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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2015 • CHICAGOFOOTBALL.COM

PERNELL McPHEE

Linebacker’s absence is hurting Chicago in more ways than one 10

THE LIST

The five rookie classes with the most starts during their first season with the Bears 3

READ OPTIONS

Adam Jahns: Trio of high-priced free agents a disappointment 8

RETURN TO THE FIELD Bears tight end Zach Miller battles his way back after years of injuries 9

ChicagoFootball.com • Thursday, December 17, 2015

| CHICAGO FOOTBALL WEEKLY

2

Bears still can make 2015 a success

It seems a lot of you have decided following the Bears’ back-to-back meltdowns against San Francisco and Washington at home that enough is enough and it’s time to move on, wait ‘til next year and turn your attention to the Blackhawks, Bulls and even the Cubs already.

I respectfully disagree.

Most Bears fans have been fooled to some degree at some point this season as to who, what and where this team really is.

The 49ers and Washington losses were nothing more than a reversion to the norm and part of the sometimes painful process of rebuilding a professional sports team. Keep in mind though that it was just 18 months or so ago that many of us were prepared to never watch another Cubs game again. Now they’re the biggest story in sports.

It was slightly less than a year ago, Monday, Dec. 29, 2014, the day after the Bears completed a 5-11 campaign and had become basically the laughingstock of the NFL and a case study in organizational dysfunction when George McCaskey swept his football house clean and began this re-

FROM THE EDITOR

By HUB

ARKUSH

harkush@chicagofootball.com @Hub_Arkush

building process.

The Bears were never going to the Super Bowl this year. They were never going to the playoffs and they were never going to be good. The goal this year was to improve the front office, improve the talent, improve the coaching staff and improve the locker room. I don’t think there is any question the Bears have succeeded in at least three of those categories – front office, coaching and locker room.

It is hard to say if this 53-man group is more talented than the 53

that finished last year’s disastrous season, but there is definitely more encouraging young talent in the 2015 draft class as well as Bryce Callahan and Bruce Gaston.

If Pernell McPhee can prove he can stay on the field and play at the level he was at the first half of the season, Tracy Porter is re-signed and Eddie Royal can get healthy and productive, the talent is better, too. The wheels didn’t come off last year following the 50-point disasters against New England and Green Bay sandwiched around the bye week.

The Bears actually rebounded from the embarrassment with consecutive wins against Minnesota and Tampa Bay – their next two opponents this year – before Aaron Kromer threw Jay Cutler under the bus and everything went downhill from there.

In addition to the other markers the Bears have already succeeded at this year as detailed above, any win in the next three weeks gives the Bears more than they had last year and two or three would be another marked improvement.

Unlike the Bears, the Vikings are near the end of their rebuilding job

and close to contending, and the Bucs are also ahead of the Bears, so wins against these two would be very important steps in the process that really matters. Finally, there is another area where the Bears must improve and still have the chance to do so this year: Last year’s 5-11 mark included a 1-5 record in the division, and if you want to be a playoff team in the NFL, division games are markedly more significant than the others.

After Minnesota and Tampa on the road, the Bears will finish with Detroit at home. The Bears are currently 1-3 in the NFC North, no better than last year, but a win over the Vikings or Lions, or ideally both would be an important step forward in the division as well.

Is this the kind of December football we want the Bears to be playing?

Of course not.

But when you objectively analyze what the realistic possibilities for this season have always been, these last three games are hugely important and will be the table-setters for exactly what this team must do next to be able to play even more meaningful games next December.

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13-9 Score when the Vikings beat the Bears at TCF Bank Stadium in Week 17 last year.

103 Rushing yards for Adrian Peterson in the Vikings’ win at Soldier Field in Week Eight.

73 Teddy Bridgewater’s passing yards through three quarters in that game.

114 Bridgewater’s passing yards in the fourth quarter.

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Ryan Pace may not have expected to spend his Sundays watching his first rookie class make so many contributions, but such has been life for the 2015 Bears, and it should have positive ramifications for the future.

Adrian Amos, the defense’s ironman this season, leads the group that includes Eddie Goldman, Hroniss Grasu, Jeremy Langford, Khari Lee, James Anderson, Bryce Callahan and Harold Jones-Quartey. That group has combined for 42 starts through 13 games.

If the Bears start in the nick-

el at any point in the final three games, expect Anderson or Callahan to add a start to the stat sheet, and Langford or Lee certainly could get another starting nod depending on the opening offensive formation.

At this pace, they will have started the most games of any rookie class since at least 1997, passing the 2013 group that had 46 starts.

Judging a Bears team by the number of combined rookie starts is a shaky proposition.

The Bears media guide dates back to 1997 for years with the most collective rookie starts, and the 2005 team that had 36 starts split between Chris Harris, Kyle Orton and Brandon McGowan was the most successful

1. 1983 - 56 STARTS * Considered the greatest Bears draft with several key building blocks for the 1985 Super Bowl champs, Jimbo Covert paced this group by starting all 16 games. Richard Dent, the Hall of Famer of the group, only started three games. Mike Richardson had five interceptions and two fumble recoveries in his 14 starts. Willie Gault led the team in receiving with 40 catches for

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836 yards and eight touchdowns in 13 starts. Dave Duerson started six games, Rob Fada started three and Pat Dunsmore started one. The Bears went 8-8.

2. 1975 - 46 STARTS * Like ’83, the Hall of Famer from this draft class, Walter Payton, didn’t start many games – only seven. He did have seven rushing touchdowns. Defensive end Mike Hartenstein started all 14 games and had a safety. Doug Blank had two interceptions while starting all 14 games. Virgil Livers (seven starts) and quarterback Bob Avellini (four starts) round out this group. In the first year under head coach Jack Pardee, the Bears finished 4-10.

3. 2013 - 46 STARTS This is where it must be stated that a high number of rookie starts doesn’t translate to longterm success. Kyle Long, Jordan Mills, Jon Bostic and Khaseem Greene compiled the starts, but only Long remains, as those Bears finished 8-8. Mills and

Greene were cut this past offseason and Bostic was traded.

4. 2014 - 45 STARTS The necessity to start lots of rookies in 2014 is different than it was in ’83. It’s usually the mark of a thin roster, or one decimated by injuries. Kyle Fuller, Michael Ola, Christian Jones, Will Sutton and Brock Vereen were the rookie starters last season, all getting valuable reps, but Ola and Vereen were waived by the new regime. Only Fuller is a surefire, long-term starter, and of course, last year’s team went an abysmal 5-11.

5. 1981 - 43 STARTS * The 6-10 Bears in Neill Armstrong’s final season as head coach had some future Super Bowl champs. Mike Singletary started nine games and had an interception. Keith Van Horne started 12 games. Ken Margerum started six games and had a teamhigh 584 receiving yards. Reuben Henderson started all 16 games and picked off four passes. * Only drafted players included

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Rookie classes with most starts during first season with the Bears

(11-5). Of the teams with at least seven rookies getting starts, the best group was 2003, when Rex Grossman, Lance Briggs and Charles Tillman were rookies for a 7-9 team.

This group, though, has shown some nice progress.

Goldman leads all rookies with 4.5 sacks. Amos has missed only three snaps and is seventh among rookies in tackles. Langford is second among rookies with six rushing touchdowns.

With some help from Pro Football Reference, here’s a look at the rookie classes with the most starts during their first season with the Bears.

GAME PREVIEW WK 15

ChicagoFootball.com • Thursday, December 17, 2015

| CHICAGO FOOTBALL WEEKLY

4

VIKINGS

VS.

BEARS

GAMEDAY: NOON SUNDAY, DEC. 20 / TCF BANK STADIUM, MINNEAPOLIS By

KEVIN FISHBAIN

JEREMY LANGFORD

kfishbain@chicagofootball.com @kfishbain

BEARS RUSHING OFFENSE vs VIKINGS RUN DEFENSE

Minnesota’s stout defense is better against the pass than the run. It has allowed more than 100 yards rushing six times this season and at least 4.4 yards a carry in seven games. In Week Eight, the game Matt Forte injured his knee, he and Jeremy Langford combined for 87 yards on 22 carries (3.95-yard average). David Johnson had some nice runs against the Vikings last Thursday night (92 yards on 19 carries). The Bears followed up their best rushing game of the year against the 49ers with an average afternoon against Washington. Part of that was certainly dictated by going down 14-0 early, but neither Forte nor Langford rattled off a run longer than 10 yards in the contest. The Bears are struggling moving the ball up the middle behind Hroniss Grasu (3.15 yards per carry, 30th in the league), and that’s where the Vikings plug up the holes, allowing 3.5 yards a carry, fifth-best in the NFL. Certainly, Minnesota would benefit from getting Anthony Barr and Linval Joseph back in the lineup. This is the most even matchup on the board heading into Sunday, but the Bears just haven’t been consistent enough, despite all the carries.

He was sacked only once, relying heavily on Alshon Jeffery (10 catches for 116 yards on 15 targets). Third down was EDGE VIKINGS the Bears’ issue, going 3 for 12. Statistically, the Vikings find themselves in the midBEARS PASSING dle of the league in most key OFFENSE vs VIKINGS pass defense categories. Since PASS DEFENSE their seven-sack game against Cutler was efficient against the Lions, the Vikings have 12 the Vikings on Nov. 1, complet- total sacks in their past seven ing 22 of 33 passes for 211 yards, games. Terence Newman was one touchdown and no picks. a force for the Vikings in the

H. Rick Bamman – Shaw Media

open field in the first meeting, as the veteran had eight tackles and a pass defensed. Xavier Rhodes is a long, physical corner to compete with Jeffery on the outside, and the Vikings are deep at the position with Captain Munnerlyn and first-rounder Trae Waynes.

Carson Palmer carved them up, though, with 310 passing yards and two touchdowns last Thursday. Cutler and Jeffery will have their opportunities,

the Cardinals (23 carries for 69 yards), Adrian Peterson should be looking forward to this matchup. He had 103 yards on 20 carries (5.2-yard average) against the Bears on Nov. 1 EDGE BEARS and should have had more had Norv Turner given him more opportunities (just four carVIKINGS RUSHING ries after intermission). The OFFENSE vs BEARS RUN Bears’ defensive line is getting pushed around too much.

DEFENSE Coming off a slow game af- Denver and Green Bay did it, ter the opening drive against and while the numbers were

and look for the Bears to get Eddie Royal more involved.

Another close matchup, but rarely has a defense bottled up the Bears’ passing attack, so advantage Cutler.

Teddy Bridgewater

THIS WEEK IN THE NFL 7:25 p.m. Thursday, NFLN Tampa’s postseason hopes fleeting after hard ‘L’ in Big Easy; St. Louis gets firsthand look transformational power of franchise QB.

JETS @ COWBOYS 7:25 p.m. Saturday, NFLN Fitzmagic alive and well for surging Jets; Cassel-led Cowboys out of tricks in another losing season.

CHIEFS @ RAVENS Noon Sunday, CBS

AP photo

positive on Sunday, Washington had several positive gains.

In their last meeting, the Vikings’ offensive line won in the trenches, whether it was protecting Teddy Bridgewater or creating holes for Peterson.

Most of the Vikings’ runs will come up the middle, where the Bears struggle to stop opposing backs (5.7 yards per carry allowed, 31st in NFL). Peterson has eight career 100-yard rushing performances against the Bears, and at home on extra rest with a sense of urgency, Peterson should tote the ball often against a Bears run defense looking for answers.

EDGE VIKINGS

will have errors that come with a lack of experience, and the Bears have to take advantage.

They have only seven interceptions this season while giving up 22 passing touchdowns. Vic Fangio’s unit does do a good job of holding opposing quarterbacks to middling accuracy numbers, but they need to pressure him and keep Diggs and Mike Wallace from making plays down the field or Kyle Rudolph from dominating the middle like Jordan Reed did. The pass defense took a step back against Washington. Was it a fluke? We saw enough from the last meeting to think the Bears will have a slight edge here; they just have to finish.

EDGE BEARS VIKINGS PASSING OFFENSE vs BEARS PASS SUNDAY’S OVERALL DEFENSE Had that Week Eight game EDGE ended after three quarters, it would have been a masterful performance by the Bears’ ‘D,’ as it held Bridgewater to 10-of20 throwing for 73 yards to that point. Late in the fourth quarter, though, he made big plays, most notably a touchdown throw to Stefon Diggs and a big play to Charles Johnson to set up the game-winning field goal.

The Bears had a total of two quarterback hits and one sack on the afternoon. Bridgewater threw for 335 yards and connected with 11 different receivers vs.

Arizona, but the sack he took on the last play was most memorable for the wrong reason. He still

Marcus Sherels returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown at Soldier Field, and combined with Cordarrelle Patterson’s potential on kickoff returns, the Vikings hold the advantage in special teams, adding in the strong leg of Blair Walsh. The Vikings are actually worse than the Bears in the red zone on offense, but are one of the best at keeping opponents from the end zone when inside the 20-yard line. Neither team has looked good of late, but the Vikings are at home with three extra days off and plenty more to play for, and with a more talented team.

EDGE VIKINGS

No. 5 seed Chiefs survived Bolts for seventh straight win; Clausen’s first 200-yard passing day comes in loss.

AP photo

TEXANS @ COLTS Noon Sunday, CBS

Top players

OFFENSE / QB Teddy Bridgewater, RB Adrian Peterson, WR Stefon Diggs, TE Kyle Rudolph DEFENSE / NT Linval Joseph, DE Everson Griffen, SLB Anthony Barr, S Harrison Smith, CB Xavier Rhodes

Schemes

OFFENSE / Coordinator Norv Turner’s group is fifth in the NFL on the ground behind NFL rushing leader Peterson, who still possesses elite power, short-area quickness and breakaway speed. Bridgewater is coming off a career day throwing, but he’s been inconsistent in Year Two. Minnesota does a nice job hiding Diggs, though he’s been quiet in recent weeks, while Rudolph’s production has picked up in the middle of the field.

DEFENSE / Mike Zimmer frequently taps into his vast and exotic blitz packages but he’s relied on more zone coverage this season. Griffen (8.5) sacks boasts a nice rush repertoire and sage vet Terence Newman has been the club’s most reliable corner. Smith, a Swiss army knife, is one of the NFL’s best at his position.

Weaknesses Behind Bridgewater, the Vikings are 31st in passing yards and attempts, lacking consistent weapons outside of Diggs and Rudolph and confidence to put games in Bridge water’s hands.

Last time they met

10/29/2015: Chicago dropped a seesaw battle, 23-20, after surrendering two scoring drives in the closing minutes and falling on a Blair Walsh field goal at the buzzer.

Jameis Winston

T.J. Yates vs. Charlie Whitehurst for all the AFC South marbles seems sort of fitting.

TITANS @ PATRIOTS Noon Sunday, CBS Tennessee holds No. 1 pick, need to protect Mariota; Healthy Gronk, banged-up Bengals puts Pats back in AFC driver’s seat.

BILLS @ REDSKINS Noon Sunday, FOX LeSean McCoy’s awfully quiet, Bills’ lack of discipline just awful; Washington finally has road win, QB stability.

BEARS @ VIKINGS Noon Sunday, FOX Hitting the road best thing for Bears right now; Vikings have lost 3 of 4 but healthier, still shot at NFC North.

PANTHERS @ GIANTS Noon Sunday, FOX Chico needs another win before addressing pursuit-of-perfection puzzle; Eli and Odell save their Giants, kill NFC’s?

FALCONS @ JAGUARS Noon Sunday, FOX Fully unraveled, Falcons have explaining to do; Blake Bortles entering rare air, Jags entering rarely meaningful home stretch.

PACKERS @ RAIDERS Noon Sunday, FOX Pack offense not suddenly fixed

but promising change; huge win for Oakland but sustaining it has been the problem.

BROWNS @ SEAHAWKS 3:05 p.m. Sunday, FOX Johnny Football dealing with the 12’s should be telling; Russell Wilson-to-Doug Baldwin can’t be stopped.

BENGALS @ 49ERS 3:25 p.m. Sunday, CBS Table’s ready, A.J. McCarron; Niners’ embarrassment in Cleveland also embarrassing for Bears.

BRONCOS @ STEELERS 3:25 p.m. Sunday, CBS Bloom off Osweiler rose, boot off Manning foot… Steelers humming, yet still fighting for playoff lives.

DOLPHINS @ CHARGERS 3:25 p.m. Sunday, CBS So much for feeding Lamar Miller, stopping Odell; Rivers hasn’t found end zone in 2 straight for just second time as starter.

CARDINALS @ EAGLES 7:30 p.m. Sunday, NBC Dwight Freeney such a weapon as closer for NFC West’s best; Chip Kelly’s demise might’ve been exaggerated.

LIONS @ SAINTS 7:30 p.m. Monday, ESPN At least a lot of lame-duck players, coaches get to audition

on biggest weekly stage?

CHICAGO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | Thursday, December 17, 2015 • ChicagoFootball.com

BUCCANEERS @ RAMS

5

ChicagoFootball.com • Thursday, December 17, 2015

| CHICAGO FOOTBALL WEEKLY

6

BEARS

VS.

VIKINGS STAFF PREDICTIONS

Sunday spread: Bears +5 1/2

Hub

Kevin

Arthur

Nate

Bob

ChicagoFootball.com

ChicagoFootball.com

ChicagoFootball.com

ChicagoFootball.com

Daily Herald

Bears 24 Vikings 27

Bears 19 Vikings 17

Bears 18 Vikings 23

Bears 23 Vikings 27

Bears 16 Vikings 24

Sadly, the Bears just aren’t very good right now in any phase of the game and the Vikings are desperate for a win, at home and they’ve got A.P.

Why not? I clearly don’t have a penchant for this.

Bears better on the road and should’ve beat Vikings at home.

Bears better on road, improved vs. run, but Vikings just better, healthier, with more at stake.

This game looks even tougher for the Bears after the way Washington wore them down up front. Minnesota will do the same.

The Bears weren’t a talented team to begin with, and injuries tokey players seem to be wearing them down.

Season Record: 4-9 Versus Spread: 7-5-1

Season Record: 4-9 Versus Spread: 6-6-1

Season Record: 3-10 Versus Spread: 5-5-3

Season Record: 5-8 Versus Spread: 8-4-1

Season Record: 6-7 Versus Spread: 9-3-1

Jon

Adam

Jay

Kyle

Wes

Northwest Herald

Chicago Sun-Times

Rockford Register-Star

Kankakee Daily Journal

Peoria Journal Star

Bears 10 Vikings 17

Bears 21 Vikings 23

Bears 20 Vikings 17

Bears 17 Vikings 28

Bears 24 Vikings 20

This team keeps getting more difficult to predict.

Approaching the point where I pick the opposite of what I think will occur.

As they always do, the Bears keep it close.

But the Vikings have the playoffs to play for – like Washington.

These days of JekyllHyde Bears, if you think they’ll lose, pick ‘em to win.

Adrian Peterson went for 103 yards in the first meeting and should be primed for a big day.

Well-coached teams respond when they think odds are stacked against them. Chicago plays spoiler.

Season Record: 5-8 Versus Spread: 7-5-1

Season Record: 4-9 Versus Spread: 5-5-3

Season Record: 7-6 Versus Spread: 7-5-1

Season Record: 5-8 Versus Spread: 5-7-1

Season Record: 3-10 Versus Spread: 7-5-1

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STYF

FISHBAIN

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Trio of high-priced free agents a disappointment

By ADAM

JAHNS

ajahns@suntimes.com @adamjahns

Bears general manager Ryan Pace will have plenty of money to use in free agency this offseason, but his first free-agent class is an example why a measured approach always is important.

Pace’s three big-money acquisitions – outside linebacker Pernell McPhee, safety Antrel Rolle and receiver Eddie Royal – haven’t panned out as a group.

Injuries have cost the trio 14 games this season, and that number only will grow over the last three weeks of the season.

In other words, don’t depend on free agency to better. It’s always better to grow from within.

Rolle (three years, $4.9 million guaranteed) and Royal (three years, $10 million guaranteed) have helped change the Bears’ culture, bringing leadership and veteran savvy, but their on-the-field production has fallen short of expectations.

Typically a durable player throughout his career, Rolle, 32, missed two games with a high-ankle sprain and four with a sprained MCL in his right knee before being placed on injured reserve. In seven games, Rolle didn’t record an interception and had just one pass breakup.

After missing one game with an ankle injury and five consecutive with a sprained knee, Royal, 29, has three games left to improve his uninspiring numbers – 27 catches, 186 yards and one touchdown.

McPhee (five years, $15.5

THE WAY WE HEAR IT Anyone know what’s going on in Indy?

By now, you might have heard Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano’s classic line following the embarrassing 51-16 loss to Jacksonville Sunday, “They can fire you, but they can’t eat you!”

Although the long-term futures of Pagano and general manager Ryan Grigson are more uncertain than ever after the Colts allowed more than 45 points in back-to-back games for the first time since the 50’s, it is the short-term prospects of franchise quarterback Andrew Luck that really have people guessing.

Owner Jim Irsay told an Indianapolis radio station he hoped Luck would play this Sunday at home against the Texans in a game that could very well decide the AFC South and a playoff spot in spite of the fact both teams are currently 6-7 with a one-game lead over Jacksonville.

But our sources in Indianapolis are

Antrel Rolle AP photo

million guaranteed) is different.

He’s been a home-run signing for Pace, producing five sacks, 18 quarterback pressures and eight tackles for loss in 11 games this season and becoming an unabashed voice and leader for the Bears’ defense. The only disconcerting issue moving forward with McPhee is his ailing

left knee.

Interestingly enough, it’s been Pace’s one-year signings who have paid off for him this season.

Cornerback Alan Ball (one year, $3 million) has gone from starter to dime-package defensive back, but tight end Zach Miller, outside linebacker Sam Acho, defensive end Jarvis Jenkins and cornerback Tracy Porter have proven to be valuable starters. Miller, Acho, Jenkins and Porter have all earned a chance to return in 2016.

John Fox’s Bears won’t be tanking. It’s not going to happen.

As the Bears have been all season, they will be in every game over the next three weeks.

They’re also overdue for some positive developments after two frustratingly close losses.

“We’re probably a little bit more in the ‘now’ mindset than in the past or in the future,” Fox said. “I can assure you with us, we’re highly competitive people and we’re always looking to get better.”

It’s hard, I know, but forget about the NFL Draft for now. It’s a mindset that will serve you well as the Bears’ chances at a top-five draft pick -- even the first overall selection -- dissipate over the next three weeks.

Here’s a frustrating stat: the Bears lead the NFL with 36 offensive holding penalties, which have stalled a league-worst 16 drives, according to league statistics. Five of those holding penalties have been declined.

BY HUB ARKUSH

same Indy sources are telling us as valuable and gutty as 40-year-old Matt Hasselbeck has been in relief of Luck, he is now bruised and battered to the point where it is unlikely he can finish the season at anywhere near the level he played at during his four-game win streak.

Coaching bubbles that burst last week

Any hopes that Jim Caldwell had of saving his job prior to the Lions’ 21-14 loss in St. Louis last Sunday might have been misguided, but at Chuck Pagano least he had a case to make with AP photo the Lions’ improved play following telling us they have concerns over the dismissal of offensive coordinawhether or not Luck will be healthy tor Joe Lombardi and promotion of enough even to practice this week Jim Bob Cooter to the post. let alone play Sunday.

Caldwell was actually as much a Luck made two things clear earlier choice of ownership as he was of this week: He is not at or near 100 deposed general manager Martin percent healthy yet, but he does Mayhew and was believed to have believe he will definitely play again some chance of hanging on. this season.

But after the Thursday night Colts fans are praying it will be disaster against the Packers in sooner rather than later, as those which coaches and players failed

badly on the game-ending Hail Mary conversion and the flat performance in St. Louis with 10 days to prepare, our sources say Caldwell’s fate is likely sealed.

Dan Campbell is 4-5 as the interim head coach of the Dolphins since Joe Philibin was fired following a 1-3 start – not a horrible result.

Even so, he has always been a longshot to have the interim removed from his title, and the litany of dumb penalties and really questionable play-calling in the second half of Miami’s 31-24 Monday night loss to the Giants was the last straw in Miami.

Campbell will finish the season, and then Dolphins owner Stephen Ross will immediately begin his search for a much more high-profile and experienced coach to take over.

Mike Mularkey never really had much of a chance of keeping the Titans’ head coaching spot he currently holds on an interim basis, but this weekend, several sources told me the lack of progress and

possible even regression shown by prized rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota has been really disappointing to the Adams family, which owns the Titans, and Mularkey needs to start polishing his resumé immediately.

It will also be interesting to keep an eye on Titans general manager Ruston Webster, who’s been done no favors by the play of the Titans this year.

Even with a long-awaited win in Cleveland and the reasonable performance of “Johnny Football” in the Browns defeat of the 49ers last Sunday, neither head coach Mike Pettine nor general manager Ray Farmer is going to survive in Cleveland.

In fact, the better Manziel plays, the less likely it is Pettine could hang around. We’re hearing Manziel is actually being showcased as much or more to generate value and trade interest as he is for a future in Cleveland, but either way, a thorough house-cleaning is coming.

Bears coach John Fox has a well-deserved reputation as one not given to flowery hyperbole as it concerns his players.

Starters are expected to perform – that’s why they’re starters, whether they’re rookies or 10-year veterans.

Fox isn’t likely to lavish praise on individuals, especially not in defeat. Even in victory, it’s usually about team.

But Fox made an exception for veteran tight end Zach Miller after Sunday’s bitter loss to the Redskins.

Miller came to training camp as just another guy, with no more than a 50-50 chance of even making the final roster, barely distinguishable among a half-dozen role players scrambling for playing time behind Martellus Bennett, fresh off his first Pro Bowl season.

After a couple decent seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, who drafted him in the sixth round in 2009, Miller missed the final 10 games in

OPINION

By BOB

LeGERE

rlegere@dailyherald.com @BobLeGere

2011 with a shoulder injury, and he hadn’t played a single snap in a regular-season NFL game since then.

But against Washington, with Bennett recently relegated to injured reserve, Miller caught five passes for 85 yards, including a nine-yard touchdown, his fifth score in the past six games. Not bad for a guy who went three years in between NFL snaps.

Even Fox took notice.

“Other than earning the

respect of the coaching staff, myself included, Zach’s had a very good year to date, fought through some Zach things,” Fox said. “I’m prob- Miller ably as proud of his accomplishments as anybody on the football team.”

For Fox, that’s saying a mouthful. But Miller deserves it for what he’s endured while battling injury after injury.

“Just what he’s fought through,” Fox said when asked what was most impressive about Miller’s journey. “(He’s) not given up, and he’s performed at a pretty high level.”

As shoulder, calf and foot injuries kept him off the field for more than three years, the 6-foot-5, 236-pound Miller had a lot of time to think and learn about himself.

There were some things he thought about frequently.

“I’d say mental toughness, to never give up,” Miller

said. “I knew that I wanted receptions match his personal best. The five touchdowns to continue to play football, are one more than his career and I believed in myself total entering this season. and my abilities. It was just If there is a positive to something where (with) every spending almost half of a setback, I was willing to do career rehabilitating injuwhatever it took to get back ries and trying to get back to to where I was prior to that whole, it’s that Miller had a injury. That’s really how year-long break from absorbI went through all three of ing any punishment on the them.” field.

Miller didn’t spend any He’s what people like to of his down time devising a refer to as a “low-mileage” backup plan if football didn’t guy because he hasn’t spent work out.

16 games a year taking the “I didn’t have a Plan B,” punishment that comes with he said. “If you’ve got a Plan playing the tight end position B, you ain’t focused on Plan in the NFL. A. So throughout that whole But Fox wasn’t sure if he time, I was really just focused agreed with that characterion getting back and getting zation of his new No. 1 tight ready to play football again.” end.

After catching 41 passes “I don’t really look at footfor 428 yards in his first two ball players like cars,” Fox seasons in Jacksonville, cracked. “It’s been unfortuMiller suffered the shoulder nate for him, and I think it injury in the Jaguars’ fourth says a lot about him and his game in 2011. He didn’t play character what he’s had to in a regular-season game again until this year’s season overcome and continue to work through. You just like opener.

But his 313 receiving yards seeing good things happen to good people.” are a career high, and his 21

9 CHICAGO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | Thursday, December 17, 2015 • ChicagoFootball.com

Miller battles his way back after years of injuries

10

ChicagoFootball.com • Thursday, December 17, 2015

| CHICAGO FOOTBALL WEEKLY

Chicago Bears’ Jay Cutler (6) and Pernell McPhee (92) celebrate their 17-13 win Nov. 26 over the Green Bay Packers in Green Bay, Wis. AP photo

In need of

‘violence’ Pernell McPhee’s absence is hurting Chicago in more ways than one. Will the Bears get their leader back?

By

NATE ATKINS

natkins@chicagofootball.com

T

he Bears locker room following a loss is a different place when Pernell McPhee isn’t active. It’s quieter, for starters, with fewer audible voices, fewer player scrums, fewer references to violence and “playing like a dog.”

That’s because there’s something edgy to McPhee’s personality, a commodity the Bears signed on for last spring, the biggest con-

tract Ryan Pace has yet to hand out. The emotion he so visibly plays with doesn’t shed itself before he enters the locker room, and it’s often present just before. The night before the Bears’ first win over the Raiders, McPhee gave a pre-game speech that asked everyone to lock arms with their teammates and then dared them to let go. Then after the game, he said he was on a mission – to make the playoffs, to turn this thing around.

In a short span of time, he’s become a leader here.

But the Bears haven’t had it for much of the past couple months.

Ever since he missed the Rams game in Week 7 following a practice injury, McPhee’s knee has yet to be the same. He missed Sunday’s 24-21 loss to Washington, the second game in a row Chicago has dropped at home with little ability to use the real McPhee for the moments that mattered most.

McPhee, after all, is their leader. And the Bears could use a leader right now.

This is McPhee’s first season as a full-time 3-4 outside linebacker, his first year in a true spotlight of any kind. But the attention of his role in Chicago has only brought out the McPhee who flashed in his earlier football stops.

In 2008, Mississippi State defensive line coach David Turner attended a game at Itawamba Community College, and there was McPhee, playing on the defensive line like a player not stuck in junior college. Turner’s biggest takeaway that day was he found a player with effort, the kind you can coach and mold, and that mattered more than the little football he’d had in his life.

McPhee only played one year of high school football in Pahokee, Fla. He’d been a basketball star for the years until he tried another sport, and suddenly he had the talent of a future college player, just not the time. And so he began at Itawamba before he landed at Mississippi State, where he started every game at defensive end.

Even though McPhee came in as the new kid to football and to the spotlight, Turner remembers that vibrant personality taking form in the pockets of daily life, the way McPhee hungered for coaching, played with a natural

mean streak and used words like “violence” to pump up a team even if it’s just practice. He came that way seemingly every day.

“He was a natural leader because, No. 1, nobody was going to outwork him,” Turner said. “And No. 2, he was tough, and nobody was going to challenge him. And those are the things that I really liked.”

Turner recalls McPhee being the good kind of raw, free of bad habits. The game took some time for him, particularly in switching from defensive end in a 4-3 to outside linebacker in the 3-4, even as his weight often put him as something in-between. His height was always desirable at 6 feet 3, an asset at any position.

That was key because McPhee would have to learn a couple different ones to excel in his first NFL stop in Baltimore, where Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil – “future Hall-of-Famers,” McPhee insists – manned the outside linebacker spots. In four years there, he started just six games.

But they needed spells, and he

ner, connected by where they came from in southern Florida, a place Dumervil described as a breeding ground for violent personalities.

He remembers seeing McPhee come into his own in a game against the Falcons early last season. He’d been applying hurries all season long but coming up just short of the sacks, bound to happen in constant battle with two guys who now combine for 202 in their careers. But against the Falcons, the sacks were his right away, as he notched two and flashed a grin that said, simply, that he was ready.

Pace bought in, offering him a five-year, $38-million deal to take his game and make it full-time for the Bears. He was buying both a player and a personality for a locker room that needed both.

It was the very first preseason game against the Dolphins at Soldier Field when Jarvis Jenkins felt a tap on his back and the direction to dart inside on the next play. It was McPhee talking.

When the ball snapped, Jenkins went inside, and McPhee stepped up unblocked to toss the ball-carrier down in the backfield. When the whistle hit, he just started screaming.

“Y’all see that?” he yelled to his

Bears linebacker Pernell McPhee hurries Aaron Rodgers in the first quarter Sept. 13 at Soldier Field in Chicago.

H. Rick Bamman – Shaw Media

teammates, according to Jenkins.

“Y’all just trust me. I’ve got all y’all’s back. I know this stuff. We need to just talk. If we talk, then the game’s going to be real easier.”

McPhee encouraged communication often. Weeks later, with him only occasionally on the field, the communication has lacked for the Bears. It’s what cost them on Blaine Gabbert’s 71-yard game-winning

touchdown to Torrey Smith in the 49ers loss, and it was again a source of frustration after the latest loss to Washington.

Now that the Bears are out of the playoff picture at 5-8, the organization has shown no hesitation to shut down its marquee players in the name of health, from Martellus Bennett to Antrel Rolle. John Fox said he wouldn’t go as far as

to say it will happen with McPhee, but his constant shuffling in and out of the defense without flashing the skills that shaped his first half beg the question of when or if he’ll get right again this season.

Replacing McPhee’s play has been one challenge. Lamarr Houston and Willie Young have come into their own as 3-4 pass rushers, combining for 9.5 sacks in the past six games. It’s been needed since McPhee’s snaps have greatly diminished and so has his impact. He hasn’t registered a sack since Week Eight against the Vikings.

“I think what we’ve gotten out of him the last few weeks is about all we could expect right now,” Vic Fangio said.

Replacing his voice is something else.

“The thing about Pernell is, when he comes out, he’s talking.

He’s always communicating and talking to guys,” Jenkins said.

“And [Sam] Acho and Willie and Lamarr, that’s the one thing they do is to try to keep the level of intensity up, keep the communication up when he’s not in there because that’s one thing that we lack when he’s not in there, the vocal part.”

The question now is when they’ll get it back.

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also got the chances to play along with them in the defensive end role.

McPhee has thanked those days for helping develop the player he is now, a huge outside linebacker at 275 pounds with the savvy of a veteran. Despite missing two full games and long stretches of several others, McPhee still ranks third on the team with five sacks. He helped take over games in back-to-back weeks against the Raiders and Chiefs, making key stops to get the offense the ball back in comeback Bears wins.

Dumervil isn’t surprised.

“With Phee, there’s certain things he does that I can’t do,” Dumervil said. “He’s such a big guy at 285 that is rugged. The way I describe his game is just rugged and violent. And then at the same time, he’s quicker than people may expect from him. He has a really good hop-out move and he’s very deceptively quick, so he can beat you with an inside quick move and you’ve gotta account for how tall he is. … I hope those guys are taking advantage of him.”

When Dumervil joined the Ravens in 2013, McPhee’s second year, the two became locker mates.

They bonded there and out at din-

ChicagoFootball.com • Thursday, December 17, 2015

| CHICAGO FOOTBALL WEEKLY

12

NFC NORTH REPORT By

ARTHUR ARKUSH

aarkush@chicagofootball.com @ArthurArkush

PACKERS @ RAIDERS

Overview

Mike McCarthy took back play-calling duties, and the Packers took back control of the NFC North with their resounding 28-7 victory over the Cowboys. File the key to Green Bay’s offensive advances with McCarthy back in the saddle under things Marc Trestman would never say. “That’s the 1-2 punch you look for. When you can get [rushing] attempts around 40, that’s where you want to be,” explained McCarthy of Green Bay’s dominant effort on the ground behind a “rejuvenated” Eddie Lacy and his speedier counterpunch, James Starks. Green Bay was where defensive tone-setter Mike Daniels wanted to be, and the Packers ensured their best interior lineman, and arguably

By the numbers

The Packers carried a season-high 44 times for 230 rushing yards against Dallas, the yardage total representing their best production since Week 12 in 2004. … Green Bay improved to No. 9 in third down ‘D’ after limiting Dallas to just 1-of-11 conversions (9 percent). The Raiders converted a season defensive MVP remains there with a new, low 20 percent (3-of-15) of their third-down four-year extension. The NFL’s sixth-ranked tries in Denver. scoring ‘D’ has now held its past five opponents to an average of 15.6 points. Oakland LIONS @ SAINTS notched its first signature road win, 15-12 over the Broncos, behind one-man wrecking crew Khalil Mack, whose franchise Overview record-tying 5 sacks propelled Oakland in The Lions visit New Orleans in a Monspite of an offense that managed just 126 to- day-night matchup between teams headtal yards. ing toward possible coaching changes at season’s end. Jim Caldwell’s fate appears Matchup to watch sealed after Detroit’s second consecutive With the Packers’ offense gaining trac- loss, 21-14 in St. Louis, where the key ingretion, Oakland’s passing game must im- dients during the team’s brief run of sucprove significantly to pull off an upset and cess – protecting the football and Matthew keep its postseason light flickering – and it Stafford, and stopping the run – ran dry. starts with rookie Amari Cooper rebound- Moreover, after an early pick-six, Stafing from being shutout for the first time in ford’s 46 pass attempts coinciding with the the NFL. With Sam Shields in concussion NFL’s worst run game averaging 5.6 yards protocol, Cooper should see plenty of fellow but getting just 20 carries defies logic. The first-rounder Damarious Randall, as well Lions fell to 1-5 on the road, and rose to the as second-rounder Quinten Rollins, both of seventh overall pick in next April’s draft, whom continue to play very well in the sec- a major selling point for the next generondary. Randall’s speed and space tackling al manager. Meanwhile, the Saints ended are key assets against Cooper, one of the their four-game skid while wrecking the playoff push for Lovie Smith’s Buccaneers NFL’s top open-field runners.

behind another strong effort from Drew Brees, and a lot of heavy lifting for new No. 1 running back Tim Hightower.

Matchup to watch

Stafford’s turnover a week ago ended one of the longest interception-free stretches – three-plus games – of his career. But he’ll have a chance to begin a new streak versus a New Orleans pass ‘D’ with just six picks, tied with Detroit for 31st in the NFL. Saints first-year cornerback Delvin Breaux, formerly of the Arena and Canadian Football League, has been the closest thing to a bright spot on the Saints defense this year, and he’ll have a chance to enhance his growing reputation versus Calvin Johnson (just one catch on five targets a week ago) and Golden Tate.

Breaux (6-1, 196) has good size, speed and, perhaps more importantly, confidence for a 26-year-old first-year player who’s come out of nowhere to make 12 starts as New Orleans’ top cover man. Stafford has done a better job driving the ball downfield of late, one of the few areas Breaux has shown some vulnerability.

By the numbers

Johnson was held to one catch for the seventh time in his career, but only second since Week 13 in 2010. … The Saints allow an opposing passer rating of 114.2, 12 points higher than the 31st-ranked Titans.

CARS815.com

FOOTBALL No ‘revenge’ games to affect Week 15 picks By

J.C. TALON

ChicagoFootball.com fantasy football writer

Hopefully, you were able to catch LeSean McCoy’s record-setting performance against Philadelphia last Sunday. What’s that you say? He ran for just 74 yards, had no TDs, and looked downright average against a bad defense?

Keep that in mind the next time some idiot tries to sell you on a “revenge” game. If motivation were all it took, “Rudy” would be in the Hall of Fame.

On to Week 15 …

MATCHUPS TO EXPLOIT Panthers (@ Giants) Sunday, noon

This just in: Start Cam Newton. Over the last few weeks, he’s been the hottest fantasy player not named Russell Wilson. The Giants have a lot to play for, and it would not be a surprise if this were a close game. It would be a surprise, however, if Carolina were held to under 27 points. New York’s defense is ranked dead-last in the NFL. And the last time Carolina failed to score at least 27 points?

That would be Week Two against Houston (a 24-17 win).

Must start: Newton, Jonathan Stewart*, Greg Olsen*, Graham Gano Solid play: Ted Ginn, Panthers D/ST Worth a look: Fozzy Whitaker (if no Stewart) Last resort: Mike Tolbert, Corey Brown, Devin Funchess, Ed Dickson (if no Olsen)

Patriots (vs. Titans) Sunday, noon

After two losses in a row, New England’s offense turned in a solid effort on Sunday night against Houston’s seventh-ranked defense. Although the Pats offense produced just 313 yards, they were efficient. New England controlled the game throughout. The Titans don’t have a bad defense statistically (No. 13), but they’ve given up 69

points in the last two weeks. New England is banged up, so you’ll need to keep an eye on the status of LeGarrette Blount and Julian Edelman. We have excluded them from our rankings, but both are solid plays if they are active. New England’s defense is likely to be missing some key starters, so temper expectations for the D/ST. Must start: Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, Stephen Gostkowski Solid play: Danny Amendola (if no Edelman), Brandon Bolden (if no Blount) Worth a look: James White, Brandon LaFell, Patriots D/ST Last resort: Keshawn Martin, Scott Chandler

Jaguars (vs. Falcons) Sunday, noon

You know it’s a wacky season when the Jaguars have been recommended two weeks in a row.

Atlanta has lost six straight and their passing defense, once in the top 10, has dropped to 18th. Atlanta is better against the rush, but Jacksonville doesn’t run much anyway. During that six-game losing streak, the Falcons have given up more than 20 points six times (they held the lowly 49ers to 17 in Week Nine). We are assuming T.J. Yeldon (knee, groin, ankle) won’t play, but keep an eye on his status.

Must start: Allen Robinson Solid play: Blake Bortles, Allen Hurns, Julius Thomas Worth a look: Denard Robinson (if no Yeldon), Jason Myers Last resort: Jags D/ST Stay away: Marqise Lee, Clay Harbor

Packers (@ Raiders) Sunday, 3:05

Presumably channeling the ghost of Vince Lombardi, the Packers are trying to reinvent themselves as a run-first offense.

We’ll see how long that lasts. The Raiders rank 12th against the run, but are 28th versus the pass. If the running lanes get clogged, Aaron

Rodgers won’t hesitate to put the ball in the air early and often. This is strictly a hunch, but look for a big day from Randall Cobb.

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

Lions (@ Saints) Monday, 7:30

The Saints held Tampa Bay to 17 points last week. That’s probably due more to an inconsistent Tampa offense than a defensive resurgence in New Orleans. The Saints’ defense is ranked 30th in rushing yards, 31st in total yards and dead-last in rushing yards and points allowed. Outside of a 45-point outburst against the Eagles on Thanksgiving, the Lions haven’t scored many points. They do, however, possess the league’s 10th-ranked passing attack.

Must start: Calvin Johnson Solid play: Matthew Stafford, Golden Tate Worth a look: Ameer Abdullah, Matt Prater Last resort: Joique Bell, Theo Riddick, Eric Ebron Stay away: Lions D/ST

MATCHUPS TO AVOID Cowboys (vs. Jets) Saturday, 7:25

The Jets have the NFL’s No. 1 rushing defense and the Cowboys can’t throw the ball to save their lives. The 29th-ranked Dallas passing game would likely be last, if it weren’t for Tony Romo playing in four games. Darren McFadden owners should be a bit concerned that Robert Turbin had seven carries last week. McFadden had nine.

Must start: none Solid play: McFadden Worth a look: Jason Witten Last resort: Turbin, Dez Bryant, Terrance Williams, Dan Bailey, Cowboys D/ST Stay away: Matt Cassel

Bears (@ Vikings) Sunday, noon

“matchup to avoid” to a “matchup to run from … screaming.”

Must start: none AP photo Solid play: none Worth a look: Frank Gore, T.Y. Hilton Last resort: Donte Moncrief, Coby Fleener, Adam Vinatieri Stay away: Hasselbeck, Dan Herron, Andre Johnson, Colts D/ST

Browns (@ Seahawks) Sunday, 3:05 Cleveland’s 21st-ranked offense is not as bad as you think. Their 26th-ranked defense is worse. The Browns looked solid last week with Johnny Manziel at QB, but that was against the 49ers at home. This week they’ll travel to face a Seattle team that is on a tear. The Seahawks held Baltimore last Sunday to 28 yards rushing and they have won their last two games by a combined score of 70-13. Even if Manziel enjoys some early success, Seattle just has too much for Cleveland to handle for very long.

Must start: none Solid play: none Worth a look: Gary Barnidge Last resort: Manziel, Isaiah Crowell, Duke Johnson, Travis Benjamin Stay away: Travis Coons, Browns D/ST

Vikings opponents are averaging 19.6 points per game and that average will likely be lower after this game. Minnesota is much better against the pass (8th) than the run (20th), so expect a steady dose of Matt Forte and Jeremy Langford. On the other side of the ball, the Bears and their weak run ‘D’ will see a lot of Adrian Peterson.

With both teams running the ball – and eating clock – it’s hard to envision a lot of scoring in this one.

Must start: Forte, Alshon Jeffery ALSO CONSIDER Solid play: none Worth a look: Zach Miller ALSO BEWARE Cardinals (@ Eagles), Sunday, 7:30 Last resort: Jay Cutler, Langford, Producing 417.5 yards per Eddie Royal game, Arizona is the top-ranked Stay away: Robbie Gould, Bears Buccaneers (@ Rams) Thursday, 7:25 offense in the NFL. The Eagles D/ST With an over/under of 41, this counter with the league’s No. 27 is projected to be the lowest-scordefense. ing game of the week. The Rams’ Colts (vs. Texans) Sunday, noon Indy is rapidly devolving into defense is overrated, especially a train wreck. The Colts have against the run (21st), so you should Saints (vs. Lions) Monday, 7:30 It’s been a season to forget for been outscored 96-25 in the last play Doug Martin. This is not a Saints fans. On the bright side, two weeks. They’ll find no sympa- good matchup for Jameis Winston New Orleans has scored 60 points thy from a Houston team that has and Mike Evans. The Rams’ pass in its last two games. The Saints played very solid defense of late. defense is above average (13th) and offense is fourth in total yards We are expecting Matt Hasselbeck Tampa’s air attack has been inconand second in passing yards. The to start at QB, but monitor that sit- sistent. betting lines project this to be the uation. If both Andrew Luck and highest scoring game of Week 15. Hasselbeck are out, this goes from a *Check injury status

13 CHICAGO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | Thursday, December 17, 2015 • ChicagoFootball.com

FANTASY

LeSean McCoy

14

ChicagoFootball.com • Thursday, December 17, 2015

| CHICAGO FOOTBALL WEEKLY

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ARTHUR ARKUSH

Which Bears have a future in farming? this week’s topic as an excuse to quote my favorite stand-up comic of all time. Mitch Hedberg used to tell a joke about how, in Hollywood, everyone always wants comedians to act or write. He said it was like finding a great chef and asking, “Can you farm?” The Bears asked a lot of players to learn how to farm this year: Willie Young and Lamarr Houston moved to outside linebacker, Kyle Long went to right tackle and Shea McClellin moved to inside linebacker, among others. How’d they do?

Their transformations have been impressive enough they might affect Ryan Pace’s view of the position heading into the offseason. Kyle Long was the first to point out his performance against Washington wasn’t nearly good enough, but it shouldn’t obscure the battles he won against Khalil Mack, Justin Houston and others. You’re a writer, mind painting us a picture of McClellin’s 2015 season? What about rookies Bryce Callahan and Adrian Amos – how have they fared out of their comfort zones?

ARTHUR ARKUSH: First off, Pat, thanks for injecting some (intended) humor into a Bears season now prompting the wrong kinds of laughs. Down on the farm, the bountiful yields of Young and Houston in recent weeks have helped feed a pass rush starved without Pernell McPhee.

FINLEY: Mitch once joked that a friend told him he had to re-write something, but he decided to make a copy instead.

If the Bears could replicate Amos, they would. He’s has played all but four defensive snaps as a rookie – incredible, by any measure – and has been solid. At a

PATRICK FINLEY: Arthur, I’m going to use

ARKUSH: Amos has been terrific, though if they could, the Bears would want to copy the pre-weeks 13-14 version.

That he’s tackled so well and been in the right place more often than not has been a pleasant surprise for a guy who never played safety full-time until this year.

Callahan has piqued my interest. I’d love to see how he can hold up once teams start targeting him more, but I’ve already seen enough of teams relentlessly attacking McClellin and the middle of the defense to say with total confidence he’s on the way out. I think Young and Houston, given their reasonable contracts, will still be farming for the Bears. Long might be a hard-throwing southpaw, but for his sake I hope they leave him right where he is.

KYLE LONG

H. Rick Bamman – Shaw Media

Who are we missing? Has Zach Miller convinced you he can be a “complete” tight end? And Long did reference Randy Johnson on Sunday, so maybe he’s foreshadowing a left-hand turn?

FINLEY: Long at left tackle has always made the most sense to me. Even if Charles Leno Jr. says he’s better on the left flank, you have to put your best lineman on Jay Cutler’s blind side. Long is still that, even if he’s struggled at times.

I asked John Fox about Zach Miller’s mileage, and he joked he didn’t look at players the way he does cars. Speaking of cars: Mitch one said he wanted to be a racecar passenger – just to ride shotgun and tell the driver that he must really like Tide.

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15 CHICAGO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | Thursday, December 17, 2015 • ChicagoFootball.com

TAKE TWO

position that was known as a rollercoaster around here for years, we don’t praise Amos’ job nearly enough. Callahan’s been a mini-revelation, too; people forget that he’d never played the slot cornerback position before. As for McClellin, I can’t say with confidence that he’s a longterm answer for the Bears, but he could be good if he’s paired with a dynamic inside linebacker. He’s definitely not the sunk cost that he was at defensive end or outside linebacker, but is he worth a new contract, do ya think? And where do you think Willie Young and Lamarr Houston are playing next year? As for Kyle Long, is he really a left tackle?

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