After the first six weeks of the NFL season, the Bears don`t appear to be going in circles.
Head coach Mike Ditka says there is one clear reason his team is 5-1 and in first place in the NFC Central Division.
”One team scored over 20 points (the Raiders) and they beat us (24-10). You`ve got one shutout and you`ve got one team scoring nine points, three teams in the teens. To play defense like that . . . that`s the bottom line,” said Ditka.
The Bears blanked the Seattle Seahawks 17-0, knocked off the Rams 38-9 last Sunday night and claimed victories over Green Bay twice (31-13 and 27-13). Minnesota also fell by the wayside, 19-16.
”If they are not getting on the board, then you always have a chance to be in the game,” said Ditka.
Here is a look at how Ditka and the assistant coaches view the Bears season so far:
QUARTERBACK:
– The facts-Jim Harbaugh ranks sixth in the NFC passing (91.4 rating), having completed 69 of 110 for 877 yards, with 5 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Experienced backup Mike Tomczak (10 for 25 for 115 yards) has handled mopup duty but could be pressed into service as a starter. Rookie Peter Tom Willis has yet to take an NFL regular-season snap, but Ditka says he is improving in practice.
– Coach`s comment-”Jim is doing a good job of picking up primary and secondary receivers. He showed a lot of courage against the Rams (playing with a broken rib),” said offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Greg Landry.
Ditka adds: ”Our offense is starting to get a little more confidence. If they start getting the feeling we can get 28 or 31 points, then we should be a much better team.”
RUNNING BACKS:
– The facts-Neal Anderson heads up the NFL`s leading ground-gaining team. He has rushed for 493 yards on 105 carries for a 4.7-yard average. Brad Muster has evolved into an accomplished pro runner, blocker and receiver, despite playing with a sore back. Rookie Johnny Bailey has been used mainly on special teams and appears on the verge of making an impact. Rookie James Rouse has made a smooth adjustment from halfback to fullback, and recently signed free agent Lars Tate provides quality backup help when he learns all the plays. Mark Green, last year`s immediate backup to Anderson, is eligible to come off injured reserve this week.
– Coach`s comment-”I always try to preach about being consistently consistent,” said running backs coach Johnny Roland. ”I think Neal has handled the ball in the first six games an average of about 22 times, and that is just about right. I don`t want to wear him smooth, so if we can get a lead and keep a lead, I would like to play some young guys so they can get some game experience.
”Brad is playing with confidence; he has had some success, and the big fella is probably playing at an All-Pro clip in terms of his blocking. James Rouse has some innate running skills, and I am working with him on his blocking.”
RECEIVERS:
– The facts-Running backs Anderson (16) and Muster (14) have more receptions than the receiving corps, but Dennis Gentry (13) and Ron Morris (11) are coming through in the clutch in recent weeks. Wendell Davis (3) has been limited this season because of chronic hamstring problems. Tight ends Cap Boso (9) and James Thornton (8) also are starting to fit into the picture, especially in third-and-long situations.
– Coach`s comment-”I think we have to be a little more aggressive in getting the football,” said receivers coach Vic Rapp. ”When that ball goes up in the air, I think we have to develop the attitude that it is ours and we are going to go get it. I think we have to also prove that we can go deep on people. I feel like we can.
”We talk about using Dennis (Gentry) in the game more all the time. What we will probably do more as we go on is use him as a third wide receiver. I think that is his value to this team.”
OFFENSIVE LINE:
– The facts-Aside from a few nicks and bruises, the offensive line has remained healthy. Jim Covert, Keith Van Horne, Tom Thayer, Mark Bortz and Jay Hilgenberg are at the top of their game, facilitating the running game and giving Harbaugh more time to throw.
– Coach`s comment-”I think the first half saw us gain some confidence,” said line coach Dick Stanfel. ”Last year I think everybody was down on themselves. I think they realize now that they have a quarterback who can take the team all the way to the Super Bowl. That has a lot to do with their confidence for the run and their blocking for pass protection.
”Even though they have seven, eight, nine years in, I think they all know that they can learn. I don`t think they are satisfied at what they have done.”
DEFENSIVE LINE:
– The facts-The bookends-Richard Dent and Trace Armstrong-are tied for the club lead in sacks with five apiece. The rotating tackles-William Perry, Steve McMichael and Dan Hampton-are providing solid inside pressure, even though Hampton is not satisfied with his personal contributions so far.
– Coach`s comment-”Through these first six games I have been very happy with the way we have played, except the Raiders game, naturally,” said defensive line coach John Levra. ”We have to try to improve our fundamental techniques and play even better. The teams we have played so far have been different in their styles of attack. The teams coming up are going to be a little bit different.
”I think Dan and Steve and William are all playing well when they are in there rotating. Hopefully, they will be fresh if and when we get into the playoffs.”
LINEBACKERS:
– The facts-Mike Singletary leads the team in tackles with 51 (24 solos). Jim Morrissey has recovered a fumble and defensed three passes. Ron Rivera has 30 tackles, two passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Ron Cox (nine tackles, one sack) and John Roper (seven tackles) also have played well for long stretches.
– Coach`s comment-”We have quality depth at linebacker now and we are not afraid to use any of those players,” said linebackers coach Dave McGinnis.
”Cox is a tremendous athlete. Mike Singletary is playing as well now as I have ever seen him play. He hasn`t lost a step.”
SECONDARY:
– The facts-Lemuel Stinson is second in the NFC in interceptions with four, but the real story of the Bears` secondary thus far has been the overall increased confidence of the unit. Young players such as Donnell Woolford, Mark Carrier, David Tate and Markus Paul are playing with calculated abandon. Maurice Douglass, coming off an ankle injury, remains a versatile big-play performer. And veteran strong safety Shaun Gayle is playing the best ball of his career.
– Coach`s comment-”The key for Shaun always has simply been keeping him healthy for an entire year,” said Ditka.
”As a group, these guys really support each other and it shows in their play on the field,” said first-year secondary coach Zaven Yaralian. ”We have a quality guy on the bench (Vestee Jackson) who started for several years at cornerback. He wants his job back and he is not satisfied, but he has been supportive of the other guys. It is a healthy situation.”
SPECIAL TEAMS:
– The facts-Kevin Butler has come through in the clutch as he always has for the Bears. And this season he is demonstrating the strong leg he showed in college, booting field goals from 52, 51 and 50 yards. He has connected on 10 of 13 field-goal attempts and all 16 extra-point tries for 46 points and a third-place ranking among NFC kickers. Punter Maury Buford is averaging only 39.9 yards per boot, but he has nailed seven inside the 20. Bailey is averaging 12.6 yards on kickoff returns and 9.1 yards on punt returns. Linebacker Mickey Pruitt has excelled on special teams, returning Buford`s blocked punt for a key first down against the Packers.
– Coach`s comment-”Kevin has been kicking the ball very well,” said special teams coach Steve Kazor. ”His injury (strained hip flexor) has hurt his kickoffs, but we hope he will start to feel better and improve in that area. Maury has made some adjustments, such as shortening his stride, that are starting to pay off. We are trying to make things happen on special teams, creating turnovers and being aggressive.”
