After much anxiety and agonizing, Bears coach Lovie Smith announced Wednesday that performance breakdowns won’t alter the defensive starting lineup.
Look for physical breakdowns to prevent the same scenario on offense.
Running back Thomas Jones and offensive linemen Ruben Brown and John Tait missed practice Wednesday and are questionable for Sunday’s game against Minnesota.
Cedric Benson, Roberto Garza and John St. Clair are in line to take over if Jones’ knee, Brown’s chest and Tait’s ankle injuries keep them sidelined.
The likely starting lineup changes won’t be the only new look to the league’s 27th-ranked offense. After a conservative game plan netted 176 rushing yards but just 10 points against Cleveland, the Bears say they will take more shots downfield against the Vikings.
“We have to pose a threat and we have viable threats,” receiver Muhsin Muhammad said. “When you start taking shots down the field, good things happen. You either get pass interference or more plays. You have to take shots.”
Of course, the Bears professed they would do the same leading up to the Browns game and didn’t do so. Offensive coordinator Ron Turner and quarterback Kyle Orton said Wednesday that Orton hesitated on one play call to do so and checked down on another.
“It wasn’t in our game plan really to take the ball down the field last game, but obviously I’ve talked to [Turner and quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson] and we have to find ways to make big plays,” Orton said.
“I don’t care how good the running game is. You can’t throw for 120 yards and expect to win.”
The Bears, who rank ninth in rushing yards, still will need to establish a ground game. If Jones can’t go as expected, this is where Benson looks to get his first lengthy opportunity.
Benson must produce, though, because Smith has kept using the name Adrian Peterson in every sentence in which he speaks Benson’s.
“Cedric is next in line,” Smith said. “He’s a good player. We drafted him to help us win games. If Thomas can’t go, he will step up. He’s a good player, as is Adrian Peterson, I might add.”
Benson has just 65 yards on 24 carries and is coming off a high-profile fumble against Cleveland. The rookie signed after the league’s longest holdout in 2005 and admitted Wednesday that his limited opportunities affected him at one point.
Asked if he had been pressing because he felt he would be pulled if he committed a mistake, Benson took one of his customary lengthy pauses before answering.
“Yeah, these last couple of weeks those thoughts have crossed my mind,” Benson said. “But I know I wouldn’t be doing myself any favors thinking about that or wondering if I mess up. And I knew my opportunities were limited. I was putting a lot of pressure on myself. But I let that slide off and move on.”
At Texas, Benson was a runner who got stronger as the carries piled up and the legs started dragging. But with a 2.7-yard average per carry, Benson has done little sliding off defenders and moving on.
That’s why he would welcome a 20- to 25-carry game if Jones can’t go.
“I think I will get more comfortable with the defense I’m playing against and be able to make the right adjustments,” Benson said. “It’s tough when you’re not on the field.”
Asked if he has felt comfortable yet, Benson laughed.
“Nah,” he said. “I haven’t really played.”
In response to the coaching staff claiming that it feels more comfortable using Peterson in passing situations, Benson also downplayed his alleged lack of pass-blocking skills.
“That hasn’t been a concern of mine,” he said. “I’ve addressed it when it has been brought up. But I don’t think it’s an issue.”
He and possible new starters Garza and St. Clair all will have to handle pass protection if the Bears want to take shots downfield. Turner admitted that a new left side of the line could affect play calling.
But Orton is just happy that some of those plays will be downfield.
“Until we prove that we can make plays and score points in the passing game, we’re going to see eight in the box,” he said. “It’s time for the receivers and me to step up and make plays.
“Ron knows [our] strength and he is trying to protect me, and I’m for that. But I’m pleading with people to score points. I hate to go out there, get a great effort from the defense, get great field position and come away with 10 points. We’re a better offense than that and we’re going to start showing it.”
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kcjohnson@tribune.com
