Many people wondered why the Bears held on to running back Anthony Thomas when the NFL trading deadline passed two weeks ago–nobody more than Thomas himself.
Sunday night provided the best answer.
Starter Thomas Jones left the game after the first series with a sprained left foot. So the Bears turned to Thomas, and he responded.
In what will serve as an impressive resume tape next winter during free agency, Thomas carried 11 times for 62 yards in the first half, 14 more yards than he had gained in the first six games combined.
He finished with 98 rushing yards on 25 carries and added 46 receiving yards on four catches.
If the Bears have learned anything in this season full of devastating injuries, it is the value of quality depth.
Trading Thomas made little sense for a team worried about the wear and tear on Jones. But how many teams can turn to their bench and put a 1,000-yard rusher in the game?
An improvised 30-yard scamper off a short pass from Craig Krenzel displayed Thomas’ quickness and open-field running skills that many thought made him a bad fit for Terry Shea’s offense.
Thomas never agreed with that assessment, but, as much as his demotion frustrated him, he never let the situation affect his preparation.
He expressed disappointment the day after the trade deadline passed but vowed to work hard so he would be ready for an opportunity. Sunday night, it came.
HE’S BACK: Rex Tucker started at right guard against the 49ers, making his first regular-season start in two years and 33 games.
He had been the starter at left guard in camp before dislocating his left elbow, necessitating a shakeup. Ruben Brown moved over to left guard, where he has excelled. Having Tucker at right guard next to center Olin Kreutz potentially gives the Bears one of the best interiors in the NFC.
REPLACED: Defensive end Michael Haynes, starting in place of the injured Adewale Ogunleye, promised he would do more to stop the run and was more active in the first half than he had been all season. Haynes injured his left ankle and received treatment on the sideline late in the second quarter before he returned.
POSITIVE NEGATIVE: When Paul Edinger kicked a 45-yard field goal with 4 minutes 35 seconds left in the second quarter, it capped a three-play drive that covered minus-4 yards.
