Something felt different to Bears wide receiver David Terrell at practice Wednesday, and not just because of his increased repetitions with the No. 1 offense. “We got beat 49-7 and the sense of urgency goes up from coaches to players to management,” Terrell said. “That [stuff] was embarrassing, to the management, to the owners, to the coaches, to the players. It’s embarrassing for the whole city.” Terrell downplayed the fact that he stands to get more chances Sunday to supplant Dez White as the starter at wide receiver. White has yet to emerge as the threat Bears coaches long have thought he could be while everybody in the organization agrees it’s time for a No. 1 draft pick, Terrell, to start playing like one. Terrell was told to expect more snaps Sunday. “The time is now, for everybody, not just me,” Terrell said. . . .
White didn’t seem fazed by the possibility Terrell was gaining on him. “I assume we’ll be playing about the same,” said White, who caught three passes for 28 yards against the 49ers. “It’s too early to panic but not too early to buckle down and get your focus.” . . .
Last winter the Vikings pulled a surprise on the Bears and signed restricted free-agent kicker Paul Edinger to a five-year, $7 million offer sheet. The Bears matched, paying more than they likely would have to keep the most accurate kicker in franchise history. Naturally, Vikings coach Mike Tice was asked Wednesday if he still regretted losing the bidding war for Edinger. “Who?” Tice answered, sincerely baffled. “Oh, the kicker. That happened so long ago I don’t even remember. I wasn’t too disappointed on losing out when my field-goal kicker [Aaron Elling] went 3-for-3 Sunday [in the victory over the Packers].” . . . Rookie Bobby Wade, whose fumbled punt against the 49ers cost the Bears, said Wednesday he didn’t expect to return punts Sunday. Veteran R.W. McQuarters might take his place, though McQuarters will believe it when he sees it. “In four years I’ve been here I’ve probably worked on catching punts every day and returned [12] punts,” McQuarters said. “We still have Ahmad [Merritt] back there. It’s almost like you don’t know what’s coming, but when it comes, you just have to go out and do it.” . . .
Versatile offensive lineman Terrence Metcalf practiced at full speed Wednesday for the first time in a month and reported no problems. Metcalf suffered a broken left index finger Aug. 8 and can play both guard spots and left tackle. . . . Defensive coordinator Greg Blache’s advice on what to do with last Sunday’s 49-7 loss? “Give it a good Christian burial and move on,” Blache said.
