Bears are flunking the toughness test, keeping a wary eye on David Terrell’s antics and watching Randy Moss gather more receptions.
Q. After watching the Bears lose the past two weekends, I’m starting to wonder if they simply are not tough enough. What’s your impression?
A. The Bears seem to lack exceptional skill position players, and they espouse a strategy of tough, conservative play. When teams run over them the way the 49ers and Vikings did the first two weekends, it makes you wonder.
Q. How can the Bears go from being one of the best defenses in the NFL two years ago to one of the worst now?
A. A succinct answer would be the loss of defensive tackle Ted Washington, who was traded to New England this summer. When he was injured most of last season, the Bears’ run defense began to deteriorate. In the season opener, the 49ers’ Kevan Barlow and Garrison Hearst ran wild. And Sunday night against the Vikings, Moe Williams and Onterrio Smith combined for 165 yards.
Q. David Terrell made a fine touchdown catch in the first half. Then I had to hold my breath for fear he was going to kick the ball into the stands or do something else stupid to draw a penalty flag. Why does he feel it necessary to carry on after a score?
A. Apparently because Terrell thinks the game is all about him, and not his teammates. Before Sunday night’s game, Terrell ran onto the field near the stands, pointing to himself and taunting the Minnesota fans.
Q. The Bears usually open the season at home. When was the last time they played their first two games on the road?
A. In 2000 the Bears lost 30-27 at Minnesota and 41-0 at Tampa Bay. The Bears opened on the road for only the third time in the last 34 seasons. Sunday’s game marked the second time in four years the Bears played their first two games away from home.
Q. Why is there an orange sticker on the Bears’ helmets?
A. Each Bear is wearing a sticker in the shape of an orange shamrock on the back of his helmet with the initials EWM inside, honoring the late Edward McCaskey. The chairman emeritus of the Bears died April 8.
———-
Got a question or an idea for Fred Mitchell? E-mail: AskFred@tribune.com
