Q. Was it my imagination, or did Kordell Stewart throw more pocket passes and run fewer bootlegs than usual against Arizona?
A. You are correct. Seems that Stewart and offensive coordinator John Shoop worked through their somewhat strained relationship from earlier in the season to communicate offensive strategy that works best for the veteran quarterback.
“It was an opportunity for him to sit back and watch other quarterbacks go through the process as well,” Shoop said of Stewart’s time on the bench midway through the season. “He’s a mature human being. You can go one of two ways when those (an injury and then a demotion) happen. He took the situation and made the absolute best of it. I can honestly say that in our quarterbacks meeting, I felt as good about his preparation as I have since he has been here. That certainly gives me a great deal of confidence.”
Stewart completed 22-of-37 passes for a season-high 284 yards and two touchdowns. His quarterback rating was a season-best 101.6. He also ran five times for 26 yards and a touchdown.
“We had no designed quarterback runs for this game,” Shoop said. “There were quarterback runs after he scrambled, but there were no designed runs called.”
Q. Justin Gage and Bobby Wade seem to make plays whenever they’re given the opportunity. Why haven’t they been on the field more often?
A. Gage made an acrobatic 57-yard reception on the Bears’ first possession to set up the first touchdown. It was the Bears’ longest pass play of the season. Wade later made a 24-yard reception. Both rookies bring energy to the offense.
“I was really disappointed in myself that [Gage] didn’t have more snaps last week in Denver,” Shoop said.
Q. Paul Edinger made four field goals, including a 54-yarder, last week to get out of his slump. Is he in another one now after missing two field goals against the Cardinals?
A. Edinger missed attempts of 44 and 43 yards, both toward the north goal post. The wind was swirling at 12 m.p.h. Coach Dick Jauron excused his kicker by noting there was a lot of loose turf in the middle of Soldier Field.
Q. Do the Bears have any realistic chance of beating the Packers on Sunday in Green Bay?
A. The Packers have been as maddeningly inconsistent as the Bears. Both teams have lost to lowly Detroit. The Packers have had the Bears’ number for most of the last decade. But the Bears appear to be emerging from their season-long offensive slumber.
“Those performances [against Arizona] won’t mean a thing if we don’t go out and win next week,” Shoop said. “I really feel like if we win, we’re in [the playoffs]. We just have to continue to win, and I think our guys have to recognize the importance of it.”
Q. The offensive line is beat up again. How will that affect the Bears’ ability to run the ball against the Packers?
A. Aaron Gibson’s right knee and Chris Villarrial’s ribs forced them to leave Sunday’s game. Their availability for Green Bay is questionable. Steve Edwards may have to start at right tackle if Gibson can’t go. Terrence Metcalf did a good job filling in for Villarrial.
Q. Were you surprised at the success of Brock Forsey?
A. Not completely. A lot of outstanding players from smaller colleges are not given the same opportunities in the NFL as players from bigger schools. Forsey dominated at Boise State, recording the second-highest totals in NCAA history during his senior year with 192 points and 32 touchdowns.
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Have a question or an idea for Fred Mitchell? E-mail: AskFred@tribune.com
