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HUB ANALYSIS Bears aren’t good, but they’re in better shape than some of the NFL’s worst franchises 2

THE LIST

We pick five of the Bears’ most memorable moments on Monday night 3

ROYAL TREATMENT

WR Eddie Royal ailing as Bears prepare to play his former team 10

IN THE

SPOTLIGHT

ROOKIE RB JEREMY LANGFORD HAS HIS FIRST OPPORTUNITY TO START WITH MATT FORTE LIKELY OUT

8

Hard to gauge Bears against rest of NFL

BY THE

At the end of the Bears game in San Diego this coming Monday night, they will have officially arrived at the halfway point of the 2015 NFL season.

Regardless of whether they are 3-5 or 2-6, it will be very hard to accurately gauge where they stand in relationship to the rest of the NFL. The National Football League has achieved a new level of parity – or mediocrity, depending upon your point of view – like we’ve never seen before.

Going into this weekend, Week Nine, there were only eight teams in the league with fewer than three losses and 11 teams with less than four. Twenty-one of 32 teams are .500 or worse.

You have to decide for yourself whether you prefer to view these Bears as a bad football team or a rebuilding one – there is a very real difference. But right now, there are no more than a dozen or so teams in the NFL in better shape than them.

New England, Cincinnati, Denver, Green Bay and Arizona are

FROM THE EDITOR

By HUB

ARKUSH

harkush@chicagofootball.com @Hub_Arkush

really good football teams.

Carolina is a good football team playing really well.

I have no idea where to put the Falcons in spite of their 6-2 record – their opponents are 16-28, not a quality win in the bunch – and the Vikings and Rams are young teams a year or two ahead of the Bears in the rebuilding process.

The Jets have a great defense but are going nowhere until they find a quarterback, and the Raiders lost to the Bears just four

weeks ago.

Right now, that’s what the Bears are chasing along with the other two-thirds of the league.

I thought John Fox summed things up nicely after the loss to the Vikings when he said, “It’s the NFL. I think the guys fought and competed. We were in the game, much like the last four weeks. We won two but we didn’t finish the last two weeks, and then you lose.

“I think down the stretch, you have to coach them better and you have to make plays when they are there to be had. That’s really the truth.”

It’s the truth, especially if you add, “and we need more good football players!”

These Bears have managed to lose to the worst team in the league in Detroit, and be non-competitive, albeit without their quarterback, against a mediocre Seattle team, but they outplayed one of the NFL’s best young teams all day last Sunday vs. Minnesota.

They are not in danger of even threatening to join the six clubs at the top of the mountain right

now – that’s at least two really good drafts away. But they are also nowhere near the mess the Lions, Titans, 49ers, Browns and Texans, to name a few, are.

The question is, are they closer to those ne’er-do-wells or other young clubs on the rise such as Minnesota, St. Louis and Oakland?

They aren’t young, but they have gotten significantly younger with the rebuilding process under way and older veterans like Charles Tillman, Lance Briggs, Jared Allen, Jeremiah Ratliff, Tim Jennings, Brandon Marshall and Roberto Garza – all starters last year – now gone.

When an NFL team becomes as dysfunctional as the Bears were at the end of last season, there really is a process that must take place if the focus is on becoming one of the best teams and organizations in the league annually.

The Bears still are early in that process, but it’s clear the rest of the NFL appears to be waiting for them. That may end up being a real help in getting where they hope to go.

BY THE

NUMB3RS

28-36

The Bears’ all-time record on Monday Night Football dating to 1970, when the NFL first started scheduling Monday games.

12-4

The Bears’ record on MNF in their past 16 appearances. They are 5-2 on Monday nights since 2012.

6-5

The Bears’ all-time record against the Chargers, including a 31-20 win at Soldier Field the last time the two teams met, in 2011.

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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2

Five of the Bears’ most memorable prime-time, regular season games By

BEN GARTLAND

bgartland@chicagofootball.com @BenG_Sports

The Bears have played many memorable primetime games in their history and, with their upcoming Monday Night Football game against the San Diego Chargers, here are five of the best.

1. DEC. 8, 2008 VS. PACKERS The season was on the line for the Bears as they hosted the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football. They needed a win to keep their hopes alive in the NFC North, but the Packers dominated the first half. The Bears rallied back and scored a game-tying touchdown with 3:11 to go to make it 17-17, but the

j

Packers drove into Bears territory and Mason Crosby set up for a 38-yard field goal. The Bears, however, blocked the attempt and sent the game to overtime, where they won 20-17. Chicago finished the season 9-7 and missed the playoffs, however.

2. OCT. 16, 2006 VS. CARDINALS The Bears were 5-0 to start the 2006 season, a year that would end with a Super Bowl appearance.

On a Monday night in Arizona, though, the Bears went down 20-0 to the 1-4 Cardinals. It looked like their undefeated start would come to an end. However, propelled by a Devin Hester 83-yard punt return, the Bears made a memorable comeback and went on to win 24-23, overcoming six

5. DEC. 21, 2010 VS. VIKINGS

AP file photo

turnovers from quarterback Rex Grossman and a poor first half.

In his postgame press conference, Cardinals Coach Dennis Green made his infamous “The Bears are what we thought they were” rant.

3. SEPT. 20, 1985 VS. VIKINGS It was a rare Thursday night football game during the 1985 season when what became known as “McMahon’s Miracle” happened.

Bears starting quarterback Jim McMahon was not playing due to

back spasms and a leg infection, and the Bears fell behind 17-9 in the third quarter to the Minnesota Vikings. Head coach Mike Ditka decided to put McMahon in, and he put on a show as he threw two touchdowns on his first two passes, and another one six plays later to quickly put the Bears up 30-17. Chicago went on to win 3324.

4. SEPT. 14, 1987 VS. GIANTS The 1985 Super Bowl champions kicked off the 1987 season

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Devin Hester set the NFL record with his 14th kickoff or punt return for a touchdown, and the Bears clinched the division with an exclamation point over their divisional rival.

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against the 1986 champion New York Giants. A players strike loomed and Jim McMahon, once again dealing with injuries, was openly feuding with coach Mike Ditka. However, the Bears thrashed the Giants 34-19 on the backs of a 292-yard passing performance from Mike Tomczak and a 94-yard punt return from Dennis McKinnon. While the strike did happen, and the Bears would be bounced from the playoffs again by Washington, for one brief night the Bears appeared to be back.

Dennis Green

GAME PREVIEW WK 9

ChicagoFootball.com • Thursday, November 5, 2015

| CHICAGO FOOTBALL WEEKLY

4

Chargers

VS.

Bears

GAMEDAY: 7:30 P.M. MONDAY, NOV. 9 / QUALCOMM STADIUM, SAN DIEGO By

KEVIN FISHBAIN

kfishbain@chicagofootball.com @kfishbain

Jay Cutler

BEARS RUSHING OFFENSE vs CHARGERS RUN DEFENSE

A tough matchup to sort out with Matt Forte likely out because of a knee injury and a key Chargers run stopper, Corey Liuget, questionable with a foot/ankle injury. If we’re to assume it’s the rookie Jeremy Langford against a Chargers run defense that is last in the league, allowing 5.1 yards per carry, and that San Diego will have to stop Langford without Liuget, the Bears have a chance to win this matchup. The Bears committed to the run vs. Minnesota and, while positive gains were hard to come by, Langford’s speed as he hits the hole was noticeable on their final touchdown drive.

The Chargers have allowed 11 rushes of 20 yards or more, the most in the league. If Forte is out, Adam Gase may commit to the pass more than the run, and Jay Cutler’s recent success should only help open up big holes for Langford.

EDGE BEARS

BEARS PASSING OFFENSE vs CHARGERS PASS DEFENSE

Similar to Chicago’s passing ‘D’, one must look closer at San Diego’s stats. They’re allowing 238.3 yards per game through the air, which is respectable.

However, opposing quarterbacks have a 102.5 passer rating vs. the Chargers with 14 touchdowns and only four picks. Cutler has been very impressive, and he and Alshon Jeffery have been in lockstep the past two games. Take your pick, whether it’s former first-round cor-

Sarah Nader - Shaw Media

ner Jason Verrett or Brandon Flowers, Jeffery should have an advantage. And if the Chargers are without ball-hawking safety Eric Weddle (groin), that’s another advantage for the Bears.

Melvin Ingram and Jeremiah Attaochu have combined for 15 QB hits, so they can get after it, but even a patchwork Bears offensive line is doing the job. It’s an aggressive defensive front in John Pagano’s 3-4 defense, but it hasn’t been stopping many quarterbacks. Eddie Royal’s sta-

than 88 yards in a game or even reach the end zone. He’s battled an injury and is also working behind a struggling O-line ridEDGE BEARS dled with injuries. Left tackle King Dunlap (ankle) could miss Monday night’s game and left CHARGERS RUSHING guard Orlando Franklin (knee) OFFENSE vs BEARS RUN missed last week’s loss in BaltiDEFENSE more. Three more O-linemen left The Melvin Gordon excite- the game against Baltimore. The ment from the draft has died Chargers are 30th in the league down in a hurry. The first-round in yards per carry and 29th in pick is averaging 3.7 yards a rushing overall. The Bears had carry and has yet to gain more their issues with Adrian Petertus does hurt the passing game, along with Forte’s, but maybe it allows Martellus Bennett and Marquess Wilson to step up.

son, and it was concerning to see Eddie Goldman struggle at the point of attack. He needs to step up with Jeremiah Ratliff gone. Christian Jones made a couple nice stops, but not nearly enough came from the inside ’backers. We repeat this each week, but it remains telling – the Bears are limiting explosive plays, having allowed two runs for more than 20 yards. It’s weakness against kind-of-weakness here when the Chargers try to pound the rock, but their

Philip Rivers

THIS WEEK IN THE NFL

AP photo

BROWNS @ BENGALS 7:25 p.m. Thursday, NFLN Dalton remains clutch, McCown again crunched, but Manziel vs. undefeated Bengals on short week is Browns’ last resort.

AP photo

DOLPHINS @ BILLS inability to do so and question marks up front give the Bears the slightest of advantages.

EDGE BEARS

CHARGERS PASSING OFFENSE vs BEARS

This is where the Bears could have major problems Monday night, potentially enough to render the three previous matchups moot.

The Chargers lead the league in passing, averaging 336.9 yards per game. Philip Rivers, dealing with all the aforementioned O-line issues, has been outstanding, completing a career-high 69.8 percent of his passes for 18 scores and seven picks. He has a passer rating of 102.1. Now, Rivers will be without his top target, Keenan Allen (kidney). Antonio Gates has battled a knee injury and Ladarius Green hurt his ankle last week.

Despite a bad run game and leaky O-line, Rivers continues to make plays. He’s not mobile, but has good footwork and a quick, albeit awkward release, and that’s going to be an issue for a Bears pass rush that cannot consistently get home. It didn’t hit Teddy Bridgewater until the second-to-last drive of Sunday’s game, and the Bears apparently have a huge hole

at nickel corner. Opposing QBs have a 103.5 rating vs. the Bears throwing 16 touchdowns to four picks. This is where the Chargers will get their yards and points.

EDGE CHARGERS

SUNDAY’S OVERALL EDGE

Think ESPN wishes it could flex out of this game? Two bad defenses, several injured players – and not just any players, impact starters on both sides of the ball. A 2-5 team traveling to play a 2-6 team that could be playing in Los Angeles next year. However, this game could be pretty fun if Rivers and Cutler put on a show, renewing their old AFC West rivalry. Each is having a strong season despite poor supporting casts. It’s hard to give the Chargers much of a home-field advantage, but it’s worth noting how close they’ve been in games, losing their last four by a combined 22 points. On special teams, the Bears are awful in coverage, but the Chargers are historically bad returning punts and average on kickoffs.

Something’s got to give. In the end, the Chargers are simply too banged up to gain the overall matchup edge, even at home.

EDGE BEARS

Noon Sunday, CBS

Top players

OFFENSE / QB Philip Rivers, RB Melvin Gordon, WR Malcom Floyd, TE Antonio Gates, LG Orlando Franklin DEFENSE / DT Corey Liuget, OLBs Melvin Ingram, Jerry Attaochu, CB Jason Verrett, S Eric Weddle

Schemes

OFFENSE / Mike McCoy’s hands are tied by a M.A.S.H. unit O-line and inconsistent RB stable. That shifts the onus on QB Philip Rivers, the NFL’s leader in attempts and yardage, who’s on pace to edge Peyton Manning’s 2013 record (5,477). Sharp and tough, Rivers controls the game at the line. A quick passing attack will miss Keenan Allen (out with kidney injury), making Danny Woodhead and Gates key in the short and intermediate areas.

DEFENSE / John Pagano’s unit has yet to hold an opponent under 24 points. It operates from a 3-4 base, with mixed coverages and myriad disguises. Linebackers Donald Butler, Manti Te’o and an undermanned front struggle versus the run. Attaochu and Ingram key an average pass rush, and the versatile Weddle, who could return after missing his first game in five seasons, is the back-end glue.

Weaknesses It’d be quicker to list the strengths, but like Chicago in recent weeks, San Diego has struggled to finish – four of the Bolts’ past five losses have come on the final play.

Last time they met

11/20/2011: Chicago forced three turnovers and Jay Cutler accounted for two scores, outdueling Rivers in a 31-20 Bears victory at Soldier Field.

Another tough divisional road test for Dan Campbell’s Fins; Bills used bye to get healthy, re-establish Rex’s ground-and-pound formula.

PACKERS @ PANTHERS Noon Sunday, FOX Can undefeated Carolina mimic Denver’s blueprint to stifle suddenly sputtering Packers?

JAGUARS @ JETS Noon Sunday, CBS Jaguars have had two weeks to celebrate London comeback; Jets QBs, ‘D’ both battered in Oakland.

RAMS @ VIKINGS Noon Sunday, FOX Two teams proving dominant RBs and defenses can still carry the load.

WASHINGTON @ PATRIOTS Noon Sunday, FOX Can Washington emerge from bye to re-enter NFC East battle?

After humbling Miami last Thursday, Pats look to improve on 48-4 Foxboro mark since 2009.

TITANS @ SAINTS Noon Sunday, CBS Ken Whisenhunt out in Nashville,

Drew Brees (seven TDs!) doing his darnedest to keep Sean Payton in New Orleans.

RAIDERS @ STEELERS Noon Sunday, CBS Derek Carr is 2-0, with seven TDs, 0 INTs since bye; can hobbled Steelers possibly find answer after losing Bell?

GIANTS @ BUCCANEERS 3:05 p.m. Sunday, FOX Giants still can’t believe they lost; Bucs still can’t believe they won.

FALCONS @ 49ERS 3:05 p.m. Sunday, FOX Falcons have fumbled away Dan Quinn’s hot start; Jim Tomsula fumbled while handing keys from Kaepernick to Gabbert.

BRONCOS @ COLTS 3:35 p.m. Sunday, CBS Manning’s Broncos and Luck’s Colts heading in opposite directions – just unexpected ones.

EAGLES @ COWBOYS 7:30 p.m. Sunday, NBC Eagles exit bye with chance to hand Cowboys sixth straight defeat, re-enter mix in woeful NFC East.

BEARS @ CHARGERS 7:30 p.m. Monday, ESPN Cutler and Rivers carrying twowin clubs that have combined for six losses on game-ending field goals.

• The Lions, Cardinals, Ravens, Texans, Chiefs and Seahawks are on bye weeks.

CHICAGO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | Thursday, November 5, 2015 • ChicagoFootball.com

A.J. Green

5

ChicagoFootball.com • Thursday, November 5, 2015

| CHICAGO FOOTBALL WEEKLY

6

BEARS

VS.

CHARGERS STAFF PREDICTIONS

Wednesday spread: Bears +4½

Hub

Kevin

Arthur

Nate

Bob

ChicagoFootball.com

ChicagoFootball.com

ChicagoFootball.com

ChicagoFootball.com

Daily Herald

Bears 23 Chargers 27 With two badly wounded football teams, it’s as simple as the home team in prime time having an edge.

Bears 33 Chargers 30 Lots of throws, lots of bad defense, lots of injured players, but the Bears win an ugly shootout.

Bears 24 Chargers 30 Chargers’ blood in the Pacific, but Bears’ sense of smell too unrefined, Rivers too great.

Bears 27 Chargers 30 Chargers can’t stop run, Bears can’t defend pass late. Advantage Rivers at home in prime time.

Bears 24 Chargers 30 Pass-happy Philip Rivers could have field day against a Bears’ secondary that has made lesser QBs look elite.

Season Record: 3-4 Versus Spread: 3-3-1

Season Record: 3-4 Versus Spread: 3-3-1

Season Record: 3-4 Versus Spread: 4-1-2

Season Record: 4-3 Versus Spread: 5-1-1

Season Record: 5-2 Versus Spread: 6-0-1

Jon

Adam

Jay

Kyle

Wes

Northwest Herald

Chicago Sun-Times

Rockford Register-Star

Kankakee Daily Journal

Peoria Journal Star

Bears 21 Chargers 24 The Bears can win this game – the Chargers aren’t good – but offense should struggle with Forte hurting.

Bears 30 Chargers 32 The Bears’ offense will keep up with potent Chargers’ ‘O’ until the 4th quarter!

Bears 28 Chargers 34 Neither of these teams are capable of coming up with a big stop down the stretch.

Bears 24 Chargers 27 Two teams that have found creative ways to lose close games. At least the Bears get to enjoy the weather.

Season Record: 2-5 Versus Spread: 2-3-2

Season Record: 6-1 Versus Spread: 5-1-1

Season Record: 3-4 Versus Spread: 3-3-1

Season Record: 3-4 Versus Spread: 4-2-1

FISHBAIN

ARKUSH

STYF

JAHNS

Bears 24 Chargers 21 The Chargers are in bad shape, the Bears keep doing the unexpected.

Maybe a Monday night win makes sense.

Season Record: 3-4 Versus Spread: 3-3-1

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READ OPTIONS

With Forte hurt, it’s time for Langford to step up

By ADAM

JAHNS

ajahns@suntimes.com @adamjahns

Jeremy Langford wanted all the fingers pointed at him. It was his drop. It was his mistake that cost the Bears a potential first down and a possible victory against the Vikings at Soldier Field.

“That’s on me,” the rookie running back said. “I have to do a better job of catching the ball first before trying to run. [Jay] Cutler did a good job of getting out of the pocket and getting the ball to me. I just have to make that play.”

It did look like a classic case of a player looking to run before having the ball. But his willingness to face the music and be accountable for

it is a great sign for a young player who is about to account for most of the Bears’ yardage out of the backfield.

The next-man-up world of the NFL is great for teams such as the Bears who are evaluating for the future. Offensive coordinator Adam Gase has tried to spell Matt Forte, but still considered it problematic because of all that he can do.

Now, with Forte ailing, it’ll be Langford who rarely leaves the field. Langford may be more of a home-run threat than Forte, but he still has much to learn. Langford has played sparingly in games because of that. He is not quite the blocker or receiver that Forte is.

But the Bears, from Cutler to Gase to coach John Fox, believe Langford has the tools to become something similar. He will get the touches to show it now.

“I like his football character,”

Jeremy Langford

H. Rick Bamman – Shaw Media

Fox said. “It’s not too big for him.

He’s very willing. So his mindset is to learn. I think Stan Drayton, his position coach, has done a tremendous job with him. And a lot of it is he’s very receptive. I call it football character. He picks things up very well for a young player.”

Forte hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down, but an extended absence could have long-term im-

for 324 yards and two touchdowns.

His production is down from the same point last season despite being targeted the same exact amount. Last season, he had 41 catches for 419 yards and four touchdowns.

What’s to blame?

It hasn’t helped that the offensive line has been in flux in Gase’s first year in control. But Bennett would likely look at himself. He had two catches broken up in the end zone in Detroit and drops in Kansas City.

plications. If Langford excels, the I continue to be impressed by more likely the Bears will be to move on from Forte, who turns 30 the performances of the Bears’ in December and is looking for a makeshift offensive lines. Sunday’s game against the Vikings featured new contract. their fifth offensive-line combinaThe unceasing injuries at re- tion, and a sixth should be expected ceiver for the Bears haven’t turned this week.

Look for Hroniss Grasu to reinto a big season for tight end Martellus Bennett. In seven games, turn to center and Patrick OmaBennett has 37 catches on 58 targets meh to stick at right guard.

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8

Based on their two most recent performances, and in particular the final five minutes of Sunday’s collapse against the Vikings, the Bears cannot be looking forward to Monday night’s game in San Diego.

No one throws the ball more often and for more yards than the Chargers’ Philip Rivers.

That’s bad news for the Bears, who have demonstrated that defending the pass is not their strong suit.

In Week Six, the Bears were torched for 405 passing yards by Matthew Stafford, who has had a poor season against almost every other team the Lions have played. But Stafford strafed the Bears’ secondary for four TD passes. He has nine TD passes in his other seven games.

In fairness to the Bears’ defensive backs, it should be noted that the team’s pass rush hasn’t done much to help. It got to Stafford just twice on 44 dropbacks.

In the Lions’ next two games, Stafford was sacked 13 times.

“Guys are improving,” de-

OPINION

By BOB

LeGERE

rlegere@dailyherald.com @BobLeGere

fensive coordinator Vic Fangio said of the secondary before the Vikings game. “We’ve got some new faces back there. We’ve got to help them more. We’ve got to put a better pass rush on the passer. That’s part of that equation, too. We’ve just got to get closer and make a few plays on the ball. We’ve got nowhere to go but up.”

With a bye week to prepare for the Week Eight game with the Vikings, the Bears held Teddy Bridgewater to 81 passing yards – for the game’s first 56 minutes and 26 seconds. It looked as if Fangio would be right.

But, in the final 3:34, the Vikings’ second-year quarterback lit up the Bears for 106 yards through the air and produced 10 points for a 23-20 victory. While Bridgewater may have the “it” factor and could be the Vikings’ quarterback of the future, he is currently the NFL’s 22nd ranked quarterback with an 85.5 passer rating.

One shudders to think what Rivers will do to a Bears secondary that seemed to fold vs. the Vikings after nickel cornerback Bryce Callahan left the game with a concussion with just over three minutes left.

Yeah, that Bryce Callahan.

The 5-foot-9, 183-pound undrafted rookie from Rice. He didn’t become the starting nickel until the week before the Minnesota game, but he’s evidently irreplaceable.

Sherrick McManis, whose job Callahan took, was pressed back into service but was flagged for holding, then allowed rookie Stefon Diggs to catch a short pass.

When he whiffed on the tackle, Diggs turned a 10-yard catch into a 40-yard TD. Tie game, 20-20.

When the Vikes got the ball back, Charles Johnson took a jump ball away from Bears safety Antrel Rolle, who had better position, with the play right in front of him. That set up the field goal that dropped the Bears to 2-5.

The Bears signed Rolle in the offseason for $11.25 million over three years to make plays just like the one he didn’t make on Sunday. That leads us to Alan Ball. The veteran cornerback got $3 million for one year but isn’t playing well enough to get on the field ahead of McManis or Callahan.

With most of the heavy lifting from a major rebuilding job still to be done, the Bears cannot afford to keep overpaying for me-

Antrel Rolle

H. Rick Bamman - Shaw Media

diocre production in free agency.

Not unless they can find a couple more Bryce Callahan’s in the undrafted market every year.

But the Vikings game wasn’t a total loss for the secondary. Kyle Fuller came up with the first interception by a Bears defensive back. So there’s that.

9 CHICAGO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | Thursday, November 5, 2015 • ChicagoFootball.com

Bears pass defense could be overmatched in SD

ChicagoFootball.com • Thursday, November 5, 2015

| CHICAGO FOOTBALL WEEKLY

10

ROYAL ROAD ‘Uncle Eddie’ a veteran at only age 29 By

KEVIN FISHBAIN

kfishbain@chicagofootball.com @kfishbain

S

ometimes they call him ‘Uncle Eddie,’ or ‘old man.’ Eddie Royal is only 29, but in football terms, and compared to a wide receiver group with only one other player over the age of 26, Royal is the veteran.

“They call me the old guy,” Royal said with a laugh at his locker in the week leading up to the tilt with the Vikings, “but I don’t necessarily feel that way. In my eyes, 29 is still young.”

In his first stop, Denver, Royal was the second-round pick, the young guy. Then he went to San Diego where he still lagged behind Malcom Floyd and Antonio Gates in age and experience.

Now, in Chicago after signing a threeyear, $15 million contract in March, Royal finally is the old guy in the room. If he can recover from a knee injury suffered in Sunday’s loss, he’ll return to Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego a somewhat new man compared to the player the Chargers signed four years ago.

“It’s just kind of a natural thing,” Royal said about the transition. “I prepare the way that I’ve been preparing, but also doing more of the things that I’ve learned along the way as far as doing extra work after practice, going into practice with a mindset of something specific that I want to get better at each day.”

Adam Gase was Royal’s receivers coach in 2009 and 2010 in Denver, and was the QBs coach there in 2011. Gase then went three years without getting to coach Royal. He explained the subtle differences in the way Royal goes about his preparation.

“The only thing that’s probably changed is he’s probably more into film,

more ways to get better,” he said. “I see him doing more things on his own now.

He really goes out of his way to make sure he’s prepared mentally. He asks a lot of questions. He’s probably the guy that leads the charge as far as information he’s trying to gather for the game plan. I always see him trying to get better day in and day out.”

Josh Bellamy, 26, who jokes about Royal being the group’s “uncle,” has noted those study habits.

“He takes a lot of time with his study,” Bellamy said. “That’s one thing I’ve watched him do and I try to put that work ethic towards football. He’s always taking notes, he’s always asking questions.”

Gase noted that Royal’s inquisitive nature is unique and rubs off on the other players.

“The thing he does that a lot of guys won’t do is he asks questions,” Gase said.

“Some guys don’t like to ask questions, they want to wait until one-on-one. He’ll bring those things out and guys will hear things that they might not have thought about asking.”

Royal cited players like Champ Bailey, Brian Dawkins, Elvis Dumervil, Eric Weddle and Philip Rivers as mentors for him on the importance of preparing, doing the little things and taking care of their bodies.

“I was a younger guy watching those guys. Who knows who’s looking at you in the locker room,” he said. “You want to lead by example and be a good example for those guys.”

Mike Shanahan drafted Royal in the second round of the 2008 draft and saw those qualities.

“Number one, I loved him not only as a football player, but as a person. You could tell that he had all the intangibles that you’re looking for in a person,” he said.

Shanahan said he’s still disappointed he couldn’t sign Royal in Washington following the 2011 season, when Royal went to San Diego, but is not surprised that Royal continues to thrive in his eighth NFL season.

“He’s a true pro,” he said. “He’ll be

Photo by Monica Synett – Shaw Media

“That kind of caught on, that feel of always wanting to be prepared for when you do get that opportunity to make the most of it.”

Royal had to miss a game with an ankle injury and he’s now dealing with a knee injury, but the way he cares about his day-in and day-out preparation should help him prolong his career despite struggles to stay healthy. As his receivers coach Mike Groh said, “He’s still got a lot of life left in his career, in my opinion,” and Royal is in no hurry to start reflecting, possibly knowing full-well the trend of wide receivers increasing production well into their 30s.

“I don’t think there’s ever time to relax. I’m always trying to do more,” he said.

“I’m not done. I still want to accomplish more and do more, so there’s no time to relax in this league because you think there’s always somebody else that wants that spot. … There’s no time to relax to think about anything you’ve accomplished because you need to go to accomplish more.”

Sure, it even seems silly to write about a 29-year-old in this light, but in a league that churns players out at a rapid pace, Royal is beating the odds, and impressing the young players he’s mentoring.

“As he’s getting older, it’s crazy, because he’s younger on the field,” Bellamy said. “I’ve been around guys that slow down when they get older, but he’s speeding up. I’m like, ‘dang, Eddie is running like us!’”

I was a younger guy watching those guys. Who knows who’s looking at you in the locker room. You want to lead by example and be a good example for those guys.

— EDDIE ROYAL

knew how to beat certain leverages, so you saw a big improvement to what I had when I was in Denver.”

Royal said it’s all about those details, from route running to studying opposing defenses to knowing what every spot on the field has to do, because he’s had to fill in wherever the Bears have needed him.

“It was just amazing to see when you

pay attention to the details, it may just be one play a game that you get to take advantage of all the little things that you did all week, and when you take advantage of it, it’s the best feeling in the world,” he said.

“Just all that hard work and effort that you put in finally paid off and it’s a great feeling. It’s kind of addicting. It happens once, and then it’s ‘man, I’ve got to do more.’

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able to play for a number of years just because he takes care of himself in the offseason and he’s got so much pride in what he does. … I think Eddie will continue to work like he did in college. He’s got that type of character and that type of mindset.”

Royal’s quarterback, Jay Cutler, can speak to any differences he sees better than most. He completed 91 passes to Royal in ’08, Royal’s rookie (and career-high) season, when the two led a Broncos offense that was tops in the AFC. Cutler pointed out that Royal’s versatility to play the slot and outside is what stands out about the player the Bears signed compared to the one the Broncos drafted.

“We’re all a little bit older, maybe not as fast, and a little wiser, but Eddie does a great job,” Cutler said. “He knows coverages a lot better than he did in Denver. He’s still dynamic on the inside. He wasn’t that type of player when we had him in Denver.

But now, you can line him up inside. He understands defenses, how to get open. …

We need to find ways to get him the ball.”

When the Bears signed Royal, Gase was excited about the reunion – “Eddie was a guy I loved being around every day,” – and he got to work with a more dynamic receiver.

“I wasn’t shocked, but he was a little bit of a different player,” Gase said about the first time he saw Royal on the grass at Halas Hall. “He knew more about coverages, he knew how to beat certain guys, he

ChicagoFootball.com • Thursday, November 5, 2015

| CHICAGO FOOTBALL WEEKLY

12

NFC NORTH REPORT By

ARTHUR ARKUSH

aarkush@chicagofootball.com @ArthurArkush

PACKERS @ PANTHERS

Overview

Perhaps the blueprint to beating the Packers was revealed Sunday night, when the Broncos suffocated Aaron Rodgers inside the pocket and rendered his receivers inseparable with a trio of Pro Bowl-caliber cover corners in a 29-10 humbling. Mike McCarthy’s club hadn’t had its “[expletive] kicked like that in a long time,” a masterful defensive showing by Wade Phillips’ “no fly zone.” Less stunning, but Green Bay’s ‘D’ was nearly as ineffective, yielding a season-high 7.9 yards per play and 29 points, failing to pressure the immobile Peyton Manning and contain a previously dormant offense. Green Bay travels to face another undefeated team – the 7-0 Carolina Panthers – fresh off a thrilling overtime tri-

ing yards and 140 yards of total offense, both the lowest in a game that Rodgers started and finished. … Rodgers has surpassed 255 passing yards once this season. … At 7-0, the Panthers are off to their best start in franchise history. … Led by Norman’s NFC-best four picks, Carolina is up to 12 – after compiling just 14 interceptions a season ago.

umph, 29-26 versus the Colts. Green Bay has won both meetings versus Cam Newton’s Panthers, most recently a 38-17 victory last season in Week Seven.

Matchup to watch

RAMS @ VIKINGS

Overview

Eddie Lacy’s average tote is at 3.8 yards, and he still didn’t look right in Denver following the Week Seven bye. Of course, Green Bay’s grounded aerial attack looked even less familiar, and with a No. 7 Carolina pass ‘D’ led by overnight star CB Josh Norman, the Packers could look to Lacy and James Starks. They’ll clash with arguably the NFL’s top ILB tandem, Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis. Defensively for Green Bay, taming Jonathan Stewart and Newton on the ground is where it starts. Both are on pace for career highs in rushing attempts. Thin at inside linebacker, the Packers desperately need Clay Matthews’ left ankle to recover fast and Nate Palmer to respond after his worst game.

Fans of old-school, smashmouth football rejoice. Two of the NFL’s best backs (yes, Adrian Peterson is still in the conversation and Todd Gurley is already part of it) and toughest defenses lock horns in a battle not for the faint of heart. The Vikings improved to 5-2 by scoring the final 10 points with less than two minutes remaining to stun the Bears. Adrian Peterson’s first 100-yard day in over a month and Teddy Bridgewater’s fourth career game-winning drive led Minnesota. It wasn’t the best outing for Mike Zimmer’s No. 2 scoring ‘D,’ but it was great on third down and received a boost from special teams. St. Louis held its second consecutive opponent out of the end zone while Gurley found it for the third time in two weeks.

By the numbers

Matchup to watch

The Packers managed just 77 pass-

They won’t be on the field simulta-

neously, but few backs since Peterson have garnered the type of instant production and universal respect of Gurley. The resemblance is uncanny – both former top-10 picks hovering at 6-1 and approximately 220 pounds and as adept at running through defenders as away from them. Attempting to stop these physical workhorses will be two of the NFL’s most talented defenses, with a combined 11 former first-rounders starting. Minnesota frequently pounds Peterson straight up the middle, where St. Louis counters with reigning defensive rookie of the year and perhaps the NFL’s new pre-eminent three-technique, Aaron Donald, and aggressive ‘Mike’ linebacker James Laurinaitis. Gurley also bangs in between the tackles, where nose guard Linval Joseph has keyed the Vikings’ run ‘D’ improvement in front of young, ascending ’backers Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks.

By the numbers

Zimmer is 12-11 as an NFL head coach, the first time he’s been above .500 since his first game in charge, Week One of 2014. … The Rams are above .500 heading into Week Nine for the first time since 2006. … Through five NFL games, Gurley has 575 yards – which trails only Eric Dickerson (645) and Peterson (607) in NFL record books.

CARS815.com

FOOTBALL Injuries mount as owners prepare for Week 9

By

J.C. TALON

ChicagoFootball.com fantasy football writer

Week Eight featured more carnage than a Cecil B. DeMille movie. Le’Veon Bell, Khiry Robinson and Steve Smith are gone for the season. Matt Forte and Keenan Allen will miss some time. Ryan Fitzpatrick and a host of others are dinged up and their availability is in question. These injuries can be devastating to some fantasy owners, while providing opportunities for others. DeAngelo Williams, Jeremy Langford and Malcolm Floyd will be popular waiver pickups this week. There’s no guarantee that any of them will produce like the guy they’re replacing (Williams has the best shot), but you just never know. On to Week Nine …

MATCHUPS TO EXPLOIT SAINTS (vs.TITANS)

Noon Sunday Coming off a monster week against the Giants and facing a 1-6 opponent, Drew Brees is sure to be ranked by most fantasy prognosticators as a top two or three QB this week. Keep in mind that before last week’s seven-TD masterpiece, Brees had thrown only eight TDs all season, and had multiple TD passes in just two games.

Yes, the Titans are an awful team, but their defense is ranked No. 5 overall and No. 3 against the pass.

The Saints should win this game, and with six teams on bye, Brees is a must start. A reasonable stat line for him this week, however, could be something like 275 yards passing and two TDs. With Khiry Robinson out for the season with a broken leg, C.J. Spiller is a decent waiver option in larger leagues.

Must start: Brees, Mark Ingram, Ben Watson Solid play: Brandin Cooks, Saints D/ST Worth a look: C.J. Spiller, Willie Snead, Marques Colston, Kai Forbath

Noon Sunday Ben Roethlisberger came up woefully short last week in his return from injury. Big Ben owners were certainly expecting more than 262 yards, one TD and three picks. We’re going to consider the poor effort a result of shaking off some rust. The big fella has earned the benefit of the doubt. The Raiders have the league’s 31st ranked passing defense. With Le’Veon Bell out for the season, DeAngelo Williams could be a top-five fantasy RB the rest of the way.

Must start: Roethlisberger, Williams, Antonio Brown Solid play: Martavis Bryant, Heath Miller Worth a look: Chris Boswell, Steelers D/ST Last resort: Markus Wheaton

in Denver is again fluid. We’re ranking Ronnie Hillman ahead of C.J. Anderson based on Hillman’s production over the season. But Anderson will get his touches. Another game like his last (14/101/1) and he could regain No. 1 RB status. That won’t thrill owners who drafted Anderson in the first or second round and later waived him.

It is unclear how much game time (if any) Vernon Davis will see this week. His presence, however, diminishes the already negligible fantasy value of Virgil Green and Owen Daniels.

Must start: DeMaryius Thomas Solid play: Manning, Hillman, Brandon McManus, Broncos D/ST Worth a look: Anderson, Emmanuel Sanders, Davis Last resort: Bennie Fowler, Green, Daniels

BUCCANEERS (vs. GIANTS)

CHARGERS (vs. BEARS)

Last resort: Brandon Coleman STEELERS (vs. RAIDERS)

3:05 p.m. Sunday Jameis Winston led his team to an upset win over Atlanta, but his play remains uneven. Still, owners of bye-week QBs (including Carson Palmer and Russell Wilson) could consider Winston for this game. The Giants and their abysmal secondary are reeling after giving up seven TDs, 52 points and more than 500 yards to Brees & Co. Not surprisingly, New York is dead last in passing yards allowed.

That’s not a one-week anomaly; the G-Men were No. 30 in pass defense even before the debacle in New Orleans.

Must start: Doug Martin Solid play: Winston, Mike Evans, Worth a look: Connor Barth, Brandon Myers (if no Austin Seferian-Jenkins) Last resort: Vincent Jackson*, Seferian-Jenkins*, Bucs D/ST

BRONCOS (@ COLTS) 3:05 p.m. Sunday The Colts are No. 31 in total yards allowed. The RB situation

7:30 p.m. Monday Based on the “eye test,” it’s hard to believe the Bears have the league’s No. 4 passing defense.

Upon closer inspection, Chicago has not faced a premier offense since they were pasted by Arizona in Week Two. The Bears are ranked No. 29 in rushing yards allowed, so it’s possible teams don’t throw against them because they don’t have to.

In any event, Philip Rivers and the Chargers have the NFL’s No. 1 passing attack, averaging 337 yards per game. Chicago would prefer not to play Sherrick McManis – quite possibly the worst coverage DB in the league – but injuries have taken a toll on the Bears’ secondary. Word early in the week is that Keenan Allen has a kidney injury and will not play in this game. His absence makes Malcolm Floyd (owned in 33 percent of CBS Sports leagues) a solid option to add this week.

Must start: Rivers Solid play: Melvin Gordon, Floyd, Antonio Gates, Josh Lambo

AP photo

Worth a look: Danny Woodhead,

WASHINGTON (@ PATRIOTS) Last resort: Stevie Johnson*, Noon Sunday

Floyd

3:05 p.m. Sunday This just in: The 49ers are bad.

Real bad. Like No. 28-in-defenseand-dead-last-in-offense bad. The Falcons have underperformed three consecutive weeks, but this is a gimme matchup.

If you’ve been sitting on either, or both, of the Washington backfield options, this is not the week to dust them off. The Patriots are 7th in rushing defense and Washington is likely to be playing from behind for most of the game. Even if you wanted to play one of the Washington backs, it’s not clear who is the better choice. Alfred Morris has 28 more carries than Matt Jones, but averages 3.3 YPC to Jones’ 4.0, and has no rushing TDs (Jones has three). If DeSean Jackson returns this week, he has some potential garbage-time upside.

Solid play: Jordan Reed Worth a look: Jackson*, Pierre Garcon Last resort: Kirk Cousins, Morris, Jones Stay away: Chris Thompson*, Dustin Hopkins, Washington D/ ST

MATCHUPS TO AVOID

RAMS (@ VIKINGS)

Ladarius Green Stay away: Chargers D/ST

ALSO CONSIDER PATRIOTS (vs. REDSKINS) Noon Sunday How hot are the Patriots right now? If New England were facing the army of Genghis Khan, Vegas would install the Pats as four-point favorites. The over/under in this game is hovering around 52. Most of those points are projected to come from the guys with Elvis on their helmets.

FALCONS (@ 49ERS)

PACKERS (@ PANTHERS) Noon Sunday Would you believe that the Bears and the Jaguars (not to mention 25 other teams) are producing more yards per game than the Packers? In standard fantasy formats, Aaron Rodgers has been outscored by five other QBs. Things won’t get any easier for the Pack this week. Carolina’s defense is top 10 in points, passing yards and total yards allowed.

Must start: Rodgers Solid play: Eddie Lacy, Randall Cobb Worth a look: Davante Adams, James Jones, Richard Rodgers, Mason Crosby Last resort: James Starks, Packers D/ST

Noon Sunday The over/under in this game is hovering just under 40. The Vikings rank No. 7 in total yards allowed and only Denver is surrendering fewer points per game.

Rookie sensation Todd Gurley is likely to be a “must start” each week the rest of the season. St. Louis doesn’t offer many other fantasy options this week, however. Fun fact: Kenny Britt has one reception in his last four starts.

Must start: Gurley Solid play: Rams D/ST Worth a look: Tavon Austin Last resort: Jared Cook, Greg Zuerlein Stay away: Nick Foles, Benny Cunningham, Britt *Check injury status

13 CHICAGO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | Thursday, November 5, 2015 • ChicagoFootball.com

FANTASY

Antonio Brown

14

ChicagoFootball.com • Thursday, November 5, 2015

| CHICAGO FOOTBALL WEEKLY

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Injuries, lack of talent to blame for close losses In this week’s edition of Take Two, Patrick Finley and Mark Potash discuss the Bears’ two-straight near-misses, what they mean and what can be done to change the outcome:

FINLEY: Potsie, one of my favorite quotes about rebuilding a team comes from Rich Rodriguez, who (depending on your feelings about Brady Hoke) has done it two or three times. Rich Rod said the arc of a rebuild is simple: First you lose by a lot, then by a little. Then you win a by a little and then by a lot. The Bears seem to be stuck in the middle. Their last four games have all featured decisive scores with 18 seconds left in regulation or later. After stealing wins against the Raiders and Chiefs, they had the same done to them the past two games. My question for you, Potsie: Does that teach us anything about the Bears? Or is the

NFL, unlike college, built for mediocre teams to have close finishes?

POTASH: One of my favorite quotes about rebuilding a team comes from Fox analyst Ronde Barber, who has never built a football team but – after 16 years in the NFL and five Pro Bowls – knows good players from bad ones.

“They’ve got a long way to go. John Fox is trying to build a team in his image, which he’s done in every stop along the way. He just doesn’t quite have the personnel that he wants.” The Bears aren’t stuck at all.

They’re in a transition that involves a simultaneous teardown/rebuild – not easy.

In winnable games this season, the Bears are 2-2, which is about right for a team undergoing dramatic changes. When Fox gets better players, he’ll win more games.

It’s as simple as that, Pat. FINLEY: If getting better players were easy, Potsie, the Bears wouldn’t have had

15

John Fox Sarah Nader – Shaw Media

POTASH: How about getting healthy and

staying healthy? Injuries have been the root of many of the Bears’ issues this season – from Kevin White to Alshon Jeffery to Jay Cutler to Jeremiah Ratliff to Hroniss Grasu.

When you can’t afford to lose Bryce Callahan – Teddy Bridgewater’s passer rating was 40.6 before Callahan was concussed, a perfect 158.3 after – you know depth is an issue.

Without continuity on one side of the ball or the other, not much will change through the remainder of the season.

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CHICAGO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | Thursday, November 5, 2015 • ChicagoFootball.com

TAKE TWO

to fire half the people at Halas Hall this winter. I agree, though, that the team’s problem is their talent level, not attitude or strategy or ego. In a sense, that’s comforting – compared to last year, at least.

But how many more times do they need to give away games in the final minute before it starts to compromise the culture Fox is building? If they have to learn how to win, trial and error has gotta leave some scars, right?

POTASH: Stop putting words in my mouth, Pat. I never said acquiring talent was easy. But it’s so obviously the key to the Bears’ rebuild, it can’t be ignored.

You’re over-thinking the “culture” issue – the Bears’ belief in Fox is pretty unshakeable. This team isn’t losing close games because John Fox’s approach isn’t working. They’re losing close games because they’re not good enough – or healthy enough – to win every one. Any player scarred by close losses will be weeded out.

As the great Vince Lombardi once said, “If you don’t think you’re a winner, you don’t belong here.”

FINLEY: Lighten up, Potsie! Their need for better players is beyond debate. What makes this season interesting is what they’re doing with the ones they have.

So, about them: If the Bears are going to be embroiled in tight games the rest of the way – and that certainly seems like their game plan – what do they need to do differently to get a different result?

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