No wonder Randall Cunningham threw four interceptions Monday night.
The poor guy was confused-totally.
At least, that`s what cornerback Lemuel Stinson said about the Bears`
27-13 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Stinson said the Bears` switching defenses really messed with the Eagle quarterback`s mind.
”When he went right, we came left. When he went left, we came right,” said Stinson, who had one interception and nearly had two more. ”He was confused about which way we were coming. Just when he thought we were in a man-to-man, we`d switch to a zone.
”I guess he was concerned about where Mike (Singletary) was. Which, I would be, too, if I were in his shoes. But he was always watching where Mike went. I guess they were trying to go away from him.”
A more aggressive, ball-hawking Bears defense has produced more turnovers this season. It has played a major role in victories over fellow Super Bowl contenders Minnesota and Philadelphia.
”We`re stressing turnovers more this year,” said safety David Tate, who had an interception on the last play of the first half. ”Turnovers tonight helped us out of bad situations. We`re playing more aggressively than last year, and the turnovers are coming.”
”When you`re getting takeaways, it`s tough for the other team to come back,” said safety Shaun Gayle, who had an interception and a fumble recovery. ”When you get a chance to take the game right from them, it demoralizes them.”
Tate started in place of Dave Duerson, who was out with a shoulder contusion. Stinson replaced Donnell Woolford (separated shoulder).
”All of us defensive backs have a friendly competition about getting interceptions and fumbles,” Tate said. ”There`s only so much the coaches can say to you to get you motivated. We`re going even further and having fun with this competition. All the defensive backs try to get interceptions so that you can come back to the locker room and talk.”
The fourth pickoff came from rookie linebacker John Roper, who fumbled it back to the Eagles on the return. Steve McMichael recovered a fumble for the Bears` sixth takeaway.
– Maurice Douglass saw his first action this season after being suspended the first three games for using steroids.
”It was like a fish out of water,” said Douglass, who nonetheless defended a pass in the end zone in the fourth quarter that might`ve resulted in an Eagles touchdown. ”It was like being a brand new baby out there.
”But I was happy to do whatever I could. It`s a nice feeling to be a part of a win instead of watching it on television.”
With his delayed start, Douglass trails younger players like Tate, Stinson and Lorenzo Lynch in interceptions. And they won`t let him forget about it for a while.
At least until he gets his first interception.
– Former Bears defensive lineman Al Harris, now playing linebacker for the Eagles, says he has no hard feelings toward the Bears, who left him on the unprotected free-agent list.
”I look at it now, and it really worked out to be a blessing by putting me on the unprotected list,” said Harris. ”They could have held me there until the season started and I wouldn`t have had the opportunity I had here (with the Eagles). I thought I played well for the Bears toward the end of last year, I really did.
”It was hard leaving emotionally because the fans had been good to me in Chicago. I had developed a lot of friendships in Chicago. Philadelphia really wanted me, and Chicago was like, `Take it or leave it.` Probably more
`leave it.` ”
”It is a lot more relaxed here,” said Harris. ”Because Buddy (Ryan)
is so loose, it gives everybody else kind of a loose feeling.”
