Jordan Matthews and Jarvis Landry each became solid targets for the Eagles and Dolphins, respectively, making 2014 the most stacked rookie receiving class in recent memory.

2. 2011 The 2011 class was loaded with hype, as A.J. Green went fourth overall to the Bengals and Julio Jones went two picks later to the

5. 2012 AP file photo

Falcons, who traded up with the Browns. The rookies did not disappoint that season. Those two plus Baltimore’s Torrey Smith, Seattle’s Doug Baldwin and Cleveland’s Greg Little all had more than 50 receptions and 700 yards. The class also brought Denarius Moore and Randall Cobb, who would improve as their careers wore on.

3. 2009 With six receivers taken in the first round, 2009 was primed

to be a good year. The league saw five different rookie receivers rack up more than 700 yards, including Minnesota’s Percy Harvin, the Giants’ Hakeem Nicks, Philadelphia’s Jeremy Maclin, Pittsburgh’s Mike Wallace and Tennessee’s Kenny Britt. Indianapolis’ Austin Collie also had a successful season, leading all rookie receivers with seven touchdowns to go along with 676 yards. Julian Edelman made his debut for the Broncos, but his rise to stardom would come years later.

The class of 2012 had potential but was marred by suspensions and eventual career flameouts.

Justin Blackmon (Jacksonville) and Josh Gordon (Cleveland) each gave long-suffering fan bases hope for a star receiver, but both ended up suspended for drug use. Blackmon has been out of the league since 2013, and Gordon has been suspended for the 2015 season after being suspended for most of the 2014 season.

T.Y. Hilton is one of the survivors from that class who is still producing. He had 861 yards with seven touchdowns.

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CHICAGO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | Thursday, October 1, 2015 • ChicagoFootball.com

Tampa Bay’s Michael Clayton was the only 2004 receiver to hit 1,000 yards, although he’d never reach 500 again. The year also saw the debuts of Larry Fitzgerald, Roy Williams and Lee Evans.

All three had at least eight touchdowns and 780 yards as rookies.

Fitzgerald became the bona fide superstar of the group, reaching eight Pro Bowls, but the other two had decent careers,too.

3

GAME PREVIEW WK 4

ChicagoFootball.com • Thursday, October 1, 2015

| CHICAGO FOOTBALL WEEKLY

4

Raiders

VS.

Bears

GAMEDAY: NOON SUNDAY, OCT. 4, 2015 / SOLDIER FIELD, CHICAGO, IL By

KEVIN FISHBAIN

Alshon Jeffery

kfishbain@chicagofootball.com @kfishbain

BEARS RUSHING OFFENSE vs RAIDERS RUN DEFENSE

As bad as things have been for the Bears through three games, this is still their staple, their bread and butter. The Bears are averaging 4.5 yards a carry, and Matt Forte is rushing at 4.7 yards a pop. The Raiders have been pretty impressive defending the run through three games, allowing 3.9 yards a carry. They’ve only given up one 20-yard run.

Veteran Curtis Lofton keys the middle of their defense with help from weak-side linebacker (and former Super Bowl hero) Malcolm Smith. The way the Raiders have defended the run – they held Cleveland to 39 yards rushing last week – makes this an important matchup. The Bears have to win the battle on the ground each week, at least until Jay Cutler comes back, and their ability to have success against 8-man boxes shows they can do it. Hey, maybe we’ll even see rookie Jeremy Langford back in the running game after he surprisingly played zero snaps in Seattle.

EDGE BEARS

BEARS PASSING OFFENSE vs RAIDERS PASS DEFENSE

Going off the assumption that Cutler will not make his return against Oakland, it shouldn’t surprise anyone who gains the advantage in this matchup. Jimmy Clausen averaged 3.7 yards a pass attempt in Seattle. OK, he won’t have to deal with the Seahawks’ 12th man, and no one is confusing Oakland’s DBs with the ‘Legion of Boom’ Seattle secondary. However, how can anyone have faith in the Bears

H. Rick Bamman - Shaw Media

gaining positive yards through the air? It will be a big help to get Alshon Jeffery back, because as inept as Clausen looked throwing, it didn’t help that his receivers couldn’t get open. The key to the Raiders’ pass defense is their rush, led by Khalil Mack.

He’s a force off the edge and will challenge right tackle Kyle Long.

The aggressive D-line also has Justin Tuck and Aldon Smith.

It’s somewhat of a ‘no-name’ secondary, at least it should be to

candidate prior to the season, as he has taken the reins in Oakland’s backfield. He was outstanding against the Browns, rushing for 139 yards on 26 carries. Murray is big (6-3, 223 EDGE RAIDERS pounds), can finish his runs with strength and has good viRAIDERS RUSHING sion to hit the holes with a burst.

OFFENSE vs BEARS RUN As a team, the Raiders lead the league averaging 4.85 yards a DEFENSE Fantasy football players carry. The Raiders are having should know Latavius Murray. their most success rushing over He was considered a breakout left guard Gabe Jackson and are Bears fans. Former first-rounder D.J. Hayden is healthy and the top corner. One name that is familiar to Bears fans is Charles Woodson, who picked off a Josh McCown pass last week.

strong up the middle with former Chiefs center Rodney Hudson. The Bears have been good up front in the first halves of games, but they couldn’t stop Thomas Rawls (who? Exactly) after halftime in Seattle and are allowing 4.68 yards a carry. If they get Jeremiah Ratliff back, that’ll be a big help, but inside linebackers Christian Jones and Shea McClellin need to play better, make their run fits and get stops in the backfield. Murray

Latavius Murray

THIS WEEK IN THE NFL 7:25 p.m. Thursday, CBS

Larry Fitzgerald

With Big Ben out, Ravens reeling, heated rivalry lacks luster but won’t spare physicality.

JETS @ DOLPHINS (London), 8:30 a.m. Sunday, CBS Will crossing pond break Fins from fog? Fitzpatrick’s picks a reminder Gang Green wins with ‘D,’ run game.

JAGUARS @ COLTS Noon Sunday, CBS After maybe biggest fourth quarter of career, Luck’s Colts could use a comfortable win.

GIANTS @ BILLS Noon Sunday, FOX Remember when Buffalo bypassed Odell to trade pair of first-rounders for Watkins?

AP file photo

is an elusive back, despite his long strides and stature, so the Bears have to be sure tacklers, especially when he gets into the open field.

EDGE RAIDERS

RAIDERS PASSING OFFENSE vs BEARS PASS DEFENSE

Bill Musgrave is showing some creativity in Oakland’s offense and Derek Carr is off to a nice start, completing 63.3 percent of his passes and throwing only one pick. He’ll operate often out of the shotgun, has a quick release and can move the pocket. Rookie Amari Cooper has been as advertised. The size-speed specimen who is a great route runner leads the team with 20 catches for 290 yards. In a meeting in college, Kyle Fuller had the edge on Cooper, holding him to four catches. But that was 2013 and Fuller is off to a rough start to his second NFL season. Michael Crabtree is a crafty receiver who knows how to get open (18 catches for 184 yards). The good news for the Bears is the pass rush sacked Russell Wilson four times.

However, Carr has been sacked only once this season. The key to the Bears’ pass ‘D’ will be

Pernell McPhee, who will rush against Oakland’s right side of the line, including former Bear J’Marcus Webb, who plays right guard. Carr can push the ball downfield, and the Bears’ safeties have yet to make a play on the ball yet. Opposing quarterbacks have a 123.8 passer rating against the Bears (highest in the league) and are completing 71.4 percent of their passes (fifth-highest).

EDGE RAIDERS

SUNDAY’S OVERALL EDGE

For anyone who circled this game as a win on the schedule before the season, hopefully you didn’t use permanent marker. It’s too early to declare the Raiders “for real,” but they’re certainly better than the Bears at this point. We haven’t even talked about special teams, where the Bears have been a disaster in coverage.

Oakland, on the other hand, has the third-best kickoff cover team through three games.

The Raiders are a rebuilding team that is on the way up. The Bears are still in transition and stuck in neutral without their starting quarterback.

EDGE RAIDERS

PANTHERS @ BUCCANEERS Noon Sunday, FOX

Top players

OFFENSE / QB Derek Carr, RB Latavius Murray, WRs Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree, LT Donald Penn DEFENSE / OLBs Khalil Mack, Aldon Smith, Malcolm Smith, DT Justin Tuck, S Charles Woodson

Schemes

OFFENSE / Carr has just one turnover and one sack taken while leading an offense averaging 6.2 yards per play (fifth in NFL).

Showing improved decisiveness and pocket poise in Year Two, he has attacked downfield more in a Bill Musgrave attack that utilizes shotgun and play-action.

Murray, the NFL’s fourth-leading rusher, is a powerful runner with impressive receiving skills and breakaway speed.

DEFENSE / Mack and Smith form an imposing rush tandem, allowing coordinator Ken Norton, Jr. to rely namely on four-man pressures. Oakland, a 4-3 base, mixed in 3-4 looks in Cleveland. Woodson iced last week’s victory with an interception, his 18th consecutive season with a pick. At 32, Tuck is still a force rushing from the interior.

Weaknesses The Oakland secondary yields an average of 323 passing yards and lacks proven playmakers aside from Woodson. Diminutive CB D.J. Hayden hasn’t played like a former top-10 pick. CB TJ Carrie just moved to safety.

Last time they met 11/27/2011: Raiders beat the Bears 25-20 at O.co coliseum.

Two of most scrutinized QBs chosen first overall square off In first of many divisional clashes.

EAGLES @ WASHINGTON Noon Sunday, FOX Philly tries building on offensive progress; Washington attempts to move on from ugly Cousins showing.

RAIDERS @ BEARS Noon Sunday, CBS Oakland eyes first three-game win streak since beating Chicago in 2011; Bears last avoided 0-4 by besting Raiders in 2003.

TEXANS @ FALCONS Noon Sunday, CBS Maybe J.J. Watt can cover Julio Jones? It’s becoming increasingly clear no one else can.

CHIEFS @ BENGALS Noon Sunday, CBS

AP file photo

PACKERS @ 49ERS 3:25 p.m. Sunday, FOX Green Bay’s NFC West revenge tour stops in San Francisco, where Niners’ dysfunctional offseason is coming home to roost.

RAMS @ CARDINALS 3:25 p.m. Sunday, FOX In NFC West slugfest, Cards clicking in all areas, but St. Louis’ offense regressing.

VIKINGS @ BRONCOS 3:25 p.m. Sunday, FOX Peyton and Peterson face off for first time since 2008; Bridgewater opposes passer he models game after for first time.

COWBOYS @ SAINTS 7:30 p.m. Sunday, NBC Brandon Weeden vs. Luke McCown wouldn’t be the ratings bonanza NFL envisioned when building prime-time schedule.

K.C. can ill afford another slow start offensively against Bengals offense firing on all cylinders.

LIONS @ SEAHAWKS

BROWNS @ CHARGERS 3:05 p.m. Sunday, CBS

After rocky start, Seattle fortunate to have NFC North bottom dwellers at home in consecutive weeks.

After battering in Minnesota, Rivers’ bolts look to energize run game against hapless Cleveland ‘D.’

• The Patriots and Titans are on bye weeks.

7:30 p.m. Monday, ESPN

CHICAGO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | Thursday, October 1, 2015 • ChicagoFootball.com

RAVENS @ STEELERS

5

ChicagoFootball.com • Thursday, October 1, 2015

| CHICAGO FOOTBALL WEEKLY

6

BEARS

VS.

RAIDERS STAFF PREDICTIONS

Wednesday spread: Bears +3

Hub

Kevin

Arthur

Nate

Bob

ChicagoFootball.com

ChicagoFootball.com

ChicagoFootball.com

ChicagoFootball.com

Daily Herald

Bears 16 Raiders 27 Assuming it’s Clausen, how can they win? A different story with Cutler.

Bears 19 Raiders 21 The Bears will have another good game plan; good enough to cover, anyway.

Bears 21 Raiders 24 Something has to give, but it’s not Clausen providing confidence against ascending Raiders offense.

Bears 16 Raiders 24 The Jimmy Clausenled Bears haven’t scored in six quarters.

They’ll score here, just not more than Raiders.

Bears 23 Raiders 19 If Cutler and Jeffery are back, Bears will take advantage of what might be their only chance for win before November.

Season Record: 2-1 Versus Spread: 2-1

Season Record: 3-0 Versus Spread: 1-2

Season Record: 2-1 Versus Spread: 2-1

Season Record: 3-0 Versus Spread: 3-0

Season Record: 3-0 Versus Spread: 3-0

Jon

Adam

Jay

Kyle

Wes

Northwest Herald

Chicago Sun-Times

Rockford Register-Star

Kankakee Daily Journal

Peoria Journal Star

Bears 17 Raiders 21 The offense looked horrible last week; no reason to believe that is about to change.

Bears 20 Raiders 23 No reason to pick the Bears until close games become near wins.

Bears 20 Raiders 17 While the Bears are trimming some fat, the Raiders will come back down to Earth.

Bears 14 Raiders 31 You know things are bad when even the Oakland Raiders appear closer to winning a Super Bowl.

Bears 13 Raiders 27 Oakland has problems; Chicago has more. A winnable game in preseason now seems hopeless.

Season Record: 3-0 Versus Spread: 2-1

Season Record: 2-1 Versus Spread: 1-2

Season Record: 3-0 Versus Spread: 2-1

Season Record: 3-0 Versus Spread: 2-1

Season Record: 3-0 Versus Spread: 3-0

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READ OPTIONS

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| CHICAGO FOOTBALL WEEKLY

8

McPhee looks like home-run signing for Pace

By ADAM

JAHNS

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Outside linebacker Pernell McPhee heard the boos from Seattle’s so-called “12th man,� and he loved it. It was a raucous indication that the Bears’ defense was doing something right against the Seahawks. “That’s what it’s about,�

McPhee said. “That was fun.�

For Bears fans, it must have been fun watching McPhee play over the past two weeks. He was the Bears’ best player against the Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals.

In three games, the Bears coaches have credited him with 19 total tackles, two tackles for loss, six quarterback pressures and two sacks.

“It’s just the start of a long season,� said McPhee, who was signed to a five-year, $38.75 million contract.

Right now, McPhee looks like a home run for general manager Ryan Pace. And Pace deserves credit for it. McPhee was a parttime player for the Baltimore Ravens and became Pace’s first big-money signing with the Bears.

The Ravens are one of the NFL’s best drafting teams and don’t let their key players walk in free agency. But Pace appears to have gotten this signing right.

McPhee, who was voted a defensive captain, is a true building block for the defense.

The Bears will be rebuilt through the draft, but McPhee’s strong play is an early sign that Pace knows how to attack free agency, too.

McPhee’s own approach is starting to give the Bears’ defense an identity.

THE WAY WE HEAR IT Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears like Chocolate and Vanilla

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Fangio expressed concerns about Fuller’s confidence last week, and Fuller seemed to regain some of it with Oakland Raiders rookie Amari Cooper up next on Sunday. “I feel like confidence is something I’ve always had, something that you’ve got to have as a defensive back,� Fuller, the No. 14 pick last year, said. “It’s just going out there playing your technique and being in position.�

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Bears outside linebacker Pernell McPhee sacks Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during last week’s game. “Some of that dog started coming out [in Seattle],� McPhee said. “You could see in some of them plays [that] we were playing with an attitude, we were playing with a swag, and all that goes to show that it’s coming along. The defense is starting to play together.�

A trip to Seattle seemed to do cornerback Kyle Fuller some good.

Unlike the first two weeks, there weren’t any notable mistakes or egregious pass-interference penalties. Now, the Bears just need those positives to continue.

Defensive coordinator Vic

The trade of linebacker Jon Bostic furthers my belief that the Bears are big believers in linebacker Shea McClellin.

McClellin still has much to prove, but through three games, he’s leading the team with 29 total tackles, according to Bears coach reviews.

He’s their only player to play every defensive snap so far this season.

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Let’s get a good look at David Fales.

It’s time. This season is going nowhere, and just about everyone knows it, at least everyone who’s seen them play this year.

So why not now, this week against the Raiders at Soldier Field?

The 0-3 Bears are clearly playing for 2016 ... or maybe 2017, but absolutely not for 2015. That’s why, within hours on Monday, the Bears traded the NFL’s active career sacks leader, Jared Allen; and last season’s leading tackler, Jon Bostic, for sixth-round draft picks.

This year doesn’t matter. That may be a hard truth for players leaving it all on the field right now, but that’s the reality. This season matters only in how it builds a foundation for future success. That means identifying players who will be productive down the road, not now.

It’s obvious, even to a casual observer, that the current disparity between the talent on the Bears’ roster and that of the

OPINION

By BOB

NFL’s better teams is vast.

Coach John Fox’s team just finished a three-game set against teams that won 35 games last year and might do so again this year.

The Bears aren’t in the same league, losing by a combined 10551 to the Packers, Cardinals and Seahawks.

This is not a one-year fix, and that’s been obvious in each of the

THE WAY WE HEAR IT

David Fales it’s true.

We know Cutler is not part of the Bears’ future, regardless of what happens the rest of the year. He’ll be 33 next spring, and teams don’t build around 33-yearold quarterbacks whose career numbers are, for the most part, average. Certainly not at the $16 million base that Cutler would be due in 2016.

Playing Fales doesn’t mean the Bears should give up on Jimmy Clausen. But the offense failed to reach the end zone in the sixplus quarters he’s played since

Cutler was hurt in Week Two. That doesn’t mean the 27-year-old Clausen doesn’t have a future in Chicago, but it’s not as a starter.

Clausen was put in an untenable position in the Week Three start in Seattle against the Seahawks. And Clausen was without the Bears’ best big-play weapon, injured Pro Bowl wide receiver Alshon Jeffery. He deserves another opportunity on a more level playing field.

But not now.

Now is for Fales, who is a bigger question mark than Clausen but has a higher upside. Realistically, the best thing the Bears can find out about Clausen is that he can be an adequate backup.

Fales has the potential to be more than that. But the Bears can’t make that determination based on the preseason and practice.

If the Bears don’t find out about Fales this season, they run the risk of going into the 2016 season without a plan for the future at the most important position on the field – for yet another year.

BY HUB ARKUSH

of quarterback sacks allowed. While some of that is compliments of Luck’s ability to move in the pocket, opposing pass rushes haven’t been unmanageable.

Luck’s poor start is also exacerbated by the fact that Grigson assembled one of the league’s deepest wide receiver corps. Luck just isn’t getting them the football.

His seven interceptions are two more than any other quarterback and more than twice as many as all but eight other signal-callers, and several are the result of terrible mechanics and bad reads of the defense, which Luck almost never demonstrated in his first three years in the league.

There are some rumblings that Luck may be either consciously or subconsciously distracted by the belief that sometime between now and the beginning of next season, he was slated to become the highest-paid player in the history of the game.

Flags flying more than usual?

LeGERE

rlegere@dailyherald.com @BobLeGere

previous three weeks. The Bears are a long, long way from competing with the elite NFL teams.

This year is not for competing, it’s for assessing, developing and building a more youthful core.

So, with Jay Cutler’s hamstring still iffy, now is the time for the Bears to see what they have in last year’s sixth-round draft pick out of San Jose State. They know what the 24-year-old Fales can do in the preseason because he had a 134.0 passer rating against the Browns in this year’s final exhibition. Fales completed 14of-18 passes for 131 yards and two touchdowns without an interception.

He ran the offense efficiently, and Fales did that without any training camp practices, as he was suffering from an illness the Bears refused to divulge – not that that matters now. What matters is determining if the 6-foot-1, 219-pound Fales can perform when it really matters, and whether he is part of the future. The Bears need to be sure of that, not just think or hope that

If you feel like you’re seeing more yellow laundry on NFL playing fields this year than ever before, it’s not your imagination.

Through three weeks of the 2015 season, officials have called and teams have ac-

Almost half (48 percent) of the penalties have been either false starts (199) or offensive holding (154).

NFL officials say there is no reason they can think of for the increase, but it is a problem the league office will be keeping an eye on.

Jared Allen to the rescue?

AP photo

Carolina Panthers’ Cam Newton talks with referee Ed Hochuli after being hit on the sidelines in the second half of an NFL football game Sept. 27 against the New Orleans Saints. A record number of penalties has been thrown by officials through the first three weeks of the 2015 season, something the NFL is monitoring.

That’s a 10.4 percent increase in flags over cepted 730 penalties, 69 more than the 661 called last season through three weeks, and the previous record and an average of 15 penalties per NFL game played.

14 more than the record 716 set in 2005.

If you’re wondering why the Carolina Panthers were willing to trade a sixth round pick for Jared Allen, look no further than the news this week that Charles Johnson has been placed on injured reserve-designated-to-return list with a serious hamstring injury.

Johnson was off to an excellent start for the Panthers this season and is second on Carolina’s all-time sack list with 63½ QB dumps, trailing only Julius Peppers (81).

The Panthers hope to have Johnson’s hamstring healed in time for him to return Thanksgiving Day in Dallas, the earliest the I.R. return rule will allow, but they could not afford to wait to find help for their pass rush.

Expect Allen to see playing time immediately this Sunday in Tampa Bay.

9 CHICAGO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | Thursday, October 1, 2015 • ChicagoFootball.com

2015 season is over; let’s see what Fales can do

ChicagoFootball.com • Thursday, October 1, 2015

| CHICAGO FOOTBALL WEEKLY

10

BEARS

P L AY E R

PROFILE

Lamarr Houston

A BIGGER ROLE

By

JAY TAFT

jtaft@rrstar.com

With Jared Allen traded, former Raider has a chance to make bigger impact on ‘D’

W

hile highlights for the Chicago Bears have been few and far between this season, fans and coaches saw a little something to smile about coming out of Sunday’s 26-0 shutout at the hands of the Seahawks: The Bears found their pass rush again.

The Bears not only had their first four sacks of the season – two from Pernell McPhee and two by Jarvis Jenkins – but they added 10 quarterback hits, more than they had in the first two games combined (six).

Another welcome sight was the play of Lamarr Houston, who was credited with his first two QB hurries of the season.

However, the one thing you didn’t see was Houston celebrating those plays – not in any way, shape or form.

Last year, after a sack against New England Patriots backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo with the Bears trailing by 25 points, Houston celebrated a sack with a leap into the air. When he came down, his season was over due to a torn ACL. While Houston has maintained a willingness to dance if he ever does nail down

LAMARR HOUSTON AGE 28 SIZE 6-foot, 3-inches, 270 pounds COLLEGE Texas EXPERIENCE 6th year (first four in Oakland) CAREER STATS 240 tackles, 17.0 sacks, one interception, seven fumble recoveries, four forced fumbles THIS SEASON Three games, one tackle, two QB hurries another sack in the NFL, it’s sure to be tempered.

“I won’t change how I do things – well, for the most part,” said Houston, sitting next to his locker at Halas Hall in Lake Forest prior to the Seahawks game. “I want to show everybody what I really can do here, so it will change in that way. But I’m still going to go at my job with the same enthusiasm that I used to.”

Trying to turn it around

While the Bears are busy doing everything they can to turn around what has been a dismal season so far, Houston is doing everything he can to turn around what was a horrendous first year in Chicago.

Up until Sunday, he was having little luck doing that, both because of a lack of playing time and because of an 0-2 start that quickly had the organization searching for answers.

Sunday was a step in the right direction – at least it was for Houston. The defensive end-turned-outside linebacker played 24 snaps on Sunday and was in the game for 38 percent of the defensive plays.

He played only four snaps in the first week, but Houston’s playing time has gone up each game since. And with Monday’s trade of Jared Allen to Carolina, it should climb even more.

While he has just two tackles, he did have two of the Bears’ 10 quarterback hits against Russell Wilson. It was easily his best game of the year, but by no means was it anything to get excited about.

“I’m not going to get excited out there,” Houston said, “until we start winning some games.”

Back to Oakland for Houston

Houston will look to build on his Seattle success this Sunday against the Oakland Raiders, the team that drafted him 44 th overall in 2010 and with whom he played his first four NFL seasons.

He came to the Bears last year on a fiveyear, $35 million free agent contract with $15 million guaranteed.

However, he played in just eight games, making 11 tackles with 10 quarterback hurries. His first – and only – sack of the year was his season-ender against Garoppolo.

There was concern in the offseason that his poor play and injury would cost him a spot with the Bears, especially with a new regime taking over.

But general manager Ryan Pace and first-year Bears head coach John Fox saw enough in Houston to bring him back.

Since then, he worked to rehab the knee as well as his game. Neither battle has come easy.

“It never is in this league – in this business,” said Houston, who tied a career high with 69 tackles in 2013 after posting 51 in 2011 and 39 in 2010. “And

11

Slow rise back, but it’s time

He barely saw the field in the Bears’ Week One loss to Green Bay, saying afterward, “It is what it is.” He was clearly upset.

It’s been said all along that the 3-4 scheme is a better fit for Houston, a versatile pass-rusher who can come after an offense from outside linebacker, defensive end or defensive tackle.

But yet, after two games, the healthy Houston had been in for just 20 of the team’s defensive snaps, less than 20 percent.

Allen had said “he’ll make a bunch of plays for us this year,” talking about Houston just before the season began.

But there wasn’t much proof of that until Sunday.

Finally, though, the burst off the edge was back. Houston beat offensive linemen on multiple occasions on Sunday, affecting two other plays by getting into the backfield quickly.

While it didn’t affect the final score, it gave the Bears something to build on.

“I thought, all in all, our pass defense was a little bit improved. I think there are things to work off of,” Fox said Monday. “Like everything, you just try to keep improving every week, and I saw a bit of improvement in that area.

“So it wasn’t all negative.”

sons in Oakland his first two years. Since then his teams have gone 4-12, 4-12 (both with Oakland), and then 5-11 last year.

This year’s 0-3 Bears could turn out to be the worst of them all. But Houston is not looking at it that way. He continues to stay positive, and to look at this year as his chance at redemption.

“We’ve got a lot to fix, and a lot of work to do, but we’re all in this to win, and win as fast as we can,” he said. “Nobody’s going to panic right away or worry about things if it doesn’t happen immediately. But we know we can get this thing right.”

They may be taking baby steps, but after the third week, the Bears’ defense was ranked 11th overall, allowing 331.0 yards per game, and sixth against the pass (195.3). Those numbers are clearly skewed with two of those three games ending in blowouts, but in a season where highlights are hard to find, they are looking for any good starting spot to grow from.

“We’ve got to find those things we’re doing well,” said Willie Young, another defensive lineman-turned-outside Bryan Bulaga and Lamarr Houston linebacker, “and make it better. You’ve got to have a starting point somewhere.”

H. Rick Bamman - Shaw Media They will all get a boost when defensive lineman Jeremiah Ratliff returns, most likely this week. And with the added Get back to winning ways incentive of playing his old team, they may get another Houston has become accustomed to this losing thing.

He recorded a career-high 10 tackles and a sack during boost from Houston.

“It’s about getting it back again; getting back up to that Texas’ loss to Alabama in the 2010 BCS National Championship Game back in college, and enjoyed a 45-8 record with top level,” Houston said. “It’s going to come, and that’s when I’ll finally be able to show everybody out there in this league the Longhorns.

But his NFL highlights came with back-to-back 8-8 sea- that I’m still here.”

adno=0330755

CHICAGO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | Thursday, October 1, 2015 • ChicagoFootball.com

it doesn’t matter to me if it happens against Oakland, or in the second half of the season, or whenever. I just want to help this defense get going.”

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| CHICAGO FOOTBALL WEEKLY

12

NFC NORTH REPORT By

ARTHUR ARKUSH

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VIKINGS @ BRONCOS

Overview

After overwhelming the Chargers, 31-14, with a terrorizing pass rush and vintage Adrian Peterson outing, Minnesota’s formula is clear: dominate both lines of scrimmage and dictate tone with aggression and power. Peterson announced, “I think I’m back,” after averaging 6.2 yards per carry and showing the furious running style and breakaway speed that might again make him the NFL’s most unstoppable back – at age 30. Coach Mike Zimmer said he “didn’t recognize” his team after a Week One letdown, but with the NFL’s No. 5 scoring ‘D’ and No. 3 rushing ‘O,’ he’ll surely like Minnesota’s trajectory. Coming off a 24-12 prime-time win in Detroit, the Broncos lead the NFL in total defense and, though coach Gary Kubiak’s run game remains in neutral, Peyton Manning has started to accelerate after spending the mini-bye melding

his offensive preferences with Kubiak’s and arriving at a pistol-heavy attack.

Matchup to watch

Denver’s rebuilt O-line gets a stiff test in a Minnesota front playing as well as any in football. Keep an eye on the speed of DE Everson Griffen versus rookie LT Ty Sambrailo. Manning’s quick release and pistol usage might not be enough against Griffen, whose rushes can be a blur.

By the numbers

Sunday marked Peterson’s 25 two-touchdown performance, tying Hall of Famer Cris Carter for the most in franchise history.

rank last in the NFL, and Stafford has been pounded. They’ve unsurprisingly missed top defensive playmakers – Ndamukong Suh, now in Miami, and DeAndre Levy, yet to play due to a hip injury. Add to that the loss Sunday of their two best linemen – RG Larry Warford (ankle) and DE Ezekiel Ansah (groin) – and two of the NFC’s top three teams next on the slate, and the Lions could be winless when they host the Bears in Week Six.

Matchup to watch

The hope is Levy will make his 2015 debut Monday night in Seattle – and the Lions need one of the NFL’s top coverage linebackers to challenge TE Jimmy Graham, coming off his best game with the ‘Hawks. S Glover Quin, after picking off Manning on Sunday, also will loom large in slowing the imposing Graham.

th

LIONS @ SEAHAWKS

By the numbers

In his past 51 contests, Stafford has exceeded a passer rating north of 100.0 just eight times. He had 10 alone in his career year in 2011.

PACKERS @ 49ERS

Overview

Detroit joins the Bears and Saints as the NFC’s only winless teams after falling to the Broncos, 24-12. The Lions’ offseason commitment to rebuilding the O-line and run game has failed miserably – their 17 attempts per game and 2.6 yards per play both

Overview

If it’s free, is it considered stealing? It certainly looks like it with Aaron Rodgers, who as part of his masterful start has coaxed

eight penalties resulting in free plays and two touchdowns. After vanquishing the Chiefs, 38-28, Green Bay is averaging nearly two more points than 2014’s top scoring offense. Dom Capers’ ‘D’ has found new weapons: first-round CB Damarious Randall has transitioned seamlessly from safety and OLB Jayrone Elliott similarly is earning increased reps with impact plays in consecutive weeks. The offense hasn’t skipped a beat without Jordy Nelson, but WR depth took another hit with Davante Adams re-aggravating his high ankle sprain Monday.

The Niners have crashed to earth following Jim Tomsula’s surprising debut win, having allowed 90 combined points in consecutive routs, the franchise’s most in a two-game span since 1980.

Matchup to watch

Colin Kaepernick is coming off his worst game as a pro, but everyone remembers the damage he inflicted on Capers’ group as a runner (279 yards, two TDs) in recent postseasons. Matthews has since moved inside, but let’s see how Capers guards the perimeter against the long-striding Kaepernick with his scrambling likely to again be a factor.

By the numbers

If his 10:0 interception-to-touchdown ratio, 73.6 completion percentage and 135.4 passer rating weren’t enough, Rodgers is on pace to rush for 394 yards, which would be another career high.

FOOTBALL

Week Four brings byes, more injuries for owners By

J.C. TALON

ChicagoFootball.com fantasy writer

Most of the advice offered in last week’s column proved to be fairly accurate. Unfortunately, we did not bat one thousand. We expected a low-scoring affair in Dallas, but 67 points later ... Hey, we did predict that Seattle would shut out the Bears, so there’s that.

As the NFL season comes more into focus, we look at Week Four games offering fantasy upside, and others that are best avoided.

MATCHUPS TO EXPLOIT COLTS (vs. JAGUARS) Noon Sunday The Colts might have saved their season with their comefrom-behind win over Tennessee last week. Andrew Luck still seems a little off his game piloting the NFL’s 19th ranked offense.

Indy has real problems on the offensive line, but they should find some success at home against a weaker defense. The Jaguars are giving up 30.3 points per game through three weeks.

Must start: Luck Solid play: Frank Gore, T.Y. Hilton, Coby Fleener (if no Dwayne Allen*) Worth a look: Donte Moncrief, Phillip Dorsett, Adam Vinatieri Last resort: Colts D/ST

Tyrod Taylor has been solid at QB and has improved each week.

Owners of Tony Romo and Ben Roethlisberger could reasonably consider Taylor as a stopgap. Percy Harvin leads Buffalo in catches and yards, while TE Charles Clay has found the end zone in two consecutive weeks. Sammy Watkins left the Miami game with a calf strain.

It’s only Week Four, but the Giants’ defense is in bad shape.

They are giving up 410 yards per game. Only Oakland is yielding more.

Solid play: Taylor, Williams, McCoy, Clay, Dan Carpenter, Bills D/ST Worth a look: Harvin, Watkins* Last resort: Chris Hogan, Robert Woods

PANTHERS (@ BUCS)

Noon Sunday This should be a good, but perhaps not great matchup for Carolina. The Titans waxed Tampa’s defense in Week One. Since then, the Bucs have been fairly stingy, allowing only 19 points in Week Two at New Orleans then repeating that effort last week in Houston. The Panthers are playing good football right now. With Tom Brady on bye, and Romo and Roethlisberger injured, Cam Newton is a top-five – perhaps even top- three – QB play this week.

BILLS (vs. GIANTS) Must start: Newton, Panthers Noon Sunday D/ST Don’t look now, but the Bills Solid play: Jonathan Stewart, currently have the NFL’s 10 th- Greg Olsen, Graham Gano ranked offense. Averaging better Worth a look: Ted Ginn Last resort: Mike Tolbert, than 33 points per game, they are No. 3 in scoring. LeSean McCoy Devin Funchess is off to a very slow start. Against Miami, he rushed 11 times for just CHARGERS (vs. BROWNS) 16 yards. Rookie Karlos Williams 3:05 p.m. Sunday San Diego may be 1-2, but racked up 110 yards and a TD on 12 carries. It is possible McCoy is they’ve got the league’s 4 thstill dealing with a hamstring is- ranked offense, producing more sue, but his fantasy owners have than 400 yards per game. Expect reason for concern. He has not them to get back to .500 this week rushed for a TD this season and is by whooping up on the Browns. being outplayed by a rookie.

Cleveland’s 27th- ranked defense

yields almost as many yards per game (395) as the Chargers put up.

Must start: Keenan Allen Solid play: Philip Rivers*, Melvin Gordon Worth a look: Danny Woodhead, Malcom Floyd, Josh Lambo Last resort: Branden Oliver, an excellent QB … for your park Ladarius Green* district’s adult flag league. UnforStay away: Chargers D/ST tunately for the Bears, he might be the worst quarterback on any PACKERS (@ 49ERS) NFL roster. If he starts, expect 3:25 p.m. Sunday the Raiders to get ample opportuThe NFL is a wacky league. nity on offense. The Bears are givThe 49ers’ defense looked like a ing up an NFL-worst 35 points per force to be reckoned with in Week game. But even if their defense One. Since then, they’ve been a plays well at times, they’ll get punching bag for Pittsburgh and worn down over the course of the Arizona. After three games, San game. The Raiders should score Francisco’s defense is ranked at least 24 points, and likely will 25th and is letting up 31 points per score 30 or more. game. On paper, this one looks like a blowout. The only concern COWBOYS (@ SAINTS) for owners of Aaron Rodgers, 7:30 p.m. Sunday Eddie Lacy and Randall Cobb is Brandon Weeden actually that the Packers are coming off looked serviceable against Ata short week and will be taking lanta. Defensive coordinator Rob a long flight to the West Coast. Ryan is again working his magic Don’t be surprised if the 49ers in New Orleans. The Saints are hang around for a while. In the ranked No. 29 in yards allowed. end, however, the Packers offense is just too good to be shut down MATCHUPS TO AVOID for four quarters. If Davante Adams (ankle) cannot go, Ty Mont- DOLPHINS (VS. JETS in London) gomery would be an interesting 8:30 a.m. Sunday option for fantasy owners strugDespite their uninspired pergling to find a flex starter. formance against Philadelphia, Must start: Rodgers, Lacy, the Jets still have the NFL’s Cobb 4th-rated defense. Miami is averSolid play: James Jones, Mason aging just 17 points per game. LaCrosby mar Miller has been struggling Worth a look: Richard Rodgers, with an ankle injury. He has just Montgomery (if no Adams), Pack- 30 carries and no touchdowns this ers D/ST season. Backup RB Jonas Gray Last resort: James Starks might be worth a waiver pickup.

Worth a look: Miller*, Rishard ALSO CONSIDER Matthews, Jarvis Landry Last resort: Ryan Tannehill, RAIDERS (@ BEARS) Gray, Jordan Cameron*, DolNoon Sunday phins D/ST The general sentiment in ChiStay away: Andrew Franks cago that the Bears’ drubbing in Seattle “could have been worse” VIKINGS (@ BRONCOS) is a testament to just how ridic- 3:25 p.m. Sunday After three games, it might ulously low the bar has been set for this team. Jimmy Clausen is be time to start believing in the

AP file photo

Denver defense. Ranked No. 1 overall (and against the pass), the Broncos are allowing 259 yards per game, 18 yards fewer than the No. 2 defense (Washington). Opponents have averaged just 16.3 points per game against Denver.

Only the Panthers and the Jets have allowed fewer points. Adrian Peterson is always a must start, and he could have an OK day. Jamaal Charles had 125 yards and a TD against Denver.

After AP, the Vikings are not offering much this week in terms of fantasy options.

Must start: Peterson Worth a look: Vikings D/ST Last resort: Jarius Wright, Kyle Rudolph, Blair Walsh Stay away: Teddy Bridgewater, Jerick McKinnon, Mike Wallace

RAMS (@ CARDINALS) 3:25p.m. Sunday St. Louis has averaged 274 yards of total offense per game, which is dead last in the NFL. The Rams have a talented defense, but they’ll need to move the ball if they are to have a chance in Arizona. Give Bruce Arians and the Cardinals enough opportunities and they’ll find the holes in any defense. Todd Gurley could give the Rams a boost, but he was obviously rusty in his return last week. This is an unlikely week for the rookie to have a coming out party. Arizona’s defense ranks fifth in fewest yards allowed.

Worth a look: Gurley, Kenny Britt Last resort: Tavon Austin, Jared Cook, Greg Zuerlein, Rams D/ ST Stay away: Nick Foles, Tre Mason, Benny Cunningham • Check injury status

CHICAGO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | Thursday, October 1, 2015 • ChicagoFootball.com

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ChicagoFootball.com • Thursday, October 1, 2015

| CHICAGO FOOTBALL WEEKLY

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MARK POTASH

What’s up with the Bears special teams?

In this week’s edition of Take 2, Patrick Finley and Mark Potash wonder who took the special out of the Bears’ special teams unit after they allowed their second kickoff return touchdown in as many weeks: FINLEY: Potsie, the Bears’ special teams are a mess. Their kickoff coverage team has allowed as many touchdowns as Jay Cutler has thrown all year. Their punt coverage group was duped by a “Dave Toub Special” in Seattle, chasing the wrong returner. Do you see a theme here? And is there a way – short of kicking the ball into the bench – to knock it the heck off?

POTASH: It’s easy to blame it on a weak roster, but the Bears had a weak roster last year with inexperienced players shuttling in and out of their special teams units and – believe it or not, my friend – still led the NFL in kickoff coverage (17.5

yards per return). Special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers has a lot to prove – the Bears have allowed three of the six longest kickoff returns in the NFL this season.

The solution? It was interesting John Fox did not dismiss the notion of having Pat O’Donnell boom kicks out of the end zone.

O’Donnell had 37 touchbacks in 79 kickoffs as a senior at Miami in 2013. Robbie Gould is 4-of-12 – the second-lowest percentage in the NFL. FINLEY: I can’t shake the idea that criticizing the Bears’ special teams is like knocking the Hindenburg’s paint job.

We’re having the “don’t-let-the-kickerkick-off” talk when we could be discussing their first time being shut out since 2002 or a defense that finally showed a pulse.

Still, Matt Forte said that “it’s a question right now of if everybody’s all in.” Doesn’t special teams rely on want-to? And do they

15

Pat O’Donnell H. Rick Bamman – Shaw Media

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CHICAGO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | Thursday, October 1, 2015 • ChicagoFootball.com

TAKE TWO

not have any?

POTASH: I respect Forte’s opinion as a leader of this team, but I think his “all in” criticism was not the indictment it sounded like. And even Forte clarified that it wasn’t about effort. I think that’s just frustration that the team isn’t better than it is.

This team needs playmakers – and more than just Pernell McPhee. If they ever get those playmakers, everybody around them will look like they’re “all in” – and that includes some of the same special teams players who might not appear “all in” today. The Bears need three things, Pat: a healthy roster; time for the new coaching staff’s schemes to kick in; and playmakers. As Lovie Smith would say, “It’s as simple as that.”

FINLEY: So all they need is good players, good health and good schemes? How hard is that, right? (Answer: very.) So are ya worried about special teams? Or assuming the team will only get better?

POTASH: Never said it would be easy, Pat. Just making the point that when you develop playmakers, everybody seems to be “all in.” When you don’t, that’s when you have those issues – perceived or real.

As for the special teams, I don’t believe the Bears will keep up their current pace of allowing touchdowns. Just as the defense is showing signs of “getting” Vic Fangio’s scheme, I think special teams will get better as they adjust to whatever

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